Match Reports - Week 32

Fred Ford Cup Final
Bourton Rovers took the first step in a quest for a league and cup double as they defeated West Witney 3-0 to lift the Fred Ford Cup. In heavy driving rain, neither side created a clear chance in the opening quarter. Although Carl Austin's header came close to breaking the deadlock but was tipped over by Bourton's Kev Goodwill. However the game changed in a crazy 10 minute spell; firstly Adam Webley's through ball found Connor Teague in space who then put the ball through the legs of the onrushing West Witney keeper Steve Marshall. A couple of minutes later it was 2-0 as a cross from the right was met by the powerful forehead of Chris Mills. The ball ricocheting into the back of the net via the underside of the bar. A penalty was then awarded by referee Cliff Grove. Webley obliged from the spot dispatching the spot kick with aplomb.

Bourton continued to press at the beginning of the 2nd half and Marshall made two excellent saves to keep his side in with a chance. Gradually West Witney began to dominate play and possession, and a Karl Doods header flew narrowly over the bar. But there was no way back for them and to compound their misery they finished with 9 men as both Tony McLeman and Mike Duerden were dismissed late on,

Junior Cup – Semi Final
FC Hollybush will face either Aston or Stonesfield in the final of the Junior Cup after they cruised through their semi-final, 3-0 against Carterton Rangers. Alan Rogers found the back of the net for the Bush, with both Brad Bryant and Steve Holder scoring from the spot.

Premier Division
Carterton Town A took another step towards fending off the challengers to their Premier Division crown on Saturday, courtesy of a 3-0 win over Witney Royals. Jason Trinder, Ellis Wapshott and an own goal all contributed towards the score line.

West Witney did all they could to keep their title challenge alive after a convincing 6-1 thrashing of Minster Lovell in the week. Seb White scored twice with the other goals being shared amongst Wayne Moscrop, James Flemming, Danny Brearly and Simon Thompson. Nick Rose hit Minsters solitary response.

Minsters got a lot worse at the weekend as their relegation was confirmed following a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Combe. The visitors fought bravely, but were consigned to Division One football next season courtesy of a hat trick from Ethan Penney and goals from James Minchin and Matt Currill.

Hailey picked up a valuable point in their battle against relegation after a 1-1 draw with Charlbury Town. Stefan Lang scored for the hosts with Sean King levelling the tie for the visitors.

Division One
The Division One title now belongs to Eynsham SSC. Despite going down to Kirtlington 3-2 at the weekend, Eynsham had already done enough to ensure that they couldn’t been caught with other results going their way. In Nathan Prestridge and Dan King scored for the new Division One Champions, but goals from Shane Probitts (2) and Ross Grey for the hosts earned Kirtlington the win.

Kirtlington currently sit in the second promotion spot and will be joining Eynsham in the Premier Division next season unless Spartan Rangers avoid defeat in their next game, which is coincidentally against Eynsham. Spartan got themselves within reach of the remaining promotion spot after a sound 5-1 thrashing of Carterton Rangers. Dave Cross bagged a brace with Martin Ferreira, Matt Timms and Josh Grant getting the others. Matt Howard replied for Carterton Rangers, whose promotion hopes were ended with this result.

Aston’s season has also stalled after succumbing to two consecutive draws. The first 1-1 with Spartan. Matt Smith and Frank Clarke scoring for Aston and Spartan respectively, and Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Stonesfield. Mike Hedges found the back of the net for Aston with Mike Phipps replying for Stonesfield.

Hailey Reserves eventually fell through the Division Two trap door after two successive defeats. They went down 2-0 to Stonesfield midweek followed by a 4-1 loss to FC Hollybush. Luke Champion and Jack Robinson each scoring twice. Chris King scored Hailey’s lone reply.

Hailey’s misfortune was to North Leigh’s advantage as they survived the drop and will play Premier football again next season. Their penultimate match was a 1-1 draw with hosts Chadlington. Jacob Hazelwood and Tom Radburn scored for Chad and North Leigh respectively.

Division Two
Basement boys Minster Lovell Reserves still it all to play for with their Division Two status at stake. However they have racked up two consecutive defeats this week; first going down 5-4 to new Division Two Champion, Carterton Town B. Charlie McCullough scored twice with David Souch and Andy Horne getting the others. But the spotlight belonged to Carterton Player Manager, Nigel Jones, who after successfully managing Town to the Division Two and Jack Busby titles (including promotion from Division Four), declared on his 8 year stint at the helm. Jones capped his career with a goal adding to further strikes from Olly Bush (2), Dan Sollis and Chris MacNeil all joining the party.

Minsters second defeat was a 2-0 loss to Chipping Norton Town Reserves, who pulled clear of the drop zone in the process. Dan Kirby continued his good run of form with another goal adding to Manuel Cortes’ earlier strike.

FC Nomads and Witney Wanderers seasons are destined for ‘mid-table mediocrity’ with only pride to play for. And Nomads emerged with pride in tact after a 4-2 win over Wanderers. Chris Laurence scored twice with Josh Truby and Dave Pryse getting the others. Ben Border and Vince Evans replied for Wanderers.

Division Three
Wychwood Forest followed up their 2-0 defeat of Eynsham A in the week and clinched the Division Three title courtesy of a 7-2 win over Bourton Rovers Reserves. Veteran Matt Winter scored twice for the hosts but an onslaught of goals for Wychwood secured their crown. Ashley Davies (2), Steve Harris (2), Sam Cairns, John Wood and Mark Burgess all got in on the act to secure the required points.

That result also consigned Bourton Reserves to relegation following Bampton United Reserves’ 2-1 win over Wootton. Grant Paintin and Steve Newman were on target for the hosts with Dan Tosti replying for Wootton. Bampton had previously given their survival hopes a boost midweek after a 4-0 win over FC Mills. Rich Ghagan scored a hat trick with Connor O’Shea getting the fourth against Mills whose miserable season came to an end, with the unfortunate record of having lost all of their 20 league games.

Middle Barton registered a 1-0 win over Eynsham A with their penultimate game. Steve Freeman scored the only goal of the game.

Division Four
Midweek Goals from Bradley Empson, Damian Corbin and Daryl Potter secured all three points for Charlbury Town Reserves and the Division Four title in the process during their 3-0 win over Combe Reserves.

With second place and promotion still up for grabs, several teams pulled out the big guns for the final run in. FC Hollybush Reserves thrashed Chadlington Reserves 5-1. Darren Smith banged in a hat trick with Steve Aldous getting another. A rare strike from stalwart defender Stuart Lees was the icing on the cake for the Bush.

Ady Kew recorded a double in Aston Reserves 4-0 win over new Division Four Champions Charlbury Town Reserves. Ryan Cook and Matt Gardener scored the others.

Combe Reserves went down 2-1 to Kingham AB Reserves with Liam Barnes and Dan Lay getting the winning goals as Simon Gale pulled one back for the hosts.

Brize Norton Reserves earned all three points after an epic 5-3 win over Spartan Rangers A. Simon Atkin, Alex Ayub and Scott Mason were all on target for the vanquished hosts with Chris Mayhew (2), Matt Parsloe (2) and Olly Puddle netting for Brize.

Wootton Reserves saw off the challenge of Eynsham SSC Reserves 4-2. Michael Steers netted a brace with Dan Bourton and Jacob Cooke hitting the others. Darren Mobey and Dan Johnson’s goals weren’t quite enough.