Another Sunday, another 7.30am start for the M1 boys as they travelled to Surrey to take on a high-flying Oxted side.

Three weeks without a game didn’t dampen the mood. Off the bus it was clear that the feeling in the squad was good; there were smiles all round, the excited buzz of game day lingering in the air, and not even wild swings from TK in a filthy changing room cricket session threatened the vibe.

After a bracing warm-up, a ridiculous run of reverse stick scoring, and some fiery words from coach and captain, the game was on.

No sooner had the ball pushed back, Brooklands rushed into a dominant spell, immediately turning the ball over and threatening the opposition circle. The umpires hadn’t even had a moment to take their whistles out their mouths before the first chance was won - PC for the boys.

Andrew Jackson stepped up at top D like a man possessed. With the confidence of a prime Niklas Bendtner, Mr Middle Middle executed a beautiful Panenka flick over a prostrate Oxted keeper to ripple an open net and bag his first second goal of the season.

Minutes played: 1. Goals scored: 1. 1-0.

Bit between their teeth, Brooklands kicked on at the restart. Some fine press work from Tully and Khares opening up the space again in the Oxted final third. And who was there to capitalise? That man Jackson again, who latched onto a delicious ball to dink a tasty revers over the rushing keeper. 2-0.

In Q2 the game began to open up. Oxted screwed their heads on and got themselves into the fixture, capitalising on some complacency in the Brooklands deep defence to build some chances of their own. Fortunately, captain Pete Flanagan was on a one-man interception mission, controlling his 23 with the vigour of a much younger man. But not even his heroics could keep Oxted totally silent, who eventually took advantage of some lax marking to find a free man at the back post who struck home confidently. 2-1.

With the lead in the balance, Brooklands looked comfortable on the ball, passing well and using the space to good effect. Oxted were getting frustrated and even lost a man to a card for chat, boosting Brooklands confidence in possession. Unfortunately, Oxted clearly knew our one weakness: playing against a team with fewer players than us. Brains switched off for a fraction of a second and Oxted once again found a free man in our circle. Despite the initial effort being saved, former Brooklands stalwart Peter Friend was quickest to the scuffle off the pads and tucked home to send the sides in for half-time at 2-2.

Breathe. Reset. Out went the boys for the second half.

Regrettably, Oxted came out with that bit more bite, and within moments of the whistle had turned over the ball in the Brooklands half to score a break away strike from top D. 3-2 to the home side.

Not to be deterred, the Manchester Massif got back to work, with some broad passing opening up space for silky carries from our front men. The pay-off was almost immediate, with Brooklands earning multiple circle entries before a whistle finally went - another PC for the lads. Keen for his hat-trick, that man Jackson stepped up again. Unfortunately though, he decided to break from routine and aim for a corner which drew a smart save from the Oxted number one. No reason to fret though, as Leo Watton was onto the rebound and dispatched a tomahawk shot with the precision and dexterity of a red-neck trying to impress the cousin he fancies. 3-3.

With the game in the balance, chances started to open up at both ends. Voices rang out all over the field as players looked to gain traction with the umpires, and the ball was bouncing between the teams like a grenade with the pin pulled out. At one moment, Brooklands looked like they would capitalise on the frantic session, with Nick Hale breaking through the lines to bare down on goal. Sadly, the finish wasn’t quite there and the ball trickled out harmlessly off the pads.

To the visitor’s frustration, it was Oxted who then managed to make use of the bang. A marauding run from their player/coach drew RFS off his line to make a tackle, but the loose ball fell back to the Oxted attack who pushed home to once again take the lead. 4-3.

This was the time for character. A weak situation demanded a strong response, and the coaching team made their decision. The line-up was set in no uncertain terms, and our keeper RFS was withdrawn in favour of an extra attacker.

The clock was ticking. 3 minutes to go. 2 minutes. 1. PC the boys!

At first run, the ball clattered an onrushing foot and a reward set-up a grandstand finish. Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Pete Flanagan, a man with suspicious knowledge of 1980s swimmers, rose to the moment. A slip. A slap.

GOOOOOOOOOOOALAZOOOOOOOO.

A beautiful slap to the far side board beat everyone on it’s way through. 4-4.

The whistle blew full-time immediately and the boys erupted having snatched something from the jaws of defeat.

The relief was palpable, and the lads even took the time to help our favourite import, Kevin Carroll, with his citizenship test questions on the ride home. It saddens us to report that he has no hope of passing and will be deported in 2022. RIP.

Ultimately, it’s a point on the road. Although it’s disappointing not to have returned home with all three, Brooklands continue to show character beyond the normal to get results where none seemed available. Well done the lads, on to Wimbledon away next SATURDAY.