Oaksey miss out on cup final spot (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Oaksey miss out on cup final spot

Oaksey 1 Taverners Reserves 2

HAVING played each other 48 hours earlier, it was a much-changed Taverners' side that took on Oaksey in this Senior Charities Cup semi-final at Cirencester Town's ground.

The game got off to a bad start when, on four minutes, Oaksey's defence was caught napping as a headed goal put the Nailsworth side one up.

Then, midway through the first half, Oaksey's captain, Martin Rice, pulled a hamstring to end his evening on a sad note.

However, substitute, Stuart Hudson, came on and fitted in well.

Although his style is different to his captain's, he had a sterling game and could have given no more.

Ironically, from then on, Oaksey came into the game and slowly began to assert authority and continually took the game to Taverners, with top scorers, Adam Goodfield and Simon Rose, both coming close to grabbing an equaliser.

In the second half, Oaksey continued where they left off, although the more experienced Taverners did look dangerous at set pieces and once hit the bar.

Ten minutes before the end, Taverners doubled their lead with a quickly taken free kick, which a tired Oaksey defence struggled to deal with.

The ball sailed over the outstretched hands of their keeper, Andy Baker, who had had a quiet match.

Hudson and Mike Ward both came close to scoring and if Rose had been half an inch taller he would surely have equalised if he had been able to get his head to a long ball from defence, with the Taverners' keeper confused.

In what proved a final gesture, Oaksey pulled one back as Rose shot from the edge of the penalty area to make the final score 2-1.

Certainly, the Oaksey players gave the proverbial 110 percent and while they have suffered three one-goal defeats against Taverners this season they continue to improve.

There is key football still to play this month but next season will hopefully see the fruits of this improvement.

Oaksey are looking to run a second team next season.

If anyone is interested in playing or helping, telephone Phil Rice on 01666 824007 or email him on philrice@lineone.net.

Oaksey anticipate starting pre-season training early in July.