Match Reports - Week 30

Jack Busby, Semi-Final
Hanborough Reserves from Division One reserved their place in the Jack Busby final after a 3-0 win over Division Three’s Charlbury Town Reserves. Played in wet and Windy conditions and with plenty of tough challenges the game was end to end from the start. However Hanborough’s quality showed as Joe Burgess, Scott Akers and Pete Andrews all got on the score sheet.

Junior Challenge Cup
The Witney & District League provided both finalists in the John Fathers Challenge Cup at the weekend as Carterton faced Chipping Norton.

Despite quality possession from both sides the tie was largely one sided in the favour of Carterton who took a 3-0 lead. Karl Williams put in a man of the match performance scoring a hat trick; each a superb strike.

Chippy fought back to 3-2 with goals from Reece Bayliss but a 4th for Carterton straight after the break was the killer. A bad injury to Chippy striker Bayliss curtailed any chance of a comeback and Carterton eased to a 4-2 victory.

Witney & District Junior Shield
West Witney edged through to the semi-final of the Junior Shield after a 1-0 win over Minster Lovell. A single second half Ady Holder strike was enough to see them through.

Premier Division
Despite their best efforts, FC Chequers were relegated back to Division One on Saturday after a 1-1 draw with Witney Royals. Matt Thompson looked to have hit the telling blow for the hosts, with a strike in the first half. A superb Shaun Rayfield free kick in the second half then gave Chequers hope, but it was not enough and are relegated after just one season in the top flight.

Charlbury Town’s resurgence in the second half of the season saw them saved from the drop last a fortnight ago, and they continued their good form, picking up a point in a 3-3 draw with Ducklington. The visitors took a 3-0 lead through Ben Hutter, Ian Peedell and Craig Mays but a fine second half performance saw Charlbury come back for a point. Sean Gilbert, Craigh McCallum and Andy Woodly were on target for the hosts.

Former champions, Hanborough, sealed second place after beating Spartan Rangers 2-0. Goals from Liam Harris and Lewis White meant that the visitors will finish no higher than 6th.

Division One
With the promotion and relegation spots all but nearly decided, pride as well as points was at stake. However, despite a valid effort, Brize Norton could only muster a 1-1 draw against lowly FC Mills securing third place. Gerard Morgan for Brize and Tim Senior for Mills scored the goals in the first half.

Aston picked up 3 points in their penultimate match after a feisty 2-1 win over Stanton Harcourt. Kevin Alcraft and Joe Hewer gave Aston a 2-0 half time lead before Mark Foster pulled one back for Stanton.

Division Two
The action was also all in mid-table in Division two as Middle Barton took a point away at Bampton courtesy of a 2-2 draw. Jack Eaglestone and Ashley Scearce scored for the visitors, but goals from Joe Allerton and Jamie Austin brought parity to the score line.

Milton failed to snatch third and potentially a promotion spot after they went down 3-2 to Witney Wanderers. Phil Benfield and James Littlewood scored for Milton, but goals from Daryl John, Tom Gregory and Teo Borrad gave the visitors all three points.

Division Three
Carterton Pumas now need just a single point to clinch the Division Three title with 3 games remaining after thrashing Minster Lovell Reserves 8-0. Kai Merrit scored a 4-timer, with Carl naughton, Keiron Lace, Phil Stannard and goal keeper Sam Rolls getting the others.

Eynsham SSC dragged out Puma’s almost inevitable coronation as champions by beating Witney Royals A 5-2. Goal machine John Ayres grabbed yet another hat trick and was accompanied by strikes from Ross gardener and Ross Lewington after Loyd Edwards and Andy Cross had put the hosts ahead.

Kingham AB Reserves remain in the second relegation spot after North Leigh B beat them 4-2. Craig Horn (2), Lee Moseley and Lewis Hathaway scored the goals. Jack Charnley (2) scored for the All Blacks.

West Witney Reserves moved into fourth place after soundly thrashing Aston Reserves, 6-1. Matt Gardener scored for the visitors, but a hat trick from Jamie Goodwin and a Brace from Adam Bolley settled the tie. Mark Haydon picked up the 6th.

Spartan Rangers Reserves and AFC Marlborough drew 0-0.

Division Four
The Division Four title will go to one of two Carterton sides as they moved away from the chasing pack after this weekend’s results. Current leaders, Carterton Rangers need two points from their last two games to secure promotion as Champions. This come after a 7-2 thrashing of Spartan Rangers. James Simpson scored for the host, but Chris Smith hit a hat trick for the visitors with Josh Bishop, Ed Smith and Dan Smith all adding.

FC Mills Reserves ended Freeland B’s hopes of promotion by beating them 5-3. Joe Crocker completed a hat trick for the hosts, but despite this the visitors took the points as Leighton Moss also picked up a hat trick with Scott Walsh and Dean Bywater also hitting the back of the net.