Match Reports - Week 27

WEDNESDAY 16 MARCH 2016
John Fathers Junior Shield – Semi Final
It took extra time and a penalty shoot-out, but Spartan Rangers finally made it through to the Final of the John Fathers Junior Shield after their midweek game against Banbury & District side, Ashton Villa. Dave Cross scored twice during the 120 minutes to earn Rangers a 2-2 draw which was then settled from the spot, 5-4 in favour of the Witney & District side.

Saturday 19th March 2016
Junior Cup – Second Round
At the weekend, Carterton Rangers progressed to the Third Round of the Junior Cup after an epic 6-4 win over fellow Division One high flyers, Eynsham SSC. John Ayres (2), Matt Walker and Andy Stratford all scored for the hosts, but Rangers replied with Jamie McDonough and Dan Hall each netting twice, and further strieks from Adam Lee and Tom Hall.

Senior Cup – First Round
Chipping Norton Town edged their tie against Witney Royals 3-2 with Mark Corbett, Dan Bott and Shaun Collins all finding the back of the net. Ryan Colleton and Steve Brasier replied in vain for Royals.

Charlbury Town will join Chippy in the Second Round after seeing off Ducklington 4-1. Robbie Mutch scored for the hosts but a brace piece from Gary Jones and Craig McCallum settled the tie.

Carterton Town A cruised through with a 6-2 win over Hanborough. Jack Morton(2), Kevin Rookes (2), Ellis Wapshott and Carl Williams were all on target for town as Tom Weedon and Neil Rose replied for Boro’.

Premier Division
Bourton Rovers regained top spot in the Premier Division and tightened up the title race in the process courtesy of a straight 2-0 defeat of former champions, West Witney. Goals from Connor Glyn and Connor Teague earned all three points against the visitors. Bourton now lead the division on goal difference over Carterton Town A; a point ahead of West Witney who have two games in hand.

However at the bottom of the division, the relegation picture became a little more clear after bottom side Minster Lovell were defeated 3-2 by Hailey, who moved 4 points clear of the drop zone in the process. Edd Dunn and Gary Mitchell were on target for the hosts, but goals from Luke Manning, Jack Wood and Mo Semlali ensure the victory for Hailey.

Division One
Result of the day was undoubtedly mid-table Aston’s 2-0 win over top of the table Kirtlington. Phil Caswell and Ryan Hewer both found the back of the net for the hosts putting huge dent in Kirtlington’s title push having now played 4 more games than Eynsham SSC in second place.

It was a good week for Spartan Rangers, who after their mid-week heroics in the cup, thrashed Chadlington 6-0 and moved into third in the process. Dave Cross smashed in four with Charlie Waite and Josh Grant netting the others.

In the battle to avoid the drop, it was Brize Norton who emerged victorious after beating bottom side Hailey Reserves 2-1, thus recording their first win of the season. John White and Rob Hook both scored for Brize who earned themselves an outside chance of avoiding relegation. Rob Styles was on the score sheet for the hosts.

Warren Senior scored twice in FC Hollybush’s 4-0 win over North Leigh. Rory Linford-Phil and Steve Holder recorded the others.

Division Two
Carterton Town B confirmed their Division Two Crown; (Their third title in as many seasons), after a 4-2 win over FC Nomads. The title was all but a formality, however, the match was far from it as FC Nomads made the hosts work hard for the result. Chris Laurence, again on target for Nomads with a brace. However, as always with Town, the goals came flowing with Adam Harris, Chris Marshall, Chris MacNeil and Olly Bush all on target in the win.

Bampton Utd are determined to join Carterton in Division One next season and earned their latest 3 points, courtesy of a comfortable 4-0 win over Hanborough Reserves. Sid Ashley lead the scoring with a brace with Dan Paintin and Ben Liddle adding.

The only other side in a position to stop Bampton are Milton who earned their 3 points courtesy of a 4-1 win over Spartan Rangers Reserves. Jim Littlewood scored twice with Steven Pearce and Jon Chapman getting the others. Scott Joy replied in vain for Spartan.

At the other end of the table it seems the two relegation candidates Kingham AB and Minster Lovell Reserves are determined to take each other down. Bottom placed Kingham beat Minster 4-0 with Dom Hemmings (2), Shane Cooper and Jack Barker all scoring for the hosts. Minsters only consolation is that they have 4 games in hand on the teams above them.

Moreton Rangers went down 5-1 to Witney Wanderers in their mid-table battle. Connor Moore scored for the hosts but goals from Josh Walkington (2), Stu Morrison (2) and Michael Bason secured the win.

Division Three
Tower Hill remain a point clear at the top of Division Three after a straight forward 5-0 win over FC Mills. Adam Bolley scored twice as Jamie Goodwin, Leigh Smith and Jack Simpson hit the others.

Hot on their heels and with a game in hand are Tower Hill Stars, who after last weekend’s win over Wychwood Forest, thrashed Witney Royals Reserves 7-2. Craig Mays hit a hat trick with Kevin Davies (2), Will Graham and Adam Townsend getting the rest. Dean Treadwell scored a brace for vanquished Royals.

Despite lying in third place, Wychwood Forest maintain the advantage and can go top if they win any of their 3 games in hand. They also picked up 3 points in their most recent win; a 3-0 defeat of Corinthians in which Tom Cairns, Steve Harris and Darren Davenport all scored.

Wootton were smashed off the park by Eynsham A in a 9-1 maulling. Rob Alexander scored the consolation goal for the hosts but Eynsham were out of sight with the goals coming from Jordan Lyne who netted a hat trick, Declan Green (2), Tyler Walker, Oli Page, Sam Ruane and Sam Boughton.

A single strike from Josh Hunt was enough to secure a 1-0 win and all three points for Middle Barton over Bampton United Reserves.

Division Four
Neither of the top two sides were able to take maximum points this weekend as FC Hollybush Reserves went down 4-2 to a strong Stonesfield Reserves. Dave Cooper scored twice for the Bush but goals from Sam Hart, Jack Barker, Nick Higgs and Nick Clarke settled the tie in favour of the hosts.

Charlbury Town Reserves failed to capitalise on the leaders slip and took only a point from their 1-1 draw with Aston Reserves. Michael Hayes and Rory Dunseath scored for Charlbury and Aston respectively.

Chadlington Reserves went down 5-2 to Kingham AB Reserves. Joe Taylor and Ben Graver scored for Chad but goals from Liam Barnes (2), Olly Peters, Dale Norris and Chris Perrott settled the tie.

Combe Reserves beat Wootton Reserves 2-1. Harry Taylor and Ben Molyneux scored for the hosts with Michael Steers netting for Wootton.

Milton Reserves picked up 3 points after their 3-1 win over Spartan Rangers A. The visitors scored through Sam Quinn but goals from Keyth Bonner, Louis Breaks and Dan Hooton secured the win.

Wychwood Forest Reserves picked up only their second win of the season after a well-earned 2-1 victory over Eynsham SSC Reserves. Nathan Howells and John Sword scored for Forest with Darren Mobey replying in vain for Eynsham.