With a few big names unavailable this week, such as strong and stable Peter Allett, Old Dan Phillips and Vice Captain Adrian Millanovic, a slightly weakened but numerous Oundle side made the first of many trips to Warwick this season to face the team directly above them in the league, Khalsa Leamington 3s (KL).

With his head not over a bucket this week Harvey Ratcliffe was in line for his 2nd appearance of the season, there was also a first appearance of the season of Umpire Neil Salvi. Another addition to the squad, late in both being called up and arrival to the game was full back Brandon Ingle making his first appearance of the season.

Oundle got off to the worst possible start when one of the defenders was tackled inside his own D giving the KL player a free shot from close range, the KL forward made no such mistake with the finish.

Things did not get better for Oundle when shortly after, a wayward pass was intercepted by KL who broke forward at speed, a couple of short passes left the KL forward 1 on 1 with Youngy who rounded the goalkeeper to pass the ball into the Oundle net, leaving Oundle 2-0 down with not long gone.

With Oundle settling down, to quote the old cliche, things went from bad to worse when Monty Drewett closed down the KL centre back, only for the ball to accidentally end up striking the side of Montys face. The result was a lengthy stoppage while he got treatment. Monty was taken to hospital where an x ray revealed that he had broken his jaw in 2 places and would require an operation to insert a metal plate.

Now if anyone actually reads these things, what happened was a freak accident and umpires, KL players and venue staff were fantastic throughout, so massive thank you to them. Shout outs also go to: first, Neil Salvi who volunteered to go with Monty to the hospital and stayed with him until Montys family arrived. The 2nd shout out goes to Brandon’s Dad who took Monty to hospital. Thanks to both gents.

After the lengthy stoppage the game resumed with about 10 minutes to go in the first half. With Oundle down by 2 goals and 2 men, they did the unthinkable, and went on the attack. 

A number of shots came in for Oundle, with KL defending for their lives, just about getting their blocks in. In the pursuing goalmouth scramble, the ball fell to Dalley who had not yet got his standard goal a game. Knowing this, he fired home to reduce Oundles deficit to 1.

With the 1st half coming to a close, both teams were eager to alter the score prior to half time. KL did just this from a well worked short corner which was passed around the Oundle D before the shot came from close to Oundles right post, restoring KLs 2 goal advantage.

Brenners was not about to take this lying down, getting the ball from push back he drove at the heart of the KL defence beating players at will. One can only assume that at halfway he ran out of puff and decided to play a fantastic forward pass to Harvey Ratcliffe, who was left 1 on 1 with the KL keeper, looking up with the time to pick his spot, he struck right into the bottom corner.

Oundle went into the scheduled break 3-2 down but importantly still in the match. Eager to make things right Oundle started the half on the front foot and were unlucky not to score with Dalley and Al both going close. Oundle kept the pressure up and forced KL back but were unable to find the levelling goal.

KL were not without a threat and used the counter attack to great effect, keeping their forwards, who had pace to burn, high up the pitch. They won a number of short corners. Up until now all of the KL short corners involved some clever passing around the D before trying to get the shot off, a change worked for KL when they instead tried a straight strike which found its way into the corner.

KL added their last 2 goals in relatively quick succession, their 5th goal came from their CB who was allowed to slowly walk forward into the Oundle D and was allowed a free shot. Their 6th goal came from another short corner which was deflected into the net by the post mans foot.

It was a very disappointing result for Oundle who suffered their heaviest defeat of the season losing 6-2. Oundle look to pick themselves up and go again back at home next week against Warwick 3s. HWTL.