Witney & District Football Reports - Week 27

By john smyth

Written by David Evans & John Smyth (cups)

Bletchington Res and Hailey make it through to Finals

Jack Busby Semi Final

Minster Lovell Res 2 Bletchington Res 3

Bletchington Res reached the final of the Jack Busby Cup, with a pulsating victory over favourites and holders Minster Res.
Despite the dry week, the pitch was very heavy and made it hard for both sides to play passing football. After a cagey opening exchange with neither side able to create much, Bletch took the lead, with their first real chance, Michael Trafford, picked up a loose ball on the edge of the and caressed the ball into the corner of the net, giving Richard Barrett no chance. But Minster hit back straight away, a long ball was flicked on and Josh White, out stripped the defence and slipped it past Sam Sweeney.
Minster took the lead early in the second half leading scorer Gary Mitchell applying the finish. But instead of dominating as you would expect, Minster lost control and it was Bletch who were the better side. Although Minster did hit the bar, following an almighty goal mouth scramble, the equaliser looked on the cards and Tom Knox saw his goal bound effort brilliantly tipped over the bar by Barrett. But, from Knox’s corner, Richie Wells rose the highest and powered a header into the far corner.
By know the pace was frantic and a series of lengthy stoppages saw the teams still level as we were added time. Bletch eventually grabbed the winner in the 95th minute a Mason Connolly corner again found the head of Wells and he guided the ball home.
Minster still had time to hit back, they had a goal bound effort kicked off the line and a series of corners and free kicks, but Bletch held firm and go on to play Spartan Rangers Res in the final.

Fred Ford Semi Final

Hollybush 0 Hailey 2 AET

Hailey made it through to the Fred Ford cup final and cup alive their hopes of a treble with an extra time victory over Hollybush ibn front of a large and vociferous crowd.
With the 2 sides playing out 2 goalless draws already this season, the game was always expected to be tight. Chances were at a premium on a rock hard pitch, that made if difficult for all players. The only real chance if the first half was when Sam Wheeler broke free down Hailey’s right, but his effort was turned over the bar by Matty Howard.
The second half was a feisty affair, a few tackles were a bit late and Dave Stanley had to work hard to keep 22 players on the field. Hailey thought they had won it, but a linesman’s flag saw the goal disallowed and so we moved into extra time
The opening goal when it came, was well worth waiting for. Midfield veteran Sean King hit a ball from 45 yards that flew into the net, giving Howard no chance. Then a couple of minutes later sub Kev Davies, provided a fine finish to seal the match.
Hailey will go on to play Kirtlington in the final.

Division Three
A break from tradition is required in this week's reports to celebrate the first crowning of league champions in this 2018-19 league season.
The honours go to Carterton Town B who, despite not having a game this week, find themselves uncatchable at the top of Division Three, securing their second successive league title.
They have Witney Royals Reserves to thank for their impromptu title celebrations as they turned over Hook Norton. It was huge result for their own league prospects as the three points mean they are still capable of catching the two sides above them in the league in their final two league games. Rob DeBanks and Ian Barrett scored one each in the 2-1 win. Sam Prickett responded for Hook Norton.

In the battle of the bottom two Tower Hill Reserves and Chipping Norton Reserves played out a seven goal thriller with Chippy winning it 4-3. Chippy accumulated four different goal scorers as Mark Corbett, Rocky Burton, Yusuf Okenade and Darren Bridge all scored one each for the win. Joe Hatt and Josh Carter's double all proved in vain for Tower who now find themselves five points adrift at the bottom of the league.

Tom William's hat-trick has put the race for second place firmly in Spartan Rangers Reserves own hands as they overcame Bourton Rovers Reserves. William's scored all of Spartan's goals in the 3-1 victory. Keegan Bowes grabbed the consolation for Bourton.

Premier Division
It was a difficult day for the bottom two sides who both used up one of their games in hand on the sides above them but both suffered defeat.
Kirtlington were turned over by Tower Hill 3-0. The hosts grabbed all three points, and kept a clean sheet in the process. James Scott bagged a brace with Ollie Squires adding the third.

Carterton Rangers were undone by a late winner from Lori Balfe as Minster Lovell grabbed all three points. A corner, with five minutes to go, was bundled home after Rangers defence switched off, a harsh way to end after a well battled performance up till that stage.

Charlbury gave themselves a 3 point cushion at the top of the league coming out the right side of a five goal epic away to Aston.
The home side were looking to defeat the side at the top of the table for the second week in a row and goals from Alex Cade and Ryan Oliver would have given them hope of grabbing another three points. Charlbury went one better thanks an Aston own goal and strikes from Craig McCallum and Stefan Lang to give them some all-important breathing space.

Division One
Raffy Rice hit a four timer to keep up Stonesfield's 100% away record and put themselves seven points clear at the top of the league. Stonesfield ran out 6-0 winners eventually, beating Witney Royals. Mike Phipps and James Clarke added the extras to leave Stonesfield just five points away from the Division One title.

Moreton Rangers jumped back into second place in the league following a hard fought 2-1 victory over Combe. Simon Baker scored for Combe but Cal Peters' brace was enough to secure victory for the promotion chasers. Moreton Rangers face Stonesfield next week in title deciding battle

Milton dropped to third thanks to a goalless draw with Middle Barton. The draw doing nothing to help either sides’ potential promotion charges although they still hold a crucial game in hand on their rivals around them.

A Jarvis Morley double helped Chadlington keep up the pressure on the top 3 as they beat Eynsham SSC 4-1. Lee Woodward and Jacob Hazelwood added their name to the score sheet to secure victory. Matty Walker scoring a sublime effort, from outside the box, to give Eynsham some consolation but they remain bottom.

Adam Webley was another Division One hat-trick hero, as he helped Bourton Rovers defeat Bampton United. His three goals set them well on the way in the 5-2 win with Chris Cooper and Harry Larner adding the extras. Chris Laurence's double proving nothing but consolation for visiting Bampton.

Division Four
Alfie Peachey's hat-trick, combined with other results, has set Chadlington Reserves five points clear of the chasing pack at the top of Division Four.
A comprehensive 5-0 demolition of Eynsham SSC Reserves was the order of the day to now put the fate of Division Four in their own hands. The fourth and fifth goals coming from Ollie Jordan and Kev Mulhearney.

All of the chasing pack lost ground through either no fixture or dropping points but second to fifth are now separated by just 3 points. Let's deal with them in order.

Second placed Kingham lost ground on the leaders after suffering a 1-0 defeat to the in-form Wootton Reserves. Wootton scored through Danny Poole in the only goal of the game to make it four wins from four in March. They remain fifth but as previously mentioned are just three points off Kingham. Kingham have two games left. Wootton have three.

Ten goals, seven different goal scorers and a point for both sides will have certainly left Stonesfield Reserves and FC Ascott knowing they were in a game. Incredibly, both sides came out with a point as it finished 5-5.
Jamie Gardner and Liam Harris scored a brace each for Stonesfield, whilst Robert Harrison replied for Rangers with a double of his own. Mike Robert's scored a fifth for Stonesfield but Ascott hit back through Jason Bufton, Brian George and Jay Whelan. Stonesfield move up to third, level on points with Kingham and with three games left to play.

Milton Reserves dropped to fourth but had no fixture. They have two games left and are a point behind Kingham and Stonesfield.

Where next?

Witney & District Football Reports - Week 28 Written by David Evans Photo Courtesy of Bullseye photography
Witney & District Football Reports - Week 26 Written By David Evans and John Smyth (Cup)

Latest photos

CRFC
1 photo
CRFC
My Photos
47 photos
My Photos

Witney & District FA newsletter

Keep up-to-date with our exclusive email newsletters.

Subscribe