Otterbourne Football Club 'A' Team Match Report

Saturday 21st January – Otterbourne 'A' 1 Park Sports 3

By George Black, 'A' Team Manager
Twyford Recreation Ground, Park Lane,Twyford

Team: Andy W, Ahmed S, Zak W, Ian H, Adam T, Stu C, Greg C, Matt S, Sam V, Tom A, Bradley
Subs: Marc F, Ash P, George B

Yet again changes were the name of the day with a number of players making their first appearance for the 3rd team though not necessarily the club. Bradley Gibbs, Greg Clarke and Adam T came down from th 2nd team whilst Andy Williams (Zak’s dad) kindly helped out again as Chris W was working. The evergreen Ian Houghton was also drafted in to offer his experience and competitiveness.

The first ten minutes did not really see much between the teams and as with previous games Otters had started soundly despite all the changes. In the12th minute Otters took the lead when after a break down the left Sam Veal got to the edge of the visitors penalty area and his teasing cross was headed home by an unfortunate defender into his own net.

However instead of lifting the team it was more like panic at the shock of scoring early! Otters struggled to put anything together for the remainder of the half and giving the ball away too often found themselves under increasing pressure. To be fair the wind started blowing strongly and they were playing against it.
 
Otters then suffered a blow in the 35th minute when Tom A went down in the centre circle clutching his knee. It soon became obvious that he couldn’t continue and he was replaced by Marc F. Those couple of minutes proved costly as the visitors equalised in the time added on.

A slight reshuffle to the team at halftime and with the wind behind their backs it was hoped Otters would look to get back into the game but Andy W in goal again found him the busier of the keepers and made several fine saves during the game. Otters conceded a second 10 minutes into the 2nd half but there were genuine claims for a hand ball before it was smashed home form 6 yards.

Ahmed S was then replaced by Ash P who tried to get Otters going but little was happening around him. Ian H as always was still trying to encourage and push everybody on. George B then came onto replace Matt S for the last 15 minutes and his appearance at the back brought the combined age with Ian to 112 years which along with the 47 years of Andy in goal must have been as much as the visitors team put together! The visitors then scored in injury time to finish the game off.

Next up is the postponed cup game v Hedge End Rangers. A nice change from the league and can Otters take the opportunity to record their first win of the season?