Witney & District Football Reports - Week 29

By Ant Barlow

Written by David Evans

Midweek six-pointer assures Kirtlington of safety.

Premier Division
Nathan Kelly scored four goals in two games to ensure that Kirtlington would finish above the bottom two this season.

On Tuesday night he slotted home two to help them overcome Carterton Town A 3-2. Frank Harrison helped himself to the third with Sam Cairns and Will Smalldon responding for Carterton.

In the other Tuesday night Premier Division battle, Aston and Tower Hill took a share of the spoils in a 2-2 draw. Darren Harriss and Ryan Oliver both scored a goal each for Aston with Ian Wright and Alex Scott replying for visiting Tower.

Three Kirtlington players scored doubles as they thrashed Aston 6-2 just two nights later. Kelly bagged another brace along with Jake East and Alex Metcalfe's doubles. Jamie Austin and Ryan Colleton responded for Aston.

Division One
On Tuesday night Witney Royals won through in the critical battle between two of the bottom three. They started the evening 9th, visiting 8th placed Bampton United knowing three points would take them level with their opponents. And three points they grabbed thanks to a Corey Donohoe double and third from Robbie Cockroft. Bampton's Jake Pritchard bagged their consolation.

On Thursday night two mid table teams with plenty of games left faced off. Middle Barton hosted Combe with both sides looking for three more points to stabilise their league positions. Dan Bott's double would have hoped to give those three points to Barton but Joe Wick had ideas of his own, responding with two goals and Steve Smith hit the third to make sure of the points.

Division Three
On Tuesday night Carterton Town B carried on their pursuit of an unbeaten season as they swept aside Hook Norton 3-1. Shay Lowthian, Tomasz Mazur and Mark Williams all found the net once in the victory. Ryan Hall grabbed the consolation for Hook Norton but defeat leaves the race for second between Spartan Rangers Reserves and Wootton.

Carterton Town B were spared having to play twice in two days as Bletchington Reserves forfeited their game to leave Carterton one game away from an unbeaten season once again.

Super Saturday semi-finals confirm Cup Final line-ups
The Finals of the Senior, Junior and Supplementary cup have been confirmed after the weekends fixtures were completed.

Ted Young Senior Cup
In the Ted Young Senior Cup Kirtlington and FC Hollybush played out a five goal thriller which made for a fantastic semi-final. Kirtlington found themselves 2-0 up at half time thanks to Nathan Kelly's fifth goal in a week and a goal from Shane Probitts.

But a substitution at half-time brought Josh Grant into the fray and it proved to be a game changing move. Newly introduced Grant found the net twice in the second half as things were brought level, with the winning effort coming from Craig Mays to send Hollybush into their first final of the season. It'll be second vs third when Hailey face Hollybush on the 30th April as Hollybush bid to defend their crown in the only cup that can be retained this season.
Watts Junior Cup

The Watts Junior Cup Final will see Stonesfield take on Milton after the former snuck past Bampton United by a single goal in this weekend's semi-final. Carry Rice was the solitary difference maker to send the Division One leaders into the final on the 24th April.

Supplementary Cup

Wootton reached their first WDFA Final in over 30 as they defeated Division 3 rivals Bourton Rovers Res 2-0 after extra time.
From the start both sides tried to get the ball down and play, but chances were at a premium in the first half. For Wootton Karl Gustasa should have done better when he received a ball only a few yards from goal. But the ball got stuck under his feet. At the other end keeper Ashton Hastie did superbly to tip Mark Payne’s goal bound effort around the post.
Bourton should really have taken the lead early in the 2nd half as Jack Hughes was put clear, however his shot came back off the post and rebounded to safety. It was Wootton who, then thought hey had won it. Lee Spencer robbed Keeper Kev Goodwill, but instead of passing the ball into the virtually unguarded net, he inexplicably chose to pass to Fraser Scott who was offside.
As the game went extra time, Wootton took the lead, Spencer picked up the ball in midfield and hit a glorious through ball to Michael Steers, who lifted it over the on rushing keeper. The same pair then cpmbined for the second goal, this time Steers set up Spencer who made no mistake with the finish this time.
In the final on 23rd April, Wootton will meet Hook Norton

Premier Division
Hailey kept up their incredible momentum as they continue to leave their title destiny (partially) in their own hands as they overcame a resilient Carterton Town A side. Jack Wood set them on their way to victory slotting home a penalty but Will Smalldon replied in the second half to bring the scores level. Hailey increased the pressure and regained the lead a short while later thanks to Devon Wright and Tom Gregory made sure of the points. Hailey are six points behind Charlbury now, with one game in hand and a mouth-watering fixture against the table toppers lined up next week. Goal difference will prove crucial if current form continues for both sides.

Carterton Rangers battled to a point which saw them leapfrog their Carterton rivals in the table as they drew 2-2 with Tower Hill. Matt Parry gave Rangers the lead with Murray Cox equalizing for Tower. Adam Lee then slotted home from the spot to allow Rangers to take the lead once again but Lewis Scott levelled things up. Rangers go level on points with Town but have one goal better goal difference. They'll face off against Kirtlington in a fortnight to determine their fate.

Division One
Chadlington jumped into second position in Division One after securing a league double over Eynsham SSC. After benefitting from a points adjustment from a game earlier in the season, they beat the bottom side 3-0 to jump into second spot in their last game of the season. Chadlington Reserves goal machine, Alfie Peachey, stepped up to the first side and carried on his scoring form by bagging a double, Matt Chadwick scored the third to finish their season on a high.

Witney Royals crept out of the bottom two by taking a point in their visit to Combe. Ethan Penney and James Minchin scored for the home side but Miles Roberts and Corey Donohoe hit back for Royals as they go above Bampton in the league.

Milton continue to have an outside chance at the title as Bourton Rovers forfeited their game. Milton are four points off Stonesfield with two games to go.

Division Three
Witney Royals Reserves have assured themselves of finishing outside the bottom two after winning their third game on the bounce. They'd recorded just two league wins all season going into March but have won all three games since. At the weekend they saw off Chipping Norton Town Reserves thanks to a Mikey Piper brace. Adam Scarsbrook replied for Chipping Norton but Ian Barrett came through with a third for Royals to propel them to eighth and are now uncatchable by the two sides below them.

Carterton Town B completed another invincible season as they avoided defeat against Spartan Rangers Reserves. It finished 0-0 between the top two leaving Town undefeated for the entire season. Spartan Rangers Reserves take home a small amount of pride being the only side that Town have failed to beat in the league this season. They'll now wait to see if Wootton can take advantage of their two games left to beat them to second place.

Division Four
With the title seen up last week, the remaining battle is in the race for second place. Second to fourth have just three points between them, with fourth placed Wootton Reserves also having a game in hand too.

Kingham Reserves remain in second place thanks to a 2-1 win against FC Ascott Rangers. A Rob Mainwaring own goal and a Liam White strike gave Kingham the three points. Brendan Campbell replied for Rangers.

Stonesfield Reserves kept up the pressure on Kingham by putting six past Brize Norton Reserves. Shaun Kemp and Tom Wilson both scored twice with Luke Prew and Liam Harris adding the extra goals. Olly Puddle and Ciaran Clarke replied for Brize but it finished 6-2 to end Brize's own top two ambitions.

Where next?

Cup Finals All Witney & District Football cup finals are now confirmed..

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