This may have been the first game between these two teams, so a bit of an unknown quantity, except that we knew that they can be a good team. The Germans went into the game as a team that have got too used to losing.
Big changes in the line-up were made as the team went from 4-4-2 to 4-5-1. Mark Stevens played his first game, Wayne Bradshaw played from the start for the first time since game 1, Mark Richardson and Stuart Jackets went from defence to central midfield while Andy Batchelor went from forward to central defence.
And being totally honest, for the first half the German�s played very well as a team with lots of commitment being shown. The best chance at the start falling to Wayne Bradshaw who�s shot, while on target, was comfortably gathered by the keeper.
Of course this positive play didn�t stop us going 1-0 down with their first attempt on goal after 10 minutes, when sloppy defending allowed yet another small striker to get a free header from a cross which he placed well into the far right corner of the goal.
This was followed soon after by the German�s getting a corner which was dangerously swung in by Nick Park to allow Stuart Jackets to get a touch and the equaliser.
And, of course, this was followed once more by Oxford running up the field, splitting a flat-footed defence and scoring yet again to go 2-1 up.
Therefore at half-time the Germans had played well for the previous 35 minutes yet were 2-1 down to a not very good team.
The second half started with Stephen making a pig�s ear of a high ball, not shouting his claim and colliding with Andy Batchelor. The Oxford striker proceeded to hit the crossbar, then put it wide. A real let-off.
They came close again a few minutes later when from a free-kick, a curling shot was put just wide of the goal.
However, after the initial 5 minute flurry the Germans started to get back into the game. Will, who had one of his best games for the German�s yet, hit the cross-bar from a free-kick, while a header from Moses was well saved.
And then the German�s forgot how to pass the ball. Constantly losing possession in the last 20 minutes, the German�s were their own worst enemy as they gave the ball back to Oxford at every opportunity they could. Quite rightly, Oxford held the possession and wasted time at every opportunity as the game petered out.
Although with 2 minutes to go, the German�s stood stock-still as an Oxford striker ran through the defence and lobbed the ball over Stephen for goal number 3.
So, yet another defeat. The German�s thought the first 6 games of the season were going to be difficult (although the Squadron game was abandoned), but the teams we�ve played have not been all that good and we�ve struggled in every game � including White Youth.
Passing to each other is an art we have yet to understand. Those delightful 30 yard cross-the-field balls which we love to play nearly always go to the other team and are always a delight to watch.
And I know that everybody is committed to winning, but there is some pretty unfit people, myself included, in the team. My comment last week that we use too many subs during games (although only 1 in this game I think) still applies. Although, when after playing football for only 50 minutes, and with a 10 minute break in-between, half the team is blowing hard then you have to wonder.
As Rico said after the game �It�s 3-1, it must be Sunday!�