Match Reports - Week 27

Premier Division
League leaders Hailey recovered from last week’s stumble with a comprehensive 5-0 win over Kingham AB. Joey King, Dean Mays, Dave Cross, Gary Wright and Dan King al got on the score sheet to keep their side 6 points clear at the top of the league.

Hanborough kept pace with the leaders by securing a 1-0 win over Witney Royals. Lewis White score the fames only goal.

Ducklington also have top spot in their sights, with their games in hand after a 2-1 win over Combe. Gary Brookes and an own goal saw off the visitors for whom Vinny Snell scored.

At the bottom, FC Chequers good start to the season seemed like a distant memory as they slipped into the relegation zone for the first time this season. They went down 3-2 to Carterton A. Rob Marsh bagged a brace with Chris Marshal adding. Goals from Marcus Townsend and Nathan Beckett gave the hosts hope in the second half but it was not enough.

Charlbury Town finally pulled themselves out of the drop zone with an impressive 5-2 win over Spartan Rangers.

Steve Fitzgerald struck twice with Sean Gilbert, Matt Holloway and Craig McCallum getting the others. George Woodcock and Martin Cripps replied in vain for Spartan.

Division One
West Witney are now just 6 points away from clinching the Division one title after their latest win. The hosts thrashed one of only two sides who are able to catch them; Chipping Norton 8-2 with Dan King picking up a hat-trick. Tony McLemen scored two whilst Carl Dodds, Carl Austin and Chris Hirons also added. Rhys Warner-Carter and George Dan scored Chippy’s only goals.

Brize Norton took advantage of Chippy’s defeat and moved into second after seeing off Aston 3-0. Matt Howard scored twice with Gerard Morgan getting the other.

A single goal from Scott Akers was enough to give Hanborough Reserves a 1- win over Ducklington Reserves.

There was no change at the bottom as both sides suffered defeats. FC Nomads went down 2-0 to Minster Lovell with Ed Dunn and Ian Wright grabbing the goals.

Whilst at Witney Royals Reserves, relegation looks inevitable despite them picking up a point against AC Finstock. Ryan Bowers scored a hat trick for the visitors but goals from Steve Reynolds, Nikita Edwards and Andy Scholes pulled the home side level. Royals are now 8 points from safety with only 3 games remaining.

Division Two
Ducklington A, having secured promotion last week, looked to take another step towards the Division Three title with a 4-1 win over Milton. Jason Hirschfield scored two in the with, with the other goals coming from Harvey Butler and Andy Drury. Pip Benfield scored for Milton.

However, in order to hold on to top spot, Duckling have to hope that second placed Freeland slip up somewhere along the line. However, Freeland, weren’t so obliging as they beat form side Hailey Reserves 2-0. Joe Crocker grabbed both the goals.

FC Chequers Reserves outside chance of promotion now looks even less likely as they could only pick up a point against Witney Wanderers after a 4-4 draw. Chequers, who have not recorded a win since December 3rd took the lead through Tom Gonzales, but a combination of Sam King (2), Teo Borrad and Roger Pereira gave the hosts the lead. However, Chequers rallied to pull level in the last few minutes of the match. Gonzales, got his second, with Karim Diallo and Marc Kucylo getting the leveller in the match that was excellently reffed by Bob Haydon.

Charlbury Town’s relegation escape was completed on Saturday after a well-earned 3-1 win over Middle Barton. Town started the day in the drop zone, but goals from Carl Siford, Sam Cleaver and Dominic Crisp earnt them the 3 points needed to stay up. Goal machine Ashley Scearce replied for Barton.

Brize Norton Reserves fell at the final hurdle and were relegated courtesy of Charlbury Town’s win. Brize themselves only managed a point in a 2-2 draw with Bampton and it proved to be not enough. Mark O’Brien and Jamie Austin scored for the visitors with Ollie Puddle and a calamitous own goal registering for Brize.

Division Three
In Division Three the title in all likelihood will be presented to either Carterton Pumas or Eynsham Sports and Social Club. Eynsham however, will be ruing their 1-0 loss to FC Hollybush as 3 points would have taken them top. As it is they remain in second thanks to a strike from Dan Tasker.

AFC Marlborough beat Spartan Rangers 4-1 with the goals coming from Andy Gillespie (2), Ryan Moran-Ross and Adam Kelly.

Jamie Goodwin bagged himself a hat trick in West Witney Reserves 6-0 trouncing of Kingham AB Reserves 6-0. Sam Wheeler, Gary Smith and Alex Stubbs got the others.

Minster Lovell Reserves went down 3-1 to Aston Reserves. Tom Brennan scored for the hosts but goals from Joe Coutts, Steve Evans and Mike Baker secured the points for Aston.

Division Four
The top three were all in action yet there was no chance in the league with each picking up a win. Leaders Carterton B beat Wychwood Foresters 5-2 with Matt Hubert netting twice from the spot. Adam Harris, Scott Walters and Chris Jones all got in on the act.

Second placed Carterton Rangers whitewashed FC Mills Reserves 6-0. Ben Pearce (2), Bully Hales (2), Dan Smith and Craig Williams scored the visitors goals.

Promotion chasing Corinthians saw off Combe Reserves 5-3. Darren Mobey picked up a 4-timer with Graham Ciudiskis registering a rare goal. Steve Thompkins, Barney Sargant and Sam Benwell hit back in vain for Combe.