Match Report v Oxshott Royals Away 16/12/07 Drew 5-5  

Feltham lived up to their growing reputation as the Divisions most entertaining side with a 5-5 draw at Oxshott on a bitterly cold morning. The kick off was delayed by 20 minutes as the pitch was still frozen at kick off time and was thawing very slowly.

  The Whites were soon behind but two strikes by Lee gave them a 2-1 lead. The goals continued to flow in the first half and we soon found ourselves 3-2 down before equalising as Lee completed his hat trick. The Referee then awarded a very dubious free kick which found its way into the Feltham net by way of an Oxshott hand which the Referee allowed. Half time saw Feltham 4-3 down against a team that was bottom but whose confidence today increased as they smelt the possibility of a shock result.

  Feltham largely controlled the second half and Lee scored his 4th goal of the match and his 14th of the season as he rounded the keeper following a good through ball from Jack. The Whites were now winning the midfield battle but still looked susceptible when the home side counter attacked. It was from one of these counter attacks that they took a 5-4 lead when a long shot found its way into the top corner. With 15 minutes to go the Whites upped the pressure and Jack equalised with a cracking 25 yarder that sailed over the keepers head. Feltham had the home side penned in their half for the last ten minutes but could not find a way through the packed defence. The final whistle saw a 5-5 draw.

  We were very disappointed to only take a point from this game. We were not helped today by the long wait for the kick off and a hard pitch that was a great leveller. We were also denied a penalty when Lee was fouled which the Ref gave but then decided it was on the edge of the box when clearly it was two yards inside the box. Still we take it all on the chin and I am sure that we will get the right result in the return game at our ground with a wider and longer pitch. Great credit to both sets of players today in difficult conditions on an icy pitch and cold temperatures. Feltham battled back three times from being behind but Oxshott gave us a real battle which belied their league position.

  We are at the half way point of the season and on reflection I feel we have adjusted well to our first season as a new team in a very tough league. I feel that we should have at least another 4 points as 3 of our 5 defeats have been by the odd goal in very close games. 2008 will see a lot of hard work on the training pitch plus some more adjustments to the squad at the end of the season as we strive for our target of Premier Elite football.

  Thank you today to the parents for your support as usual in very chilly conditions. Thanks to Steve for running the line and to Oxshott for a hard battle to end the year.

Have a Great Christmas and Happy New Year.

Squad – Ryan , Lewis , Leon , Charlie , Matt , Lee , Anthony , Nathan , Daniel , Jack , Paulo , Turnell , Ryan , John Jo

Scorers – Lee 4 , Jack