SONNING 4 - 1 WITNEY
6th October 2007

Sonning 3rd X1 were expecting a difficult match this weekend, despite home fixture advantage, against a Witney side who were victorious last week with a Season opening victory of 10-0 over a forlorn Harrow side.

The team knew that they would need to demonstrate the discipline in positional defensive play that proved so effective in frustrating Aylesbury 3rd X1 in the previous week. This was implemented from the off, and patience started to pay off as a frustrated Witney, unable to effectively penetrate into the last 3rd of the pitch, began to concede position trying to force the ball through a resolute Sonning defensive formation.

With a blend of pace and skills in the forward line, reinforced with early work and thoughtful space creating runs, Sonning were a handful on the counter attack. Execution of two on one's and an intelligent 'upgrade mentality' in the last 3rd of the pitch left Witney scrambling away wave after wave of Sonning attacks. Witney's busy Goalkeeper must surely have felt a Sonning goal was inevitable, and the deadlock was broken after Capt Butler threaded a pass to the 'P' spot for Jack Hicks whose first touch moved the Keeper and enabled a reverse stick shot to find the target.

Pressure was maintained and compounded through great industry and energy from centre midfield Struan Robertson, welcomed back to the team with the return of the University. More attacking from Sonning- the pressure buckled the Witney defence who had begun to concede possession with week and inaccurate passing. Sonning short corner routines, still in need of refinement, never-the-less tested the Witney keeper whose fine saves kept his team in the game.

But Sonning were too strong, a competent goal from Struan Robertson and a reverse stick flier from Ollie O'Mara put Sonning in the driving seat 3-0 at half time, and 3 points looking safe. And then the classic mistake.

Sonning, got cocky and in their enthusiasm to score more goals, and in the process took their collective foot off the gas defensively both physically and mentally. The cardinal sin when you are winning. Forwards ceased to do the early work and get behind the ball to lead the press. Backs who had been watching the game from their own 25 were disengaged from supporting the midfield who, exposed in the counter attack from Witney, compounded the situation by diving in for the ball instead of engaging the ball carrier to slow him down and prevent a telling pass. Some hard running and simple passing from Witney created an overload which sleepy Sonning did not contain, and Witney were rewarded with a consolation goal.

This was a blot on the copy book of and otherwise dominant performance by Sonning, and some choice words from the captain restored order. Some less frantic attacking by Sonning served to maintain possession and earn another short corner. A flick by Geoff Samuels was stopped by a Witney defenders body, and Geoff was quick to step up and convert the awarded Penalty Stroke.

Final score 4-1 to Sonning who were just too strong on the day. The travelling Witney side had to settle for enjoying an England victory over the Aussies in the Rugby back at the Sonning lane Clubhouse over our League famous yummy Teas.

Thanks extended to Neil Pursell and Steve King for their umpiring of the game.