Match Reports - Week 18

The summer season is well and truly over as the cold weather sunk it’s icy claws into the pitches around West Oxfordshire.

Jack Busby Memorial Trophy – Quarter Final
Charlbury Reserves continued their awfully big adventure in the Jack Busby Cup courtesy of their 3-1 win over Minster Lovell Reserves. Andy Horne scored for the visitors, but goals from Sam Cleaver and Jack Mahoney put the hosts in the sorting hat for the next round.

Junior Cup – First Round
Bampton United’s hopes of a cup run were busted when they went down 3-2 to hosts Chadlington. Lloyd Hancock scored for the visitors, but goals from Josh Betts, Jordan Day and Steven Hunt secured the hosts passage to the next round,

FC Nomads went one step closer to realising their wildest dream after knocking out, Hailey Reserves. The match went to penalties after the scores were tied at 1-1 after 90 minutes. Chris Laurence scored for Nomads with Ben Williams replying for Hailey. However it was the hosts who held their nerve to win the shoot-out 6-5.

Hanborough Reserves also progressed after a 2-0 win over Brize Norton. Tom Olley and San Smith scored for Boro’ with the latter netting truly, madley deeply into injury time.

Kirtlington’s Jake East is proved to be the January man as he banged in his 7th goal in two games this month. This time, his four goal haul helped his side through to the next round after demolishing Kingham AB 10-0. Shane Probitts scored twice with Alex Metcalfe Ross Grey, Tom Williams and Sam Fowler all getting on the score sheet.

Supplementary Cup – First Round
Fallen angels, Brize Norton Reserves are out of the cup after going down 4-3 to lowly Bourton Rovers Reserves. Chris Mayhew, Matt Parsloe and Richard Duffy all netted for the hosts, but goals from Jamie Stroud, Lee Mosson and Liam white kevekked the tie before an own goal swung it in Bourton’s favour.

Sense and sensibility prevailed as Tower Hill Stars handed out a 9-0 thrashing to Spartan Rangers A. Despite the abysmal conditions, the game was played in the right spirit with the visitors, giving their all until the final whistle, despite the mauling. Adam Townsend lead the march on Spartan’s goal with a 4-goal haul. Ashley Overton (2), Craig Mays, James Scott and Will Graham were also on target.

Witney Royals Reserves were left ruing missed chances after squandering a 2-0 half time lead to opponents Wootton. Stu George netted for Royals with Dale Howlett’s long range snape-shot from the edge of the area, thundering in off the underside of the crossbar. However, Wootton survived the Royal onslaught and turned the tables in the second half with Jon Holder netting a four goal haul. Graham Berry netted their 5th confirming Wootton’s 5-2 win and their place in the second round.

Premier Division
The points were shared at Burwell as relegation threatened Minster Lovell drew 2-2 with bottom placed Witney Royals (who were hosting the tie). Both side, were in desperate need for the points and it was Robert Hipkin and Eddy Dunn who netted for Minster with Max Lucas scoring both for Royals. Either side could have stolen all three points, were it not for the efforts of both keepers. Throughout the match, Tom Such and Ben Hewer (Royals and Minster respectively), with their Hans, Grubered the ball from the air to earn a point each.

At the top of the table, West Witney retained their 6 point advantage after a 7-1 thrashing of Ducklington. Mike Duerden showed he is still king of the hill bagging a four-timer. Will Smaldon, Danny Brearly and Kai Merritt all also found the back of the net.

Carterton Town A played their part as leaders of the chasing pack, picking up all three points in the 5-0 win over Hanborough. The hosts displayed great team spirit; love actually, as they shared the goals equally among Jack Morton, Jason Lonsdale, Tommy Burns, Mike Bolt and Liam Elliot.

Hailey will need a gambit or two in second half of the season to avoid being sucked down into the relegation battle. Their fourth league defeat this season came at the hands of Charlbury Town who recorded a 3-1 win over their hosts. Mo Semlali bagged another for Hailey but goals from Craig McCallum (2) and Mark Goode secured all three points.

Division One
Carterton Rangers moved to within 2 points of leaders Eynsham SSC after a convincing 6-2 win over Aston. Jonny Dover twice hit the back of the net with Adam Izzard, Jamie McDonough, Ben Pearce and Adam Lee all adding. Ryan Hewer and Benji Sunblad replied in vain for the visitors.

Division Two
Spartan Rangers Reserves went down 3-1 to Chipping Norton Reserves. Craig Isle scored for Spartan but Shaun Collins scored twice for Chippy. Rocky Burton took advantage of a little chaos in the Spartan defence to grab a third.

Division Three
Only die hard Bampton United Reserves fans would have stayed to the end of this match after seeing their side go down 8-2 to Wychwood Forest. Carl Pritchard and Dan Paintin scored for the hosts, but Wychwood had a field day with Josh Koriki netting 4 goals. Matt Hanson and Steve Harris each bagged a brace to complete the rout.

Middle Barton picked up a huge scalp after beating once-table topping Tower Hill 3-2. Luke Bolley and Lewis Bartlett scored for the visitors, but goals for Jack Eley (2) and Steve Freeman secured the points for the hosts.

Division Four
FC Hollybush ran out 8-1 winners over Wychwood Forest Reserves and moved to the top of the table in the process. Bush’s Arron Hyatt; who is probably the highest scoring defended in all the galaxy; questioned the Wychwood defence throughout the match, smashing in 5 goals against the hapless hosts. Jay Whelan netted Wychwood’s lone reply, but further goals from Angelo Aniello (2) and Dan Search put the result beyond doubt.

Photo Credit : Oli Page