Week 33 Football Report

Premier Division

A topsy-turvy title battle which has swung multiple ways and still had four teams involved with as little as four games to go went into the final game on Tuesday night with rather simple, if not unlikely permutation. Freeland hosted Stonesfield with the visitors needing to win by a margin of twelve goals, which would then give them the league title by virtue of goals scored, anything less and Hailey would retain the crown they claimed twelve months ago.
The gathered Hailey faithful got the opening 25 minutes they wanted, nothing Stonesfield could do could penetrate the Freeland defence and the first quarter ended goalless. It looked as though the whole half would end goalless until Raffy Rice finally broke the deadlock with seven minutes to go. On the brink of half time it was then two, Carry Rice slotting home to leave Stonesfield needing ten in the second half.
Another slow start on the goal front almost cemented the end of Stonesfield’s title ambitions, that until the hour mark when the visitors scored twice in a minute to quickly make it 4-0. Carry Rice got his second before brother Raffy snuck one past the keeper to leave them needing eight in half an hour. Just four minutes later and it was 5. Freddie Holloway firing home for his first of the game to leave them seven off but it was starting to get interesting. Unfortunately for Stonesfield they couldn’t find the net again until the 82nd minute when Holloway tapped in at the back post but it proved to be too little too late for Stonesfield and Hailey were confirmed as Champions again.

Supplementary Cup Semi Finals

On Tuesday night, Eynsham Reserves and FC Mills did battle at Clanfield under the lights. This would be Eynsham Reserves’ first ever semi-final, a brilliant cup run a welcome end to a difficult season in the league. FC Mills were looking to reverse the disappointment of missing out on promotion and reach a final of their own. A quick start for Mills soon settled the nerves as James Morgan blazed in after a neat run through the defence. The remainder of the half belonged to Eynsham though, first an equaliser was denied by a correct offside decision before a last gasp tackle ended a promising attack to ensure Mills went in ahead at the break.
Another quick start for Mills gave them breathing space. Morgan turned provider as his squared ball found substitute Ben Thomson to make it two. Mills then turned the screw as a header was cleared off the line before a smart save by the Eynsham keeper kept the gap to two. Mills should have made it three but Dylan Growcock could only shave the outside of the post. Then Eynsham got back into the game. Morgan Oxendale firing home in the 80th minute to make it interesting. Eynsham pursued an equaliser but Mills held on and advanced to the final.

On Wednesday night it was the turn of Yarnton A and Aston Reserves. Yarnton did the league double over Aston by an aggregate score of 10-1 and took a first half lead thanks to Daniel Saunderson’s goal. Aston Reserves hit back in the second half but Chad Blackman’s goal won the game for Yarnton to put them into next Wednesday’s final to leave them on course for a league and cup double.

Supplementary Cup Final (Tuesday 23rd May @ Carterton FC. 19:30 kick off)

FC Mills vs Yarnton A

Junior Cup Semi Finals

Goals galore as thirteen goals were scored in the two Junior Cup semi-finals.

Siege and Eynsham scored seven goals in their league encounter at the weekend and managed another six goals between them on Wednesday night. Danny Allsworth’s screamer and Jonny Dover’s strike had Siege in dreamland until Eynsham scored to pull one back. Then Eynsham were reduced to ten men before half-time but showed their resolve to make it 2-2 despite being a man down. Connor Morgan’s rocket inside the last ten minutes looked to have won it for Siege only for Eynsham to equalise with practically the last kick of the game. To penalties it went and it was Siege who held their nerve to advance, 5-3, to next Wednesday’s final.

Hailey Reserves and Chadlington went one better as they scored seven between them. Chadlington made the perfect start when Jordan Charlesworth put them ahead in the first minute. Hans Korge continued his rich goal-scoring form by scoring just before half-time for Chadlington’s second. Brinley Mayne scored a third ten minutes into the second half and whilst Hailey were able to score three of their own, John Walker’s 85th minute strike put Chadlington into the final to face Siege.

Junior Cup Final (Wednesday 24th May @ Moreton Rangers FC. 19:30 kick off)

Siege FC vs Chadlington FC

Senior Cup Semi Finals

Enstone fought back from a losing position to extend their already successful season one game further with a 3-1 victory over Hanborough. Hanborough took the lead through an Aston Leach free kick but then missed a host of chances to extend their lead. Already playing with a bare eleven, their evening took a turn for the worse when Reece Deasy saw red for denying a goal scoring opportunity. Hanborough played out the remainder of the game with ten men and no substitutes. Enstone scored three times in the space of ten minutes to eventually put the game to bed. Reece Bayliss, Liam Harris and Jay Mair all scoring one each to put Enstone into their second final of the year.

Charlbury hosted Spartan in a cracking game at Nine Acres. Charlbury taking the lead inside ten minutes with a Billy Sweet strike but Spartan drew level in the sixth minute of added time thanks to Arun White to take both sides in at the break level. Not much goalmouth action to speak of in the second half, that until Martin Nutt put Charlbury back in front again in the 71st minute. Then a crazy two minutes saw a thrilling end to the tie. First Spartan equalised in the 88th minute to seemingly send the game into extra time only for Charlbury to go down the other end, win a free kick. Sweet stepped up and fired home to put Charlbury into the final with a 3-2 win.

Senior Cup Final (Thursday 25th May @ Carterton FC. 19:30 kick off)

Charlbury vs Enstone