"A's" Presentation Night - 31st May

Headington held their Presentation Evening on Sunday 30th May, with a BBQ buffet at the Jolly Postboys. As well as celebrating their best finish in Division One since the mid nineties the season’s awards were made:

Player of the year: Luke Cuff

Norman Smith Cup – Players Player: Benji Cuff

Maurice Kyle Shield – Most Improved Player: Harry Jenkins

Headington Still There! - 29th April

Headington snatched a last gasp win at Easington on Tuesday night to ensure that all scenarios are still to be played out as the Division One West title race moves towards it's dramatic conclusion this Saturday 1st May.

In a tense and scrappy match at Banbury a poor quality first half ended goalless, but came alive in the second period as Headington twice took the lead through Luke Cuff and Ollie Zaja only to be pegged back each time by Lambourne and Reeves. With less than a minute of normal time left Shaun Jacobs conjured up a sensational winner although the A's had to see out five added minutes. With Slimbridge winning at Cirencester on Wednesday night the top three all enter the final round of matches tied on 64 points.

Headington will go to Slimbridge this weekend without Jacobs, but Aaron Williams will be back after missing out on Tuesday. All three sides have to go for a win, a tighter finish improbable to say the very least

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Saturday From: Jenkins, Pereira, Morbey, Brown, B.Cuff, Pearce, Buckle, Simmonds, Hill, Williams, Hafiz, Jacobs, Lockhart, L.Cuff, Cirilo

Still In The Mix - 22nd April

With three games left Headington sit third in the table, level on points with Slimbridge and three points behind Wootton Bassett with a game in hand.

Manager Shaun Pearce (pictured) is determined to keep the team's focus on the next match. "We finish with two tough away games, Easington and Slimbridge, but Trowbridge is next up in our final home game this Saturday, we need to concentrate on taking three points from them. Our last match against Lydney was a real test, we just about deserved the win with our second half performance. I expect Trowbridge to be just as hard. The players are enjoying their football and need to keep playing with the same freedom they have enjoyed in the last couple of months."

The A's secured the points in the reverse fixture against Saturdays opponents in early October of last year, a fine defensive performance the key to a 0-2 score line. Amateurs have no injury worries & should pick from a full squad. From: Jenkins, Pereira, Morbey, Brown, B.Cuff, Pearce, Buckle, Zaja, Simmonds, Hill, Williams, Hafiz, Jacobs, Lockhart, L.Cuff, Cirilo.

Amateur's Challenge Still On! - 14th April

Headington’s eight match unbeaten run since defeat at Clanfield on 6th February sees them three points adrift of new leaders Wootton Bassett as the Division One West title race approaches what could be the most exciting finish for years.

However, player/manager Shaun Pearce is looking no further than Saturday’s visit of Lydney Town, commenting: “One at a time may be an old cliché but it’s the only sensible approach to take. This has been a very competitive division & I’m sure Lydney will be as tough as any. Our recent performances have been good but it’s results that count now. At the start of the season I was set a top six finish and that has been achieved, anything else is a bonus.”

With Liam Morbey and Aaron Williams returning from holiday & injury respectively Pearce should be able to pick from a full squad.

From: Jenkins, Brown, B.Cuff, Pearce, Buckle, Morbey, Zaja, Simmonds, Hill, Williams, Hafiz, Jacobs, Lockhart, L.Cuff, Pereira, Cirilo.

Happy "A's" - 7th April

Headington enjoyed a good Easter programme with six points from their two games.

In the narrow home win over Easington on the Monday their performance never quite approached the fine display at Tytherington, but the win was secured with a superb goal from Shaun Jacobs, finishing off a flowing five man move. In truth the A's should have won more comfortably, unable to finish a host of opportunities. The returning Luke Cuff - now a proud father, his partner having given birth to a healthy girl at the weekend - hit the woodwork twice in the first half. It was to the team's credit that they did not panic after Easington were gifted an equaliser following Klaus Buckle's opening goal (his first of the season), although the nerves were certainly jangling in the face of a typical battling display from the Banbury side, the excellent Kurt Fox pulling off a succession of top drawer saves.

Although inching above Purton into fourth place, manager Shaun Pearce knows that the 'run-in' doesn't get any easier with the visit of Cricklade this Saturday. 'They will be hurting after their defeat at Launton and you only have to look at their results - including a double over league leaders Wootton Bassett - to know how dangerous a team they can be'. Ollie Zaja is unavailable (work) & Liam Morbey is still on holiday so Pearce will have to shuffle his pack again.

From: Jenkins, Pereira, Brown, B.Cuff, Pearce, Buckle, Simmonds, Hill, Williams, Hafiz, Jacobs, Lockhart, L.Cuff, Cirilo.

Amateur's Stretched - 1st April

Headington's resources will be stretched over the Easter weekend as they bid to stay in touch with the leaders. On Saturday they visit Tytherington Rocks whilst on Monday they have a home match against fellow Oxforshire club Easington Sports. Goalkeeper Harry Jenkins & leading scorer Luke Cuff are both unavailable on Saturday, while wingback Liam Morbey will miss both games.

From: Jenkins, Pereira, Brown, B.Cuff, Pearce, Buckle, Zaja, Simmonds, Hill, Williams, Hafiz, Jacobs, Lockhart, L.Cuff, Cirilo.

Meanwhile progress at last appears to underway in the development of Headington's ground at Barton as the following report in the 'Oxford Mail' confirms. This will hopefully be the first stage in a process that will bring the ground up to the level required for Hellenic League football.

Work is set to start this summer on a new football pavilion for Oxford’s Barton estate after the city council set aside £350,000 to build it.

In 2008, community leaders complained to the council that the current pavilion was in a poor state of repair. After gathering contributions from a number of developers, the council is ready to pay for the demolition of the current building and its replacement with a modern structure at the recreation ground off Barton Village Road. Council leader Bob Price said he hoped the new pavilion would be completed in time for the new football season. Members of the council’s executive are set to approve the funding for the project at a meeting at the Town Hall on Wednesday. Mr Price said: "The money has been available for a while but it has taken a while to get agreement on how the new pavilion should be built. This is a great scheme and will secure the future of teams like Headington Amateurs, who need improved facilities, because they’re a successful club. We’re trying to ensure that we provide sport and leisure facilities for the community that are good quality and are attractive. This ties in with what we’re trying to achieve by working with Oxford City at Court Place Farm and with Oxford United to provide community facilities. Don Light, chairman of Headington Amateurs said: "We share the ground with Barton United, who run lots of boys teams, and this will really benefit the whole community. The project has been in the pipeline for about five years so I’m very pleased that it is finally happening. Barton bowls club will also be able to use the pavilion."

Sue Holden, of Barton Community Association, said: "This is fantastic news, because the current pavilion is no longer fit for purpose – it’s really dilapidated. The new pavilion will be a good community venue that will be opened up to many more groups than just the football teams. Barton now has its own pool, and a gym is expected to be built next to the pool by the end of the year, so the new pavilion will be another major asset for the people of Barton and surrounding area."

Community leaders complained early in 2008 that the pavilion needed replacing after training sessions had to be cancelled when the electricity box controlling the floodlights stopped working. The city council secured £140,000 for the project from developers building homes on the site of the former Fox pub. A report to the executive recommends that they endorse a plan for a £350,000 pavilion to the latest Sport England and Football Association standards.

Amateur's Face Sports - 26th March

Headington visit Easington Sports with the title race in One West looking as tight as it has been for years.

This will be the A's seventh away fixture in a sequence of eight in seven weeks, only one of which has been lost. With Purton & Wootton Bassett meeting something has to give, but with Easington just one place below them and memories of the Oxon Senior Cup tie, 5-5 aet with the penalty shoot out going to the Banbury side, still relatively fresh Headington know they will have be near their best to take advantage. Klaus Buckle will be available again after holiday

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From: Jenkins, Brown, B.Cuff, Pearce, Buckle, Morbey, Zaja, Simmonds, Hill, Williams, Hafiz, Jacobs, Lockhart, L.Cuff, Pereira, Cirilo.

Midweek Win Boosts Amateur’s- 18th March

Headington will make the short trip to Letcombe on Saturday boosted by a fine win at One West leaders Cheltenham on Wednesday night.

In an intense match, played at a fierce pace throughout, the A's put in a superbly disciplined performance, quelling the threat of the league's leading scorers in an even first half. Then, despite a difficult surface, establishing control in the second half with some fine football. They were eventually rewarded when Neil Lockhart converted a penalty fifteen minutes from time.

Although remaining in 5th place just six points now cover the top five and Headington will be well aware of Letcombe's qualities, a 'footballing' side who like to play it 'on the deck'. Earlier in the season the A's just shaded a five goal thriller, Letcombe unlucky not to take a point.

Centre back Klaus Buckle is still on holiday but Liam Morbey returns to the squad after missing out in mid-week through work commitments.

From: Jenkins, Brown, B.Cuff, Pearce, Morbey, Zaja, Simmonds, Hill, Williams, Hafiz, Jacobs, Lockhart, L.Cuff, Pereira, Cirilo.

Midweek Challenge - 12th March

With no game this Saturday Headington face a huge challenge next Wednesday with a visit to Cheltenham Saracens,the current league leaders and leading scorers in One West, who have so far notched up 77 goals in their 24 league matches.

Having won their last three the A's feel they are right back in the title race but could find themselves nine points adrift if Saracens win at Lydney on Saturday, albeit with games in hand.

An incidental 'challenge' will be arriving in good time as for the second time in three seasons a visit to Cheltenham clashes with 'Race Festival Week'. 'Meeting and departure' times will be calculated accordingly!

Cuff To Reject Bicester Approach - 5th March

Home Win Hope -25th February

After securing their first win in five last week Headington will hope to continue in the same frame this week as they entertain lowly Cirencester, their first home fixture for eleven weeks.

Despite a poor run the A's are still in touch with the top four, nine points behind leaders Cheltenham with games in hand. Player manager Shaun Pearce, Klaus Buckle, James Brown, and Liam Morbey should all be available as Pearce hopes to choose from a full squad.
 
From: Jenkins, Brown, B.Cuff, Buckle, Pearce, Morbey, Zaja, Simmonds, Hill, Williams, Hafiz, Jacobs, Lockhart, L.Cuff, Pereira, Cirilo, Ashley.

Amateur's Looking to Arrest Defeats At Sports - 19th February

Headington's poor run of results has seen them knocked out of both cup competitions and slip eleven points behind the leaders in One West.

On the face of it a short trip to bottom club Launton should be the place to start a recovery. However, they will be well aware that Sports picked up their first point of the season last week under new management. Liam Morbey is on holiday & centre back Klaus Buckle a doubt with a calf injury. James Brown should be available again after work commitments saw him miss out last week.

From: Jenkins, Brown, B.Cuff, Buckle, Pearce, Morbey, Zaja, Simmonds, Hill, Williams, Hafiz, Jacobs, Lockhart, L.Cuff, Pereira, Cirilo, Ashley.

Another 'Goal Fest' Ahead! - 5th February

After sharing eighteen goals with their opponents in their last two outings Headington Amateur's will be hoping for something like a 'normal game' as they visit West Oxfordshire neighbours Clanfield this Saturday.

However, the last meeting between the clubs, a County Cup tie last November, produced six goals with Headington somewhat flattered by a 4 - 2 score line in their favour. More fireworks on the cards? Headington have no injury problems and select from a full squad.

From: Jenkins, Brown, B.Cuff, Buckle, Pearce, Morbey, Zaja, Simmonds, Hill, Williams, Hafiz, Jacobs, Lockhart, L.Cuff, Pereira, Cirilo, Ashley.

A's Face League Leaders - 29th January

After returning to action last week and suffering the disappointment of penalty shoot-out defeat in their much postponed County Cup tie with Easington Sports, Headington must regroup quickly as they face a visit to league leaders Purton this Saturday.

Taking the positives from an extraordinary match that saw ten goals shared over 120 minutes Headington will know that, having shaken off the inevitable 'ring rust', their attacking play was at times of the highest quality against Sports. The downside of course was the defensive howlers, allied to a terrific fighting performance from the Banbury side. Having already shared the points with Purton in the reverse fixture in September of last year - a late equaliser from Purton! - the A's will be well aware of the need for defensive discipline if they are to maintain their league challenge in to the second half of the season. Centre back Klaus Buckle should return after missing out last week.

From: Jenkins, Brown, B.Cuff, Buckle, Pearce, Morbey, Zaja, Simmonds, Hill, Williams, Hafiz, Jacobs, Lockhart, L.Cuff, Pereira, Cirilo, Ashley.

One West Form Teams Meet - 25th November

After the drama of the last three weeks, with League wins over Slimbridge and Letcombe, plus a County Cup victory against Clanfield, all of which were secured only in the last ten minutes of each game. On Saturday The 'A's' now host Wootton Bassett, currently fifth, to Amateurs third in the table, but with games in hand on all above them.

Given both teams’ current unbeaten league runs, Headington seven wins and two draws in their last nine, with Wootton six and two in their last eight, add in the goals that both have been scoring of late and another classic could be on the cards.

Headington are well aware of their visitors firepower, going down 1 – 6 at their place in August, a defeat every bit as comprehensive as the score suggests, but will be confident in their improvement since then. With no injury worries manager Shaun Pearce will select from a full squad.

From: Jenkins, Brown, B.Cuff, Buckle, Pearce, Morbey, Zaja, Simmonds, Hill, Williams, Hafiz, Jacobs, Lockhart, L.Cuff, Pereira, Ashley.

"A's" Bouyant - 12th November

Last week's fine win over Slimbridge extended the Headington Amateurs current run to six wins and two draws from their last eight league matches.

However, the "A's" will need to be at their best again this Saturday as they entertain a similarly in form Letcombe, who have recorded five wins and a draw from their last six. As the sides' currently sit third and fourth in the table another tight match should ensue. Headington will select from the same squad as last week:

Jenkins, Brown, B.Cuff, Buckle, Pearce, Morbey, Zaja, Simmonds, Hill, Williams, Hafiz, Jacobs, Lockhart, L.Cuff, Pereira, Ashley.

The Big Test - 4th November

The "A's" look forward to their biggest test of the season on Saturday, when they entertain long time Division One East league leaders Slimbridge.

Shaun Pearce is aware of the task ahead as they face a side that has lost one game in fifteen and conceded just six goals. Headington’s own form has seen them climb to third place, whilst Pearce will afford Slimbridge proper respec, het is confident in his team’s ability to meet the challenge. Pearce will hope to be at full strength with centre back Klaus Buckle returning from holiday, although playmaker Shaun Jacobs remains doubtful with a persistent knee injury.

Team from: Jenkins, Brown, B.Cuff, Buckle, Pearce, Morbey, Zaja, Simmonds, Hill, Williams, Hafiz, Jacobs, Lockhart, L.Cuff, Pereira, Ashley.

Headington Amateurs v Harrow Hill - 8th October

Three wins and two draws in their last five have seen Headington climb to fourth in Division One West.

Harrow Hill are the visitors this Saturday and manager Shaun Pearce must do without Charlie Bough (pictured) who has signed for Oxon Senior League side Rover Cowley.

On the plus side Luke Cuff, Shaun Jacobs & Harry Jenkins should all return to the squad. Ramos Pereira, a goalkeeper who has been training with the club for the last month is also included for the first time.

From: Jenkins, Brown, B.Cuff, Buckle, Pearce, Simmonds, Morbey, Hill, Williams, Hafiz, Jacobs, Barrett, Lockhart, L.Cuff, Pereira.

Headington v Tytherington - 17th September

The Amateurs face a Rocks side with an identical playing record to themselves in One West this Saturday, though goal difference sees the visitors one place above in the league table.

Taking last season’s matches in to account, 1 – 1 at Tytherington and 0 – 1 at home a tight game would appear to be on the cards. Liam Morbey should return after injury as should goalkeeper Harry Jenkins - time off for the arrival of a baby boy.

After standing in in goal against Purton last week Adam Simmonds will be able to resume midfield duties. Last seasons leading scorer in Reserve Division One, Neil Lockhart, should also be available for the first time this term, whilst James Brown misses out (ankle).
Team from: Jenkins, Pearce, B.Cuff, Allen, Morbey, Hill, Simmonds, Hafiz, Bough, Jacobs, Zaja, Williams, Barrett, L.Cuff, Lockhart, Whalley.

Wheels Back On Amat's Wagon? - 28th August

Three wins in a row took Amateurs to the heady heights of third in the league, Headington were then brought crashing back to earth in a midweek 1 - 6 mauling at Wootton Bassett.

However, with a run of four home matches to come, Cheltenham Saracens this Saturday August 29th followed by Clanfield on Monday the double header over the Bank Holiday, manager Shaun Pearce is confident that his side can continue what has been a relatively good start to the season. Liam Morbey and Ollie Zaja should return after both were unavailable at Wootton Bassett.

Team From: Jenkins, B. Cuff, Pearce, Allen, Morbey, Whalley, Hafiz, Simmonds, Hill, Brown, Zaja, L. Cuff, Jacobs, James, Ridge, Ashley, Williams.

Preparation Almost Complete - 8th August

After a somewhat protracted, not to say dramatic close season, Headington’s preparations for the new season are almost complete.

Following the momentous decision not to field a reserve side this year, Steve Giles confirmed that he would be stepping down as Secretary after twenty five years in the job encompassing three Hellenic clubs. For the first time since the 1950’s the Amateurs will not run a reserve team, a decision taken after much soul and heart searching but almost inevitable on economic grounds alone. Chairman Don Light takes over from Steve Giles as Acting Secretary – any aspiring administrators out there, contact the club through the website or by phone! – whilst the management structure remains similar to last term.
 
Three pre-season games have seen a draw and narrow defeat against Hellenic opposition in Old Woodstock Town and Kidlington respectively. Plus a win against Oxon Senior League side Bardwell. Performances have been good as Manager Shaun Pearce has used almost all of a squad totalling twenty players. With most of last year’s first team retained, youngsters Shane Whalley and Liam Morbey (formerly of Cheltenham Saracens where he was attending college) supplement the squad, now comprised almost entirely of local youth. Veterans Pearce and the evergreen Junior Ashley notwithstanding.
 
Steve Giles remains as a committee member and will continue as Secretary of the Phoenix Sports Association, the parent body at the Amateurs ground, where he will oversee the proposed development of the site. Oxford City Council has engaged Sports Solutions GB to construct a development plan for the site and meetings have been held over the summer with all parties. A draft plan has now been formulated and waits finalising before being presented.