|
|
|
City 1 and 2 claim top four spot in each division |
|
Monday, 10 December 2007 |
An 8-8 draw against Abingdon 2 last Sunday means that Oxford City 2 are guaranteed a top four spot after the first round of games in division 2. This means that they will play in the next round of games to decide place 1 to 4. Oxford City 1 will need a point from their last match against MK Bucks 2 next Sunday to qualify for the top four as well, after they beat Basingstoke Bulls 6 -1.
In a low scoring game City 1 managed to overcome Basingstoke Bulls. After 40 minutes of play the score was only 2-1 despite a wealth of chances. City should have decided the match before half time but failed to convert the many chances. Both teams exchanged goals in the first 10 minutes after which both teams failed to score for a long time. The attack with Dave, Michiel, Sue and Alice, who stepped in for the ill Sophie, needed many chances to score. Good support play, however, allowed for multi shot attacks and many chances. It seemed though City 1 paid the price for the Christmas social the night before as the shooting was poor. Sue brought City 1 in the lead with a long shot in the first half. Ten minutes into the second half, at which point City was lucky to keep the lead after a Basingstoke goal was disallowed, Michiel scored the liberating goal allowing for the other division of Paul M., Mark, Gill and Caroline who had defended brilliantly to finally play in attack again. This division was much more effective and ten minutes later the score was 5-1 after goals from Mark and Gill and the match was all but decided. A penalty converted by Dave put the score to 6-1.
The match was immediately followed by the City 2 vs. Abingdon 2 match and many players had to play two consecutive matches. In a good, competitive match the two teams were well matched against each other. After initially exchanging goals Abingdon 2 took the lead but City 2 never lost control and fought themselves back into the match. In a division with Paul W., Mark, Sue (Caroline in the second half) and Alice, City 2 created many well worked chances for the girls who guaranteed a steady flow of goals. In the other division, with Lenka, Evelene, Paul M. and Dave, City 2 had the biggest chances through the boys although Abingdon played with the experienced Julian Lipscombe in this division who posed a constant threat in attack. In the second half Abingdon replaced two of their less experienced players in this division by two experienced players, including Tony Dubock, which meant this division became very much a battle between the experienced male players. Half way the second half, when Abingdon replaced another relatively inexperienced player, City 2 coach Dom responded by instructing Dave to give it all for a last few minutes before he would be replaced by Michiel. This strategy worked, as Dave responded by scoring a goal before being replaced. Ten minutes before the end City 2 seemed to win the match when they were leading 8-5, but as so often Abingdon managed to pull off a late rush and scored three goals to earn a draw, a result that leaves both teams unbeaten.
The new competition set up means that the top four in each division will be playing each other in the second half of the season to decide places 1 to 4. In division 2, Oxford City 2 and Abingdon 2 are both guaranteed a top spot and the top four will probably be completed by Oxford University 2 and Reading University 2, although Milton Keynes Bucks 3 still have a theoretical chance of qualifying. In division 1, MK Bucks 1 and Oxford University 1 have qualified but the battle for the last two places is still very much open. Oxford City 1 have by far the best chance as one point against MK Bucks 2 will do and even if City 1 lose that match by more than 3 goals they have still a realistic chance to qualify although it will be out of their control. Isis 1, Abingdon 1 and Basingstoke can all still qualify with Abingdon still playing both other teams the battle is wide open. |
|
|