Witney & District Football Reports - Week 32

By Ant Barlow

Saturday 28th April 2018

John Fathers Oxfordshire Junior Shield 17-18 – Final (Report by John Smyth)
Hanborough lifted the John Fathers Oxon Junior Shield, for the first in their long history as they defeated FC Hollybush 5-0 in front of a partisan crowd in Kidlington on Friday night.

The cup is named in the memory of John Fathers who did so much for football in the County and Hanborough in particular.

Hanborough dominated the game from start to finish and Hollybush will be disappointed with their efforts in such a big game. Apart from an early header from Rory Linford-Pill, Neil Rose in the Hanborough goal was barely troubled.
The best two chances of the opening quarter both fell to 'Boro striker Joey Burgess, but he put both opportunities wide. Aston Leach also got on the end of a cross, but steered the ball wide.

The opening goal came in unusual circumstances, 'Boro were awarded a free kick just inside the 'Bush half in the 42nd minute. Skipper Dan Haggie launched it into the box and it sailed over the heads of everyone and bounced and flew into the top corner, with keeper Matty Howard rooted to the spot.

After the break, nothing much changed, 'Bush made a double change with Dean Mays and Brad Bryant coming in, but it made little difference. 'Boro doubled their lead, early into the half, leading scorer Jack Morton was given too much time in the box and he easily fired home. It was soon 3-0 as a fine move, saw Craig Johnson played in and he lifted the ball over the advancing Howard.

They added a 4th after Burgess effort was saved by Howard, but the ball fell kindly to Morton he prodded home. The only question now, was whether Morton would complete his hat trick and he duly obliged just before the end to complete the rout.

Premier Division
Hanborough’s week got better and better as they also clinched the Premier Division during a round of midweek matches. Boro’ faced Carterton Rangers who they saw off in what was, by their own standards, a less than convincing 1-0 win. Goal machine Jack Morton was on target with the games’ only goal. However, it was all that was required to secure their second consecutive Premier title as second placed FC Hollybush were not able to claim the points they needed to deny Boro’ the crown. A 2-0 loss to Hailey with Jack Wood and Freddie Buckingham on target was followed by a 0-0 stalemate with Charlbury Town.

Charlbury are now the side have to beat to secure an historic treble.

In other top flight results, Carterton Rangers and Chipping Norton Town drew 1-1 with Carl Shirley and an own goal providing the games only highlights, elsewhere Nick Rose, Charlie McCullough, Sam Wright, Pete Barnicoat and a Jonny Fletcher penalty were all on the score sheet in Minster Lovell’s 5-3 win over Combe. Leke Shodunke (2) and Matt Baker scored for relegated Combe.

Alfie Saunders and Luke Pettifer both found the back of the net for Spartan Rangers in their 2-2 draw with Charlbury Town. Stefan Lang and Mike Thompson replied for Charlbury.

Division One
After narrowly missing out last season, Aston clinched the Division One title with a 1-1 draw against close rivals Tower Hill. Both sides were in with a chance of the title at the beginning of the game, however, the draw meant that Aston could no longer be caught by any side. James Scott scored for hosting Tower Hill with reliable Ryan Colleton replying for Aston. The young Tower Hill side showed real class after the final whistle to form a guard of honour for newly crowned Aston as they left the field.

Second placed Stonesfield could deny Tower Hill the remaining promotion place if they can pick up all three points in their remaining fixtures. They hold their fate in their own hands after a sound 7-1 thrashing of Milton. Alex Ayres netted for the hosts but a Raffy Rice four timer put the result beyond doubt before the tally was added to by his brother Carry Rice, Tim Wyatt and Jack Barker.

Witney Royals went down 4-2 to Chadlington. Liam Readhead and Dave Cross scored for the hosts but goals from Jordon Godfrey (2), Alfie Peachey and Michael Taylor rewarded the visitors with all three points.

Division Two
Wayne Berry scored twice in Moreton Rangers’ crucial 2-0 win over Bletchingdon as they completed their campaign and kept alive their slim hopes of winning the Division Two title. Despite being held to a draw mid-week by Bourton Rovers, Moreton are three points clear of second place Bletch, however Bletchindon have two games in hand and will steal the title from Moreton with victory in one of them.

At the other end of the table, Aston Reserves suffered contrasting fortunes to their first team as they were relegated to Division Three after a 2-0 loss to Witney Wanderers. James Bason and Ben Border were on target to send Aston through the trap door.

Spartan Rangers Reserves who were relegated earlier in the month completed their season with a 6-2 defeat to Hailey Reserves. Richie Eastaff marked his appearance for the Hoops with a double while Mo Semlali, Luke Manning and Freddie Buckingham also added. Scott Mason and Witney & District legend Steve Wright scored the consolation goals for Spartan.

After flirting with relegation for the majority of the season, Hanborough Reserves are now safe courtesy of back to back wins. A midweek 3-2 win over Hailey Reserves was followed at the weekend by a 7-1 demolition of Charlbury Town Reserves. Herbie Hamilton scored a hat trick with Mark Stinchcombe (2), Lewis Maskens and Archie Hamilton netting the others.

Division Three
A Ben Reardon goal was enough to secure a 1-0 win for Siege FC over Wootton and the Division Three title. Siege suffered only two defeats all season and scored an impressive 89 goals to date.

FC Hollybush Reserves will finish second and ended their penultimate game of the season 5-1 winners over Bourton Rovers Reserves. Steve Holder, Richard Williams, Alex Stubbs, Will Watts and Carl Williams all combined to complete the rout.

At the other end of the table, despite a recent surge in performances and results, FC Mills were finally relegated. A 6-3 loss to Corinthians was the final nail in the coffin for the side that has slipped in recent year from the higher reaches of the Witney & District to the bottom division.

Ducklington completed their campaign and will end the season one place ahead of Corinthians in third thanks to a 3-2 win over Minster Lovell Reserves. Ady Kew banged in two goals with George Townsend and Samm Murphy getting the others. Russell Whitlock (2) and Aidan Foard scored in reply for the hosts.

Mikey Piper and Rob DeBanks were on target for hosts Witney Royals Reserves in their 5-2 defeat at the hands of Bourton Rovers Reserves. Royals will finish just above the drop zone thanks to goals from Lee Mosson (2), Jay Mosson, Keelan Gilbert and Jake Oakey.

Division Four
With Division Four Champions Carterton Town B not in action this week, the focus switched to the remaining promotion place. Current incumbents Kingham AB Reserves completed their campaign with a 7-0 win over bottom side Eynsham SSC Reserves. Adrian Williams put in a man of the match performance bagging six of his sides goals. Ben Gibson scored the other. Eynsham meanwhile, need a miracle result in Siege Reserves FC’s last game, to avoid picking up the wooden spoon as the bottom side in the league.

That result means that Kingham are still five points ahead of Bletchingdon Reserves in third after they saw off Brize Norton Reserves 5-1. Michael Trafford scored twice with Jake Godfrey, Mason Connelly, and Loren Bushay getting the others. Lee Litton replied for hosts Brize. However Bletch still have two games in which to secured the required six point to clinch second place.

Chris Blayney and Josh Hornsby scored for FC Ascott Reserves in their 2-0 win over Wootton Reserves.

Watts Junior Cup 17-18 - Semi Final
Aston will face Bletchingdon in the final of the Watts’ Junior Cup after they despatched Witney Royals 4-3. Aston took the lead through Vince Evans, Joe Edney and Nick Angus but Royals fought back with a brace from David Cross and a Miles Roberts strike. However Aston’s Sam Rowe popped up in extra time to clinch the win.

Where next?

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