Witney & District Football Reports - Week 30

By Ant Barlow

Saturday 14th April 2018

Jack Busby Memorial Trophy 17-18 - Final
Minster Lovell Reserves are the new Jack Busby Champions after defeating Hanborough Reserves 1-0 courtesy of a late late goal from Ben Jackson. In an evenly matched game, neither side really created a clear cut chance in the opening half, aside from a long range Ben Jackson attempt that Boro’ keeper Jack Lambourne managed to claw away.

The second half was dominated by Minster; Russ Whitlock and Aidan Foard, both hitting the woodwork Foard especially having a goal chalked off for offside. Then with extra time looming, a cross from skipper Luke Hessey was met by Jackson's forehead at the far post, to send the large and loud Minster contingent into delirium.

Report by John Smyth, photo courtesy of Bullseye Photography @bullseyephotos

Premier Division
Hanborough continued their devastating run of form to move three points clear at the top of the Premier Division. Two more wins in the week, including a 9-1 demolition of Minster Lovell culminated in a a4-1 win over Kirtlington. Jack Morton grabbed his second hat trick in a week with Ian Steele netting the other. Shane Probitts replied for the visitors.

FC Hollybush remain the only team able to catch Boro’ at the top and spoil their party. They have played a game more but stay within striking distance after their 1-0 win over Minster Lovell on Saturday. A single Michael Duerden goal was enough to secure all three points.

Unless they can produce a dramatic turn in form, Combe look set to drop to Division One next season. They managed to pick up a point on Saturday after their 1-1 drawn with Chipping Norton Town, however successive midweek defeats leaves them five points adrift at the bottom. Spartan Rangers occupy the second relegation place but boosted their chances of survival by taking four points from the last available six. They followed up a midweek 2-1 win over Carterton Town with a point at Hailey at the weekend. They took a point after a 3-3 draw with visiting Hailey, with Alfie Saunders, Tom Williams and John Clarke getting on the score sheet. Freddie Buckingham, Jack Wood and Luke Manning reciprocated with goals for the visitors.

Carterton Town A picked up a valuable three points which moved them five clear of the drop zone after they beat Charlbury Town 4-2. Sam Cairns scored a hat trick with Martin Watroba netting the fourth. Craig McCallum replied with Charlbury’s two goals.

Division One
Aston are in pole position for the Division One title after two more consecutive wins. They followed up a 3-0 win over Bampton United in the week with a 2-0 win over Milton. Ross Fleming and Sam Rowe were on the score sheet for Aston who now lead a chasing pack by goal difference only, albeit a considerable one.

Tower Hill continued to put the pressure on the top two after wins over FC Nomads and Witney Royals, the latter coming at the weekend. Jamie Goodwin scored for hosts Royals but Jack Holifield and Hames Harris combined to secure the win for Tower Hill.

Chadlington went down 1-0 to Stonesfield with Carry Rice getting the only goal of the game.

Eynsham SSC are now two points from securing their place in the division after a 6-0 thrashing of FC Nomads in what may prove to be the telling blow for Nomads Division and their Division One survival hopes.
Matty Walker and John Ayres each bagged a brace with Steven Chappel and Max Leach getting the others. The result means that Nomads now need to win both their last two games and hope other results go their way to avoid joining Bampton United in Division Two next season.

Division Two
Moreton Rangers moved four points clear at the top of Division Two after their back to back wins against Kingham and Charlbury Town Reserves. The 3-1 win over Charlbury came courtesy of goals from Javan Nurse (2) and Mark Boydell. Mark Clifton replied in vain for Town.

With two game sin hand on the leaders, second place Bletchingdon are in a great position after their latest two victories. They followed a 3-0 win over Witney Wanders in the week with an arguably more important 4-0 win over third place Middle Barton. Dany Evans scored a hat trick in the match with Jake Evans picking up the other.

Brize Norton saw off bottom side Aston Reserves with a 6-1 thumping; Adam Davis scoring a hat trick for the hosts. Shaun Rawlings, Gezz Morgan and Joe Henry completed the score sheet while Ryan Hewer pulled one back for Aston.

Hanborough Reserves are now well placed to avoid the drop after they beat Hailey Reserves 2-0. A Mark Stinchcombe brace puts Hanborough three points clear with multiple game sin hand on the teams around them.

Spartan Rangers Reserves however need the planets to align in order to retain their Division Two status after they went down 4-0 to Bourton Rovers. Lee Mosson (2), Alex Lopian and Toby Cranham scored the goals which now means Spartan need to win their remaining game, whilst making up a -13 goal difference AND hope that Hanborough fail to gain another point in their remaining games.

Division Three
FC Mills secured a crucial three points against fellow relegation candidates Combe Reserves courtesy of a 3-2 win. Charlie Ibbotson and Jack Morgan scored for Combe but goals from Cody Davies (2) and Lewis Hooper swung the tie in Mills’ favour. The result means that Mills are now within reach of safety, but still need other results to go their way while picking up at least a point from their last two games.

Should they fail, Mill will join Milton Reserves who were officially relegated this weekend after losing their 18th game out of a total of 19 played. This time they went down 8-3 to hosts Wootton who scored through Lee Spencer (2), Fraser Scott (3) and Luke Leggett.

At the top of the table, Corinthians moved back into second after a convincing 5-1 win over Minster Lovell Reserves. Gary Mitchell scored for Minster but a Frank Webb four goal haul did the damage with Harry Purfitt getting the other for Corinthians.

Ducklington are still in with a shout for promotion after a resounding 8-1 demolition of Chipping Norton Town Reserves. Ady Kew scored three with Sam Doherty (2), Tom Costley, Rory Dunseath and Courage Nyenya all joining the party. Daryl Soper’s goal for the hosts was scant consolation.

Division Four
Carterton Town B are the new Division Four Champions, secured the required three points after their 4-0 win over Bletchingdon. Dan Chillington, Noven Labor, Dave Wanless and Shay Lowthian were all on target with the goals. The visitors, who were playing their third league game this week could understandably offer nothing in reply.

Wootton Reserves 3-0 win over Spartan Rangers A in all reality has only delayed what would be confirmation that Kingham AB Reserves will join Carterton in Division Three next season. Jacob Cooke, Mark Mumford, Simon Stokes scored the goals which keep Wootton in third, but despite a mathematical miracle, promotion for them is now out of reach.

Brize Norton Reserves went down 2-0 to Chadlington Reserves with Alfie Peachey scoring both.

Eynsham SSC Reserves remain bottom after going down 4-0 to FC Ascott Reserves. Jay Whelan (2), Kieron Reynolds and Gary O'Donovan scored the goals to secure the win.

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