Oxford University 1-1 Arthurian League, Iffley Road, Wednesday Oct 12^th 2005

The Arthurian League Representative XI played the first of its six scheduled fixtures of the 2005/6 season at a venue that only one of the squad had graced previously: Oxford University`s Iffley Road ground.

An immaculate playing surface and excellent playing conditions awaited a 12-man squad, reduced by three unfortunate last-minute withdrawals on the morning of the match.

Of those present, three of the back five were making their Rep team debuts: Cholmeleians pair Phil Slater and Joe Adams played in goal and at centre-half respectively and Forest`s Billy French started at right-back. The defence was completed by Winchester stalwart Gordon Baker at centre-half and Harrovian Piers Bourke at left-back, a role he had excelled at in the previous season.

In midfield, two Rep team regulars, Harrovians David Lederman and Paul Molloy began in the middle, with Forest`s James Dunne on the left wing and young Malvernian Tom James on the right.

Up front, Harry Hoffen (Harrow) was partnered by Jake Marsh (Brentwood) in a pairing that was expected to cause the Oxford back four a lot of problems with their pace and finishing ability.

Despite the late withdrawals and the usual problems with assembling the squad together for an afternoon kick-off, the Arthurian League began the game in style, with the team settling quickly into what was a high-tempo opening.

Although the game plan was to keep things tight for the first twenty minutes, the two full-backs, Bourke and French, both quickly found they had plenty of room to exploit out wide and on several occasions they joined the attack to good effect, with several dangerous crosses arriving in the Oxford box inside the first half an hour.

With the central defensive pairing of Joe Adams and Gordon Baker looking assured, the home side were restricted to one attacking tactic alone: a long diagonal ball over the Harrow left side. Unfortunately, a couple of mistimed leaps by Bourke allowed Oxford the space to exploit this tactic to good effect, but aside from a couple of long range efforts, the threat on the visitor`s goal was minimal.

The Arthurians continued to press however: Harry Hoffen and Jake Marsh both worked tirelessly up front to deny the Oxford defence time to play their way out from the back, in midfield Lederman and Molloy had the better of the Oxford central midfield duo and wingers Dunne and James were frequently involved out wide.

A superb move saw the play switched from left to right and then back again, ending with a cross shot from Jake Marsh that just evaded both the Arthurian attackers and the far corner of the goal. But with five minutes of the half remaining, Oxford were not to be so lucky.

Another fine move again saw play switched from right to left and the ball arrived at the feet of Bourke, who began one of his trademark meandering dribbles. A blatant shove in the back of the ginger flyer gave the visitors a free-kick on the very edge of the area which allowed Lederman to pick out Harry Hoffen, who headed home from five yards out.

The 1-0 scoreline at half-time was just reward for the excellent forty-five minutes of work put in by the visitors and the request at half-time was for more of the same.

Unfortunately, as is so often the case in football, half-time brought a change in fortunes for both sides. Right from the first whistle of the second half the Arthurian League was put under pressure and did little to help itself with a number of sloppy passes and clearances allowing Oxford the chance to camp itself in the opponent`s half.

Some heroic challenges by Adams, Baker, Bourke and French and some brave goalkeeping by Slater kept the Dark Blues at bay, although it seemed only a matter of time before the equaliser arrived. Whereas in the first half the Arthurian midfield had been dominant, constantly passing and moving the ball to good effect, now the Oxford midfield took over, with the right winger especially causing problems with a number of strong runs towards the box.

But having weathered the storm for nearly half an hour, it was nonetheless disappointing when Oxford got the goal their play deserved. A break down the Arthurian right saw a fine cross delivered to the far post where the Oxford winger had time to collect the ball and calmly pass the ball into the net at Slater`s near post.

With an injury to Harry Hoffen and some boot repairs needed by Jake Marsh, the Arthurians then found themselves playing with ten men for a good five minutes and a second Oxford goal seemed a possibility.

To the visitors credit however, they overcame these difficulties and finished much the stronger of the two sides. Oxford, perhaps believing that the second goal was certain to arrive or possibly feeling the effects of the fast tempo, seemed to resort to the cautious stance they had adopted in the first half and suddenly found themselves under strong pressure once again.

A superb move down the right saw Harry Hoffen, substitute Nick Warner and Billy French combine to deliver a perfect cross for Marsh to fire home, but the Oxford goalkeeper managed to tip the ball to safety and recover before James Dunne could tap in the rebound.

With five minutes remaining Lederman tested the `keeper once again with a fine free-kick that was creeping in at the bottom corner and Molloy also had a chance to win it when Marsh laid off superbly to him, but his left-foot volley flew high and wide.

With the visitors on top, it was somewhat of a shame therefore when the referee called an end to proceedings with the 1-1 draw a fair scoreline.

It had been an excellent start to the Arthurian League campaign with all twelve players contributing well. The back five all enjoyed excellent games, with Adams, Slater and French all making superb debuts. The front pairing of Marsh and Hoffen both worked hard throughout the game and deserved more than the one goal they managed between them.

Overall, it was a fine performance to start the season with and one that will provide plenty of optimism for the upcoming fixtures against Lloyds and the London Legal League.

Arthurian League (4-4-2): Phil Slater; Billy French, Joe Adams, Gordon Baker, Piers Bourke; Tom James (Sub: Nick Warner 58`), David Lederman, Paul Molloy, James Dunne; Jake Marsh, Harry Hoffen

Scorer: Harry Hoffen 40`

Arthurian Men-of-the-Match: Joe Adams & Phil Slater