MUST DO BETTER

Eynsham SSC 7 - 3 Freeland A

Freeland A were hit with their third loss in four games as they stumble their way through the new year. John Ayres banged in five goals for Eynsham as they destroyed Freeland on a pleasant January afternoon across the A40.

It was hard to put the finger on what exactly went wrong, the absence of midfield linchpin Lee Tomas and the master of the wonder goal Dave Titcombe at the back certainly didnt help. Freeland did not play badly, but errors blighted them throughout, espeacilly in the opening fifteen minutes, when Freeland found themselves four goals down.

Freeland managers Hardy and Mills had decided to change the system to three at the back, but after a minute they had reverted to four four two after falling behind to Ayres first goal. A break down the Freeland left saw Ayres lose his marker and tap home. Minutes later and another break down the left saw a well delivered cross headed in by Ayres to double his tally and his sides lead.

Freeland looked shell shocked, and a mix up between Venn and Mobey allowed Ayres to run in and seal his hat trick with an unguarded net to pass the ball into. Eynsham then got a fourth and Freeland were in desperate trouble. Hardy pulled a goal back with a stinging right foot volley, and then supplied the corner for Pyrah to rise highest and nod the ball home as Freeland rallied late in the half.

The scond half started with Freeland on top, but after Footitt hit a shot inches wide and Pyrah hit the bar Eyncham and Ayres struck again. A long ball over the top was not dealt with and Ayres raced through to notch yet another goal. Freeland threw on Parker and the youngster impressed with some meaty tackles and then scored a glorious headed goal off another Hardy corner.

Eynsham finished Freeland off with a further two goals, one from some more woeful defending and the other a solo goal from the electric Ayres. Freeland will have to up their game if they are to claw their way back into the promotion race.