It was the final pushback at Brookes on day dot of the 2022-23 season, and it was the Oxford 6s taking on a spirited and well organised Buckingham 2s who were new to the division, having been promoted the season before.
Early team news indicated Oxford would have a bare bones squad with only one sub available. Bucks on the other hand clearly had sorted a team coach, bringing five subs, parents and a small cheerleading squad. Clearly a fella with a big drum couldn’t make it on this hefty away day.

The game started with the pace you’d only find at a greyhound race. Members of both teams were jostling for position all over the pitch and it was immediately clear this would be a tough contest.
Bucks were the first team to advance with any real threat, breaking into the Oxford D and narrowly missing wide on a few occasions. Safe to say, that the back four consisting of Mack, Ed, Tom and Ashley battled like the 300 at Thermopylae the whole game. Nothing would get past this line as tackles, blocks and brilliant passing acted as the lifeblood that kept Oxford in the game early on. Tom certainly manifested this attitude after narrowly escaping a green card after a hard challenge. This is Sparta after all, Bucks… if you can’t handle the heat, get out of the kitchen.

Oxford looked at their most dangerous on the counter attack. Ady (giving a performance that Maradona circa 1986 would have been proud of) was instrumental in carrying the ball high up the pitch and looking for options with crosses and through balls. Phil was also integral to feeding the ball up the field and letting everyone know where they should be. Bottom of the diamond is often referred to as a QB type role, and Phil redefines the job each game. The first major attack on goal saw Diarmuid win the ball back off his man, excellently beat another into the D, then put an opportunity not even statue would miss on a plate for Graham who took a controlling touch before sweeping the ball into the bottom left corner. A fantastic goal put Oxford ahead.

No real sparks of flair came from the very well organised Bucks side in retaliation. They came close a few times, but nothing with any real threat. They were facing the 300, remember.

On another counter attack, Seth was annoyingly he was robbed right before he could take a strike at goal that would have almost certainly doubled the lead. It was Oxford’s turn to push on the high press. After a few unlucky short corners, it was clear Oxford were marking their territory against a Bucks side who may not have quite believed they were losing.
Going into the break, with the score at 1-0, Oxford were in high spirits. After agreeing to maintain their high pressing game, things seemed hopeful for the start of the second half. Ivo had joined up with the team having played earlier on, and offered some much needed extra help to the midfield.

But Bucks had a game plan too, and they wanted more of the ball than they got in the first half. Early on in the second half, Bucks won a series of short corners, and after a few attempts, they got lucky in slotting home. 1-1.
Oxford looked like they were beginning to tire. Despite one set of fresh legs, the intensity of league hockey after months away was beginning to take it’s toll. But this didn’t stop anyone. Seth was majestic in making dangerous runs down the left, whilst Diarmuid showed unbelievable talent beyond his years in every regard of his game. Ed was playing like Bobby Moore (a compliment he did not originally understand the significance of after the game), Mack “The Great Wall of Toronto” Graham was making tackle after tackle, Tom “Come and have a go if you think you’re hard enough” Denton had the attackers in his pocket, and Ashley, “The Colossus of Cape Town”, probably covered 15k alone in his efforts.

With most of Oxford’s threatening play coming down the right wing, it seemed almost a matter of time before another good opportunity would come. After a very sweet cross came in, Tim was unlucky to see the ball fly just over the bar. Amber too, who had been excellent on all sides of the front line the whole game was unlucky not get a shot away as well.

It seemed inevitable that there would be a winner, but as the rain began to fall, Bucks won a series of short corners again. A physical metaphor of what was to come. At the third time of asking, they slotted a cool finish home. Oxford, undeservedly found themselves 2-1 down. The rain matched the mood in the Oxford camp (my English GCSE teacher would be proud of me for that one).
But then it stopped raining. Oxford would not sit down and die, we had the 300 on our side. With about 10 minutes to go, Oxford once again attacked down the right hand side. Graham played a fantastic ball right onto the penalty spot where Tim, seemingly out of nowhere, beat his man to score. Credit has to be given to Amber for dragging his man away from the path of the ball, a move he claims was “tactical genius”. I agree!

Although celebrations didn’t last too long. Moments later, Tim showed us all why he’s not a defender after going in for a tackle, and taking a full swing to his shin. This cracked his shin guard about three inches, preventing what would have been an almost certain tibia fracture. It does pay to have, and wear protective equipment.

The end of the game had drama as well. Some goal line heroics saw Pete blocking a shot that goal line technology would have had a tough time ruling out. Ivo and Seth both had great chances, but were denied by the vigilant defence who had clearly woken up after conceding for the second time.

As the final whistle went, I think both teams felt a point was a fair result. A close contest, that on another day, could have gone either way. A sterling and respectable performance nonetheless.
Final score: Oxford 2-2 Buckingham

A big well done to all involved in the game. It was commented at teas that this was one of the best performances this team has had in a few years. Great communication, and high pressure were key to our performance. There was a real team chemistry that showed across every corner of the team. Buckingham are a very well drilled team, but were only able to score off of two short corners. They will clearly be contenders in this division, so to take a point, especially after going down, seems like a great result.
We go again next week against another newly promoted side, Wootton. They will fight for everything, but so will we… after all, THIS. IS. OXFORD!

Man of the Match: Ed Davis – This title could have gone to any of the defence today (kudos again to Ashley, Mack and Tom), but Ed commanded the back line like Leonidas. He won almost every challenge, fed the ball out to midfield every time he got the ball, and called for movement from everyone on the pitch. The defence is the reason we got a point against Bucks, and Ed was integral to both pre-game and HT tactics.

Honourable mentions to Graham for his goal and assist, and Diarmuid for running the Bucks defence ragged – a future international for sure.
Dick of the day: Tim – for messing up on the left wing by letting the ball hit his foot with absolutely nobody around him and halting a fantastic move forward.
Team: Pete, Ed, Tom, Mackenzie, Ashley, Phil, Diarmuid, Graham, Ady, Tim, Amber, Seth, Ivo