Sunday 22nd November - Oxford Blackbirds v. Crowmarsh If Crowmarsh approached this top versus bottom clash thinking it was going to be a straight-forward win they were to be surprised.

The match itself was both dominated and hindered by the weather, the first-half in particular being played in atrocious conditions, with strong winds and rain being driven towards the Crowmarsh goal.

Crowmarsh got off to the livelier of starts, with several breaks in the opening minutes, culminating in Sam Beaumont being put through in the 5th minute before knocking it past the Blackbirds’ keeper to put Crowmarsh into a one goal lead. Crowmarsh tried to double their advantage over the next few minutes with both Sam and Ed Seares coming close, only to be denied either by last minute challenges by the Oxford Blackbird defenders or great saves by their keeper.

Crowmarsh weren’t having things all their own way though and Oxford had their fair share of attacks, but great goalkeeping by Stephen Eatwell and strong defending by both Hugh Streets and Sam Hazell kept them at bay. Unfortunately, there was nothing any of them could do to prevent Oxford Blackbirds scoring a deserved equalizer through Tyerie Allen in the 15th minute.

As has happened throughout the season, this spurred Crowmarsh back into action and within 4 minutes of Oxford Blackbirds equalising they had regained the advantage, once again Sam Beaumont putting them into a 2-1 lead.

The rest of the first half was exciting end-to-end stuff with both sides having chances to score, Crowmarsh’s forwards Ed Seares and Sam Beaumont constantly causing problems for the Blackbirds’ defence but unable to find that crucial third goal. This continued until half-time and although Crowmarsh were in the lead it would have been difficult for the neutral supporter to determine which team was at either end of the table as the game was so close.

The weather abated somewhat during the second half, although I very much doubt the players who were already cold and wet would have agreed.

The pattern of the second half was very much the same as the first, with both sides having several chances to increase their tally, and it was becoming obvious that a one-goal lead was not going to be enough for Crowmarsh.

Oxford Blackbirds broke through on goal twice and only thanks to some excellent goalkeeping by replacement goalie Lewis Ward were they able to maintain their slender lead. It was then Crowmarsh’s turn to put pressure on the Blackbirds’ midfield and defence, with an outstanding Will Baker giving his performance of the season to constantly cause them problems and Matthew Stirling proving hard to get past.

The vital third goal came after a great passing move in the 46th minute ended with Will Hayes bursting through on goal before hitting an unstoppable left foot shot past the keeper to almost break the net. 3-1 to Crowmarsh and they weren’t going to let their lead slip.

Both sides continued to push for the final few minutes but neither was able to increase their tally, and when the final whistle signalled the 3-1 win for Crowmarsh the main priority for the players, and parents, was to get themselves warm and dry.

Full credit must go to both teams who played out an exciting match in atrocious conditions. Firstly to Crowmarsh who were unable to play their usual flowing football and instead had to grind out a result and to Oxford Blackbirds who, if they continue to play this way, should find themselves off the bottom of the table very soon.