SONNING 2 - 0 WITNEY
19th January 2008

The Annual trek to Witney is always a tough fixture, and Sonning rocked up in the rain at an unfamiliar venue expecting nothing less than a good battle.

Sonning got off to a good start forcing a penalty corner within the first five minutes, and a quick shimmy at the top of the D from O'Mara gave a window of opportunity for a strike. The shot was charged down by the number two runner, who was able to get a touch on the ball causing it to rise but without loss of power. Taking a second deflection off the prone keeper's pads, the ball rifled into the net. Sonning, believing this to be a cracking start to the match, were stunned to find the umpire at the far end insisting that the goal was no good and a sixteen yard hit was awarded to the relieved Witney defence.

Having learnt patience as the season has progressed, Sonning returned to their shape and continued to press Witney and force errors. Sonning created several breakaway chances but Witney defence always had the numerical advantage and came away with the ball. As the first half progressed, Witney began to find their central players who distributed the ball well, but the skills of the wide young forwards were no match for the experienced Sonning defence who mopped up virtually everything on the outside of the D. Witney looked most dangerous when they carried the ball from the midfield to threaten the top of the Sonning D, but with Cooke and O'Mara in attendance they could not find the final telling pass and it was Dingwall and Campbell who emerged with the ball to set up a Sonning counter.

But it was exactly this urgency to advance the ball that was stifling the Sonning attack, and the Sonning forwards found themselves in possession but with no support. The open play goals which the team have been enjoying were not forthcoming. Thus, the half time whistle went with the score frustratingly 0 - 0.

A few observations at half time saw Sonning switch from headlong attacking to a more patient style with better possession and lateral movement of the ball. This enabled them to advance the play and not just the ball. As a result, midfield players were afforded the chance to push up the pitch with wide defensive players in attendance. Forwards were released to explore the corners and get in down the baseline. This tactic, always unsettling to a defence, forced errors in the D and the resulting short corners offered Sonning welcome scoring opportunities. A quick switch at the top of the D released Samuels for a shot, and finally the deadlock was broken.

Despite taking comfort in the one goal lead, Sonning were not about to relax. Witney had not been without their moments, and were looking to assert themselves coming forward with superior pace through the centre of the pitch. However, Witney's energy tracking back was beginning to wane, and Butler and O'Mara were beginning to find space on the counter attack. Another attack saw the award of another short corner, and it was Samuels on the score sheet for the second time after a move which was a carbon copy of the first goal.

Sonning could sense that Witney heads were dropping, but nevertheless Sonning continued to work hard together to defend. Two goals would be enough by this stage - so a clean sheet was the priority - and seeing Witney legs tiring, a counter attacking goal would be potential bonus rather than the main objective.

And just that happened. With Witney loaded forward, Cheeseman was released down the left, and a strong run from him resulted in what was surely the most clear cut open play opportunity in the whole match. Astonishingly, he was unable to convert, with the first fumbled push causing the ball to squirt to the right, and a second bite at the cherry was squandered with a dramatic swish. Never mind chap - sadly it was at your expense, but at least we all got a good laugh at the end of a gritty game on a dreary day.

So the match finished 2 - 0 and the 3's remain top of the league. Respect to Witney for their determination, but they never really threatened the Sonning Keeper, and the score line could (and should) have read 4 - 0.

C'mon the 'ning!

M.o.t.M. - Eddie Dingwall. Or Hadrians Wall as he proved to be on the day.
An acknowledgement to Samuels again for another brace of Goals from short corners - jeepers, what does a bloke have to do eh Geoff!
D.o.t.D. - Cheezy- open goal Keystone Coppery!