Date : Thursday 24th September 1998
Venue : Coram Fields (where else?)
Scorers: WW og, Gary Admans (3)
After 10 minutes Haywood turned up and proceeded to get changed behind the goal, just like old times for most of us. Finally he made his entrance on to the playing surface - nobody noticed but at least we had a full team once more. Peacock was (unusually) hitting a great series of goalkicks all of which were possessed of great accuracy and power. The guys at the other end were making a decent set of chances so it was only a short time before a breakthrough. This came from a corner on the right which Brazell drove in low and hard to the near post. Peacock and Ian were beaten to the ball by a WW defender who also beat his keeper from short range. 1 - 0 to the LOBs.
The LOBs were now in that customary portion of the game when they appear to be well in control. It must be a fitness thing that we can struggle later on. WW were being well contained and Jacobs was holding every ball that came into the box. Of particular note was a save made virtually from behind himself as a WW defender was able to get a powerful header in at the far post. The LOBs went further ahead when Brazell fed Admans who just got to the ball before the aggressive Scouser, he knocked ball past him first time and smashed into the net. 2 - 0 to the LOBs.
By now we were thinking (at least I was) "no problem, we're easily gonna do these lot". However, whenever you think that you get a kick in the pants, sure enough this happened. As WW came down our right Peacock advanced on the player in possession calling for the overlapping player to be marked. Before a tackle could be made the ball was released to this player (where was the cover!) and he let fly with a thigh high drive across our box. Claxton attempted to intercept the ball and this resulted in him helping the ball beyond Callum into the far corner. In his defense Claxton claims "it was going in anyway" - which may be the truth but it's much more fun to stitch him up over it. 2 - 1 to the LOBs.
There was still time before the break for a final LOBs goal. Brazell again released Admans in the centre about half way into the WW half. Haywwod made a decoy run down left side and Admans dummied to play left to him. This in Admans' own words "resulted in the WW defense exiting stage left and having to pay to reenter the ground!". As they all swayed left Admans cut in on to his right and left fly a low hard shot which beat the keeper. 3 - 1 to the LOBs. HALF-TIME
As now seems usual the half time break did us no good and we went to pieces defensively. From a corner with both Brazell and Peacock yelling for cover on two! free men on the edge of the area WW equalised. The ball was driven towards the penalty area and one of the free men took full advantage to connect with the ball. Although not a powerful shot this still had enough pace to pass between Claxton and Wood who were both trying to mark the same post - nice one lads! The ball clipped Claxton as it entered the goal but we'll credit that one to WW. 3 - 2 to the LOBs.
WW now entered a period in which they gave away numerous free kicks around the box. Ian was cut down on the left and the resulting free kick was cleverly placed inside for him to have a clear shot on goal. Not so cleverly he completely missed the ball and it dribbled out for a free kick. Wood was then cut down in a more central position by the "big fat defender". He obviously hated small people as he had previously planted Wood in the fence. Brazell obviously thinking we rehearsed moves prior to the game looked right, called "Rob" and played the ball left. The fact that this ball was actually to Rob is neither here nor there as Rob's brain (or feet) weren't and the ball again went out for a goal kick.
LOBs were again pressing and we were treated to the sight of Wood chasing the ball down the right persueded by the "big guy" inside him. The ball continued on its course to the left unimpeded as Wood, securely attached by his shoulder to the "big guy's fist", was directed right. No free kick was forthcoming. The game was now very even although WW did not have many clear chances. certainly the LOBs had fewer goal kicks in this half. Again, somehow WW managed another goal out of the blue. A cracking shot from a throw in on the left fizzed into the goal via the underside of the bar. 3 all.
Time was now running out for the LOBs to register their first win and there was the danger that WW might sneak that winner. The ball was not looking likely to end up in either net and a draw looked imminent. It didn't look likely so when WW had a low shot from the left. Jacobs dived down to his left but the ball seemed to have him beaten. With WW about to celebrate somehow his arm seemed to extend itself and he tipped the ball around the post. When asked to describe this brilliance later he claimed "not to remember what happened". Hopefully he will "not remember" more often!.
With two minutes remaining. Peacock drove a goal kick down field - the tussle as the ball dropped resulted in a LOBs free kick in a dangerous area just right of centre. WW lined up their wall a customary 5 yards away and Admans prepared to take the kick. What a glorious sight - Admans with the outside of his right foot curled the ball past the wall and inside the top right hand angle of the goal. Beckhamesque indeed! - except I've never seen Beckham score with the outside of his foot. 4 - 3 to the LOBs.
It merely remainded for us to hold out for the final minute - something even we managed to do successfully.
The verdict: a good win which should have been accomplished with more ease. Admans was the hattrick hero - that's a beer you owe me!
Reece Peacock ©
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