Match Reports - Week 26

Premier Division
Saturday saw two pivotal games in the Premier Division title run-in take place; beginning with relegation threatened Ducklington who hosted runaway leaders Carterton Town A. With their Premier Division status under thread, Ducklington played some great football and took a 2-1 lead through Scott Mason and Josh Hartley. Jason Lonsdale pulled one back for the league leaders, but it was left to Carterton goal keeper, Chris Herbert who headed home from close range to rescue a point with the proverbial last ‘kick’ of the game earning a 2-2 draw.

West Witney remain in second place, however, closed the gap at the top after capitalising on Carterton’s slip; winning their own huge battle against Hailey. Danny Brearly scored the only goal of the game as West Witney picked up a 1-0 win over their hosts. Witney can now go level on points at the top if they win both their games in hand. Hailey also still have their fortune in their own hands as they have 4 games in hand over leaders Carterton and will snatch top spot if they pick up maximum points. A date for your diary, March 21st; when Carterton welcome visitors Hailey to Monahan Way.

Chipping Norton played their penultimate game of the season; a 1-1 draw with Minster Lovell. Chippy scored through Keiran Watts but Minster saved a point with Pete Hanley finding the back of the net.

Division One
Spartan Rangers continued to apply the pressure on leaders Bourton Rovers at the top of Division One after inflicting a 5-3 defeat on Chadlington. David Cross scored twice with Jamie Timms, Harry Thomson and Pete Jenkins getting the others. Spartan CAN catch the leaders but having played two more games already, their fate is out of their hands.

Combe also need a Bourton collapse if they are to challenge for the title, despite picking up another 3 points. The hosts saw off Hailey Reserves 3-1. Ethan Penney and brothers, Matt and Simon Baker all found the back of the net in the win. Rob Styles replied for the visitors.

FC Nomads picked up yet another priceless point in their Division One relegation dog-fight after a 1-1 draw with Eynsham SSC. The hosts scored both goals by putting the ball in the back of their own net for Nomads, and John Ayres scoring at the right end for the hosts. Nomads currently remain second from bottom however, are now the masters of their own fate having 3 games in hand on the team above them.

Division Two
Stonesfield are the Champions Of Division Two. This came at the first time of asking on their return to the Witney & District League. The deciding 3 points were earned after a solitary goal from George Redknapp gave the hosts a 1-0 win over promotion-chasing Kirtlington. Stonesfield’s final game is away at Ducklington Reserves.

Carterton Rangers are favourites to join Stonesfield in Division One next season, sitting 5 points clear of the chasing pack. Their latest win came courtesy of a 4-1 victory over FC Mills. Billy Hales scored twice for the hosts with Chris Smith and Josh Bishop getting the others. A Rangers own goal was scant consolation for defeated Mills who are now, all but mathematically relegated.

Jim Littlewood, Rob James and Harry lake all got on the score sheet as Milton defeated Bampton United 3-1. Ally henry scored Bampton’s reply.

Ducklington Reserves picked up 3 points in a comfortable 3-0 win over Hanborough. Danny Southgate, Perry Tinson and Dan Smith all scored in the match leaving Boro’ still in danger of the drop.

Division Three
Spartan Rangers Reserves re-took top spot in Division Three after a narrow 2-1 win over Middle Barton. Martin Kay was on target for the visitors, but goals from Rory Dunseath and Martin Ferreira settled the tie.

Spartan were allowed to go top after previous leaders Ducklington A were on the wrong end of a shock 6-1 defeat to Minster Lovell Reserves. The goals were shared around by the hosts with David Souch, Liam Crawford, Nathan Bowles, Andy Horne, Mykel Ryan and Alex Coutts all getting on the score sheet. Lewis Bartlett replied in vain for the visitors. Ducklington are still in second however Minster are now hot on the heels of the top two, with a game in hand.

Tower Hill will need other results to go their way if they are to break into the promotion pack, however they continued as they have done most of the season, with three points, this time courtesy of a 3-1 win over Brize Norton Reserves. Jamie Goodwin, Ian Wright and Jesse Lawrence were all on target. Jason Hirschfield pulled one back for Brize.

Witney Royals are now all but mathematically relegated after going down 2-0 to Corinthians in a close game. Luke Hassey scrambled home the hosts opener with Frank Webb guiding a whipped cross into the back of the net for the second.

Chipping Norton Town Reserves could potentially join the promotion party, albeit late as they find themselves 2 or 3 games behind the leading pack. However, they picked up another 3 points at the weekend with a 4-2 win over Wootton. Sam Philpott bagged a brace with Matt Smith and Liam Busby getting the others. Graham Berry and Jamie Fisher scored the two goals for the hosts.

Division Four
There is still plenty to play for in Division Four. Spartan Rangers A are up to third after a narrow 2-1 win over Chadlington Reserves. Tom Merchant and James Macke each scored for the hosts with T.White grabbing the goal for Chad.

A Stephen Pearce goal was the only difference between Aston Reserves and Milton Reserves as the visitors came away with a 1-0 win .

Jacob Hancock picked up a four-goal-haul as his side Charlbury Town Reserves made light work of their hosts Eynsham SSC Reserves 6-1. Daryl Potter and Gary Jones nabbed the others with Shaun Rowbotham scoring Eynsham’s only goal.

Wychwood Forest emerged eventual winners as they played out an epic 6-4 win over Kingham AB Reserves. Jake Godfrey (2), Jack Aitken and Day Lay all netted for the hosts, but goals from Steve Harris (2), John Wood, Tom Smart, Kevin Wishart and Dan Lang settled the tie in Wychwood’s favour.

Senior Cup – First Round
Shaun Gilbert and Mark Goode each scored for Charlbury Town as they played hosts to Hanborough, but it was the visitors who go through to the next round as Liam Harris, Neil Rose and Will Potter all scored to give the visitors a 3-2 win .

A single goal from Dave Anstee was enough to see relegated Brize Norton pick up a 1-0 win over hosts Witney Royals in the cup and keep their hope of a sliver lining to their season alive.