Witney & District Match Report - Week 21

By john smyth

By David Evans

Hailey maintain 100% record to take control of title
charge

Premier Division
Hailey completed an important league double over Hanborough as they ascended back to
the top of the Premier Division. Hailey’s pursuit of five trophies had left them without a
league fixture for the entirety of January, an absence which had seen them fall to third place
in the table. But during that absence their nearest challengers had dropped points meaning
that a win would assure them of top spot, providing that they could win by two clear goals.
Tom Gregory’s tap in, Devon Wright’s fourth goal of the season and Sam Wheeler’s strike
captured the three points and a significant enough winning margin to leapfrog both Enstone
and Hanborough and back into first place, with a mighty four games in hand.

Stonesfield failed to fully capitalise on Hanborough dropping points as they could only
manage a 1-1 draw against Carterton FC Rangers. Ryan Clish’s goal for Rangers was
cancelled out by Raffy Rice’s goal for Stonesfield. The point leaves Rangers fifth and
Stonesfield fourth.

In the battle at the bottom Spartan Rangers overcame Milton in a six goal thriller. Milton, still
looking for their first win of the season scored goals through Harry Lake and Josh Catling but
Steve Wright’s double cancelled out Milton’s goals and further strikes from Henry Clarke and
Donny Henderson-Sowerby secured an important win for Spartan as they recorded
consecutive victories to jump out of the bottom two.

Fred Ford Cup

The semi-final line up for the Fred Ford Cup is finally complete after Charlbury managed to
beat Hook Norton in their quarter final tie. Josh Sylvester and Felix Robertson scored one
each for Chalrbury, with Jay Mair responding for Hooky. Charlbury held on for victory and
join Hailey, Hanborough and Faringdon Town A in the last four.

Division One
Minster Lovell Reserves mai
ntained pressure on Freeland at the top of Division One with a
4-1 victory over Chadlington. Mark Norridge scored the goal of the game with a 25 yard
screamer and Minster followed that up with further goals from Chris Bowles, Chris Hirons
and Nick Rose. Rocky Burton hit one back for Chadlington and despite Minster being
reduced to ten men, there was no way back for the hosts.

Hailey Reserves picked up a welcome point in their battle to get out of the bottom two as
they held Bampton United to a 1-1 draw. Seb White’s goal for Bampton was matched by
Kieron Fallon’s debut strike for Hailey.

Another side picking up a welcome point in their battle at the bottom were Kingham All
Blacks as they fought to a 2-2 draw against Wootton. Dan Mundy-Court and Sam Gubbins
scored for Wooton. There was another Gubbins on the scoresheet too but unfortunately for
Wootton, Liam put the ball into his own net. Dom Hemmings fired home Kingham’s second
to ensure a share of the points and means that Bletchington, Kingham and Hailey Reserves
are now all tied on eight points at the bottom of the table.

Division Two

RAF Brize Norton and Fratellos are on a collision course for the Division Two title after
recording comfortable wins at the weekend.
Aiden Miller hit a five-timer as Fratellos thrashed Spartan Rangers Reserves 10-0 to move
up to third in the league. Miller hit a first half hat-trick as Fratellos cruised to a 4-0 lead at half
time. They continued their goal rampage with a further six in the second half, taking their
tally to 42 goals scored for the season. Levi Cox scored a brace with Ajay Sahota, Kenny
Hawkins and Toby Clarke getting the other goals.

Dave Wanless missed a penalty but it didn’t deter RAF Brize Norton in their pursuit of their
tenth league win of the season. Wanless redeemed himself by scoring another penalty and
with further goals from Coen Sword and Rich Hall, Brize stretched their lead at the top of the
table to nine points, although Fratellos have 5 games in hand.

Combe remain fifth after a 2-0 win against bottom side Hook Norton Reserves. Ryan
Chambers and an Archie Hamilton penalty secured the three points which keeps Combe in
touch with the sides above them.

Carterton recorded their sixth win of the season in what is proving to be a successful first
season in the Witney and District. A solitary Adam Fisher goal guided Carterton to victory
over Cassington Rangers.

Division Three

The topsy-turvy title battle in Division Three took another turn this week as Faringdon Town
A beat Milton Reserves to return to the top of the table. With no game for Hailey A,
Faringdon knew a victory by any margin would send them top. Victorious they were as
Richard Evans scored his fifteenth goal of the season to get Faringdon on the way to victory.
Mitch Eddolls and Jay Warren-Grace scored the other goals in the 3-0 win which sees
Faringdon top on goal difference and with an important game in hand. Next weekend’s
fixture sees Hailey A host Faringdon in a critical fixture in the title race.
Leafield and Chadlington Reserves played out a 2-2 draw as both sides recorded their first
draws of the season. Pedro Rozini fired the home side in front, but Chad replied with a George Slatter penalty. They rook the lead when sub Iuro Esteves netted from 2 yards with virtually his first touch. But the home side levelled late on whrn Markus Vinisus hit a screamer.

Eynsham SSC were awarded a walkover victory against Bampton Reserves.

Division Four

Hatherop Reserves are just four points away from the league title after an 11-1 win against
Stonesfield Sports Reserves. Mason Hathaway led the way with a hat-trick with both Craig
Whitbread and Mani Rawanawa hitting doubles. Kieron Grant did put Stonesfield on the
scoresheet but Olly Taylor, Harvey New, Rob Malcolm-Stewart and Alex Griffith’s goals
completed the rout as Hatherop moved to 98 goals for the season so far.

The only side that can mathematically catch Hatherop are Freeland Reserves who dished
out their own thrashing as they put seven past Kingham Reserves. Sam Blantz and Billy
Rendell both scored twice with further goals coming from Connor Smith, Ross Henderson
and Tyler Castle. George Warren scored Kingham’s consolation.

Faringdon Town B also scored goals aplenty as the race to finish a likely second (behind
Hatherop) heats up. They beat Carterton Town FC 5-1 with Tom Burdett scoring all five
goals. It means that Witney Royals (2nd), Freeland Reserves (3rd) FFaringdon B (4th) and
Leafield Reserves (5th) are separated by just three points

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