Match Reports - Week 31

Premier Division

As the season draws to a close, many teams played their final matches this weekend, pride was the only thing at stake with promotion or relegation already decided in many cases. Newly crowned Champions, Hanborough travelled to bottom side Minster Lovell with an upset unlikely. The match panned out as you’d expect with Hanborough running out easy winners 5-0. Dan Haggie, Aston Leach, Colin Berry, David Rose and Tom Weedon getting on the score sheet. The result means relegated Minster Lovell failed to win a match all season, picking up only 3 points in the process. Hanborough go into the break having lost only 9 points from a possible 60.

AC Finstock who join Minster Lovell in Division One next year went down to Combe 6-0. Sam Benwell (2), Simon Gale, Pat Gardener and Josh Posey were amongst the goals. Finstock re-join Division One after one year in the top flight.

Last seasons Champions finish on a flat note going down 2-1 to second placed Ducklington. Jacob Hambridge scored for the hosts but goals from Ian Peedle and Frank Clarke earned the final 3 points of the season.

Wychwood Forest lost 4-1 to Charlbury Town in their final game with safety already assured. Mike Duerden netted for Wychwood as Shan Gilbert and Craig McCallum each bagged a brace for Charlbury.

Division 1 In Division One it was a much closer affair as North Leigh A, FC Chequers and Chad Park were all in contention for the title at the beginning of the day. When the results came in it was North Leigh who became Champions as all three teams took three points. However North Leigh pipped Chequers into top spot by goal difference alone as both side finished on 49 points. The newly crowned champions beat Brize Norton 3-1 with Jason Lonsdale netting twice and Michael Pratley getting the other. Mark Sollis replied for Brize.

FC Chequers take the second promotion place at the second time of asking with a 4-0 win over Hanborough Reserves. Mo Semlali (2), Paul Read and Shaun Rayfield scored the goals for Chequers who finished behind North Leigh by a difference of only 6 goals.

Chad Park miss out on Promotion after pushing the top two all season. They continued right to the end getting their last 3 points courtesy of a 2-1 win over FC Mills. Josh Vaughan and Josh Harding scored a goal each with Steve Lyon replying for Mills.

Mills narrowly avoided relegation with Hanborough joining Witney Wanderers through the trap door to Division Two.

Safely in the middle of the table, Chipping Norton Town beat Ducklington Reserves 3-1 with Arrun Whitam (2) and Reeve Bayliss getting the goals. Cameron Donohoe netted for Duck.

Division 2 With promotion assured, Witney Royals Reserves faced relegation threatened Wootton determined to enjoy their last game of the season. Royals duly paid the price losing 7-0 with an unfamiliar line-up. Tom Williams scored a four timer with Liam Gubbins, James Miller and Carl Scarrott scored the goals in the game that ensured Woottons safety. The result meant Wootton leapfrogged Milton who now join relegated Spartan Rangers Reserves in the drop to Division Three.

Division 3 FC Chequer Reserves beat 10-man Chipping Norton Town Reserves 4-1, which leaves them one final game to pick up the three points needed to gain promotion to Division Two. Ben Davies, Dave Webb, Dean Jeffs and Ian Park scored the goals to earn their latest vital 3 points.

North Leigh B and Tackley finished with a share of the points in a 2-2 draw. Darren Tasker and Tom Radburn netted for the hosts with Paul Gray and Ryan Wearing scoring for Tackley.

Chequers will now face Tackley in their all-important final game.