Match Reports - Week 27

Premier Division
Carterton Town A bolstered their chances of winning their first Premier Division title in 10 years after defeating Hailey 2-1. Mike Bolt notched a double for the hosts who held on for the win despite Paul Read’s goal leaving the result in the balance until 90 minutes. Carterton can stop current West Witney making it a record three titles in a row, unless the current Champions win their remaining 4 games and make up a 16 goal difference in the process.

At the bottom of the table, it was only survival on the minds of Hanborough and Ducklington as they played out a 1-1 draw. Ryan Colleton scored for Duck with the visitors putting through their own net for Hanborough. The point helped neither side but leaves Ducklington in a better position having to record only 5 points from their remaining 5 games to ensure survival.

Division One
Bourton Rovers will be playing Premier Division football next season after a convincing 8-2 thrashing of Kingham. They won’t be short on firepower as Dave Gainford, Sam Mattock and Adam Webley all bagged a brace. Dan Smith and Joe Jarvis picked up the others with Gaz Price and Eddy Webb replying for the hosts who were sadly relegated as a result.

Combe are on course to join Bourton in the top flight after they recorded their latest three points, a 2-1 win over Eynsham SSC. Matty Walker hit the back of the net for the hosts but goals from Simon Baker and Chris Betreen secured the win for Combe.

FC Nomads have a target of 3 points from their last three games if they are to avoid the drop. Their cause wasn’t helped by a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Chadlington who scored through Steve Hunt (2), Mauro Esteves and Adam Tinkham.

In mid-table, Aston picked up another win after a 2-0 defeat of Hailey Reserves. The hosts could have scored more, but had to settle with strikes from Warren Austin and Rupert McFarlane.

Division Two
Newly crowned Division Two Champions Stonesfield could be forgiven for taking their foot off the pedal after securing the title last week, yet they were involved in an enthralling 4-4 draw with Ducklington Reserves. Jack Holifield (2), Dave Oliver and Perry Tinson were on target for hosts Duck, while Tom Green and Ed Gilkes each bagged a brace for Stonesfield.

Kirtlington did their promotion hopes the power of good with a surprise 8-0 thrashing of former promotion contenders, Carterton Town B. Jake East and Shane Probitts both scored hat tricks with Ryan Moran-Ross and Darryl Collins getting the others. Kirtlington face Carterton Rangers in a couple of weeks with the winners of that match most likely to join Stonesfield in Division One.

Milton slipped to fourth place and out of the promotion race after being held to a rare goalless draw by FC Mills. The point, may not be enough for Mills who need maximum points from their remaining games and other results to go their way to ensure Division Two survival.

A single Tom Gregory strike was enough to earn Witney Wanderers a 1-0 win over Bampton United.

Division Three
Spartan Rangers Reserves secured promotion to Division Two after a 3-0 win over Wootton. The hosts scored through Joel Spalding, Dave Cross and Martin Ferreira.

Ducklington A remain in second place after a narrow 1-0 win over Brize Norton Reserves. Shay Cowin scored the games’ only goal. For Brize, this result means their fate is now in the hands of Bourton Rovers, who although still in the drop zone, have 3 games in hand are only 2 points behind.

Corinthians picked up another 3 points after a fine 2-1 win over form side, Chipping Norton Town Reserves. Luke Hessey and Frank Webb scored for the hosts with Sam Philpott nabbing the goal for Chippy whose promotion push now remains in the balance.

It was a good day for the only Gloucestershire based Witney & District side as Bourton Rovers Reserves matched their first team by racking up an 8-2 win. Bourton Reserves beat visiting Middle Barton with Matt Winter smashing in a four goal haul. Lee Mosson (2), Ben Easter and an own goal completed the rout. George Wood and John Umney replied for Middle Barton.

Bourton can avoid relegation if they beat Witney Royals Reserves at the weekend. Royals however, were finally relegated after going down 5-2 to Minster Lovell. Mykel Ryan also picked up a four-timer with David Souch getting the other. Mikey Piper and Gary Nicholson replied in vain for Royals who will be playing Division Four football next season.

Division Four
Leaders Eynsham are promoted from Division Three. Tower Hill Reserves will be joining them pending their first teams promotion to Division Two. However, the title is still up for grabs and Tower Hill Reserves closed the gap to just 3 points after a 5-1 win over Kingham Reserves. Will Graham banged in a hat trick with Adam Townsend and Dave Meredith getting the others. The league table will look a little clearer when the top two meet in a couple of weeks.

Third placed Wychwood Forest undoubtedly recorded their result of the season after defeating leaders Eynsham A 5-2. The hosts scored through Neil Phipps (2), John Wood, Steve Harris and Jason Hornsby. Olie Hinchcliffe and Declan Green replied in vain

Gary Jones scored the only goal of the game as Charlbury Town Reserves played host to Aston Reserves and played out a 1-0 win.

Richard Gaghan (2), Danny OShea, Fraser Cooper and Ian Bilton all scored for Bampton United Reserves as they beat Wootton Reserves 5-0.

Chadlington Reserves and Eynsham SSC Reserves had to settle for a point each as they played out a 4-4 draw. Matt North (2), Jordan Godfrey and Andy Fleet all found the back of the net for Chad with Dan Harwood, James Hewitt, Dan Johnson and Zac Harding all netting for Eynsham.