Report

The final game of the season away to Duffield saw OE-s needing all 3 points to become League Champions. Kenny & Paul were carrying injuries and as they weren-t 100% they dropped to the bench along with Denton. We did have a strong squad today and a 4:4:2 formation was decided as this opened up Duffield in the 2nd half of our last meeting.

Despite some much needed rain through the night, the Duffield pitch was rock solid and there was a fair bit of wind goping right to left. Our capitain, Dave Wightman won the toss and elected to turn the teams around with OE-s having the wind in their favour.

Duffield didn-t have the explosive start that they had when we played them at home a few weeks ago - they dominated for 20 mins then. OE-s were very much the better team from the start and we tried to string our passes together. The bumpy pitch made pure football difficullt but it wasn-t long before we started to carve up Duffield.

Chaf-s continued good form continued into this game. He ghosted several times down the left and after 15 minutes his pinpoint cross was superbly headed home by Jon Marshall making his long awaited return from injury. A cracking header from 7 yards out with the keeper having no chance.

Our defence was well marshalled at the back by Dave, Chris, Adi & Shaun. I can only recall one slippage when Martyn dealt very well with a Duffield effort that he pushed wide.

In midfield the energetic combination of Sean and Reg with Jon Hodgkins sitting just in front of the back four started to open up Duffield.

A cross into the box was met by Adi and it was certainly heading in when Gaz Booth launched into a diving header to steal the credit. This put us 2:0 up after 22 minutes and a great cushion.

5 minutes later and Chaf launched a great cross into the box from the left with an unfortunate Duffield player heading forcefully by a helpless goal keeper. At 3:0 up we started to do the roll on sub and Paul and Denton were introduced to give Gaz and Sean a breather.

Duffield did rally for the final 10 minutes in the first half but didn-t get the opportunity to trouble Martyn given solid defending.

Kenny came on at right back at half time for Chris to use all our subs early. The roll on subs worked well with 2 further changes.

The second half had us kicking into the wind and OE-s continued to be the better side. Martyn in net didn-t have a save of any note to make and Duffield-s keeper made several that perhaps we could have taken.

A professional job was done and the lads saw out the game 3:0.

A great result and the all important 3 points has delivered the League title. Well done to the team today, every player that has contributed this season and also to our faithful supporters.

Man of the match today does to Sean Wheatley for his energetic display in midfield. The whole team played well and we can now look forward to celebrating at the forthcomning presentation eveing. The date and venue for this will be confirmed over the next week and it will be great if everyone associated with the VETs can come along and support the Club.