WDFA Match Reports - Week 4

By john smyth

I got you babe

Groundhop Day

Saturday saw 6 clubs taking part in the 3rd Groundhop day as 3 crowds in excess of 150 watched the action.

This is a report from Dr Love on the Non League Matters website

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Brize Norton 0-1 Cassington Rangers
Witney & District League 2nd Division

Cassington scored in the third minute from a penalty. They generally were the better side, but poor finishing didn't help. Off the pitch was much better, with the club having a cafe on site in the pavilion. They were based outside today and service was quick. The pitch is on the far side of the cricket pitch and quite close to the bushes down half of the far side, at one point one player ended up in them. A scenic if basic location with seating for 3. A decent sized carpark should be good enough for most games, but street parking available too.

Tower Hill 1-3 Hatherop
Witney & District League 1st Division

A clear step up on the pitch. Hatherop had a player sent off 20 minutes in for a stamp, though despite being close I didn't notice it, nor seemingly did the home players who had all retreated expecting the free kick to be awarded against them. The away #6 hit one effort hard along the ground from long range, which was blocked, but the second attempt went into the top corner. After the break hard to tell who had the extra man and a penalty plus a good finish from closer range this time extended Hatherop's lead. A late consolation for Tower Hill. Enough parking here for a normal crowd, even with the netballers on site too. A large clubhouse with a bar, but the pitch was on the far side of the site, which has a decent of amount of enclosure with tall trees.

Heyford Athletic 2-2 Chadlington
Witney & District League 1st Division

The best of the games today. Heyford who according to the programme hadn'y lost in the league at home under their current manager, but they needed an added time mistake from the visiting keeper to keep that run intact. Chadlington scored early, with Heyford having plenty of chances, but only scoring once in the first half via a penalty. Fairly even in the second half, with the visitors once again taking the lead before the late equaliser. Plenty of chances in this one, and the standard all round on the pitch was better. Parking was signed for spectators via a side entrance, parking available on the village streets should the small carpark fill up and it's not dry enough to park on the grass. They've got a modern clubhouse, and were the only one today with portable dugouts. They even had a PA system which was clear from the other side of the ground. The most scenic location of the three today.

A good day out, with good company and three good hosts.

Premier Divison

After a disapointing season last year when they only won 1 game, Milton have played 2 and won 2 this season and sit joint top of the Premier Division table. They defeated Charlubury 3-2 on Saturday. Charlbury scored a goal on the season contender from Craig McCallum, Trapped on the edge of the box against the dead ball line, he weaved and wriggled in and out of 4 defenders before slamming the ball past a stranded Jake Taylor in the Milton goal. Callum Smart added a second Charlbury but Milton hit back with goals from Alex Ayres, Jonny Fletcher and a winner from sub Sean Godfrey.

Enstone also sit on 6 points after defeating Freeland 4-0. Nathan Bott grabbed a double with Jay Mair anf Jordan GOdfrey adding the others.

Minster Lovell V Hanborough From Hanboro FB Page.

With no less than 14 registered players unavailable yesterday afternoon for reasons of work, the shits, injuries, holidays, suspensions, it was left to the remaining 10 players and manager (who ran the line) to face Minster Lovell. With a game plan, and a nod toward the obvious of keeping it nice and tight and working bloody hard. The ability of the 10 men who made it out onto the pitch left us with a chance.
The first 5 minutes was perfect, with a tight defensive line working well, a midfield 3 just in front of that being disciplined and the lone front man up top!
With only ten minutes in a ball forward from Bateson found Aston Leach in a bit of space, all be it 30 yards from goal, his first Touch of his chest took him away from the defender and 5 yards closer to the goal, the second Touch though was even better as Leach lifted the ball over the stranded goalkeeper and into the net. 0:1.
The rest of the half played out with Minster probing, having most of the ball, but without creating too many chances. Bennington in the Hanborough goal claiming several crosses but not being forced into too many saves. Hanborough had a couple of half chances too on the break, with Brookes and Roberts both going close to extending the lead.
Half time
Minster 0:1 Hanborough
The second half started in the exact same vein as the first, Minster having all the ball, Hanborough sitting in and frustrating. Bennington was being called upon more and more producing a few remarkable stops to aid Hanboroughs cause. But then a ball forward, a great turn on the edge of the box from Minsters Jacob Hughes and a smashed in equaliser. 1:1
With no time to feel sorry for ourselves as a long ball fell to the Minster Keeper, Aston Leach closing the keeper down with all his might got the luck his effort deserved when the keepers pass was short, Leach pounced on the loose ball and stroked home his and Boro's second. 1:2
More Bennington saves and more great defending came after and yet to Boros credit at the other end they were still looking dangerous on the break with Leach and Brookes both going close from range, Leach was bundled over in the box but nothing was given and Roberts who was full of running made something of a stray pass and won a corner.
Then after an age of faultless defending, from Ayris, Haggie and Hobley and heroic goalkeeping all game from Bennington, real graft from Bateson, Rogers, Roberts, Deasy, Brookes and Leach, Minster equalised. A loose pass, and a scuffed shot from Chris Hirons bobbled into the corner of the net with defenders and goalkeepers stranded.
With minutes ticking out Minster came close to really breaking the Hearts of the Ten Hanborough Heroes when a shot whistled past the post.
Full time
Minster 2:2 Hanborough

Division One

Aside from the Hop there were 2 other games in Division One. Carterton maintained their 100% record with a hard fought 2-1 victory over Ducklington. The visitors who were missing 6 of their starting 11 took an early lead through Jasper Winder, but could not hold onto the lead and Adam Fisher equalised before Conner Townsend hit the winner.

Aston maintained their unbeaten start and clocked up their first win with a 3-1 victory over Combe. Lewis Scott chalked up a double to make it 5 goals for the season with Nick Angus adding the other. Louis Ashcroft replied for Combe.

RAF Brize Norton are also still unbeaten as they defeated Witney Royals by the odd goal in 5. There was a brace for Mark Williams with Carl Drury scoring the other. Corey Donohoe (who else) and Luke Colville netted for Royals.

Hailey Res chalked up their 1st points of the campaign as they defeated Faringdon Development 2-0. Nathan Kimber and Jack Wood were on target for the visitors.

Division 2

Kingham suprisingly dropped their first points of the season as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Hailey A. Cody Davies and Nathan Rees scored for Hailey with Jonty Russell replying.

There are 5 teams on 6 points in 2nd spot. Witney Royals Res made it 2 wins from 2 as they beat Eynsham SSC 3-2. Royals shared the goals with one apiece from Rob DeBanks, Elliot Major and Nathan Harris. Ben Oates hit both for Eynsham who are one of 5 teams still pointless.

Hatherop Res made it back to back wins with a 3-0 victory over Faringdon A. Fabian Daniels, Dan Godwin and Matt Townsend all netted.

Leafield are finding it tough this season after being hit for 8 last week, they went 1 worse this week as Seige thumoed them 9-2. Jack Topping and Jonny Dover both netted twice to add to strikes from Gez Morgan, Mykel Ryan, A Chris Jones penalty, Jack Douglas and 16 year old debutant Corey Toms. Caio Jesuis scored both for Leafield.

Spartan Rangers earned their 1st points of the season with a 3-1 defeat of Freeland Res. Freeland have lost 6 of their youngsters to uni this season so is a much changed side. Connor Smith now a veteran after 2 years in the league scored their goal, but strikes from Henry Clarke, Dave Pryse and Mev Gumdem won it for Spartan.

Division 3

Even at this early stage it would appear that the Division 3 title is destined for the North of the area as Wootton and Yarnton A arr beating all put in front of them as they both recorded their 3rd wins.
Wootton have still to concede a goal as they thumped Carterton Town 10-0. Again Asha and Gary Townsend (this week related) did the damage grabbing 6 between them. Theo Flatman, Jamie Hutton, Michael Steers and Liam Robinson score the others.

Yarnton A went 1 better thrashing hapless Leafield Res 11-1. There were 3 former Bletchington players on target, Michael Trafford (4) Chad Blackman (3) and John Boyes. Cameron Heyring scored 3 more and Grant Gaetner and Callum Rolfe added the others. Doug Mulvihill scored a debut goal for Leafield.

FC Mills are tugging at the coat tails of the leaders and they defeated Eynsham SSC Res 4-0. The evergreen Dean Mays playing for wnat must be his 10th club grabbed a pair and Dan Smith and James Morgan the othes.

Deer Park Rangers are still unbeaten 3 games in and they clocked up 3 more points beating Aston Res 5-1. Harry Edwards scored a hat trick to add to Brandon Laing and Jamie Horne goals. Neil Cooley replied for Aston.

Chadlington Res claimed their first win of the season defeating Stonesfield Res 5-2. 7 different people on the score sheets. for Stonesfield it was Luke Burns and Jacob Oliver and for Chad, Kevin Mulhearn, Matt Waller, Mauro Esteves, Ethan Taylor and Brin Mayne.

Where next?

Week 5 Football Report Positive start for Witney and District in Junior Shield
WDFA Match Reports - Week 3 WDFA falls silent at 2:00

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