With the sun already well past it’s zenith, Oundle set off for their last away game of 2024 vs Atherstone Adders 2s.
Despite another week of no training because our captain doesn’t like being a bit chilly. Oundle travelled with yet another strong squad with 14 players available, including former skipper Tristan Ashby and a return for fullbacks Ian Wilkinson and Phil Rowbotham.
There was no Captain Ben Edis this week, so Adrian Millan took the armband for the first time this season. There was also no top scorer George Martin who preferred Miami to Atherstone to have a honeymoon with his wife.
Oundle started the first half with their usual tenacity and high press which caused problems and it was not long before they won their first short corner of the match.
Unlike last Saturday, this short corner hit a bump in the pitch causing the injection to fly at Dan Phillips head, surprisingly Phillips was unable to bring the ball under his spell.
With the 1st half wearing on, Atherstone grew into the game, and won a couple of short corners, neither of these particularly troubled Oundle apart from the fallout from the 2nd short in which Atherstone thought they had the ball in the back of the goal, with the umpire ruling it out for a foul by the Atherstone player.
One pass that was particularly effective throughout the game was the long ball from Jimmy to Brenners, splitting the Atherstone team and allowing Brenners to isolate his defender. But Oundle were unable to take advantage of these plays.
A 0-0 at half time where both teams failed to have any meaningful chances. It was a quiet half with neither team having any particularly clear cut chances.
Atherstone started the 2nd half the brighter and after Oundle failed to clear their lines, Atherstone broke the deadlock with an attack down the right, a scrappy goal which was squeezed in at the near post.
This goal spurred Oundle into action, everything Oundle did became sharper, quicker passing, better receiving of the ball, and more movement off of the ball.
Despite this, Oundle were unable to find a reply to Atherstones goal. Oundle tested the Atherstone keeper on numerous occasions, but most shots not stretching the Atherstone keeper.
Ollie Bogg embodied this Oundle work ethic. Winning his first 50/50, then his 2nd 50/50 which left him 1 on 1 with the keeper, a calm finish left the Atherstone keeper standing in disbelief but was just the leveller that Oundle deserved.
The Farmer Jimmy to Brenners pass was still proving effective with Atherstone only able to cut some of the long passes out. Brenners was usually left 1 on 1 with his man and was able to create numerous chances for both himself and the other forwards. Oundle came close but not able to find that 2nd goal.
Despite Atherstone being hemmed in their own 25 for large portions of the half, they did carry a threat on the counter, and also picked up a lot of loose passes from Oundle all over the pitch, Atherstone were able to create a few half chances but tended to shoot straight at Youngy.
As the game entered its final moments, an Atherstone pass split the Oundle defence to leave their forward 1 on 1 with Youngy, the forward shot wide and seconds late was flying through the air, as Youngy slid through the player, with one Atherstone forward appealing strongly to the umpire for a flick. The umpire was unmoved.
It was a result Oundle will feel disappointed in having played so well the week before. But it appears to be a proper case of Newcastle syndrome, playing so well at home and struggling when away. Oundle return to home for their final game of 2024 against Berkswell & Balsall Common 2s. HWTL.
