16th March 2008

Attleborough Oak 2 - 2 Stockingford Sports

In a game where the League Two title could be decided it was Stockingford that got off to the better start. The Oak seemed to be still waking up when a long ball stretched their defense. With chalk on his boots, the Sports winger put a ball across the box which was tapped in from close range.

Not resting on their laurels, Stockingford continued to press their advantage. Another long pass soon after caught the Oak napping again with same out come. With only 15 minutes gone Attleborough were 2 down.

Half time approached and with Attleborough only looking dangerous from the odd corner, more effort was needed in the second half if the Oak had any title aspirations.

Hearing words of confidence and belief from manager Dave Nicholls, a different Oak started the second half. With each player showing a greater desire for every ball, it wasnt long before Attleborough grabbed one back. Unselfish play in the box from Tyler Morris picked out a free Jamie Mills. Not one to waste a chance, Mills thumped home and the come back was on.

With the midfield now bossing the game, Lee Millar won a towering header that put Tyler Morris running towards goal. With space ahead of him, it looked as though Morris should of took the ball further towards the goal. Instead, with the ball still bouncing, Morris unleashed a thunderous left footed volley that curled its way into the top corner.

With the game now level it appeared as there could only be one winner, but in a game where no one could remember a bad tackle, 7 yellow cards were produced and the game withered away to a draw.

In a great come back the Oak managed to keep their title hopes well and truly alive.

 9th March 2008

Attleborough Oak 3 - 0 Windmill

Following two much needed victories the Attleborough Oak looked to make three in a row, as they hosted a Windmill side still in with an outside chance of challenging for the League Two Title.

The Oak looked in a bullish mood from the first whistle. A compact and disciplined side passed the ball well, until a well delivered cross by Jamie Mills cause havoc in the Fords box, as Lee Millar challenged the goalie to bundle the ball across the line. The challenge was deemed fair and an own goal was given.

With more expansive play, Attleborough looked dangerous again. It was Mills again who created a chance. Wriggling his way towards goal he fired a shot home from an incredible angle.

The Windmill had little in the way of a reply as an impecible Oak defense gave nothing away.

Mid-way through the second half saw the game go beyond any come back, as Lee Millar headed home to continue his rich vein of goal scoring form.

 

 2nd March 2008

Chase FC Res 0 - 2 Attleborough Oak

With a great win last week the Oak were keen to capitalise on their confidence with a victory at the Chase.

The game started slowly and some long balls troubled a sleepy Oak. Until, Jamie Mills, looking as lively as ever, squirmed his way in the box and was butchered down on his way to goal. Mills placed the ball home only to be told to retake it due to an unseen infringement. Taking no chances, Mills slammed home his second attempt.

With the Chase offering only glimpses of desire to get back in the match, the Oak took full advantage when Tyler Morris blasted a keepers parry into the net.

Re-finding their form at a vital stage of the season, the Oak cruised home with a 2 - 0 win.

 

 24th February 2008

Attleborough Oak 5 - 0 Nags Head

Stuck in the middle of their worst run of the season, a draw followed by two defeats, the Oak really needed to get back to winning ways. With as close to a fully fit squad as Dave Nicholls has had to choose from in weeks, it showed as the Oak looked eager from the first whistle. A high tempo with crisp passing and composure across the pitch, it wasnt long before Attleborough were in front. A towering header from Lee Millar put the Oak one up.

On the back of losing twice already to the Oak this season, the Nags pushed for an equaliser as the half drew to a close, but were met with a defiant Oak defence.

The second halk started much like the first, with the Oak on top. Constant passing and verve, backed up by an immense work rate put the Oak in front of goal again. Lee Millar, leading by example, popped up for his second.

With the work ethic so high, it was expectable that some legs grew tired, but with the luxury of strength through out his squad, Nicholls could make three changes.

Coming off the bench and making an instant impact, Tyler Morris netted from close range. His efforts were noticed again, as a floated cross was met by Jack Broadhurst. The youngsters finish put the Oak 4 up.

Cantering to a victory, Attleborough still had time for a fifth. With a few triangles of passes, Neil Collins found Dave Hammersley with acres in the centre circle. Broadhusts run was matched with Hammersleys pass. Jacks first time cross was thumped home by a delighted Lee Millar, who climbed well for his Hat-Trick. 

 10th February2008 - League Cup

Attleborough Oak 1 - 3 Ford Sports Res

 27th January 2008

Stockingford Sports 3 - 2 Attleborough Oak

 6th January 2008

Attleborough Oak 1 - 1 Stockingford White Lion

The Oak played hosts to a White Lion side who had revenge on their minds. Attleborough had previously demolished Stockingford 5 - 1, at Sandon Park, earlier in the season.

Today, however, turned out to be very different affair. The White Lion started the game well and took the game to the Oak, but creating no real chances, Stockingford's possession changed hands temporarily, as Attleborough used the ball well, only to see themselves waste three or four good chances.

The half looked destined to be a stalemate until a White Lion long ball found a, seemingly offside, striker who struck home.

With and change in attitude, and a change in linesman, Attleborough started the second half with a much quicker tempo. Passing the ball with more confidence, the Oak continued to create chances, but also continued to miss.

Attleborough looked set for only their third defeat of the campaign, until, having watched his side spurn a host of chances, Oak manager Dave Nicholls brought himself on with only 10 minutes remaining. With not long left on the clock, a burst of surprise speed from Nicholls put him under a well delivered cross from Johnny Sayer. A calm glancing header from Nicholls saw the Oak salvage a point from the jaws of defeat.

 

 30th December 2007

Attleborough Oak 3 - 0 New Dolphin Res

Jamie Mills Hat-Trick ................... report to follow ...............

 9th December 2007

Attleborough Oak 3 - 2 Sunnyside Res

On a miserable morning, when most games had already been called off, the Attleborough Oak looked to continue their good form and gain another valuable three points. The match, understandably, got off to a slow start. Harsh winds, freezing conditions and a certain boxing match the night before, all contributed to an Oak side that lacked its usual quality.

Thankfully, the Sunnyside seemed to be suffering in the same way and neither team offered much in the first half hour. The deadlock was broken when Jamie Mills showed a great touch, taking him one on one with the keeper. A cool head and a composed finish gave the Oak the lead.

The second half offered little more until Attleborough upped their game in an effort to kill of the opposition. Good passing and movement gave Johnny Sayer the opportunity to double the Oaks lead. More of the same put Tyler Morris one on one with a Sunnyside defender. A shimmy from Morris ditched the centre half and a crisp finish left the keeper stranded. The Oak looked set to continue their rich vein of form and coast to victory.

The Sunnyside, however, had different ideas. With Attleboroughs foot firmly off the pedal, the Sunnyside pounced. Around 10 minutes remained, when a swift counter attack, put a disorderly Oak on the back foot and ended in a goal as the Sunnyside pulled one back. Not wanting the goal to be just a concelation, the Sunnyside thrust forward again and found the same result, as the Oak failed to clear their lines.

Thankful of the final whistle, Attleborough took all three points in what turned out to be a tough match.

 2nd December 2007

Drayton Res 2 - 3 Attleborough Oak

With four wins in the last four matches and a place booked in the league cup semi-finals, the Attleborough Oak were obviously in a buoyant mood. The game started with both teams pressing hard and looking for an opening. The break through came after 15 minutes for Drayton, as a speculative shot from distance found its way into the top corner.

The match continued at a frantic pace until some great skill and composure by Tyler Morris set up the equalizer. Skipping past two defenders and then finding a great pass, Tyler teed up Johnny Sayer to fire home through a crowded box. With the goal acting as a catalyst the Oak upped their play. With more energy, bite and style Attleborough put themselves in front. A long goal kick allowed Stevie Thomas to flick the ball through to Dave Carmichael, who, showing his class, clipped the ball over the advancing goal keeper for a 2 – 1 lead.

Taking the advantage into the second half, Attleborough’s momentum dipped. With pelting rain and fierce winds, the match slipped into a scrappier affair. A hard tackle was harshly punished on the edge of the Oak’s box. The result saw a floated cross being met by a glancing header as Drayton pulled level.

With 75 minutes gone, a late tackle by Nick Sayer was deemed a bookable offense. Feeling he had gone down to easy, Nick criticized the player, only to be shown another yellow card, quickly followed by the red. A confused Nick left the field.

A draw was looking inevitable until Tyler Morris unlocked Draytons defence. A quick shimmy and clever reverse pass put the Oak two on one. Jack Broadhusrt’s unselfish first time cross found a delighted Johnny Sayer in the box. A controlled finish put the game out of reach for Drayton.

A barrage of long balls from Drayton, all gobbled up by Andy Exton, saw the Oak take a valuable three points.

Looking as solid as ever, Andy Exton was named Man of the Match for the second time this season.

 25th November 2007

Nags Head 2 - 3 Attleborough Oak
With their eyes firmly fixed on a semi final place, the Attleborough Oak started the match very brightly. Carrying on from last week, with determination and good passing play, the Oak were one up inside 15 minutes. Dave Carmichael clipped an exquisite ball in behind the Nags defence, allowing Nick Sayer to find Steph Beale arriving late in the box, with a pin point cross. Stephs composed finish gave him his fourth goal of the campaign.

The Oak then seemed to take their foot off the pedal and the Nags Head responded quickly. A long ball through the middle found an out of shape Oak, two on two at the back. With direct play and a good finish, the Nags were level.

The Oak pressed again and looked as crisp as ever going forward, creating a host of chances. Their problem, however, was when they didnt have the ball. Lacking some discipline and any real shape, the Oak found themselves 2 - 1 down. Failing to clear their lines, Attleborough allowed the Nags to bundle the ball over the line.

Some stern words from manager Dave Nicholls at half time put some life back into the Oak, as they started the second half with more passion. Not long had gone when a wonder goal put the Oak back on level terms. Steph skipped in field, looked up and blasted the ball from all of 30 yards into the top corner. A better strike of the ball wont be seen all season.

With the goal acting as a wake up call for the Nags, the game became stretched, as both sides pushed for the winner. It came with 20 minutes to go, when Steph, having a tremendous game, picked out Lee Millar's back post run. A great finish gave the Oak the lead.

A horrific challenge on trickster Johnny Sayer saw tempers flair late on, but a more solid Oak managed to hold on for the win.

With two goals and an assist, Man of the Match Steph Beale was the shinning light for an indifferent Oak.


18th November - Division 2

Old Swan 1 - 9 Attleborough Oak
Two victories in a row and high morale had put the Oak in a bullish mood, but no one predicted that Attleborough would brush aside their top of the table rivals with 9 goals.

In swirling winds and battering rain, the Oak got off to a flying start. With every player wanting the ball and some slick passing it wasnt long before the away side were one up. Tyler Morris found himself in space on the edge of the Swan's box, but rather than rushing a shot, he picked out the run of Nick Sayer with a sublime, curling left footed ball. Nick's clever glancing header left the keeper rooted to the spot.

A constant thorn in the opposition's side, Johnny Sayer made it two and it wasnt long before a disguised free kick from David Carmichael, teeing up Steph Beale to drill home from 25 yards, made it three. A very contentious off-side decision, to make it 1 - 3 was the only stain in an exciting first half.

A hamstring injury to the Oak's top scorer, Jamie Mills, gave a chance to young Jack in the second half. Almost instantly, Steph surged down the right wing and found the little striker in the box. A cool finish, belying his age, gave Jack his first goal and the Oak's fourth. Seconds later, a ball over the top of the Swan's defence, allowed Jack in again. Running clear and with great technique, Jack clipped the ball into the top corner as the Oak's side line erupted in adulation. A corner soon followed and without knowing too much about it, the ball ricocheted off Jack to give him his first senior Hat-trick.

With six goals in the bag, the Oak could of been forgiven for taking their foot off the pedal, but that wasnt their plan. More incisive play down the right wing allowed Nick his second goal, but smelling Hat-tricks in the air, his third wasnt far behind. A looping cross/shot found the top corner and gave the Oak a 1 - 8 lead.

To cap off another memorable morning, Jack found the net for his fourth late on. If there was some fortune in his third, the nippy forward could take all the plaudits for number four, as he dashed in front of a static defence, to poke home the 9th from a corner.

With an exciting and mature performance, Jack was the clear choice for Man of the Match.
 


11th November 2007 - Division 2

Ridge Lane Res 0 - 3 Attleborough Oak
After getting back to winning ways the week before, the Oak took on Ridge Lane Res in decidedly one sided match. Off-side confusion caused a very early goal for Jamie Mills, his 100th for the club, which crushed the confidence in the opposition early on. But a reasonably stale first half ended with some Ridge Lane possession.

Needing to reproduce some form from last weekend, the management insisted on a better second half. They were not let down as the Oak went up a gear and started the second half with more fight and much crisper passing. Lee Millar further increased the lead, when a Ridge Lane defender tried too much 35 yards out. Millar dispossessed the stranded Centre Half and continued to cooly dispatch the ball past the keeprs near post.

More pressure continued and confidence grew, with the Oak now passing the ball with style. Jamie Mills capped off a memorable morning slotting home number three. Solid defencive performances ensured another clean sheet for the season.

With a powerful display, Lee Millar was named Man of the Match.


4th November 2007 - Division 2

Stockinford White Lion 1 - 5 Attleborough Oak
In the midst of their worst run of the new campaign, with two defeats in a row, the Oak really needed to recapture the form that saw them start the season so well. They did exactly that. From the first whistle Attleborough looked calm at the back, energetic in attack and comfortable in possession.

After some confident passing from the Oak, David Hammersley launched a ball from deep into the box. Lee Millar won the knock down as Jamie Mills slammed home for one nil. Mills then finished off some great play again to make it two. With some tricky play, Tyler Morris set Mills up for a Hat-trick, but the lively striker embarrassingly scuffed wide as the first half came to a close.

Attleborough started strongly again in the second half, but a barrage of corners saw the White Lion grab a life line. However, fearing the bucket at full time for his glaring miss, Mills quickly put the Oak further ahead, as he was again the beneficary of some stylish play. Nick Sayer came from the bench to add the fourth. The powerful winger was an immediate impact, barging past the defence then passing the ball wide of the keeper. Again from the bench, Steph Beale with a cool finish, was the icing on the cake as the Attleborough Oak glided to a 5 - 1 win.

Neil Collins shone in a match full of passing, but a crisp Hat-trick from Jamie Mills earned him Man of the Match.