Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining!

The next phase of the Vets journey was tackled in chilly conditions and despite the familiar result progress was clear and the experiment proved to be useful. The need for extra bodies in midfield led to a new 4-1-4-1 formation with Scrap sitting in front of the back four, looking to plug the hole! It was an encouraging start with Bloxham having an early penalty shout as the Tiddington goalkeeper pushed over Andy in the box. No penalty was given but Andy kept making a nuisance of himself up front, running the channels and getting the ball in the box whenever possible. It was Tiddington who broke the deadlock though as a break down the right led to a low shot across goal that Scott got a hand to, but could only parry it into the path of an incoming Tiddington player who slotted it home.

The oppositions forwards had pace but were largely dealt with, thanks to the new formation, and Bloxham levelled as Andy Brooks picked up a pass in the box, turned and shot low into the corner of the goal. The remaining 5 minutes of the half were seen out and we could be happy with a 1-1 half time scoreline.

The second half saw the usual Bloxham charity return as we played into the wind and found ourselves on the back foot. A cross beat Scott but not the crossbar and rebounded to a Tiddington forward who could only find the crossbar himself. Unfortunately it fell off the crossbar onto Andy Morris and fell over the line for 1-2. Changes were made across midfield and the back four and Bloxham struggled to get the ball to stick up front whilst Tiddington looked threatening with every attack. The customary penalty was eventually given as Ray made contact and we were 1-3 down. A usual fight back could now begin and we were awarded a corner that was well delivered, allowing Gary to connect with his left foot to guide the ball into the net and we were back in the game at 2-3.

It always looked likely that if there was to be another goal it would come from a Tiddington player and that was how it paned out when a free ball in the box was sent passed Scott and the 2 goal advantage was back in their favour.

Despite the disappointment of the result the experiment showed some promise and has given us something to build on as we look to the next step in our path of discovery!