October 7, 2024

After last week’s win, Oundle were back on the road for their first away game of the season. Today’s opponents came in the form of Loughborough Town 3s. A team that were relegated from the league above with Oundle last season. This exact game last season finished with a 1-1 draw. A strong 14 players turned out for Oundle, numbers unheard of under the previous administration. The players included  ‘Full Monty’ Drewett who was making his debut and the return of ‘strong and stable’ Peter Allett. The long time centre back partnership of Vice Captain Millan and Farmer Jimmy ‘Bobby’ Moore at the back also returned for the first time this season. Unfortunately though, Joint top scorer for the season, ‘Flying Rhino’ Pickstone was unavailable for today’s game, with his son having a surprise birthday which he had forgotten about. In Pickstones own words, he was worried that forward partner Martin would struggle without his creativity and tireless running. The game began after a swap of sides and an Oundle pushback. Oundle pushed high up the pitch in their new style, putting Loughborough under pressure and forcing mistakes from the opposition. Although this perhaps came from the bright green running shoes worn by Vice Captain Millan who had forgotten his astros. For once Oundle made a fast start, their pressure paying almost instant rewards when they were awarded the first short corner of the game. This was swiftly dispatched with an unstoppable straight strike from George Martin, into the keeper’s bottom left hand corner. Oundle’s fast start didn’t last for long however and Loughborough quickly regained their composure and the game became quite open with both sides having opportunities. The defences of both sides having to work overtime. Loughborough’s pressure was paying them dividends as they were awarded a couple of short corners and had some chances to score, the first short corner was saved by the stick of Youngy, with Jimmy and Allett showing Oundle what they had missed last week in defence. Despite Loughborough coming back into the game and testing Youngy in goal, Oundle were not without their own chances, George Martin causing havoc for the Loughborough back line, narrowly shooting wide from a 1 on 1. Loughborough left a man extremely high at all times, causing problems for the Oundle defence who didn’t want to leave him free. At half time Oundle were given the hairdryer treatment, with the defence told they were too far back, allowing the Loughborough forwards to play extremely high. The 2nd half began in much the same fashion as the 1st ended, Loughborough on the front foot and creating chances. Culminating with Youngy making a double save, using his right hand for the first, and throwing his left at the second. With Loughborough’s pressure it was only a matter of time before they were rewarded, midway through the 2nd half a drag flick from a penalty corner caught The left postman who wanted to prove how tough he is, let the ball strike him on the arm. The resulting flick was scored down the middle, tying up the scores. It is an old cliche that you are the most vulnerable when you have just scored, and Loughborough proved this to be true when an Oundle aerial found an onrushing Martin who rounded his man and squared the ball to Ollie Bogg, taking note of Pickstones calmness last week, Ollie slotted home, underneath the onrushing keeper to restore Oundles lead.  With the game entering its final moments, Loughborough turned up the pressure one last time but were unable to break down a robust Oundle defensive display. Oundle picked up a hard fought 2-1 win away from home. Equalling the total number of away wins for the entirety of last season! Oundle return to home next week against the current league leaders Rugby and East Warwickshire 3s, a team Oundle know well from the previous 2 seasons. HWTL.