Match Reports - Week 29

Fred Ford Cup Final
Chris Hirons and Karl Dodds scored the goals for West Witney that earned them the Fred Ford Trophy in a potential glorious league and cup double. West Witney beat Carterton Rangers 2-1 at Kilkenny Lane, Carterton. Stephen Read’s goal for Rangers was not quite enough.

Supplementary Cup – Semi Final
FC Hollybush’s Dave Cooper showed his class yet again by scoring a hat trick, including an outstanding long range lob in his sides 4-1 semi-final win over Bourton Rovers. Captain Arron Hyatt added the fourth from the spot.

Premier Division
With the seasons end fast approaching, Ducklington helped West Witney all but mathematically clinch the Premier Division title after they beat Chipping Norton Town 2-1. Warwick Thompkins scored for the hosts but two great strikes from Jake Wilhelm Souch and Ian Peedell swung the tie in favour of the visitors, earning Duck their fourth straight win.

The result means that now only second placed Hanborough stand any chance of catching the leaders, but with West Witney’s remaining fixture and huge goal difference built during the season they already have one hand on the Premier Division trophy.

Charlbury Town lined up a thrilling finish at the other end of the table as they earned a point in a 1-1 draw with Carterton Town A. Gareth Benfield scored for Charlbury with Mike Bolt hitting back for Town. Charlbury now need just another point to climb out of the drop zone and have a game in hand on their nearest opponents to do so.

Division One
After a damaging 3-1 defeat to Aston midweek, Minster Lovell bounced back with a 1-0 win over Chadlington earning promotion in the process. Steven burke scored the goal that secures Minster Premier Division football next season. Another win from their remaining 3 games would almost certainly mean that they are promoted as Division One Champions.

Aston, currently in third, handed out the defeat to the leaders in the week that stalled Minster’s title charge and abetted their own. They then followed that on Saturday with a 5-0 win over Freeland. Dan Long (2), Phil Caswell, Ryan Hewer and Ben Waldron scored the goals for the hosts that means Aston need just two wins from their remaining three games to secure promotion.

Third from bottom Freeland meanwhile, need to hope that Hanborough Reserves don’t win their last remaining fixture that would otherwise send their bitter rivals back down to Division Two.

In the relative security of mid-table, Kingham AB edged a narrow 3-2 win over FC Nomads. Dom Hemmings, Sean Collins and Gareth Price all found the back of the net with Chris Lawrence and Steve Bircher replying for Nomads.

Division Two
Carterton Pumas are the Division Two Champions. They narrowly beat North Leigh A in a tight affair that ended 3-2. Goals from Craig Horne and Craig Greenhalgh for North Leigh was not quite enough to upset the party as Pumas notched through two strikes from Kai Merritt and an own goal.

It’s the proverbial squeaky bum time at the bottom as several teams battle it out to avoid joining Charlbury Town Reserves through the trap door to Division Three. Witney Wanderers produced a fine display to beat Combe 4-1 moving them to within 2 points of safety. Cesar Adenir (2), Chris Kingston and Jamie Jackson scored the goals that gave wanderers the win and a glimmer of hope for their season. Steve Smith replied for Combe.

Ducklington Reserves are not yet safe as they went down 4-2 to Witney Royals Reserves. Royals Player-manager Loyd Edwards got on the score sheet with Antony Williams, and Cary Nicholson also amongst the goals. Ryan John and Sean Brown each scored for Duck.

Middle Barton are now deep in the mire as they went down 2-1 to Bampton Town. Adam Lee scored both for the bots as Ashley Scearce netted for Middle Barton. The defeat leaves them just two points clear of the drop zone having played two games more.

Division Three
FC Hollybush battled through to a tough 3 points after their narrow 2-1 win over Tackley. Arron Hyatt and an own goal contributed to the win which keeps Hollybush two points clear at the top with 3 games in hand on their nearest rivals. Hollybush now need just one win to secure promotion, however the title is still in the balance as Carterton Rangers who are still able to catch the leaders will face Hollybush twice before the end of the season.

Kirtlington are still clinging to the hope of promotion after a 4-1 win over Brize Norton Reserves. Andy Gillespie, Tom Wilson, Callum Emmet and Sean Probetts scored for the visitors with Graham Clarke getting Brize’s lone goal.

The points were shared at Chipping Norton Reserves as the hosts drew 3-3 with Wootton. Evergreen Andy Watson (2) and Matt Smith scored for Chippy with John Holder (2) and Ryan grant netting for Wootton.

Division Four
Bourton Rovers now need just one win from their last 3 games in order to secure the Division Four title after a 5-0 Monday night win over FC Hollybush Reserves.

Bampton United, in second, clinched promotion against the same side on Saturday with a 4-1 win. Nathan Beckett, Jack Henry, Mark Carrington and Conor Kelly scored the telling goals for the visitors with Karim Diallo scoring for Hollybush.

Milton Reserves picked up all three points after beating Eynsham SSC Reserves 2-0. Jake Agnew and Dan Newton scored the goals.

At the foot of the entire league, new boys Chadlington Reserves ignominy of being the proverbial wooden spoon recipients after they went down 4-2 to Wychwood Forresters. Luke Vaughan smashed in a hat trick for Forresters with Jason Smith getting the other. Craig Kowalski and Callum Jeffrires scored in vain for Chad.