Match Reports - Week 2

Witney & District FA

Premier Divison

It was not a good day for the two clubs making their return to the Premier Division. After a gap of the best part of 15 years Chadlington took on a Ducklington side featuring a new manager in Matt Wondrak and a number of new signings. The visitors bossed the game and ran out convincing 6-1 victors, debutant Jamie Kennedy netted a pair as did his strike partner Jack Morton who was returning after a 3 year stint at Uni. Ryan Colleton and Ian Peedell scored the others with Steven Hunt netting the consolation.
Minster Lovell’s gap was much shorter just a couple of season’s but they suffered a similar outcome going down 3-0 at home to one of the title favourites Chipping Norton. After a goal-less first period Chippy took control in the 2nd half scoring three unanswered goals from Reece Bayliss 2 and Keiran Watts.
Charlbury have a few different faces in their squad this season, but it was stalwart Craig McCallum who was the difference in the surprise 2-1 victory over Carterton A. He netted twice in the first half, with Chris McNeill scoring for Carterton in the 2nd half.
Despite missing almost a full side champions West Witney ran out 5-2 winners over Witney Royals. The goals were shared out amongst the West side, with Alex Stubbs, Carl Williams, Stefan Reed, Ady Holder and new signing and football legend Davy Hamill. For Royals Ben Readhead scored twice.

Division One

Bourton Rovers sit atop of the fledgling Division One league table with a 100% record. Bourton defeated Spartan Rangers 5-1, they raced into a 2 goal league and then switched off allowing arch goal-poacher Matt Townsend to pull one back just before the break. Bourton then spurned a great chance to increase the lead, but a penalty was superbly saved by the Spartan keeper. However that only seemed to spur Bourton on as they then scored 3 more times to seal the win. Josh Catin netted a hat trick for the home side with Mark Payne and Matty Winter getting the others.
Hailey Res also have a perfect record after they defeated Hanborough Res 5-1, Steve Holder lead the line grabbing a hat trick to add to goals from John Andrews and Kristian Collis. Aston Leach hit the consolation.
The days most entertaining game came at Brize Norton where the home side saw of Eynsham SSC 8-3. In a nightmare day for keepers and defenders Brize lead 3-1 at the break and then went goal crazy afterwards. Polish import Pawel Bronk hit a four-timer with 2 for Steve Evans and one apiece for Paul Morrison and Sam Rowe. For Eynsham Ross Lewington, John Ayres and Martin Cripps netted.
FC Nomads picked up their first points after they saw off an under-strength Freeland 3-1. The sides were level at the break 1-1 with Chris Lawrence opener beng cancelled out by Chris Greenaway. A rare effort from Mickey Hole and even rarer goal from Danny Collins won the game for Nomads.
North Leigh A made the trip to Kingham for their opening game and were 4-2 winners. Dan Davies and Gaz Price scored for the home side with Tom Radburn, Max Godwin, Josh Russell and Craig Greenhalgh scoring for Nor Lye.

Division 2

Two of the expected promotion favourites are riding high in Division 2, with Carterton Rangers and Kirtlington extending their 100% records. Rangers were comfortable 5-1 winners at FC Mills who are still searching for a point. Dan Hall hit his 2nd hat trick of the season to add to goals from Craig Illington and James Barker. Dan Godden scored for the home side.
Kirtlington had to come from behind to see off the challenge of Milton. Veteran striker Pip Benfield put Milton in front, before Kirtlington missed chances that their granny could have scored. However in the 2nd half Kirtlington turned the screw and scored through Callum Emmett, Shane Probitts and Ryan Moran-Ross.
FC Hollybush opened their season with a 3-0 victory over Ducklington Res. All of the scoring came in the 2nd half after the arrival on sub Lee Keyes, he was the difference between the 2 sides netting a hat trick.
Combe also started the season with a win, they were convincing 6-1 winners over Witney Wanderers. Combe have a couple of ex Tackley players in their line up this season and will possibly in the mix for promotion, the excellent Chris Betreen scored twice as did Roger Moss with Joe Behan and Simon Gale scoring the other. Marcello Guitheme scored for Wanderers who are still after their 1st point.

Division 3

Two of the promotion favourites met at Middle Barton as the home side hosted Bampton. The sides were locked together 1-1 at the break, before the home side sneaked it by the odd goal in 5. George Wood 2 and Charlie Yeomans scored for Barton and Steve Godfrey and Connor Kelley replied.
Carterton Town B also have a perfect record so far as they defeated Charlbury Res 3-1. The visitors started well playing some good football and raced into a 2 goal lead thanks to Jason Hirschfield and Mark Hawkins. Charlbury pulled a goal back after the break and had chances to equalize but a defensive mix up allowed Adam Harris to seal the win.
An experienced Spartan Rangers Res side who featured 4 or 5 players who were playing in the Premier Division last season hit back to beat youthful Ducklington A 3-2. The Duck side had 3 lads making their adult league debut and one of them Pat Brown started in dream fashion scoring twice in the opening half. Shay Cowin pulled one back just before the break, then Jason King climbed highest to head home Steve Thomas’s cross to level. Then in the final minute King outstripped the home defence to slot past the home keeper.
In a physical encounter Wootton and Brize Res played out a 1-1 draw. Shaun Rawlings gave the visitors an early lead and had another effort chalked off. A penalty by John Holder saw the home side share the spoils.
Minster Lovell Res opened their season with a hard fought 2-1 win Dan Grimes put the home side ahead, but Minster hit back and leveled through Stuart Mitchell before a worldy free kick from Nathan Bowles won it.

Division Four

Corinthians have started the season in fine style scoring 11 and not conceding in their 2 games. They knocked 5 past Chadlington Res on Saturday Frank Webb bagged a hat trick and Karl Indge added the other 2.
Eynsham SSC are surprisingly another side with a 100% record and after knocking around the lower reaches of the league since formation the giddy heights of 2nd place must be a surprise for them. After a goal-less first half against FC Hollybush Res they netted 2 unanswered 2nd goals from Dan Harwood and Lee Parsons to claim the 3 points.