New league but Oaks are standing tall

SEVENOAKS travelled to Ipswich on Saturday to kickstart their 2008/09 Slazenger England Hockey East Conference campaign. A 5pm pushback at Tuddenham Road meant that Oaks could travel up early afternoon. They prepared well and after an inspiring team talk from coach Pete Turner the visitors were switched on from the start.

Playing some good, intense hockey, Oaks immediately tried to put the home side's defence under pressure, with good wing play and Oaks' wide players pushing forward, they were able to overload the correct areas of the pitch in order to make Ipswich short of defenders. Sevenoaks benefited from some excellent interplay on the right, the ball falling to Sam Ornbo who opened his account from the middle of the circle, slipping the ball past the prostrate Ipswich goalkeeper.

A cool finish indeed, and Oaks continued to press and forced their first penalty corner just four minutes later, Pete Turner's flick well saved by the goalkeeper. Oaks continued to control the game and were extremely patient in most parts of the pitch against the various presses employed by the home side.

They went 2-0 up on 17 minutes, this time with excellent counter-attacking play on the left, Oaks overawed the Ipswich defence with Jamie Nelson storming forward and finding space to pick out Pete Turner who struck low into the bottom corner.

Ipswich began to manoeuvre their way back into the game slowly and forced a series of penalty corners, which were expertly defended by the Oaks defensive routine. Ipswich were forced to move the ball around at penalty corners thereafter but fine goalkeeping at first and second phase saves by the Oaks goalkeeper James Marshall saw off this threat.

Oaks had various chances to extend their lead but the Ipswich defence was mostly resolute enough to go into the half time break with a fighting chance of retrieving something from the game.

The second half told a different story. Ipswich upped their intensity and pressed Oaks all over the pitch, allowing them no time on the ball and buoyed by the vocal crowd the visitors were forced into errors which were picked up on. Ipswich won a penalty corner quickly after the re-start and resulting flick went wide. Oaks had been warned. Stuart McDade kept the ball well on the left, but as Oaks became disjointed so unfortunately did their discipline.

Chris Barker spent five minutes suspended from the game after a mistimed tackle. Ipswich continued to press and thanks to some smart tackles by Ian Fletcher and Nick Barker, Oaks' goal stayed in tact. Ipswich pulled a goal back 15 minutes into the second half, the right midfielder allowed space to attack the back line pulled back for a close range finish.

Ipswich tried to hit Oaks once again but they defended excellently and Barker's return to the pitch was met with the Ipswich midfielder going off for an equally awful tackle. Oaks were able to control the next 10 minutes of the match, but after they received two more yellow cards for indiscretions, Ipswich could sense a point or three from the game. They battled hard but the visitors' defence and goalkeeper Marshall were in good form, intercepting a one-on-one and a double saving from a penalty corner. Oaks held on by retaining possession intelligently and took all three points.

"It was a very good start," captain Jamie Nelson said. "We have stepped up another level this year and are now just one league behind the top level. It's tough and there will be no easy games. We've said the key to this season will be to get as many points on the board as quickly as possible. We've had a few new players coming in and have a new coach so it's important we gel as a team."

Oaks will look to build on this good start when they take on Bromley & Beckenham at Hollybush Lane on Saturday at 13.30, their first home league game of the season. On Sunday Oaks welcome Reading, Premier League champions and England's European Cup representatives, when they will be looking for a scalp in the England Hockey Cup.

"It's great for the club," Nelson said. "We're at home so hopefully we will get some good support down there."

Team: James Marshall, Jamie Nelson, Aaron Brown, Ian Fletcher, Chris Barker, Nick Barker, Stuart McDade, Nick Miller, Tim Warrington, Sam Ornbo, Peter Turner, Neil Smith, Adam Fullwood, George Torry