Norton OBC 4-3 Oxted & District

Man of the Match: 9. Steve Fowers

FOWERS HITS OBC'S FIRST HATRICK

Good performance by Norton. Now undefeated with a win and draw against two sides, the other being Weston Green. Started well and went 1-0 up with a well-worked goal involving Nathan Cook and Andy Tate. After excellent play down the right the ball was pulled back and willingly driven home by Ian Hunte.

Oxted came back with a well taken effort from a corner. Norton didn't deal convincingly with first contact and the spillage was driven goalwards. Mel Kenny got a hand to it but power took it in off the underside of the bar. 1-1.

Norton went ahead again with a fine individual effort. Steve Fowers chased a lost cause with the opposing keeper odds on to win possession. As the high ball dropped, Steve headed it beyond the keeper and chasing defenders. He reached it just before it went out, poked it inside the post, and iced the cake by nearly demolishing a chair on landing. Great goal.

Oxted's second was a little fortunate. Although they did well to exploit space down our left, the resulting cross/shot wasn't too dangerous until their stocky No.15 flicked up his heel and diverted it over Mel's head and into the net. 2-2 at the break.

Good second half from Norton. Oxted didn't create as much. Our marking was tighter, we won more in the air, and broke down their moves quicker. We also showed more composure on the ball and passed it better. Paul Lewis' game was particularly good in this respect.

Norton again took the lead, with Steve Fowers heading in from close range (I think..). Howard demanded more than two goals in a game for the first time and the skipper obliged. 3-2. Things got even better when Steve Fowers got his hat-trick with another fine effort. He picked the ball up in the left corner and struck a confident shot into the far side-netting from a difficult angle outside the box. Superb. 4-2.

Steve's performance up front was echoed by one of Norton's best keeping displays. Mel Kenny put team before foot injury and pulled off a series of good stops, the best being an excellent double save from a striker bearing down on him one on one.

Oxted were thrown a lifeline when the ref decided Alex had made an illegal challenge in the area and pointed to the spot. Their hot-head No.10 stepped up to take it. After dishing out a series of dubious challenges and getting booked, he had a chance to do something positive - everyone was delighted when he put it wide.

H made changes during the half. Joseph Muvunyi, Nick Stephenson and Brandon came on for Steve Wiesner, Alex Clarke and Paul Lewis, with Steve Fowers dropping back into defence.

Things got a bit nervous towards the end when Oxted beat the offside trap. A high Norton backline stood with arms raised, but the linesman didn't want to know. With our back-four waiting for divine intervention, Oxted lobbed a helpless Mel to make it 4-3. If looks could kill, the unfortunate flag-carrying Steve Wiesnet would be nose down in the turf by now. And if the goal had lost Norton the lead...

Still, Norton's good all-round performance was rewarded with a 4-3 win!

Man of the match: Steve 'Henry' Fowers - ends slight barren spell with a superb hat-trick. Paul Lewis and Mel Kenny also had very good games.

Cheers,
Marc Stewart