Week 21 Football Report

Premier Division

First hosted second in the Premier Division as Enstone travelled to Hailey in what we now know to be a dress rehearsal of the Junior Shield Semi-Final next month. There was plenty riding on the game too, a win for Hailey would have all but ended Enstone’s title charge for another season, victory for Enstone would tighten things at the top considerably. It took just four minutes for the first goal. A glorious Max Bayliss free kick, from the edge of the box, flew into the top corner to send the Enstone contingent into raptures. Outside of that there wasn’t much for the keepers to do, the midfield battle was where the game was to be won and lost. Enstone’s quicker style of play at odds to Hailey’s combative defending and neat passing around the pitch. Niggly fouls disrupted the game aplenty, Cam Foster the first man in the book for a cynical challenge halfway through the first half. But for all their endeavour, no keeper was tested and Enstone led at the break.
Just ten minutes into the second half and the drama heightened. A free kick from the right was challenged in the air by Freddie Buckingham and Nathan Bott, a scramble in the box for the loose ball allowed the loose ball to fall to Jack Muttock and his sweet volley buried itself in the top corner. Hailey celebrated only for Enstone to highlight the raising of the flag for offside. A quick chat between the officials uncovered the flag was for the inactive Buckingham who as he was still lingering at the back post following his aerial challenge, had the presence of mind to step away from the ball as it was going in and the goal was given. 1-1!
Parity remained for less than ten minutes and they saved the best goal till last. Keeper Josh Hunt had been pumping long balls down the pitch most of the game, most had been excellently shepherded by Keiren Fallon and Jack Wood at the back, but one that was allowed to bounce set Dan Bott into the box. With his back to goal and onrushing keeper Gianni Cascone breathing down his neck, Bott managed to acrobatically flick the ball goalwards with the outside of his boot and it fell just inside the post to restore Enstone’s lead. Hailey had the territory for the remaining 25 minutes, Enstone remained dangerous on the counter but neither keeper was seriously challenged for the remainder of the game. The full time whistle sounded to bring celebrations from the Enstone dugout with victory leaving Enstone just a point behind Hailey.

Stonesfield received a walkover victory against Minster Lovell. The win leaves them three points off top spot with three games in hand but they also have to face Enstone and Hailey twice in the league each, over the next two months.

Felix Robertson scored a goal in each half for Charlbury as they overcame Hanborough in the mid table battle at Nine Acres. The 2-0 win allowed Charlbury to leapfrog Boro in the table into fourth place.

Division One

Another big battle at the top in Division One as well, top side Carterton FC Reserves hosting third placed Hatherop. It was another tough encounter with both sides going for the win. Carterton lead at half-time 2-1, Joe Curry’s goal for Hatherop was cancelled out by a Byron Townsend goal. Jack Bellenger’s strike gave Carterton the lead at the break. Only one goal in the second half and it went to the home side as they grabbed all three points. Liam Felstead’s strike was enough for a 3-1 win as Carterton moved eight points clear of Hatherop in the league.

Second placed RAF Brize Norton kept the pressure on as they also won 3-1, away at Faringdon Town Development. It was 1-0 at half time, to the visitors, but two quick goals in the second half made life much easier for Brize. Mike Flavell’s brace took his tally to 13 for the season with Ben Treadgold adding a third. Thomas James struck with twenty minutes to go to put Faringdon in the game but didn’t threaten much afterwards and were then reduced to ten men to kill off the tie.

A half-time telling off and a second half onslaught allowed Heyford Atheltic to grab their seventh league win of the season. They were losing 1-0 at half time to Tower Hill, Adam Bolley’s strike giving Tower a deserved lead. With their ears still ringing the men in gold came back out rejuvenated and proceeded to score five without reply after the break. George Stimson and Connor Dugan both scored twice, Josh Smith rounded off the scoring to keep Heyford fourth in the table with a 5-1 win. Tower drop to third bottom.

Witney Royals recorded back to back league wins for the first time since October and are now unbeaten in four games, after a 4-0 win over Aston. Ollie Nolan’s brace set the tone for the afternoon with Will Welsh and Eliot Major adding the extras to move Royals seventh in the league and just a point behind Aston.
Ducklington overcame Combe in the battle at the bottom to move further clear of the drop zone. Michael Casling scored for the second week running with Max Davison adding a second. The 2-0 win moves them five points clear of second bottom Faringdon. Combe remain bottom.

Chadlington jumped up to fifth with a narrow win over Hailey Reserves. Hans Korge and Sam Lewis’ goals secured all three points for Chadlington. Hailey’s reply came from Gary Mitchell but they couldn’t prevent the 2-1 reverse.

Division Two

Two of the bottom four both picked up rare wins as the bottom half of Division Two became more compact.

Milton Reserves are off the bottom after Jason Hester’s solitary goal gave them a 1-0 win over Siege FC. Milton perhaps taking advantage of their first team being off for the week, bolstered their team. Siege battled to the end and created plenty of chances, Danny Allsworth guilty of missing a sitter. Hester’s goal proved to be the only goal of the game as Milton closed the gap on the teams above them.

Alison Demetrio’s hat-trick set the tone for Leafield’s afternoon as they stunned third place Witney Royals Reserves. Rafael Caponi and Gabriel Menezes both scored twice on the way to a 10-0 win. Luke Hosegood, Mark Vinius and Benjamin Barbosa all added one apiece as Leafield seriously upset the form book.

Joel King returned to a Hailey line up for the first time in three years and then rolled back the years to score a hat-trick as Hailey A thrashed Spartan Rangers Reserves, 5-0. Nathan Rees and Curtis Hathaway scored the remaining goals as Hailey closed the gap on the sides above them with a well won three points.

A first half Jordan Lyne double helped Cassington Rangers see off fourth placed Eynsham SSC to keep their title hopes alive. Jordan’s first goal was from the spot after 23 minutes and he gave Cassington a 2-0 lead at half-time by scoring his second 15 minutes later. The goals didn’t slow down in the second half, Will Morris and Aaron Pyke both came off the bench and scored in the 58th and 79th minute respectively. Billy Jones’ penalty with a minute to go was the icing on the cake in the 5-0 win.

Brize Norton also scored five for victory as they moved further ahead of the chasing pack to (probably) reduce the title battle to a two-horse race. After defeats for Royals and Eynsham in third and fourth, a welcome three points against Faringdon Town A put them six points clear. Matt Webster and Jason Hirschfield scored for Brize but Faringdon hit back through Andy Capper’s brace and Will McPherson’s goals. Joe Hatt’s hat-trick gave Brize all three points with a 5-3 win.

Bampton United finally have their first win of 2023, after a 2-0 win over Freeland Reserves. Bampton, who had a tremendous start to the season, have had tough fixtures to begin the year with, facing all of the top four in their last five games. Karl Pritchard’s strike and Jake Pritchard’s penalty gave them all three points.

Hatherop Reserves remain winless in 2023 after a 2-0 reverse against mid-table Kingham. Hatherop are another team who started the season strongly but are still looking for their first three point haul of 2023. Instead it was Kingham who recorded their third straight league win with goals from Damian Corbin and Dan Lay.

Division Three

A tough week for the top two, as they switched places in the league this week. Yarnton had to use all their resolve to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat against FC Mills this week. At one stage, Yarnton were 3-1 down thanks to Mills goals from John Chapman, Dylan Grocock and Jamie Dalton, but they found an extra gear to storm back into the game and take all three points in a 4-3 win. Michael Trafford’s brace taking him to 14 goals this season. Ethan Penney scored once to take his tally to 15 for the season and Marco Armellin’s goal put Yarnton top.

Reece Wain’s 12th goal of the season was the difference maker as Aston beat Chadlington Reserves 1-0. The defeat stops Chadlington winning their seventh game on the bounce but they remain level on points with Yarnton.

Carterton Town earned themselves a fifth win of the season with a come-from-behind victory over Eynsham Reserves. Victory for Eynsham would have lifted them off the bottom of the table and they went ahead after 20 minutes, Kane Lewin more alert than the Carterton defence to prod home. Ten minutes later, Town were level. Dylan Duggan responding to ensure that the sides were level at the break. In the second half both sides were guilty of missing chances but eventually Town’s resolve paid off. A 30 yard free kick from Tyler Webster found the head of Dave Williams after a blistering run into the box. His powerful header rocketed into the net to put Town ahead and Town saw out the remainder of the game to bring home the three points.

Leafield Reserves remain second bottom after they were thrashed 8-0 by third placed Wootton Sports. Lee Spencer and Asha Townsend were both at the double to score half of Wootton’s haul between them. Michael Steers and Dan Harris also scored and there was still time for Jack MacIntyre and Paul Brown to add others from off the bench. Wootton are four points behind Chadlington now, and have a game in hand which they play next week, against FC Mills.

Stonesfield Reserves beat Deer Park Rangers, 3-0, to record their first win this month. Mike Phipps took advantage of the first team game being called off to turn out for the reserves and get himself a goal. Jacob Oliver and Eden Rice also scored one each for Stonesfield’s eighth win of the season.

Just the one draw in Division Three, a result that does little for either Tower Hill Reserves or Kingham Reserves. A feisty afternoon saw no less than five cards issued, all to Kingham. Kevin Opare-Saforo and Matthew Warner scored the goals for Tower. Kingham managed to survive Brad Smith being sent off to rescue a point. Dale Norris and Patrick Doe scoring one each to ensure the points were shared in a 2-2 draw.