Saturday 6th February
PREMIER Division
Bicester Town 0 Witney United 4
Witney United brought Bicester's recent mini-revival to a halt with a comprehensive victory at Oxford Road.
Having collected four points from the last two matches the home side were full of confidence but almost found themselves a goal down in 20 seconds when Chris Harper's run and low cross was deflected towards his own goal by Ross Atkins but Jeff Simmonds got down well to save at his post. It did take just six minutes for the opening goal to arrive though when the industrious Harper done well to win the ball and release Anaclet Odihambo who ran through and clipped the ball over Simmonds and into the net. The Foxhunters had their best chance of the game just moments later when Aaron Andrews sprung the offside trap and crossed to Lewis Brown who headed over from close range. From the goal kick they were almost made to pay when Paul Tassell's long kick saw Ben Thompson shrug off his marker and shoot past Simmonds but the ball went wide. Midway through the half and United did double their advantage when Stuart Cattell won a challenge and the ball fell to Jack Smith whose cleverly lofted pass saw a straight race between Odihambo and Simmonds and the striker got their first to prod the ball into the net. After having a goal from Andrew Younie disallowed for offside United killed the game off as a contest seven minutes before the break. A free kick from Tom Butler was met with a looping header from Gary Wickens which gave Simmonds no chance in the Bicester goal.
Half Time: 0 – 3
The home side were determined not to cave in and they flew into the challenges to make sure United knew they were going to have to work very hard for any further goals. It was almost a hat-trick for Odihambo just after the break when the industrious Jack Smith won yet another tackle before riding two challenges and feeding the ball to Odihambo whose lob beat Simmonds but landed on the roof of the net. United stopper Tassell had been a virtual spectator for the majority of the game but he pulled off the save of the match just after the hour when a free-kick by Michael Spaull was only partially cleared by Dean Smith and it broke to Kyle McCoy whose fizzing effort was finger tipped over the bar by Tassell. There were huge shouts for a United penalty when Thompson was tripped inside the area but although the referee gave the foul he astonishingly awarded a free-kick five yards away from where the foul took place. Substitute Ricky Bridges then almost had a stunning first touch after coming on when the ball was played out wide to Odihambo whose cross found the youngster but he snatched at his shot and it went into the side netting. However he was not to be denied and two minutes from time he was to get his goal. An excellent tackle by Andrew Styles on the edge of the area saw him roll the ball out to Bridges who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the net to round off a comprehensive victory for United.

Binfield 2-1 Pegasus
“We needed that”.
The result was vital, coming off the back of three defeats, Binfield needed to win.
Pegasus Juniors were as good as Binfield were bad in the first half but the Moles did make some chances with Jermaine Gumbs going close first with a header and then a shot from 20 yards. Brady Lilley started in midfield alongside Steve Nebbett and James Suarez but even with five in midfield Binfield were being dominated by the visitor’s excellent pair with Robbins controlling the play. The management switched the formation to 4-4-2 mid way through the half but it didn’t make enough of a difference and it was Robbins who put the visitors in front on 37 minutes. Ferneyhough had tested Adams earlier with the Moles’ keeper making a fantastic block to keep Pegasus Juniors but the visitors had rarely threatened. So when Price crossed from the right and the ball was partially cleared the danger looked to be over but Robbins, with his back to goal near the edge of the area, tried a speculative overhead kick. He hit is perfectly and the ball dipped just under the bar. 0-1 It couldn’t have been a worse half for Binfield.
Half Time: 0 – 1
Changes were made for the second half with Nebbett and Lilley making way for Withers and Walsh.  The supporters had been expecting other personnel to make way but the changes made a difference and Suarez, now playing wider, created the first chance which Gumbs, Whitty and Walsh all squandering the opportunity inside the six yard box. Central defender Ryan Millward showed the strikers how to do it on 52. Withers dissected the Pegasus defence with a great pass. Millward was on the verge of being offside but there was no flag and he beat the keeper from 16 yards like a striker should. The goal galvanised Binfield and they started to display the form that had taken them into the top three earlier in the season. A second goal was vital and it took just 9 minutes to arrive. Again, it was defender Millward to the rescue as the strikers failed to convert the chances now being created by Withers and Suarez.  The big defender was first to a cross from the left and his header flew past Turpin to give Binfield a 2-1 lead on 63 minutes. Binfield got hold of the game now and should have extended their lead through Gumbs and Walsh who both had one on ones with the keeper. The visitors rallied in the last five minutes and a header from Smith might have caused more problems than it did for the home side who were displaying a few yips as their first win in three games got closer. The referee played a full five minutes of added time which was needed for the amount of time the players had spent moaning at him and Binfield might have lived to regret the back chat had the visitors equalised during that period.
HOOK NORTON 2 FAIRFORD TOWN 1
Not for the first time this season, Hooky Manager Mark Boyland had to contend with a number of absentees when he selected the squad for this match. Ollie Barlow was called into action as was Ashley Prentice who had only just recovered from injury and, in addition, Mark Muddyman, a new signing from Midland Alliance club Cradley Town, made his debut.
Whilst any sceptics among home team supporters could have been forgiven for expecting Hooky to show a level of uncertainty in these circumstances, the local team did all within its power to remove these negative expectations by playing good positive football from the off.
In the first half, Hooky marginally had the majority of play, with James Robbins and Pete Moulder always looking dangerous up front. On 22 minutes, the home team won a corner on the left which was taken by Robbins who floated the ball over to the penalty area from where captain Dave Buckwell nudged the ball home over the visiting ‘keeper’s head. With about 10 minutes of the half still remaining, Robbins came within a whisker of doubling his team’s score when after a sparkling right wing run, he let fly with a scorcher of a shot which hit the far post before rebounding to safety. Shortly after this incident, Dan Greaves received a knee injury and was substituted by Ben Spiero.
Half Time: 1 – 0
Fairford started the second half noticeably the stronger of the two teams but were unable to penetrate the Hooky rearguard until a defence splitting pass sent Pete Griffiths on his way to beat Joe White in a one –on-one situation after 70 minutes. From this point onwards, it could have been either team’s game but it was Hooky who deservedly secured the points after Danny Poole headed over a left wing cross when well placed to score. The winning goal came after 81 minutes when Robbins’ left wing cross was intercepted and controlled by leading scorer Moulder at the near post from where he netted with ease. Despite the visitors making some last ditch efforts to grab an equaliser, Hooky held on for 3 valuable points.

Marlow United 3 Shortwood United 6
Collins stuns Marlow
Marlow succumbed to a brilliant individual forward display from the mercurial Matt Collins who grabbed 4 goals as Shortwood ran in 6 goals with the home team replying with 3 of their own.
Marlow welcomed back Captain Tristan Heywood to the centre of their defence as they attempted to build on their recent improved form and hoping to gain a first ever win over Shortwood in the process. The home team got of to a disastrous start falling behind on 6 minutes as they failed to defend a throw in from their right, the ball eventually landed at the feet of Collins who was left with a 5 yard shot to take the lead. Marlow responded by taking the game to their opponents Ollie Flint heading over from a corner, Walters and Harman combining to release West who was off side followed by a run and cross by Nicol which caused much confusion in the Shortwood defence. Collins then posted another warning to the home defence with a strong run into the Marlow area before firing wide of the left hand post. On 23 minutes Marlow were awarded a free kick as Middleton was fouled 25 yards from the Shortwood goal.
 Ollie Flint’s kick was played into the area and with Marlow appealing for a foul on James Flint the ball was cleared up field to Collins, the forward outpacing Middleton and running on to place the ball past keeper Murray. 5 minutes later and the game looked over as Hoskins placed a 30 yard effort over the stranded Murray for a third goal for Shortwood and the home team found themselves three down despite matching their opponents for most of the game. Marlow were given a life line on 31 minutes as Allard was adjudges to have fouled James Flint in the area and Adam Harman stepped forward to score from the spot. 2 minutes later and a free Marlow free kick was headed toward goal by Heywood and Dan Flint saw his close range effort blocked by Barrett. That miss proved costly as that man Collins caught out the home defence again, this time beating Walters in a chase and knocking the ball over Murray to restore the 3 goal lead. Marlow hit back with a corner, the ball being cleared twice before Jamie West saw his effort saved. The home team trooped off at half time wondering how they were three goals in arrears.
Half Time: 1 – 4
Marlow began the second period in a positive mood, winning an early corner which saw Walter’s firing wide. A second corner saw Harman injured as the ball was cleared and not long after Heywood was on hand to clear of the line from Green after a poor punch from Murray set up the Shortwood player. Marlow bought themselves back into the game on 57 minutes with Middleton freeing James Flint who pulled the ball back from the bye line for Andy Nicol to smash home the ball at the near post.
Middleton and Flint combined a minute later allowing Ollie Flint a chance to fire just wide only for those defensive frailties to surface yet again as Collins found space in the area, his cross being fired home by Green on 61 minutes. Shortwood felt they should have been awarded a penalty on 71 minutes as Cole was tackled from behind by Wiltshire but the referee waived play on. Collins forced Murray into a hurried clearance on 81 minutes, the ball ricocheting of Ollie Flint onto the bar and over for a corner. Marlow refused to accept defeat and they scored a third goal on 83 minutes following a disputed free kick that ended up with Harman scoring from a tight angle.
They should have known better though as Collins had the last word firing home an unstoppable shot from 25 yards following a free kick 2 minutes later. The same player then missed from close range when it looked as if he must score his fifth goal, the game ending shortly after.
A disappointed Marlow manager Kevin Carvell pointed the finger at his teams defending stating “We gave away the first two goals and from then on it was always going to be difficult. Each time we scored defensive lapses allowed Shortwood to hit back and in truth we couldn’t handle the pace of Collins who had an outstanding game. We became the first team to score three goals against Shortwood in the league this season but still lost”

Marlow 3 – 6 Shortwood United
Four Goal Collins destroys Marlow
Shortwood won this pulsating game by virtue of their more constructive passing and the outstanding contribution from Matt Collins; Possession was fairly even but Shortwood created the more clear-cut chances and the pace of Collins was a constant threat throughout. The heart of the Shortwood defence stood firm although Jamie Flint for Marlow was a constant threat down the flanks and Heywood maintained a constant presence in midfield.
Shortwood started brightly putting together several crisp passing moves but suffered an early setback after 4 minutes when Axton was the victim of a late unpunished tackle. It was immediately obvious that he would be unable to continue and was substituted a few minutes later. In that few minutes the Wood scored a goal following a now familiar pattern of long throw, headed flick on and goal with Benneyworth, Casey and Collins contributing respectively. Marlow responded strongly generally winning the 50:50 tackles and coming close when Benneyworth cleared off the line. On 23 minutes as Marlow pushed further forward they were undone by a long high clearance from Allard which allowed Collins to outstrip the defence and under heavy pressure from two defenders slip the ball pass the keeper. The game continued to ebb and flow and on 30 minutes we witnessed the best goal of the match as the Marlow keeper cleared poorly from the edge of the area which was won powerfully in the air by Cole into the path of Hoskins. A quick look up to see the keeper struggling to get back to his line he unleashed a dipping volley from 30 yards. At 3-0 it looked like Shortwood would run away with the game as the Marlow heads dropped but almost immediately a harmless punt up field was taken by Barrett only for the referee to award a penalty against Allard for unfairly shielding the ball as it was taken by the keeper. It was a soft penalty but enough to fire up Marlow as they now enjoyed a period of sustained pressure coming close with a goal mouth melee at the near post that was scrabbled out for a corner. If Marlow needed demoralizing further it came only a few minutes later as Benneyworth picked up a Marlow clearance in his own half and hit a long through ball for Collins to run on to and despite the keepers efforts the ball inched over the line with the linesman well placed to give the goal as the defender scooped it away. Even in the last few minutes of the half Barrett made a brave save when confronted with a one on one, Mike Green had a free kick well saved, Hoskins tried to repeat his volleyed goal but was just over and with the last kick of the half Benneyworth blasted over from 12 yards.
Half Time: 1 – 4
Marlow again pressed hard at the start of the second half with Barrett punching well under pressure on the goal line and Thomas blocking well in the six yard box. Marlow continued to crowd the area and Shortwood were restricted to long clearances although these still caused problems for the Marlow defense whenever Collins was able to latch on to them – one such attack leading to a well struck Mish Green shot headed off the line. 12 minutes into the second half Marlow scored a 2nd goal that their pressure deserved although the wood defense will be disappointed in allowing the cross which was then uncontested as it deflected off the back of Nicol. It was almost inevitably that Shortwood would respond with a goal as Collins collected the ball from a breakdown of a Shortwood attack and place a precision cross for Mish Green to head home forcefully from within the six yard box. At 5-2 the game at last calmed down and for the next 25 minutes the pace slowed with Marlow still enjoying a fair proportion of possession and Shortwood creating one or two good chances the best of which fell to Mish Green as he rounded the keeper only to see his shot well blocked by a covering defender. With less than 10 minutes to go another lapse in the defence allowed another cross and simple tap by Harman to bring Marlow within two goals and the possibility of a frantic finish. But not to be undone barely a minute later Collins again picked up the spoils of a Shortwood attack and from the edge of the area drove the ball high into the roof of the net. As the game now fizzled out Collins was presented with probably his easiest chance with another one on one only to push the ball well wide of the target.
A delighted John Evans said “Well there was no doubt about the man of the match. We looked good going forward today but did give the ball away too easily in dangerous areas and defended poorly at times resulting directly in two of their goals”

Wantage Town 1 - 0 Kidlington
        Substitute Guy heads Wantage home
         With both teams missing key players, the ‘strength of the bench’ was always going to be a telling factor in this competitive game between two sides who made every effort to play passing football on a sticky but even surface.
In the end, at the end, it was Wantage Manager Richie Bourne’s introduction of substitutes Richie Guy and Matty Horsell that proved to be the winning tactic. In the 85th minute the fresh legs of winger Matty Horsell took him past Kidlington full back Chris Weedon, Horsell’s perfectly delivered cross being met by the head of Richie Guy, whose header gave Rob Hambling no chance in the Kidlington goal. In what was Wantage’s 7th consecutive home game, it was evident from the start that neither side would dominate and for the first ten minutes possession was shared as both sides rehearsed their pass and move game. In the 12th minute Wantage threatened, Richie Claydon firing wide after good build-up play from Tom Austin. A minute later at the other end, it was Wantage midfielder Liam McCullough’s last ditch tackle that prevented Mark Baker from striking home with only Wantage keeper Rob Durrant to beat. The half was well balanced, with both sides struggling to make the final pass tell. On the half hour Richie Claydon drew a great save from Hambling in the Kidlington goal, striking from the edge of the box. But, as the half came to an end it was Kidlington pressure that forced Durrant to make a crucial save diving to his right to stop Jack Quainton’s well struck drive.
Half Time: 0 – 0
In the second half Wantage began to apply a little more pressure. The half opened with Hambling saving well from Matt Biddle’s header from an Austin corner. In the 52nd minute, Wantage winger Gavin Jones lost his marker, cut in and shot narrowly wide. Five minutes later, Claydon shot from distance to force another good save from Hambling. Kidlington’s cause was not helped when Mark Baker was sent off for something said to the Referee in the 58th minute. As Kidlington faced the last 30 minutes with 10 men, Wantage struggled to overcome the resilient and hard working packed Kidlington midfield, the home side being reduced to firing from distance. Danny Keen’s effort in the 59th minute was comfortably saved by Hambling, and Richie Claydon’s deflected free kick was palmed away by the in-form visiting keeper. As the game closed on the final quarter of an hour, both sides introduced fresh legs,  the substitutions for both teams raising the pace of the game. Moments before Wantage scored their winner, Kidlington’s Jack Quainton tapped a goal bound shot over the line, only to be ruled offside. 
With a few players not quite on top form, and missing Tom Malton and Club Captain Gary Swann (Congratulations to Gary on the birth of his son), Wantage secured these points by turning in yet another hardworking performance where their fitness was again tested and proved. With their midfield energy and generally well managed and disciplined defence, in which full back Tom Rowe excelled, the Wantage squad looks set to maintain their challenge should Reading Town falter as we enter the final phase of the season.

Wantage Town 1 - 0 Kidlington
For this one Kidlington managed to patch up a few of their injured players, but were still missing leading scorers Luke Holden and Jimmy Deabill, amongst others. To be fair to the visitors until the incident that changed the game, the sending off of Mark Baker, Kidlington generally had the better of things, but all this went out of the window after this.
For the first 20 minutes or so Kidlington were completely on top. During this period Chris Weedon saw a powerful headed attempt whistle past a post and Baker had a snap shot saved well by keeper Rob Durrant. Again during this spell Baker swung a corner into the box which was horribly miss punched by Durrant, only a last ditch clearance off the line prevented the visitors going one up. Baker who was playing as a lone striker did magnificently well to carve himself an opening in the 21st minute. He beat 2 players and darted into the box. When he got there he let fly with a good shot which Durrant saved with his legs. Wantage up until this point hadn’t troubled Rob Hamling in the Kidlington goal. Then in the 23rd minute it looked as it this was going to change. Richard Claydon controlled the ball inside the visitor’s penalty area, but then hit his shot high and wide. A few minutes later Claydon finally did get to test Hamling. The prolific striker hit a fierce shot but found the Hamling equal to his attempt. As the half went on some of the tackling from the home side was leaving a bit to be desired, as firstly Mark Flanagan then Jack Johnson were felled. Match referee Mr Bailey was being far too lenient as at least 3 of the home side’s challenges had warranted cards! As half time approached it was Kidlington’s Jack Quainton who picked up the first card of the match. This looked a far lesser foul than some of the others that had been committed, but it was Quainton’s name that went into the book! The last action of the half that Kidlington had generally bossed saw the agile Durrant deal superbly with another attempt from Baker. 
Half Time: 0 – 0
Early in the second half Lewis Coyle replaced a tiring Lee Rendell. Coyle immediately set up a chance for Jordan Parker, however, Parker’s shot lacked power and Durrant saved easily. Parker was then gifted another chance when he was able to intercept a back pass. This time it beat Durrant but Sam Belcher was back covering and headed the ball away off the line. Wantage’s Danny Keen tested Hamling from 20 yards before the turning point of the match. Baker was clearly fouled from behind when going up for a header, unfortunately Mr Bailey appeared not to see it. A frustrated Baker’s then said something untoward directed at the official and the red was brandished immediately. I can’t condone this and the decision by Mr Bailey was correct, however several of the Wantage players had been cussing him throughout the match and no action had been taken against then? From this point on Wantage seemed to get a second wind and started to dominate proceedings. Keen and Claydon both had decent attempts at goal. Kidlington’s Danny Leggett and Brad Chalmers, although under a lot of sustained pressure, seemed to be coping well and had the situation under control. In fact Kidlington were only a whisker away from snatching the lead in the 67th minute. Jack Quainton won the ball in a decent position, he clipped a shot goal bound which substitute Adam Lovegrove followed in. It looked to be going wide so Lovegrove turned it home only for this strike to be ruled out for ‘off-side’. The match looked to be heading for a draw until the 85th minute. Wantage’s substitute Richard Guy got himself on the end of a deep cross into the box, he headed over Hamling and the ball bounced into the net off the underside of the cross bar. After this Wantage were able to run the clock down and record a very creditable win, albeit against a depleted Kidlington side, that certainly deserved at least a point from the game.
There were no bad performances in a Kidlington shirt, it just wasn’t to be. That’s now two blanks on the trot and with Deabill and Holden side-lined and Baker will follow them, for his transgression, Kidlington need to find someone to put the ball in the net very quickly as the games are coming thick and fast!

Division ONE WEST
Clanfield 2 Headington Amateurs 0
Clanfield gained some measure of revenge for earlier defeats in the reverse league fixture and the Oxfordshire Senior Cup when two first half goals gave them victory over their high scoring and entertaining opponents.
The home side got off to the best possible start when good interplay between Adam Little and Eddie Everett saw Everett force the ball in at the near post in the third minute. Amateurs were stung into action by thiis and the dangerous Luke Cuff caused problems with some pin point place kicks and speedy runs. Home keeper Chris Brain made brilliant saves from Emilio Cirilio and Klaus Buckle. Little was prominent in two speedy runs and should have done better shooting straight at Harry Jenkins in the visitors goal and then pulling a second chance just wide. Clanfield were not to be denied however and in the eighteenth minute were awarded a free kick twenty five yards out. Steve Olpherts well taken free kick found teenage defender Karl Dickinson on the far post and his header gave Jenkins no chance. Amateurs thought that they should have had  a lifeline back in to the game but referee Declan Singh waved away their penalty appeals and the interval arrived with Clanfield good value for their lead.
Half Time: 2 – 0
The visitors came out for the second half determined to preserve their good league run and placed the Clanfield defence under great pressure without really creating much by way of clear cut chances. As the game opened up Clanfield began to create their own chances with Craig Mays looking to have secured a penalty but again Referee Singh remained unmoved. The heavy ground was taking its toll on both teams as players tired but Clanfield hung on to secure three points and lift themselves to seventh place in the League Table.

Easington Sports 0 Cricklade Town 2
Cricklade won a hard fought match against Easington in Hellenic Division One West contest. It was a match dominated by defences.
Cricklade started with the 4-4-2 formation they played against Bassett a fortnight ago. With an unchanged squad except for Adam Smith replacing Max Leslie in the starting line up, Kyle Moulden and Paul Fisher joining the bench. Easington started the better of the two sides, getting the ball forward directly and quickly, with Cricklade struggling to get the ball down and keep possession for long, with Easington have the lions share of the passion they created very little opening, with Moulden and Davies clearing up most of the direct balls. After the 25 minute mark Cricklade started to find their feet, and looked dangerous down both flanks with O’bree on the left and Maximen and Mcgunigall on the right, but the final ball and run were missing, some good balls with poor runs, and good runs with poor balls. Cricklade took the lead in the 40th minute. A good long pass from Dane Moulden in the Cricklade defence set up Maximen who headed the ball for Winchombe to run onto. Winchombe evaded the Easington defence to finish clinically in the bottom corner for the opener and his 13th league goal of the season. Cricklade kept the league going into the break, with possibly just edging the chances on goal, but these were limited at both ends with both teams that challenged for every ball.
Half Time: 0 - 1
The second half Easington came out of the block looking to get back into the games, and had most of the possession, but with the defence holding tight, and the 3 midfields shielding the defence it was hard for Easington to create any meaningful chances, but Easington had most of the possession with Cricklade looking to hit them on the break.
In the 70th minute the break happened that sealed the game, with a great ball down the flank that from Moulden that released O’Bree on the left, who skipped past 3 defenders from the halfway line into the Easington box, with the opportunity to pull the ball back Breezer tucked the ball under the advancing keeper to make it 2-0 to Cricklade. That score line could have been all so different when the usual well marshalled defence fell asleep and allowed Easington clean through on goal, and only a great Save from Godey kept the score line at 1-0.
It was hard on Easington who were part of a good contest that on another day could have gone their way, for Cricklade it was a good team defensive performance that probably edged the encounter, and on that day not many teams would have walked away with 3 points.

Letcombe 1 – 2 Wootton Bassett Town
Letcombe gave a much improved performance against promotion candidates Wootton Bassett, but ultimately their failure in the air against set pieces cost them the point they deserved.
Letcombe had a complete team of regular players not available, and Stuart Game again deputized in goal with both keepers missing.   Sean Webb, on loan from Wantage Town, returned to help out his former club with four centre backs not available.
Letcombe opened strongly, and Pete Horswell shot narrowly wide of the far post having been played in by Lyle Gifford. At the other end, Letcombe bodies managed to block a Wootton Bassett shot on the line. The visitors had the better of the opening exchanges after half time, and took the lead after 51 minutes. A free kick glanced off the head of a defender and fell at the feet of Chris Oram, but Letcombe will ask why he was allowed time to control the ball and fire home from only six yards.   Letcombe equalized mid way through the half, Lyle Gifford providing the pass for Pete Horswell to place the ball wide of the advancing keeper. Letcombe looked the likely winners, with Mark Denny working tirelessly, but they were undone by another set piece with only two minutes remaining.   Fraser Joyce was allowed a free header at the near post from a corner to secure the visitors all three points.

Tytherington Rocks 0 – 1 North Leigh Reserves
A tap-poke goal from North Leigh Reserves’ centre – forward Lee Keys was enough to complete a league double over “off-key” Tytherington Rocks.
“We were terrible”, admitted manager Barry Grainger, “That was an awful match to watch, between two poor sides, on the day”.
The match –winner came in on the 67 minutes as the Rocks defence were parted by a run and shot from Warren Senior , which bounced away from Rob Dent despairing save and there was Keys ,unmarked , to put in the ball into an empty net. The Rocks came back with attacks raining on the visitors in the last quarter of the game. And after substitute James Hicks had hit the far post, Marcus Taylor saw his rebound cleared away by desperate defender.
The Rocks top goal scorer ,Danny Thorpe , was twice went close to add his tally as a first-half free – kick from 20 yards went inches over the bar , and in  the second –half his powerful header from a Luke Garbacz corner was too high  with North Leigh keeper , Danny Marston beaten. But the visitors’ goalkeeper was their hero as he managed to stop a goal scoring pile driver from Garbacz in the first-half and then he saved efforts from Nathan Irwin and replacement Don Robinson as the Rocks pressurised to get the equaliser in the latter period. This was a game that Rocks wanted to win because they are away for six consecutive matches and they won’t be back at home until the first week in April.
At the final whistle the Rocks’ manager said; “I have said this so many times this season about our goal scoring record and we have tried to get players in , We can buy players  but we have to be careful about our finances, and that is why I am looking at young players who wanted to play for the club”.
Grainger is hoping that Adam Keslake will come back soon after missing most of the season as his presence would help the young Rocks’ defenders.
Next Saturday Tytherington are visiting high flying Letcombe and Rocks are hoping to get three points as Letcombe who won their League Cup game after extra –time, back in October.

Division ONE EAST
FINCHAMPSTEAD 1 - 1 RAYNERS LANE
After last week’s morale-boosting win at Didcot Town, Finchampstead faced stronger opposition with Rayners Lane the visitors to Finchampstead Memorial Park on Saturday.
In a match that was fairly evenly contested, both sides approached the game with the best of intentions.  After settling down, the visitor’s player-manager Paul Leslie made his presence felt first being denied an approach to goal by a timely interception from Scott Bursill, and then having his cross from the left wing headed behind by Finch captain Tom Hopper. As they maintained their attacking mode, Rayners Lane then had a header by Dean Ryan rebound from the framework. In a good counter attacking move, Finch made good ground but front-line dithering and a lack of general player response led to the visitors clearing the ball away from the danger zone.  In the next Finch attack, Junior Arquimbau tried his luck with a shot that thundered against the Rayners Lane crossbar, rebounding at the feet of defender Andy Forbes before the incoming Pat Selby could pounce. When Rayners Lane attempted a renewed approach, Matt Wright was able to stamp out further progress and Finch’s response led to Pat Selby making a weaving run through the entire Rayners Lane defence from a considerable distance, only to see his shot in the ensuing phase of play soar just over the bar. Rayners Lane regained possession and forced a pair of corners, the ball from the second of these being headed over the Finch crossbar. Ben Knight took a long shot that was comfortably saved by James Christian in the Rayners Lane goal before the visitors ventured forward again, winning a free kick.  Paul Leslie, their free kick specialist, floated the ball over the heads of the defensive wall and Andy Forbes found the outside of the rigging with his snap shot.
Entering the second quarter of the game, Kevin Prentice linked up well with Matt Wright, who in turn pushed the ball onto Junior Arquimbau who missed the target. Rayners Lane then had a turn at missing goal before Finch made ground down the right flank in the thirty-eighth minute.  The ball was played out wide to Junior Arquimbau who sent a cross into the box that Pat Selby turned into the net from close quarters amidst a throng of players, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead. Two more attempts by Junior Arquimbau and Matt Wright were saved, and these Finch attacks were countered by Dean McFarlane who curled a shot into Perry Howard’s arms right on the stroke of half-time.
Half Time: 1 – 0
The second session began with the visitors coming out hustling, but the Finch defence responded well to deny them an early equalising opportunity. However on fifty-two minutes they left themselves wide open to a breakaway counter-attack, the Rayners Lane forwards chasing a long through ball, Dean Ryan sliding his shot under the body of keeper Perry Howard in a one-on-one situation to make it 1-1. Having equalised, the visitors were keen to seek a clincher but the midfield battle was fairly evenly contested and whenever the ball reached the two Rayners Lane front men, they found themselves seriously outnumbered by the Finch defence.  Rayners Lane powered through for a short spell in the Finch’s area before Junior Arquimbau eventually hauled the ball away from the corner flag down the right wing, gaining territory to near the half-way line relieving pressure. With the game looking like a stalemate, Finch manager Bobby Langridge made a treble substitution for the remaining few minutes but no further opportunities presented themselves and a 1-1 draw was the result.
After the match, both club managers quotes were similar, with Bobby Langridge saying that Rayners Lane were a good side to take on and that Finch had gained a good point which was a fair result as both sides had chances that hit the framework.  Peter Compton added that his side came out hustling and that both sides has played a decent competitive game, plus the fact that both keepers made crucial saves making a draw a fair result.

MILTON UNITED 3 HOLYPORT 4
It was a fairly uneventful match for the supporters of both sides at “The Heights” on Saturday with only 2 disputed penalties(1 given 1 not), 5 bookings, 2 sending offs and 7 goals during a hard fought, highly contested game between two fully committed teams.
There were early chances for both sides and Holyport’s Sam Jones should have scored with a header from a well worked free kick. The game was continually held up for free kicks which the referee seemed to award for the slightest infringement and this did not allow the game to flow which it warranted with both sides trying to get the all important first goal. This was scored by Milton’s RYAN WILLIAMS in the 28th minute with a superb strike from just outside the area that flew past the visiting keeper. This inspired the home team who went further ahead in the 34th minute when from a corner by Kelleher the ball was headed back across the goal for LIAM THORNE to head in at the near post despite some half-hearted appeals for offside.
Holyport pulled one goal back immediately when JAMIE HANSCOMBE broke though and scored. Within 5 minutes the visitors were level when the official awarded a controversial penalty. A Milton defender seemed to be holding his ground as a long ball came forward and a Holyport forward tried to go round him but ran into the defender which resulted in the ref pointing at the spot, which AARON LENNON duly scored. There was more incidents to come become half-time when Milton forced a corner and as the ball came over 2 of the home players ended up on the ground in the net but the ref just waved away their protests and before anything else could happen we could all catch our breath as the whistle blew for the end of the first 45 minutes.
Half Time: 2 – 2
The second half started as the first ended which the game going from end to end and Alleyne almost put the home side in front when his snap shot hit the top of the crossbar and bounced over. Unfortunately for Milton their centre half Pilling who had played well all game was sent off in the 50th minute for alleging hitting another player. With the extra man Holyport pushed forward and took the lead when JAMIE HANSCOMBE scored his second of the match. Shortly afterwards Milton brought on substitute Ben Dunk and this inspired change brought the equaliser when Alleyne produced a fine cross and BEN DUNK headed a fierce header into the goal. The game was far from over as both sides pushed for the winner, which was scored by Holyport substitute LEE HANKINS from a good through ball. Then with a few minutes left Dan Rapley upset the official and was duly sent for an early bath.

Milton United 3 Holyport 4
Must Win Game for both sides
Man Of the Match  Handscomb scored 2 and assisted in 1 and skipper Arron Lennon kept up his goal a game in 2010 (3in3), but it was new boy Lee Hawkins making his third entrance, all from the subs bench, who came on to score the winner.
Port found themselves 2-0 down after conceding on 28 mins to an unstoppable Ryan Williams strike from fully 30 yards which crashed in off the underside of the bar. This was followed 5 mins later when Liam Thorne doubled the lead. A confident away side was not going to lie down and within 2 mins a superb run by Handscomb from deep and low finish reduced the lead to 2-1. On 40 mins Jamie Wright was fouled in the box and much to the annoyance of the Milton contingent players, management and supporters a penalty was awarded which Lennon smashed home to level the match.
This remained the score until half time which lead to protests towards the referee as the players left the field,
Half Time: 2 – 2
The second half continued in the blood and thunder vein with Handscomb causing havoc eventually leading to centre half Adam Pilling seeing red for lashing out at the Port front man. As Milton showed indiscipline Handscomb took advantage scoring from a headed on 67 mins to put Port in front for the first time. The game was not all over by a long way this time it was Port who showed indiscipline with Dan Rapley, who had been a major force in the game getting sent off for retaliation right in front of the Milton bench resulting in a scuffle involving a number of players and the Milton management. Immediately from the free kick Milton scored with a bullet header by Ben Dunk from a pin point cross. Enter Lee Hawkins. Yet another searing run from Handscome on 72 mins opened up United’s defence and a neat pass allowed in Hawkins who had made a determined run from 45 yards to see port home to 3 vital points.

Reserve Section
Chinnor Reserves 3 Holyport Reserves 1
Holyport Reserves travelled to Chinnor to try and rectify the lessons learnt from last week, but in fact they were somehow worse.
Port should have been five nil up at half time as Hill, Steadman, Brennan and Hunt all had good chances. Chinnor had one chance and scored, this was yet again from a Holyport error. Hill then scored from the spot on his return debut making it one all at half time. Chinnor left the pitch in an ecstatic mood as they couldn’t believe they were still in the game. The 2nd half started as the first ended Port were dominating, Beecher and Hunt again wasted chances and next thing you know Chinnor created two chances and scored two goals to win 3-1.

FINCHAMPSTEAD RESERVES 5 – 2 ARDLEY UNITED RESERVES
Frostick's nap hand routs Ardley
On a brilliant sunny February afternoon, Finch's young side produced yet another Jeckyll and Hyde performance to test the constitution of the Finch management team. 
A disappointing under par first half effort was magnificently eclipsed by a scintillating second half team performance that left Jon Laugharne walking on air as his young guns dismantled a competitive Ardley side who at half time were almost certainly thinking that the win was theirs for the taking. To be fair to the Finch side there were many changes to the previous match line-up, with Marc Brown ill and on the bench, Carl Barry making his first start for over eighteen month's and struggling for match fitness, and Adam Barnard looking out of sorts playing his first competitive game for many weeks.  Added to this was losing Adam Merritt and Dan Willis to the first team squad (well done boys), and it left Finch looking like a team a little out of kilter. A situation Ardley United were more than capable of exploiting as Finch ended up at halftime definitely on the ropes and taking a lot of body blows.
The early exchanges of the match saw Finch in charge. After seven minutes a Freddie Baron corner was bundled goal wards by Ben Winship and Lewis Frostick did the rest as he blasted the ball into the back of the net from two yards out to make it 1-0.  Finch had several other chances to go further in front, with James Brazier and Freddie Baron both going close, and Lewis Frostick having a shot cleared off of the line. However, as the game settled down Ardley were warming to the task and growing in confidence as they began to emerge as the better team. Finch were guilty of poor ball retention and lack of a team understanding that made Ardley's task a lot easier than it should have been to grab an equaliser, which you could see it coming.  Lack of defensive organisation and communication allowed the strong running Liam Goding to burst clear and grab Ardley's deserved leveller on thirty-one minutes.  From that moment the visitors looked heavy favourites to get the next goal, and things got worse for Finch when five minutes later Andre Kelly was forced to leave the field with a hamstring injury, Nick Payne coming on and joining the fray on the right wing to try and turn things around.
Half Time: 1 – 1
Lifting the spirits of a side who knew that they were second best was the management's task at the break, along with rebuilding the team shape after Andre Kelly's injury. Freddie Baron was switched to the left flank, with Ben Winship moving to left back, Scott Jenner taking the right back spot, and Adam Barnard moving to centre half. After less than a minute of the restart, an immediate substitution was needed when a seizure of Carl Barry's right leg cruelly cut short his comeback.  Adam Bowyer came on as his replacement and his impact was immense. It’s difficult to define the reasons for the transformation of this match, but the Finch team went from zeros to heroes in the space of a half-time cup of tea, whilst on the other hand the Ardley players went the other way.  My personal belief is that a lot of the resurrection of this team’s performance is down to their fitness compared to the other teams they play when the matches move into the second halves. James Brazier, Richard Kell, Freddie Baron, Lewis Frostick and Nick Payne never stop running for Finch, and in the end they get their just rewards as the other teams seem unable to compete at their fitness levels and get swept aside, allow Finch go on to win the game.  Whatever the reasons, Finch were again irresistible in the second half and inspired by the mercurial Lewis Frostick, dominated in all areas. With fifty-five minutes gone, a wonderful Freddie Baron corner was brilliantly headed home by Lewis Frostick from twelve yards out, the ball flying into the top corner to make it 2-1.  Then in the fifty-eighth minute, Lewis Frostick was put through by Richard Kell and he outpaced his marker and somehow chipped over the keeper from ten yards out to secure his hat-trick and put Finch 3-1 ahead. Ardley then gallantly, and it must be said against the run of play, pulled a goal back to give them a sniff at 3-2, but this couldn’t stop the Finch tsunami and in the seventy-second minute Lewis Frostick once again bamboozled his marker before being hacked down inside the penalty area in his run on goal.  Despite a long delay, he royally despatched the resulting penalty to make it 4-2. The ailing Marc Brown joined the party in place of Scott Jenner, going to centre half alongside skipper Sam Green to cement the last brick in the Finch defensive wall, the now rehabilitated Adam Barnard, back to something like his reliable best, moving to right back again.  Finch were creating many goal chances and Adam Bowyer could have had a hat-trick but was thwarted by great saves by Dan Moyle in the Ardley goal, a one-on-one, a twenty yard pile driver and a header all being kept out. Nick Payne was having a fine match causing problems down Ardley's left and apart from providing some superb crosses, also came close to scoring when Lewis Frostick's unselfish cross was so very nearly poked home by him as he arrived into a melee at the far post. At the other end, it was amazing how the Finch defence now looked so assured, with Jack Skinner only having to make one difficult save in the second half a testimony to this.  Our midfield was in total control, with that fine combination of Richard Kell and James Brazier now ruling the roost. Ardley had run out of ideas and run out of heart, and the final nail in their coffin was hammered in by Finch talisman Lewis Frostick as he took advantage of another defensive indecision to tuck away his fifth goal of the match, and the ninth he has scored against Ardley this season.

Hungerford Town 5 - 1 Wootton Bassett Town
Crusaders march through Wootton Bassett
The Crusaders made light work of Wootton Bassett in this top versus bottom clash in the league.
As expected the young visitors started brightly and Town had to defend tightly but it wasn't long before Shaun Dyke got a grip with the game and provided the first goal.
Good work on the right side by Dyke followed by a ball across the face of the goal saw Darren Jones meet the ball at the far post to score off of the bar. Town were soon in their stride and showing how they can play football, from the defence to the attack. It was soon two nil, more great work down the right from Dyke saw him gain a corner, it was him who then delivered the corner and Mark Jones on his first game back from a broken toe scored with a terrific overhead kick giving the keeper no chance from 6 yards. It was Dyke again who made the third goal this time finding space in the centre of the park struck a shot from 25 yards challenging the keeper who could only parry the ball into the path of Shaun Thorp who scored into an empty net. Town had further chances to stretch their lead but missed chances left The Crusaders three goals to the good at half time.
Half Time: 3 – 0
In the second half Wootton Bassett started off well and Town looked a bit sloppy at times but Bassett never really threatened. Thorp got his second of the game with Dyke once again the provider a quick free kick from left to right, saw Thorp just beat James Mandry to the ball flicking it pass the Bassett keeper. Once again Darren Jones played well in his third appearance for The Crusaders, finally getting more of an attacking role up top with Thorp, he still found space out wide on the left for the majority of the game, but this allowed him to get the ball down and combine well with Thorp and deliver some great crosses into the box. With Dyke and Jones whipping in balls like this any defence would struggle to cope. The fifth goal came from the patient Will Walker who came on as a second half substitute making his first appearance after being left on the bench for the last two games, he made an immediate impact scoring with a great strike after a rebound fell to him just on the edge of the box. Hungerford will be disappointed not to of kept a clean sheet after a ball over the top caught the defence out and the attacker lofted the ball over Gibbard making his first appearance in a Hungerford shirt this season. Gibbard had little to do, but played a major part in talking to the defence, he is a tall commanding figure and Trumper & Cook would like to maintain his services but other commitments could prove a stumbling block. It was also good to see young Sam Peacock do an outstanding job filling in at right back for the missing Brizzell (Hernia).