Week 22 Match Report

Premier Division

Hook Norton are the first side other than RAF Brize Norton to be top of the league since the middle of October, after beating Milton under Wychwood at the weekend. All the goals came in the first half after a blistering start from the hosts blew the visitors away. Hooky were ahead after just nine minutes, quick football down the left put Rob Vincent into the box and his first time finish at the edge of the six yard box flew into the net. Five minutes later it was two. A carbon copy move from the first this time released Jay Mair who also shot quickly into the back of the net to double the lead. By the 18th minute it was 3-0, Logan Mitchell left in acres of space after a fine cross, gave him enough time to fire in and give Hooky a dream start. Further chances came and went, Max Harris, Mair and Mitchell all had chances to extend the lead further but Milton began to find their resolve and battled hard to keep the score to three. On the brink of half-time, skipper Luke Street reacted quickest from a corner, and although he sliced his shot, it spun into the far corner for 4-0.
That was the end of the scoring, Milton playing much better football in the second half, with Matt Haynes the busier of the two keepers, thanks in part to Mitch Constable’s introduction off the bench for Milton. Adam Hemming and Miles Hook crept into the book but that was all the drama that the second half mustered and Hooky jumped back to the top of the table, for the time being at least!

Division One

Another edgy victory but three points nonetheless as Tower Hill moved seven points clear at the top of Division One. Kudos to Brize Norton for hastily switching the game to Carterton ATP to get the game played and they were well in the game after scoring twice. But Tower Hill are master escape artists of late and after stealing three points last week, they edged through this week with a 3-2 win. Fenn Carey, Sam Britnell and Jamie Harris’ goals earning an eleventh win of the season.

All the goals came in the second half as Chadlington moved back into the top three with a 2-1 win over Cassington. After a goalless first half, Jordan Charlesworth’s goal on the hour mark brought the game to life and ten minutes later top scorer, Alfie Peachey, slotted in his 18th league goal of the season to seemingly put Chadlington well on the way to victory. Cassington weren’t in the mood to make it easy though and Aaron Pyke’s goal seven minutes from time got them back in the game but Chadlington held firm and marched back into third place.

All the games in Division One were won by a one goal margin and Hailey Reserves and Aston played out the highest scoring contest, with Aston prevailing to win their fifth game in six and remain in touching distance of the promotion places. There were seven goals in total, Daniel Reading, Moh Semlali and Seb White all scoring one each for Hailey. But Aston snuck through thanks to Connor Newcombe’s brace and further goals from Lewis Scott and Joey Aust.

Division Two

Olly Taylor scored a hat-trick as he helped CHQ United remain top of Division Two by thrashing FC Mills 7-0. Ben Saunders and Chris Mills both scored twice too as CHQ breached the 40 point mark to remain a point ahead of Moreton Rangers.

Moreton Rangers bounced back from defeat against Faringdon to stay on the coattails of CHQ by beating Chadlington Reserves 3-1. Callum Peters, Javan Nurse and Harry Peters all scored one for a 13th win of the season.

Witney Royals Reserves ended Kingham All Blacks’ five game unbeaten run with a 3-1 win at Burwell Meadow. Joe Shirley scored for the visitors as they hunted a third win on the spin. But Royals struck back through Jamie Kennedy, Ian Barret and Luke Rippington to move four points clear of the relegation zone.

Just three players responsible for the six goals scored in the game between Bourton Rovers and Yarnton A. Jon Ackroyd scored a brace for Bourton Rovers, but his double was matched by both Ben Fouracre and Michael Trafford for visiting Yarnton, who climbed to fourth with their tenth win of the season.

Division Three

Spartan Rangers Reserves won for the first time in six games as they stunned Sherborne Harriers for just their second win of the season. Josh Betteridge scored for the sixth league game in a row to give Harriers the lead but Spartan equalised at the half hour mark to restore parity. Rangers took the lead just five minutes into the second half and despite a plethora of chances being created by Harriers, they couldn’t put the ball in the net and Spartan held out for the win.

If you look back over the last six league games, the form side in Division Three is Kingham Reserves. Five wins and one draw in that time have earned them an incredible sixteen points, when they only had 11 points from the 10 games before that. This time out they beat Eynsham Reserves, 4-1. Adrian Williamson (2), Ellis Godin and Jamie Youngson all scored for Kingham. Sam Godfrey was responsible for Eynsham’s consolation.

Stonesfield Reserves edged past Bampton Reserves with a 3-2 away win. Aaron Court and Rob Hook scored for Bampton but Jacob Oliver, Noah Drew and Marko Babic scored one each for Stonesfield to give them all three points.