Oxford City FC was the location for the Mild Learning Disability (MLD) U17 Round 2 League fixtures. A representative team from 6 counties including Surrey participated in this League which will result in all teams playing each other twice over the course of the season in a mini league format.
All six counties played two forty minute games on the day with Surrey meeting Oxford and Kent. Surrey’s first game was against Oxford who where the early season favourites after dominating the first round of fixtures and winning comfortably in the pre-season grading tournament at Bisham Abbey.
The game was a close fought battle with both teams cancelling each other out in the first 15 minutes of the match. It was always going to take something special from either team to break the deadlock and fortunately Surrey were the first to show a bit of magic when a cleaver move that started in their own half resulted in Surrey midfielder George Manning smashing home from the edge of the opposition penalty area. Oxfords reply was almost instant when they pounced on the back of a Surrey defensive error to level the game at 1-1. The second half continued in the same fashion as the first with most of the play being fought in and around the middle of the park. Surrey had the better of the limited chances however were unable to secure the win. The game ended in a draw with both teams sharing the points.
The players had a short break to discuss their team tactics for the second game of the day and take on some refreshments. The second encounters of the day saw Berks and Bucks beat Sussex 1-0 and Oxford draw with Hampshire 0-0. This left Surrey with the chance of going top of the league if they could see off the challenge of Kent. The game started frustratingly for Surrey with the boys dominating the game however struggling to find the break through goal. That illusive goal did finally arrive just before the break when again George Manning scored for Surrey with a nicely taken placed shot into the bottom right hand corner. This goal gave the Surrey team the confidence to put the game out of Kent’s sight and the team scored three more goals to finally win 4-0.
The event was a fantastic day enjoyed by both players, coaches and spectators and if the FA wanted a good example of how players should conduct themselves on the pitch in line with the new Respect Programme they need look no further. The player’s behaviour was excellent and with the playing ability to match. The next scheduled round of fixtures is to be hosted by Hampshire FA on Wednesday 25th February 2009 12pm-2pm at the Hampshire County FA Headquarters Winklebury Football Complex. Directions can be downloaded on this web page (top right hand corner).