Man in the Dugout reports 2000-01
New kit launched
Fixtures 2000 - 01
Your prayers please
Your Prayers Answered
Club Badge
Awards - Yes, we did win one!
2001 - 2002 - A Street Odyssey Continues
Fixtures 2001-02
Could this Be The Year? Reports 2002-03
2002-03 Fixtures and Results
Support Our Sponsors
2003-04: European Union
2003-04: Results, Fixtures
Roma Therapy
The Greatest Football Tournament in the World
2004-2005: Attack of the Minty Badgers
Street's New Training Regime
Meet the team!
Union Street's festive picture gallery!
The Union Street Awards 2004/05!
der Mann in heraus gegraben DAM diary 2005
2005-06: When badgers learn to fly
Street Talk
Knee-Jerk Reaction: Ben's Countdown to Germany 2006
Bolz WM Gonzo Diary
Pre-Seasonal Tension
2006-07: MInty Badgers Save the World
Plumbing new depths
Direkt Von Dem Dugout - Koln 2007
Union Street Awards: Season 2006 - 2007
2007-08: For a Few Seasons More
Message Board
Guestbook
Event Calendar
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Union's 'Pizza' the Action
Onwards and upwards for the Street. Having qualified for the Inter-Romo Cup following their 6th place finish last season, Street embark on their first European adventure, with a clash against a mighty Roma XI in October.
Along with the sumptuous clash which awaits them in 'The Eternal City', Street stars will experience historical and cultural overload having pre-booked visits with local guides to the likes of Caesar's Palace, the bohemian Latin Quarter, and a private audience with Joe Dolce.
Before all that excitement though, there is the league lest we forget.
First clash of the season was a home fixture at Fortress Sandy Lane against out-of-town dangermen Tetsworth. 3rd-place finishers last season, and with a point to prove after losing out on promotion, the Tets were strong favourites.
However, the legendary steel of the Street has been further bolstered by summer signings, and having weathered the initial storm, they came more and more into the game in the scoreless but intriguing first half.
Second half was a war of attrition, until Street's trenches were breached first by a quick breakaway, then soon after by a shot to the far corner. Street battled on, gaining a consolation late goal, but pound for pound Tet were probably worth the win on the balance of play in the grand scale of things.
Still, they are one of the best in the division, so Street can, like a poultry slaughterer, take great heart from this game.
With a new sponsorship deal, a strengthened squad, new kit, and a mouthwatering taste of 'La Dolce Vita' to come, Street fans have never had it so good. |
Another Draw: Vat'can you do?
This week's game at the greater of the Miltons, a tricky fixture to serve as the 'antipasti' to our Italian trip, was the second in a row in which the deadlock between the teams could not be broken, ending as it did 2-2.
Friends to Pools punters everywhere, the Streeters, like Marks and Spencers Lingerie Department, are becoming the draw specialists of the RT Harris. Our previous outing against 'Papal' Bullnose Morris Reserves ended 1-1.
Having communed with the soothsayer, Woe is the Man in the Dugout, for the signs from the gods are that next week's Roman fixtures will end 3-3 and 4-4. However, as away goals count double, Street will be handily placed for the return legs against their Italian counterparts.
Whatever, we wish our brave boys 'arrivederci', hastening them back for even greater times in Oxford Junior football.
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Andiamo Unioni!
A packed midfield, a bumpy surface, the ball in the air more than on the floor, a linesman with Terrets of the flag-arm, another day at the office at the business end of the Streeters season against top-of-the table Golden Balls.
Street got off to a stylish start. The ever more eccentric 'Indy' Ginsberg set the pace and tone by sporting a sylishly cut blue and white striped t-shirt, surely inspired by the cutting edge fashions on display on the streets of Roma, rather than the more conventional green and white hoops. In the spirit of local football, the stand-in ref allowed this audacious flamboyance to go unpunished, on the flimsy pretext of Indy's claim to have forgotten his Street top. Order was later restored, and Street then took an unlikely lead from a 'back' from injury McHammer breakaway.
1-0 at half-time was probably flattering, and the second half brought an immediate, uncompromising response from the Balls. A scrappy half saw them run out 3-1 winners. The margin may have been harsh, but they probably deserved the win. Street must either battle harder in such games, or play their way out of trouble with the stylish midfield play that has become their trademark. |
Union fail to 'pasta' ball about
Another balmy indian summer's day, and Real Islip really turned the heat up in the Doug Hobbs Cup against gallant Street. This was the real deal, as Street clung on at half-time 2-0 down, but any realistic chance of getting back into it vanished, thanks to their habit of offering two quick goals to the opposition immediately after half-time. It finished an abject 5-0. Well really.
Apparently this was the first time Islip had really performed this season: bad luck for the Union, but there is always the league. Top marks for the Islip hospitality. We may not have enjoyed the game, but your post-match food and drink made us feel mighty real.
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Veni, vidi, vici
After initial splutters, Street's season ignited this week as they moved into top gear at Cowley Marsh with a sensational victory over in-form Donnington Old Boys.
In the first half, Street's defence came under the kind of immense pressure that would have been exerted on the land at the time of the last Ice Age, resulting in the vast bed of Oxford Clay that forms the base for the 'Marsh' on which today's epic drama was played out. However, like the clay itself, the pressure only served to make Street more stolid and unyielding than ever. That is, until they conceded to a headed goal, the result of about the 40th Donny corner of the half.
1-0 at half-time then, but no repeat of last week's collapse, as the men of Union gradually exerted more and more pressure in turn on their opponents. The pressure told as Scarfe muffled the home crowd by forcing an error in the OB defence resulting in an own goal.
From then on Street, unlike Linda Blair in the Exorcist, enjoyed a period of possession. the scorching winner came from the industrious, creative McHammer. It could have been more, though Union also survived further scares at their own end. Finally the final whistle was blown. Final score: 2-1. Donnington will wonder how they lost it. Street know better, as the table below illustrates:
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Arrivederci Finstock
This was surely the sort of match that the inaugurators of the John Fathers Oxfordshire Junior Cup had in mind: a clash of the titans, two giants of local football. On the one hand proud AC Finstock, with their long sporting tradition and sound knowledge of things agricultural. On the other, the mighty Union Street, European heavyweight sophisticates who have taken the RT Harris by storm in recent seasons.
The game more than lived up to expectations, both teams, like co-operative dog-handlers, exchanging leads. Finstock went one up, then Street led courtesy of strikes from Saul and McHammer, then AC 'volted' their opponents with two more goals - all before half time.
However, with the slope behind them, Street set about the game, and an inspired substitution led to Brazillian hotshot sub Ricardo scoring with his first touch. A bullet header from Richard 'Tarmac' Adams sealed Street's victory.
Victory also for football, as Street were humbled by the superb post-match hospitality of their hosts in the Crown. If any of their number find themselves lost in East Oxford, they should head for the Black Swan and mention the Street. Initial expressions of bewilderment and suspicion will subside, and they will be sure of 'mille failte'.
Communigate: always first with the best pictures:
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Ciao, Dreams of Doug Hobbs Glory
Great Milton 3, Street 0. Let's keep it short and to the point this week, shall we? As every Union player knows, one of the prerequisites for a successful team is a well-laundered kit. The besmudged strip that adorned their finely-honed physiques this week cannot be described as such. There can be little doubt that this grubby appearance contributed hugely to the concession of three goals without reply in the first half.
The incisive possession play that is Street's trademark was still there, but there was an undefinable x factor which somehow permeated the game, much as the mud stains permeating the kit took the gloss off what would otherwise have been a finely turned out bunch of lads.
Though they created several chances, it was as if the will to convert them was drained from the team, just as surely as the dirt on their shirts had all-too-obviously not been during the rinse cycle.
If this was someone's superstitious attempt to continue Street's unbeaten run by not washing winning hoops, remember the old saying: "wear a dirty kit and you will lose by quite a bit". Wise words indeed.
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Street Adopt 'Correcto' Approach
Street's finest ever season continued this week as they marched on in the Couling Cup past Premier League Islip FC. A McHammer strike in the first half, followed by an absolutely superb overhead chip by an unfortunate Islip defender in the second put them in the comfort zone, so comfortable indeed that they allowed Islip a late consolation.
Coffee, as we know, is a great favourite of the Italians. After their recent trip to the land of Pavoni and Gaggia, Street have clearly drawn inspiration. Like the favoured Espresso bean, results are being ground out to a fine end result. Also, like the act of infusing those tiny tinctures of stimulation, Street are steaming across grounds, exerting immense pressure in the process.
Long may it continue. Success, like the black elixir itself, is invigorating for the Streeters, if somewhat unfamiliar.
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Street Fail to 'Grappa' Hold of the Game
For half an hour Street had this game under control: 1-0 up after a Mozley rocket and, like a reluctant bitch on heat, not giving the terriers of Real Islip a sniff. Then the ref sent of a Real player, and it all went wrong.
Why you have to do that ref? Real reverted to a long-ball game, and Street seemed only too happy to offer them the opportunity to play it, resulting in 5 goals to the visitors without Street further troubling the Sandylanium Scoreboard Operatives.
Frustrating? Yes, but nothing that Street can't handle. Like the drink of a gin-obsessed drunk on the wagon, a bouncing-back victory to League-toppers Bakels Crusaders in the CJL Cup next week would be 'just the tonic'. And why not? Ice and a slice anyone?
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Street 'Latin' One Too Many
An heroic effort by the men of Street as they bowed out of the John Fathers by, as the headline suggests, the odd goal on Aston's near-perfect playing surface. Near-perfect, that is, as a venue for the old BBC trials-bike series 'Kickstart'.
Street dominated the first quarter, scoring first when Scarfe looped round the Aston defenders with a power shot to the right bottom corner. There followed a disallowed own-goal which would have set Street well on the way, and a couple of missed headers.
Then, like the careful stuffing of one of the local pheasants, Aston gradually got into the game. Indeed, the country sports connection continued as they bagged a brace, the second coming on the stroke of half-time.
Street battled on bravely in the second period, but like most games between grand masters, stalemate ensued. A great run in the premier OFA cup then, but following the usual Aston post-match hospitality, it's fair to say that Union had 'had their chips'.
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Oh Gino
Regretgully the Man in the Dugout is unwell following last Saturday's social eveining. The score against North Oxford Reserves was 1-0 in their favour. |
One Way - Roman Way
Yes, a happy new year for the Golden Balls. less so for the mighty Street. A good turn out at the Roman Way arena suggested the fates might smile on the Street, but it was not to be.
Chances fell to both teams in the first half, as Street carried on where they had left off at the Xmas social, and hit the bar. However it was Golden Balls who led 1-0 at the break.
Hope then for Street, but again it was only the cue for their 10 minutes' post-half-time madness. Comedy moments at the back led to 2 further goals for Balls, and so the score remained until the final whistle, despite a late Street revival.
3-0 the result then, but hope, like the man who broke the RnB superstars out of jail, springs eternal. Lots of passing, lots of moving, but hey Street, no more modelling yourselves on dads at pantos, dozing off after 50 mins!
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Street Beat in 'Quattro Stagione'
More misery for the Street this week, losing 4-0 to a Bullnose Morris team that we should have beaten comfortably. Going a goal down after 3 mins, Street then looked to be on top for an hour.
However, their creativity and pace up front was all for nought, as all their beautiful moves, like an emotional person accused of murder, broke down in the box.
Just as with 'me love', 'a thrill', happiness, and 'that sort of friendship', Street just cannot buy a goal at the moment. For this they paid dearly, as they pushed forward and shipped a further three goals in the last 20 mins.
The magic of the cup beckons again next week. Time to turn the season around, lads.
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Street Performance 'A Ravioliation'
After the doldrums of the last couple of weeks, this was a vintage Street performance, reasserting all the qualities for which they are known and feared throughout the land.
A tough prospect this - away in the CJL Cup to Bakels Crusaders, one of the top teams in the league. Indeed the pressure was on from the outset as Bakels looked favourite, laying siege to the Street goal. Street's defence held firm, and only a freakish bounce beat the steely back line from a long-distance effort. Applause rang round the stadium as back-in-the-fold keeper Danny Popstar made save after stunning save.
Half time, and with only the one in it Street always had a chance. A rare defensive lapse let the Crusaders in for a second, which was all they needed to double their lead. A collapse looked favourite, but Street immediately struck back with a 'Harry Ramsden' of a chip by back-from-skiing veteran Martin Bartelski.
2-1 then, and one for the neutral as Street pressed on, taking the odd chance at the back, but in turn having a goal disallowed and a stonewall penalty turned down.
Extra time looked favourite, as did Street to score, but Bakels held on. Street's frustration was quelled by mountains of sarnies and a friendly pool tournament every bit as entertaining as the match itself. Back to the league next week - and like a teacher on their first day at a new school, Street are finding their form.
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Sort It Aht - Pronto
Yes, Street beat themselves again today with some schoolboy errors at the back resulting in 4 gifts to Donnington Old Boys. Street managed one in reply (Scarfe fired it home) and had many other good chances, but in an even game, their generosity to the opposition was lamentable.
Perhaps enough said. Last week's performance needs to be forgotten just as surely as this one, if Street are going to enter next week's match, unlike French aristocrats, with their heads fully on.
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Union give themselves Stromboli
If not a mountain, certainly a large volcano to climb, as Morris Motors parked in the Street half and cruised to a 3-0 lead within 20 minutes in the Couling. Dreams of cup glory looked to have vanished after a dodgy penalty, a near-post cock-up, and a good edge-of-the-area strike.
Heads, however, refused to drop, and a tenacious effort from McHammer found the net. Motors added a fourth before half-time, but with the wind behind them second half, Street were still hopeful.
Hopes were raised further as Street struck back straight after the break with a strike from Simon Newbod. A further pen to Motors for an innocuous challenge more or less sealed the game though, although Newbod struck again with a consolation late on.
Make no mistake, this Street have the potential to put in a strong string of performances this season - if they can make no (or fewer) mistakes.
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Sei, Whaat?
Yes, Street's greatest result ever. Like what should have happened to my old school, this was a comprehensive demolishing of North Oxford Res.
They replied only once to the juggernaut Street attack. Goals rained in from Andy 'Hwyl' Davies, 'Tarmac' Adams, Chris 'Banker' Clarke, Martin 'Gerald' Scarfe, and Paulo Harrington, with an og completing the country-dweller's nap hand.
Glory, glory then, but with a recommencement of hostilities with the same team next week, Street can expect a redoubling of North Oxford's efforts. One cannot help but wonder, though: is a St Valentine's Day massacre on the cards?
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Rome Around the Country
A last minute change of venue for today's match led to much rancour in the ranks of the Street. So unsettled were they that they proceeded to lose 3-0 to the team they beat 6-1 last week.
Admittedly, North Ox Res fielded a much stronger lineup and the Street, like Linda Blair, had long periods of possession. But the pace of the Res' forwards and a sluggish Street back line, combined with the traumatic geographical alterations, undermined the Union boys' usual steely resolve.
Points dropped in the league, then, but with Great Milton next week at the Sandylanium, Street will be hoping that, as all friends of Dorothy know, there's really no place like home.
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‘Due process’
Due partite, due risultati, due rete per i Miltonisti, due minuti dalla fine. Tre punti per noi nel campionato però Great Milton ha presso i punti per La Coppa Supplementario. Allo stadio Sandylanio c’era una partita sessuale; si, si, si, si, si! GM hanno fatto una per le bandiere ma era troppo semplice per Street. “Milton, your boys took one hell of a beating”. Sesta posizione ed Europa aspetta! La prossima settimana nella campagna GM era un organismo diverso ed era una prova migliore per la strada. L’uomo nel fosso affermerebbe che questa non era come una patita italiana; dura, veloce, con ginocchi sporchi. Milton fa una rete nella prima partita e ha perso, fa lo stesso numero nella seconda e ha vinto. ‘La partita del bambino’ era troppo dura per uno di noi; i gol hanno scorso nella prima partita ma le lacrime hanno scorso dopo la seconda. Pagate le quote. |
Mano Mano Man - Street Lose
The charming village of Tetsworth nestles in the Thames Valley, exuding the kind of old-fashioned hospitality one thought had been lost forever in this once green and pleasant land. The mix of ancient and modern is reflected in the facilities of the village's football team, where brand-new state of the art changing rooms combine with the legendary post-match cuppa for which the club has long been renowned.
Tetsworth benefits from its unique geographical position between the Chilterns and Brill Hill which channels the gulf stream through the valley at a rate of knots. The resultant microclimate meant that, notwithstanding the snow and torrential rain that had affected the City of Oxford, Tetsworth remained dry and balmy, with the faintest hint of Mimosa Pudenda in the air.
Ideal conditions for the entertaining game that ensued, then. Street had the better of the first half but, like a disciple of the poet e e cummings, found themselves unable to capitalise. A different story after the break though, with big Rich Adams slotting home an edge-of-the-box dead ball for 1-0. Tetsworth laid siege to the Street goal, and earned themselves an equaliser.
The talking point of the game however was the winning goal attributed to Tetsworth. From a corner, the ball was trapped between the arms of two Tetsworth forwards, who ran in unison at the Street goal, unceremoniously bundling any poor unfortunate who got in their way. Street fans look forward to the RT Harris' formal adoption of 'Shire Rules', thereby enshrining the rolling maul into the laws of Association Football, and avoiding any future confusion as to the legality of such a cunning ploy.
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Strong Galles
A game with more wind than Le Petomaine, this inaugural Street vs Torfaen Tigers fixture was never going to be one for the purist.
The visitors dominated the first half with the aforesaid gustiness behind them, and a still tired and emotional de Silva did well to dive to his left to save a penalty early on. The Tigers could not break through the resolute Street defence, and at half-time goals were still eagerly anticipated rather than savoured.
The considerable crowd did not have long to wait after the break though, with the visitors profiting from a mix-up between the veteran Street pair, the by now almost comatose de Silva and the ever-polite Ginsburg, who both left it to each other thereby letting a grateful Tiger pounce.
This proved a wake-up call for the Street, as the wind caged the Tigers in their own penalty box, and Street forced home four by the end. Flattering perhaps, but a sporting, friendly encounter meant football was the real winner.
So continued success in Europe for the Street, and new alliances forged in the valleys. Torfaen are welcome to 'cwm' down the Swan any time.
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Luck? All in the Role of the Dieci...
After going down cruelly in the league to Tetsworth a fortnight ago, it was a determined Street XI that took the field in a Supp Cup rematch at the Sandylanium.
Lacking a sub to run the line, the boys were forced to sacrifice a player (the unfortunate, but ever willing Ginsburg) from the lineup in order to placate the rather insistent referee. However, his pedantry only stiffened the Street resolve, and under heavy Tet pressure, the line held firm.
Half-time, and as on the previous meeting still goalless. Street carried on defending stoutly, none more so than 'Craggy' Bartlett, battling for every header and chasing down every runner. Indeed, as Tetsworth pushed on, Street began to penetrate the large holes left at their rear.
Street were unlucky when Chris Newbod lobbed the keeper only to hit a post. Things were looking 0-0-ish, but then a speedy break by new French wunderkind Arsie Winger led to a tricky cross which Tetsworth's unlucky best player on the day hammered into his own net.
Street held on for an historic victory in adversity, and a spontaneous huddle at the end indicated that in terms of team spirit, there is surely no greater team in this or any other league.
Forza Strada!
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Buona Pasqua!
A must-win this for the Street, were they to have any chance of progressing in the Supplementary Cup.
KEA were unfamiliar opposition, though the territory was not, sharing their stadium as they do with Bakels Crusaders.
The game ebbed and flowed, with chances at both ends, Street's sponge like defence soaking up pressure before hitting them on the break. The deadlock remained at half-time, until the trap was finally sprung to full effect by Street, with Arsie Winger scoring after being sent clean through.
Result - one-nil to the Street: a by-now familiar scoreline for Union followers.
The game contained an interesting irony for sperm-whale hunting fans. On the island of Lamalera, Indonesia, the local sperm whale hunters speak of a common phenomenon: if they are attacking a whale, often another whale will appear, apparently to see if it can help its distressed friend. This onlooker they call a kea.Ironically, it was Bakels Crusaders who were watching their 'other team' get beaten, who are of course known as 'Kea'. Yes indeed, very ironic.
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Real Double-Header ends in Two Gol-Less Halves
...albeit in different game. Yes, the much-anticipated battle of the Titans inolving the Street and Real Islip in the Supp Cup and League were titanic affairs, but sadly it was Street's hopes that went down as if hit by an iceberg.
Not a lot in either game: the first at the Sandylanium saw Street frustrate Real for a half while creating several good chances themselves. One defensives slip in the second half was enough to let the Real in, followed by a 'wonder' free-kick. Final score 2-0 to a somewhat flattered Islip.
Three days later battle resumed on Islip Mound, Street with somewhat limited goalkeeping options, which largely contributed to the 3-0 deficit at half-time. Street held firm in the second half, but just could not find the target themselves, despite several good opportunities.
So, Street gave all-conquering Real a game out of the two they played. Now they must await the final fixtures in the Supp Cup to see if this, their best ever season, will continue. Whatever transpires, they have consolidated their position further in the RT Harris with a creditable third-from-bottom in the league and some great cup memories. What will the future hold???
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