Witney & District Football Reports - Week 31

John Fathers Oxfordshire Junior Shield 17-18 - Semi Final
There was plenty of cup action in the Witney & District this week the cup finals appearing (for some) on the horizon. FC Hollybush booked their place in the John Fathers final where they complete an all W&D final against Hanborough. They did this courtesy of a 3-2 win over Original Swan from the Oxford City FA. Michael Duerden was on hand with a brace to accompany a strike from Craig Mays.

Watts Junior Cup 17-18 - Semi Final
A 3-1 win over Bletchingdon helped Bourton Rovers secure their place in the Watts’ Junior Cup Final. Ben McPhlimey, Harry Larner and Lee Mosson were all on target in the win.

Witney & District Supplementary Cup 17-18 - Quarter Final
Minster Lovell Reserves came through their Supplementary Cup Quarter Final tie against Bletchingdon Reserves with a 2-1 win. Gary Mitchell and Josh White each found the back of the net to secure the win with Michael Trafford scoring for Bletch.

Premier Division
Hanborough were unrelenting in their charge to retain their Premier Division crown after a crushing 7-2 defeat of Minster Lovell. A Jack Morton hat trick was the highlight in the win with further goals coming from Aston Leach, Craig Johnson, Joey Burgess and Jamie Hodges.

Second place FC Hollybush did all they can to keep the fight for the top spot alive after they saw off Combe 5-1. Callum Surrage scored for the hosts but goals from the Bush were shared equally amongst Bradley Bryant, Dean Mays, Rory Linford-Pill, Alex Stubbs and Josh Grant.

Hailey recorded their biggest win of the season after a 9-1 demolition of Chipping Norton Town. Jack Wood banged in a four timer with Freddie Buckingham (2), Luke Manning, Dev Wright and • Shaun Rayfield also finding the back of the net. Andrew Helby scored for the visitors.

Division One
With two games in hand on their opponents, leaders Aston look favourites for the Division One title however, the chasing Tower Hill and Stonesfield don’t seem to want to yield any ground. Tower Hill remained second only on goal difference after their 4-1 win over Milton. Adam Bolley, Lewis Bartlett, Josh Lathey and Luke James were all on target for the hosts.

Third placed Stonesfield, also level on points beat Eynsham SSC 4-2. Raffy Rice (2), Carry Rice and Tim Wyatt scored the goal to hand the home side the win. John Ayres and Nathan Prestidge replied for Eynsham.

Charlbury Town and Carterton Rangers drew 0-0.

Division Two
There were an interesting set of results at the top of Division Two as leaders Moreton Rangers had their lead at the top cut to two points. A resilient Aston Reserves were responsible, holding hosts to a 0-0 draw. The point however is more precious to Aston who require at least 3 points from their last two games if they are to avoid relegation.

The initiative has now been handed to second placed Bletchingdon who; with two games still in hand can take top spot after beating Brize Norton 3-0. Josh Green and Todd Parker-Hunter struck either side of a Brize own goal.

Middle Barton also lost ground, slipping to third after they went down 1-0 to Bourton Rovers who themselves are still in with a great chance of promotion. Ben McPhlimey scored the games’ only goal.

Kingham All Blacks went down 2-1 to Hailey Reserves with Tom Jones and George Blundell scoring the telling goals. Dan Davies scored for Hailey.

James Bason and Lewis Vaughan scored for Witney Wanderers and Hanborough Reserves respectively as their sides played out a 1-1 draw.

Division Three
FC Mills are now just one win from safety after a Dean Spivey goal secured 1-0 win over Milton Reserves. Meanwhile, Witney Royals Reserves went down 1-0 to Wootton for whom Lee Spencer scored.

Division Four
Newly crowned Division Four Champions, Carterton Town B increased their lead at the top to 10 points after they beat Bampton United Reserves 2-1. Si Oakley and Mark Williams scored the telling goals with Jake Pritchard pulling one back for Bampton.

A goal each from Olly Puddle and Charlie Vickers ensured Brize Norton Reserves and FC Ascott Reserves respectively would have to settle for a point each.

Eynsham SSC Reserves went down 5-0 to Chadlington Reserves with Ollie Jordan (2), Ethan Taylor, Lee Woodward and an own goal all contributing ot the tally.

Stonesfield Reserves beat Siege FC Reserves 4-3. The hosts shared theirs amongst Mike Phipps, Luke Burns, Liam Harris and Tom Wilson while goals from Lee Manley, Ashley Wallcraft and Nathan Haywood were not quite enough.