Witney & District Match Reports - Week 11

Happy Hanborough still in the hunt for Junior Shield glory

Junior Shield
Nine teams from the Witney and District have advanced into the last 16 of the Junior Shield with 2018 winners Hanborough scrambling through in all W&D encounter away to Bletchington. In fact, Hanborough have never had the opportunity to defend their crown, with their ventures into the Oxfordshire Senior League ruling them out of the competition in the last 3 seasons. Despite the difference in divisions, Bletchington proved to be a worthwhile opponent for Hanborough but couldn’t stop themselves falling behind to a Craig Mays goal. Tom Williams restored parity and just as it appeared that the game would require extra time, one of Hanborough’s local boys, Josh Brookes, smashed home the winner to see Hanborough into round three.

Another all W&D encounter, another Premier Division side into round three as Milton beat Leafield 4-1. The three league difference was clear as Milton coasted to victory. Milton, adorning poppies on their shirts in a tribute to the upcoming Remembrance Day events, had Pad Timothy back in the starting eleven for the first time since his broken leg in pre-season, a sure boost to his team mates after such a bad injury. Milton went 4-0 up thanks to goals from Rob James, Sean Godfrey and a brace from Ajay Itah. Not to be denied, Leafield did at least get one goal back through Benjamin Barbosa but it was too late to put any dent in Milton’s march to victory.

In a proper cup tie, Premier Division’s Hook Norton beat Division One’s Freeland in an eleven goal thriller. Connor Allmond’s hat-trick, Lewis White’s strike and a Hook Norton own goal had Freeland scoring five away from home and probably dreaming of the third round but Hook Norton used all of their skill and resolve to go one better with goals from Logan Mitchell, Josh Hunt, Max Harris, Conor Davies and a Jay Mair double did the job.

Another goal fest at Spartan Rangers as they hosted Banbury side Bodicote in a ten goal game. Josh Walkington’s brace along with goals for Arun White, Tom Williams, Ben Madley and Donny Henderson-Sowerby put Spartan in the hat for round three.

Two other Premier Division sides through against non W&D opposition are Stonesfield and Hailey. Hailey beat Deddington 2-0 thanks to a Nathan Kimber double. Stonesfield went one better with a 3-0 win against Sporting Headington. Two goal scorers from last week, Raffy Rice (2) and Jordan Newman putting Stonesfield comfortably through.

Bampton are into the last 16 after an away victory against Cowley. Chris Laurence and Seb White’s doubles earned them a comfortable 4-1 win and a place in the draw for round three.

Aston twice fought back from a goal down to earn themselves a 3-3 draw after 90 minutes against Swis. Ahead through Charlie Harper, Swis equalised and then took the lead on two occasions, only to be pegged back each time by Lewis Scott, the second equaliser coming in the final minute of normal time. Nothing could separate the sides in extra-time and to penalties it went, with Aston winning a tense shootout 5-4 to book their place in the next round.

There was some disappointment for local teams against non W&D opponents. Both Wootton Sports and Ducklington couldn’t score and were beaten comfortably by Longford Park and Hardwick Sports respectively. Wootton losing out 4-0 whilst Hardwick doubled that scoreline in beating Duck 8-0.

Enstone Sports also couldn’t score against Donnington as they crashed out of the competition in a 2-0 reverse.
Carlos Peiva continued his wonderful goal scoring run of late but could do nothing to prevent FC Mills exiting the competition. Hornton winning 3-1 in their trip to West Witney.

Finishing the Junior Shield round is the match between Combe and Chadlington. Chadlington, fifth in Division One, travelled to Combe who are currently fourth in Division Two but it would be the lower placed side who prevailed. Solomon Maasz’s hat-trick putting Combe firmly in control with Jack Muttock’s goal finishing off the 4-0 win.

Division One
Minster Lovell Reserves are back on top of the pile in the second tier after a 2-0 win against Hailey Reserves. They jumped one place back to the top after tap in from Nick Rose and an Alex Stubbs strike.
A first home win of the season for Witney Royals has given them a bit of daylight between themselves and the bottom two. They played one of the sides in the bottom two in Kingham who sored through Jack Lay. But Royals went one better with goals from Corey Donohue and Luke Rippington completing the 2-1 win and moving them five points clear of Kingham and Brize Norton

Division Two
Carterton stopped their three game run without a win with victory against Bourton Rovers. Max Barnett scored for Carterton with Alex Lopian replying for Bourton. Adam Fisher scoring Carterton’s second to grab the three points in the 2-1 win.

Fratellos remain at 100% for the season and just three points off top spot with a 5-1 win against Siege FC. Fratellos scored twice early on but Siege hit back from a corner. As the game edged towards half-time Fratellos upped the tempo and scored twice in the final 8 minutes to lead 4-1 at half-time. The second half was a much slower affair with only a penalty for Fratellos being the only goal of the half. Could have been closer if Siege had taken some of their chances in front of goal but Fratellos comfortable throughout. Fratellos goal scorers were Jack Allen, Levi Cox (P) Tyler Sheppard, Nick Stanley and Toby Clarke. Dan Cartwright the respondent for Siege.

RAF Brize Norton Social are the leaders still with a 9-1 thumping against Hook Norton Reserves. Jamie Williams led the way with a hat-trick, Wes Christian closely followed with a brace and there were further strikes from Stephen Cox, Nathan Nyenya, Nic Lister and Carl Drury. Dom Hemmings fired home for Hooky who continue to hunt for their first win of the season.

Division Three
The table topping tussle between Faringdon Town A and Hailey A ended in stalemate as both sides managed to cancel each other out. The draw means that both sides have dropped points in two games each and also means that Faringdon can still catch Hailey with their two games in hand.

Brize Reserves are up to fourth after a victory over Chadlington Reserves by the odd goal in five. Paul Morrison, Jacob Hambridge and Joe Hatt scored for Brize. Lee Woodward and Ethan Taylor pulled goals back for Chadlington but Brize held on for the win.

Eynsham SSC and Milton Reserves shared six goals in a back and forth encounter. Ben Oates scored for Eynsham with Finn Mullin scoring for Milton. Dan Hooton bagged a brace to keep up his fine goal scoring form but Pete Edwards responded with two of his own for the home side to earn Eynsham a point.

Divison Four
Freeland Reserves 100% record was lost but they remain unbeaten after a battling 2-2 draw with Leafield Reserves. Spencer Lancaster and Tyler Castle’s goals for Freeland would have given them hopes of all three points but Harry Edwards’ and Chris Godfrey’s goals saw Leafield steal a point and cause Freeland to drop points for the first time this season.

Most of the chasing pack failed to make a dent in Freeland’s advantage at the top as they dropped points too.
Second placed Witney Royals Reserves lost to previously winless Spartan Rangers A in one of the surprise results of the day. Royals scored through Ollie Nolan but Spartan found the net through Chris Olive and Rory Murphy to grab their first win of the season

Faringdon Town B drew with Stonesfield Sports Reserves to remain six points behind Freeland. Eden Rice and Kai Barnes scored for Stonesfield but Faringdon weren’t to be denied a point and drew level through Mac Lukett-Groves and Chris Benson with the game finishing 2-2.

Sherborne Harriers did take advantage of the sides above them dropping points by beating Carterton Town. Regular goal machine Josh Betteridge was in the goals once again and he was joined by Aaron Lowe and Harry Green on the scoresheet. The 3-0 win allowing Sherborne to jump back into fourth place. A noble mention to the Sherborne lads who kindly donated their match fees to a charity cause in Carterton where a four year old boy, who had never previously had his hair cut before, has cut off all his hair to allow a charity to make a wig for children who lose their hair through cancer or other conditions. Well done Sherborne!

Kingham All Blacks Reserves are up to seventh after a 2-1 win over Aston Reserves. Stephen Kirkpatrick scored for Aston but Brad Smith’s double gave Kingham all three points and their first home win of the season.