Oakwood were without a Glen Woodburn, Scott Faber and a few other key players for this tough away game against Midhurst and Easebourne, Oakwood seem to encounter this scenario in a weekly basis.

Oakwood started again with their proven 4-3-3 formation looking to go home with a win against the team sitting just beneath them.

Oakwood didn’t start with an urgency and endeavor they have done in the past few games and showed a lack of discipline in the midfield and the trio were being stretched.

Although Oakwood weren’t playing well they scored in the 22nd minute with a great one touch passage of play penetrating the Midhurst side, down the left wing with Tidey and Piller combining to dissect the Midhurst defence, resulting in a driven cross from the Tidey for Gilbert to side foot past the out-coming keeper.

Midhurst and Easebourne played a physical game, which was matched by the Oaks although the skill was certainly in favor of the Oaks although not utilized anywhere near to full potential.

Midhurst showed great endeavor to go level with a scrappy goal conceded from a corner with the ball bobbling across the goal line with 3 or 4 opportunities for the Oaks to clear their lines.

Halftime couldn’t come soon enough after an illegal challenge on Arthur caused massive disruption to the play and the Oaks were distracted, needing the halftime whistle to compose and regroup.

The 2nd half started with the Oaks still showing signs of distraction and this was capitalized on by the home team with them scoring a 2nd goal from a set piece and like the 1st the Oaks defended poorly.

Oakwood drew level on the 77th minute with a goal from Abbott who pounced on a ball worked from the defence through the midfield duo of Miller and Piller who crossed and the ball ended up on the edge of the 6yard box for Abbott to tap home 1st time.

The game was a must win for both teams and this was shown by both that neither wanted to go home with a single point. The game became open and end to end, with Midhurst taking the upper hand, from an advantage played the referee on two careless challenges from the Oakwood defenders, Midhurst broke through and slotted with what seemed the last kick of the game.

Oakwood showed great heart and bombarded the Home teams goal, knowing there were only seconds left in the game. With an overhead kick from Kutaa that looped over towards the goalmouth and saw a Gerrald Manville rise up and nod the ball in the back of the net with the final touch of the game.

Midhurst and Easebourne 3 -3 Oakwood

Jess Grimstone, Darren Tidey, Charlie Adsett, Liam Cox, Reece Abbott, Ben Arthur, (Karel Kutaa) Grant Miller, Dean Lovegrove, Clive Piller Toby Gilbert, (Gerald Manville), Tom Frankland