Week 2 Match Reports

Premier Division

Eight of the nine teams are now underway in the Premier Division and five teams are all tied on three points at the top after an action packed weekend. Carterton United and RAF Brize Norton took advantage of Carterton’s newly installed floodlights to get the weekend started early as they played on Friday night. Carterton, fresh off their victory against Hailey last week, were in the game thanks to Liam Felstead’s second goal in two games. But RAF Brize chased Carterton all the way last year in the hunt for the Division One crown and got their Premier Division lease of life off to the perfect start as they hit back through Dave Wanless and Joseph Waters to win 2-1.

Hailey bounced back from their defeat last week to edge Hook Norton. Jay Mair is showing no sign of slowing down his scoring prowess, no matter who he plays for. He scored both of Hook Norton’s goals on his return to his old club. Freddie Buckingham matched his efforts in return for Hailey and Matt Knapton grabbed a third for Hailey to secure their first three point haul of the season.

Hanborough are back with a rejuvenated squad and a fresh outlook and an inspired come-from-behind win against Stonesfield means that all of last season’s top three sides lost their opening game this season. It was a dream start for last season’s runners up, Raffy Rice putting the visitors ahead inside five minutes. Boro grew into the game and got a deserved equaliser, and a beauty it was too. Alpha Breezy Kamara made his first team debut and after scoring for the reserves last week, opened his first team account in style. His mazy, jinking run took him past numerous defenders, he showed enough composure to side step the keeper and slot home for 1-1. Boro began to dominate and got themselves ahead thanks to Craig Johnson’s header. They were two ahead by half time, this time Kamara turned provider as he set up Jack Morton for his first goal since his return this summer and it was 3-1 at half-time.
Stonesfield came out in the second half attempting to get back into the game and reduced the deficit from the spot thanks to Carry Rice. The equaliser evaded them however, and Hanborough secured the points thanks to Jack Clarke’s wonderful free kick and the game finished 4-2.

Division One

If you want to see goals this season then clearly the place to go is Brize Rec. 14 goals went in during week one and another 10 found the net this week as Brize and Hailey played out a thrilling back and forth encounter. Brize were ahead inside 6 minutes. Joe Hatt latching onto a neat cross to bundle the ball home. Both sides were happy to play football in the energy sapping heat and Hailey got level with some neat play which saw Callum McNaughton receive the ball 25 yards out and his thunderous volley flew into the top corner, leaving the keeper with no chance. Due to the heat, two drinks breaks were used in each half and as the players trotted off in the 35th minute, the game was tied at 1-1 but gave no indication of the crazy ten minutes that were to follow. Within minutes of the restart Joe Hatt had his second, a fortuitous bounce of a Hailey defenders heel put him clean through and he calmly slotted home in the 38th minute. Hailey were level inside two minutes. Neat play down the left by Jacob Simmonds found Yasin Ahmed who poked the ball past the keeper. Two minutes later and Brize were ahead again, Hatt completed his hat-trick as he broke the offside trap and fired into the net. Brize final got some daylight a minute later. Dylan Briggs bursting through on goal, only to be fouled in the box by the Hailey keeper. He quickly brushed himself down and sent the keeper the wrong way to put Brize 4-2 ahead. There was still time for Hailey to grab one back before half-time, Moh Semlali latching onto a neat pass and firing home smartly. Five goals in 12 first half minutes as Brize led 4-3 at the break.
Brize’s lead lasted 44 seconds of the second half. Semlali doubling his tally from the middle of the box to the delight of the Hailey players. The second half was played at a much slower pace, understandably so. Chances were few and far between but Brize took the lead for the fourth time in the game thanks to Darren Briggs’ side foot finish at the back post with 15 minutes to go and Rob Hook’s wonder volley secured the points five minutes later as his turn and finish lobbed the keeper and bounced neatly into the net for Brize’s first win of the season.

Chadlington are one of only two sides left with a 100% record at this early stage. They made it two wins from two with a 4-0 win over Spartan Rangers. Alfie Peachey’s brace along with further goals from Ethan Bennett and Hans Korge meant a successful afternoon for Chad who are yet to concede a goal this season.
Witney Royals also scored four without reply for victory over Eynsham. Jack Allen, Tom Williams, David Cross and Daniel Townsend all scoring one each for a 4-0 win.

Tower Hill and Ducklington both scored four as they shared eight goals. Matt Gallagher, Will Hayes and Ethan Barrett (2) scored for Tower. Frank Clarke and John Clarke opened their accounts for their new club, Ady Kew and George Townsend also scored in the 4-4 draw.

Cassington Rangers are off the mark after fighting back from 2-0 down to steal a point against Hanborough Reserves. A Dean Mays own goal and an Oliver Jarvis goal gave Hanborough a 2-0 lead at the break. Luke Moss struck on the hour mark for Cassington and a Carl Austin own goal saw the game end in a draw.

Aston and Heyford shared 6 goals and the points but kept their unbeaten starts as a result. Joseph Flarry's double and Josh Haynes' solitary goal had Heyford dreaming of victory. Jamie Timms, Andrew Horne and Aaron Robins fired back for Aston to put them second in the table.

Bampton United are the other side who have a 100% record, but they have only played one game. They saw off Combe in a 3-1 away win. Elliot Want scored for Combe but James Haley, Scott Haley and Ross Parker all scored one each for Bampton.

Division Two

Moreton Rangers Reserves impressive return continues as they brushed aside fellow new boys Bourton Rovers 6-0. Callum Peters turned in a magnificent display to score three goals with Sam Tyack, Lee Brooks and Keiron Harte adding the extras.
Yarnton A produced a strong second half performance to see off Milton Reserves for their first win of the season. It was only 2-1 at half time but four goals without reply in the second half gave Yarnton all three points. Henry Payne and Elliot Shatford both scored twice. Ben Merrill and Michael Trafford got one each too.

Adam Sly grabbed four goals as a strong Faringdon Team brushed their way past Chadlington Reserves. It finished 9-1 on the day with the Faringdon squad bolstered by some players from their first team. Jamie Broadfield, Sam Gorham and Chris Rutt scored one each, with Justin Yates getting a brace. Aaron Bennett did at least get Chad on the scoresheet with ten minutes remaining. The big win sending Faringdon top on goals scored.

FC Mills are two from two after securing a two goal victory over Witney Royals Reserves. Rob Debanks and Mikey Piper scored for Royals. Adam Butcher, Daz Craig, Jamie Aust and Stu Cutts all scored one each in the 4-2 win.

Wootton are also on maximum points after seeing off Freeland. Asha Townsend scored on the half hour mark with Paul Inch replying for Freeland. Michael Steers’ goal in the 70th minute put Wootton back on top and they held on for all three points. Something will have to give next week when Wootton and Mills face each other.

Leafield and CHQ United are both off the mark thanks to single goal victories. Leafield beat Kingham 3-2. Mitchell Faulkner and Marcus Vinicius trading doubles for each team. David Silva scored a third for Leafield to give them the win.

CHQ United beat Siege by the same score line. Danny Brearly and Danny Allsworth scored for Siege. Fabian Daniels scored once for CHQ before Alex Anderson’s brace was enough to take all three points.

Division Three

Deer Park Rangers returned to action in style as they thumped Eynsham Reserves 11-0 in their first game of the season. Cullen Angus had them ahead as early as the 3rd minute and James Scott doubled their lead in the 10th minute. Six minutes later Angus doubled his tally and whilst Eynsham weathered the storm for another fifteen minutes another four found the net before half-time. Jamie Horne scored twice in five minutes before Sam Wright grabbed his only goal on forty minutes. Scott got his second just a minute later and that made it 7-0 at the break. The goal count slowed but didn’t stop in the seconf half. Josh Sims was off the bench to make it 8-0 just past the hour mark and Angus then completed his hat-trick seven minutes later. Angus got his fourth with ten minutes left before Jack Hamblin finished the rout in the 83rd minute.

Carterton Town also won big as they beat Tower Hill Reserves 4-0. Josh Henry, Ben Pullen, James Harvey and Tyler Webster all scored one each to maintain Carterton’s unbeaten start.

Aston Reserves top the pile on goal difference after a 5-2 win against Leafield Reserves. Connor Henderson-Sowerby grabbed two for his new club, Alex Murrell and Nikolas Zawai scored for the second week running and Tom Merchant added a fifth. Gary Mitchell and James Hearn replyed for Leafield.

Heyford Atheltic Reserves sit in second place after their second win of the campaign. Mike Philpott’s only goal of the game was enough to squeeze past Stonesfield Reserves.

Sherborne Harriers returned to winning ways with a win over Kingham Reserves. Josh Betteridge scored once again for Harriers. Daniel O’Toole scored twice to give Sherborne a 3-0 win.

Spartan Rangers Reserves also have their first win of the season. Despite Alex Timms’ goal for Bampton Reserves, Mev Gundem and Richard Huelsbeck managed to get Spartan all three points as they recorded their first league win for 350 days!