Oakley United Football Club

Match Report

As you can see we were entertained by Hardwick Sports today and The Oak came away with all 3 points to go to the top of the league.
Before I give you a taste of the game I need to put out a statement on behalf of the Manager, his Assistant and all the squad in respect of one of our greatest supporters Rowland Pointer. He is fighting a battle in hospital and we all wish him the best and we know he will win it.
They say
"From myself, Luke and all the squad today, plus those not playing, we wish to dedicate this win to you Rowland.
We missed you and we are sure you will be gutted to have missed it.
We hope the news of this win and us being top aides your recovery and hope it will not be too long before you are back urging us on.
Josh Lunn
Manager"
Lovely statement lads and Rowland you are in our prayers.
So to the game.
I was anticipating Hardwick would be a tough nut to crack having done so well getting promoted from Division 2 last term.
Well they were but not for my original reasons.
Sadly for them they have lost a major slice of their squad and were not the force of last season
However, they were resolute in their defending and used the long ball as their main attacking ploy seeking their No 11 who was excellent.
The Oak, were again missing a few regulars, either hols, work or injuries but we do not make excuses and today gave an opportunity for others to impress.
The Oak also went into the market this week and we say welcome to Jekhio Ryan-May.
The Oak dominated the game and played all the football whilst HR relied on the long ball.
Oakley's gave league debuts to Ollie Arnold and Jehkio Ryan-May and started well forcing many corners and free kicks but for all their dominance they could not force a breakthrough.
The 2nd half was, I am sad to say, as the 1st with Oakley's defence snuffing out all HR could offer only exception being Mickey in goal making a fine save low down.
But surely The Oak could find an opening and it really came from the substitutions. Dan Atkinson came on releasing Nathan Simms from the back to his more normal position on the left side.
He soon got involved up front and using that wand of a left foot the change was welcomed by everyone.
On 80 mins Nathan received the ball and then crossed the ball in the air into the right spot and Tom Beckett ran onto the ball heading firmly home
One nil.
It seemed maybe that that was that as HR were not causing The Oak any problems now.
To the Oak's delight it only took 7 more mins to wrap the game up when Nathan put in another cross, low this time, for Cameron Falcus to work his magic in the box and neatly tucking the ball away.
2 nil and onto the next one away to Headington Amateurs ko 2pm on the 12th.
Thanks to our loyal supporters who travelled and see you next week.

Thanks
Tony Walker

Match Result

Hardwick Sports FC 0
Oakley United Football Club 2

Match Report to follows.

Thanks
Tony Walker

The Oak are away tomorrow to Hardwick Sports ko 2pm.
Hope to see some of you there.
Full details are attached.
Important information for you all.
Whilst our game on 26th is still at home, we now play Oxford Blackbirds in the 1st Round of the President's Cup and ko is 1.30pm.
Thanks
Tony Walker

Oakley United Football Club
The 2026/27 lottery starts on 1st of October.
Can existing members comment here yes or no if they wish to continue. We hope you do as we need your support.
Same cost as last year.
New members please comment too and I will be in touch.

Thanks
Tony Walker

Oakley United Football Club 4
Graven Hill FC 2

Today we entertained Jack Cane and his Graven Hill side and as you will see The Oak came out on top.
We wish Jack and his boys all the best for the season.
We always have good matches with GH and today was no exception.
I must congratulate both squads for the level of football played in atrocious weather, gusty wind and rain, stair rods at times.
It also meant the fork had to come out at the start of the 2nd half as the rain just could not get away.
There was little relief from the rain and players and spectators were drenched.
Well, this one was !

First a few thank yous

Steve Genever and Rowland Pointer for filling cracks in field off the playing area but within roped area.

Simon Meakin for pitch prep all week aided by Rowland Pointer.

Luke Saunders, our new asst manager, who had to get the marker out as lines were a bit faint pre game.

Richard McVeigh for opening The Chandos up and Dave Ketley for organising a food van.

All the supporters who stayed and braved some horrendous viewing conditions.
Thanks so much we really do appreciate you all.

So to the game, our 1st league game against a fine GH team as it turned out.
GH and The Oak have had a troublesome pre season with players unavailable and injured or in GH case players who have moved on.
But no real surprise we had to pull all the stops out today as Jack usually brings a good side but they were rocked on 2 mins when Tom Beckett, our flying right winger, was put away down the right and hit a fierce drive finding the bottom corner.
What a start and one thought maybe a goal fest but not the case.
Both sides played good football in terrible conditions, hard pitch made more difficult by the constant rain showers.
GH recovered their composure and started to work their way into the game.
The Oak defence, however, was holding firm, clearing their lines and Mickey Thompson in The Oak goal was in fine form tipping a goal bound effort over but perhaps The Oak were struggling to link all 3 phases regular enough to get that important 2nd goal.
I felt GH had the initiative at the end of the 1st half but the last 10 mins or so of the half was played in terrible weather so hard to say.
The 2nd half started similar to the 1st but this time it was GH who found the net on 48 mins, probably upsetting Oakley's half time plans.
A lovely move down the right put the GH forward in and he made no mistake firing past Mickey.
The momentum was with GH and The Oak needed to reset and go again.
I know this squad and was in no doubt they would.
More care of the ball meant more opportunities to put GH under pressure and on 62 mins it told.
A free kick was awarded to The Oak and a move off the training ground came up trumps.
Disguise as to who was taking it seemed to create a gap in the GH defence and Luke Dandridge hit a great shot into the corner of the net.
2-1 and now The Oak were really at it and on 64 mins a combination between Daniel Digges and Cameron Falcus left Cam clear to score.
3-1 home and hosed but not in GH's eyes and they kept causing The Oak defence to be on it's metal.
On 78 mins they pulled one back. Free kick from the right to the far post found a GH head.
3-2 and we were in for a grandstand finish surely.
Would The Oak try and hold what they had or carry on attacking.
Of course they attacked that is The Oak way.
But not being silly and always shutting the back door.
And this attitude paid off with Man of the Match Daniel Digges finally getting his goal that his overall play deserved.
A ball from the left found him and despite being challenged by 2 defenders he managed to shoot and score even when falling to the ground.
4-2 and that was it.
Well done The Oak, the squad tested again with injuries and absentees limiting selection but everyone today put in such a shift and I was so proud of them.

So onto the next one, one swallow does not make a summer but it was a fine start with things to improve we know and we will.

Thanks
Tony Walker

Oakley United Football Club

Match Result

Oakley United FC 4
Graven Hill FC 2

Match Report to follow

Thanks
Tony Walker

As you can see The Oak are at home tomorrow in the 1st League game of the season.
We welcome Graven Hill FC to Oxford Road for a 2pm ko.
The weather forecast is rain, before and intermittent during the game so come prepared.
The shop will not be open after 1pm sadly but I can confirm the Chandos pub will be plus a Kebab food van is hopefully going to be there for visitors after the game.
So see you there.
Thanks
Tony Walker

Sadly no picture (got one somewhere) but OUFC wish Owen Lucibello a Happy Birthday.
Owen was our left back and part time keeper when we started but for family reasons moved away but he is still registered with us and when he comes up to see everyone he brings his boots !!
Not often enough sadly.
Lovely lad and we miss him and perhaps one day he might be home permanently and once again wear the black and white.
Have a good day young man.
Thanks
Tony Walker