Oxted 4 v 3 Sevenoaks

Sevenoaks threw away a two-goal lead to taste defeat for the first time in six games after two late goals from Oxted saw them triumph 4-3 on Sunday.

Oxted raced into an early 1-0 lead when an attack down the right-hand side saw the ball passed across goal where a retreating Aaron Cheema was unlucky to deflect the ball past Richard Potton (sponsored by Martin Day) in the Oaks goal from close range. Unperturbed Oaks played their way into the game and five minutes later they were back on level terms, when an attack of their own down the right saw James Thomas feed the ball into Sam George whose touch fell into the path of Ali Taylor (sponsored by MIDiA Research and New Beacon School) who finished well in the half volley into the back of the net to make it 1-1. That was how the score remained until quarter time. Oaks completely dominated the second quarter and deservedly took the lead in the 27th minute when a penalty corner won by Nick Barker (sponsored by Stratega Law) was converted. Andrew Ross (sponsored by Felsted School) saw his initial flick saved but George Torry (sponsored by Torry Design) was on hand to sweep in the rebound to put Oaks 2-1 up. Six minutes later Oaks were 3-1 up when a ball from Ian Haley released Ed Matts (sponsored by Julian Buxton) down the left hand side, he peeled infield and drove towards the top of the D where he squeezed his shot into the bottom corner to give Oaks a two-goal lead as the teams went into the half-time break.

Early in the second half Oxted pulled a goal back to make it 3-2, despite what look to be a clear back-stick in the build-up. The score remained like this for the next 25 minutes, with Oaks failing to capitalise when Oxted were reduced to nine men for five minutes, with two players sent to the sin-bin. With three minutes remaining on the clock, an aerial pass into the Sevenoaks D was well read and intercepted by Ross, but the umpire deemed this dangerous and awarded a penalty corner. Oaks captain Tim Warrington (sponsored by Buckhurst House Surgery) was sin-binned for his reaction to the decision and Oxted scored the penalty corner via a deflection off a Sevenoaks stick, making it 3-3. With less than a minute remaining Oxted were again awarded a soft penalty corner by the umpire and were able to convert again to make the score 4-3, with no time for Oaks to respond.

It was a hugely frustrating finish to the game for Sevenoaks who had dominated large parts of the game and been well in control at 3-1 and 3-2 up. Failure to kill off their opponents when they had a numerical advantage was costly for Oaks, and whilst Oxted took their chances well when they were gifted them, this was three points thrown away by Sevenoaks.

Ben Fox (sponsored by Eastbourne College) was awarded the Sevenoaks man of the match, for a fine display in both defence and attack.

Sevenoaks will need to bounce back next weekend when they face new league leaders Southgate at Hollybush Lane at 5pm on Saturday evening.