A bitterly cold Oxon morning saw an ASB squad of 15 assemble at the barren
plains known as Horspath sports ground. The strange spelling led me to wonder
whether it was derived from a Ye Old English spelling meaning horse path or more
intrigingly whore's path!

Anyway, we warmed up (if that was an apt description given the aforementioned
conditions) and started thus:

Rob

Carlos
Woody(captain)
Orv
Frange

Immy
Polo
NickNick
Slouch

Camillo
Sharkey

Subs
TJ Zack Scouse Steve Jorge

The pitch was still quite frozen and for most of the 1st half, provided astro
type bounces that caused the odd problem. Playing into a deceptively strong
headwind, we passed the ball around well yet failed to produce a shot on goal
until around 20 mins in. At the other end it was similar although Oxford came
close to going ahead after a lunging Orv nearly lobbed rob from 20 yards out!
Rob dealt well with some dipping balls in the wind during this period before we
truly began to settle into the match.
Inga then proved his tactical nous by switching Camillo on to the right hand
side which would prove decisive. For the remainder of the half we ran them
ragged and the enforced substitution of Polo after he cut his forehead open
making way for debutante TJ, failed to knock us out of our stride.
Debutante Scouse Steve came on for Carlos and NickNick dropped to right back to
add some pace to our back line.
However, the half ended 0-0 despite this but there was a positive air about the
H-T team talk as we felt the tailwind in the 2nd half would aid us further.
Rob made way for Carlos in goal and it was about 5 mins in when we finally broke
the deadlock with Camillio finishing tidily.
During the next 15 minutes we were totally dominant creating chance after chance
with some fine moves but over an hour had passed and it was still 1-0 amazingly.
Ironically, despite these fine moves I just mentioned, it was a bizarre 2nd goal
that went in after an inocuous knock over the top of their keeper saw him sort
of get stuck in the mud slow motion like with Camillo taking full advantage to
nip in and make it 2-0.
This seemed to fully unshackle us and we made it 3-0 shortly afterwards.
NickNick knocked in a corner and sensing the keeper may spill it, yours truly
charged in and after the glovesman did indeed fumble, I carried the ball into
the net from 1 yard out with a comical double kneed volley!
In the meantime Zack and Jorge had came on with TJ & Orv making way.
The 4th was an excellent curling shot from NickNick from 20 odd yards after he
had alertly spotted their keeper off his line. We scored our 5th from another
header after Scouse Steve towered above everyone to power in a header. A great
solo run down the right from Immy saw him round off a great morning with an
acute angled finish.

So the away day specialists strike again. Everyone's match fitness will have
improved this morning after the pitch became quite heavy and to be honest, when
it's that bloody cold, it encourages you to run around as much as you can so we
should all have felt the benefit.
Oxford are a good bunch who's biggest problem was letting their heads drop when
we took the lead. with more self-belief, they have the potential to cause
problems for most teams.
Was good to see Polo back as well as 2 debutantes so a decent turn out
today.

Lastly, Frange, if we ever get a home game arranged again, can I request you
post the directions as none of us remember where it fecking is,it's been so
long!!!

Woody