So the final game before mid season and Oxted 4s found themselves back home at Oxted School for the first time since 22nd October

After 3 very tough away games the squad returned to a more familiar surrounding and the team had the opportunity to maintain a 100% home record to keep themselves in with the other promotion hopefuls. Against them was Surbiton 6s who were also looking to keep up the pace with the top sides so this was going to be a tough game for both parties. With the new Oxted Goals in place the 4s wanted to christen them in style and that is what they did!

From the start Oxted took hold of the ball much better than Surbition who were clearly missing a couple of players. Before long good work down the left saw Ming (AKA Dan Maguire) unleash a strike from the top of the D to make it 1-0. After the last couple of weeks this bought Oxted back to life and were now playing with more freedom, and before long the ball came once again from the left for Luke Wynn-Jones to flick into an open net 2-0. Surbiton did not give up and soon got rewards by pulling a goal back to 2-1. But The hockey from Oxted was now flowing and attacks were keeping Surbiton penned in there own half for the majority. After a 5 minute spell of the ball being stuck in the right corner of the pitch the ball finally came out and three passes later Bubbles(AKA Charlie Batho) was there to sweep in 3-1. Next up a move on the left saw a crowded D the ball eventually coming across to the right for Adam Pullen to tap in 4-1 which is how it remained at half time.

At half time Oxted reminded themselves to pass the ball as this was hurting Surbiton the most and also to listen to the calls from behind.

The second half Surbiton started the brighter but after a 5 minute spell of dominance there efforts wilted and the momentum was again with Oxted. By now the Oxted Midfield trio of Weasel (AKA Simon Willson), Seb Orbell and Walshy was working in tandem and now they were commanding the midfield. A concentrated performance at the back by stalwarts Tom King and Ian Thomas saw the team manuvere to ristrict attempts at Chris Bailey in goal. With the midfield pressing allowing both Bubbles (AKA Charlie Batho) and the returning Guy Goodwin (from an injury he got playing with his hamster) the 4s soon found a 5th when a ball from the right found it's way to Alex Tredinnick to slot home. The 6th and final goal came from a short corner move where Weasel (AKA Simon Willson) picked out an open Ming to put the final nail in Surbiton's coffin.

So a convincing 6-1 victory and results going our way sees us return to second in the league! So as we all dash off for Turkey, beer and parties we can look back on what was a very memorable half season!

Man Of The Match - Weasel (AKA Simon Willson)