Saturday 20th February
PREMIER Division
Bicester Town 2 - 1 Kidlington
This was Kidlington’s poorest performance of the season by some margin, and against certainly the poorest side in the league. All afternoon Kidlington never got started and were deservedly beaten by their hosts who were far more up for the contest. Although the home side obviously lacked quality on the ‘pudding of a pitch’ the match was contested on, their more willing and aggressive approach shone through.
Kidlington should have taken the lead in the 9th minute. Mark Flanagan tore through the heart of the Bicester defence, but then saw his shot come back off the inside of the far post. For the next 25 minutes or so the game was really poor with neither side able to put more than 2 passes together. Neither keeper was tested and to be honest this wasn’t helped by the fact that the players spent nearly as much time on the floor as they did standing up, such were the conditions! Kieran Sanders had an excellent opportunity to give Kidlington the lead in the 26th minute. He was clean through with just the keeper Craig Jones to beat. Strangely Sanders ran the ball straight at him and Jones was able to save the situation. As we neared half time Bicester were seeing more of the ball in the attacking third and the hosts were winning all the midfield battles. A warning was sent out when from a decent position Dan Green put in Bicester first real shot which Tom McNamara fortunately fielded easily. A few minutes later the lively Kyle McCoy got in a great shot which McNamara was forced to palm out for a corner. Kidlington weren’t able to heed these warnings and in first half injury time McCoy gave Bicester a shock lead. Kidlington Skipper Danny Leggett lost the ball to McCoy on the edge of the box, the striker controlled the ball well before striking a good shot past McNamara for 1 - 0
Half Time: 1 - 0
In the second minute of this second half Kidlington definitely should have been awarded a penalty. Mark Flanagan was un-ceremoniously brought down from behind. Mystifyingly match referee Kieran Bushnell waved play on. In the 55th minute only a brilliant save from Jones denied Adam Lovegrove a goal when he dived full length to push his shot round the post. Kidlington were having their best period of the match and deservedly scored a stunning equalizer. Some good work on the left flank allowed the skilful Flanagan to deliver the perfect cross for returning Jimmy Deabill to power a header into the net for 1 – 1. Shortly after this Flanagan headed over from a cross from a free kick by Kieran Sanders. This free kick was given for a terrible challenge by Bicester’s Mike Spaull who undoubtedly should have received a red card for such an appalling two footed lunge. After this Kidlington seemed to start losing their way and in a rare attack Bicester substitute Rob Johnson was upended by Ben Willoughby in the penalty area. Referee Bushnell rightly awarded the hosts a spot kick and dismissed Willoughby with a second yellow. McCoy took the penalty and looked to have mishit his shot, but the ball bounced horribly in front of McNamara and it was 2 – 1. The game was now one of attrition which suited Bicester. Kidlington were inexplicably light weight especially in the middle of the park and this was costing them dearly. With only 10 men Kidlington were up against it and hardly got into a goal scoring position, where as Bicester were battling for their lives and were first to the ball on every occasion. Time eventually ran out for Kidlington and Bicester had a justifiably taken the 3 points.
This was an extremely disappointing performance from Kidlington and compounded in the club house after learning the results from other teams around them in the table. Several key players missing this afternoon certainly didn’t help, but in saying this sometimes you have to roll up your sleeves and complete. Just being able to pass the ball around certainly won’t win you every game as this proved, you have to get stuck in! To lose a player to a sending off is one thing but to lose the midfield battle against a bottom of the table side is inexcusable.
Certainly more grit and determination is required in situations like this and with Wantage next, let’s hope for something a lot different from this diabolical display, hopefully the return of Jack Quainton and Mark Baker will be the catalyst for this.

Binfield 3-1 Shortwood United
“Moles upset the formbook”
This was a convincing win against title contenders Shortwood United. Ian Davies secured the win with a debut home goal near the end after an own goal and a free kick from Carl Withers had given the Moles a 2-0 lead early in the second half.  
McLurg and Tallentire stayed with the starting line-up that had done well at Fairford a week ago. Callum Whitty accompanied Ian Davies up front and James Suarez and Carl Withers continued in the centre of midfield. Tim Walsh and Scott Williams played wide and James Partridge, Garry Callaway, Ryan Millward and Dave Fenton lined up in front of Chris Adams.
The visitors looked skilful and robust from the first whistle with Matthew Collins looking the pick of their players and it wasn’t long before the Shortwood secret weapon, Luke Bennyworth showed just how far he could fling a throw in!  The sides were trading attacks with Suarez and Withers keeping Scotty Williams very busy down the left. He had a great chance to open the scoring on 17 minutes but his shot went beyond the far post.  A square ball might have put Davies in but it was worth a try. The visiting right back, Parrott received a caution for a very poor challenge on the Binfield winger on the half hour and the foul injured the mercurial Williams causing him to limp out the rest of the half. Striker Andy Hoskins was always a handful but Garry Callaway and Ryan Millward snuffed out the danger when it occurred. Next to Collins, new signing, Kiran Dingrt looked the most dangerous for Shortwood and Fenton was occasionally turned as the nippy right-sided player got in a few dangerous crosses.   On the other side only a cross from Matt Bennett caused Adams in the Binfield goal to take evasive action, tipping over as the ball threatened to drop in. As against Fairford, Binfield hadn’t got used to finding the dangerous Davies who was once again finding space. A competitive and enjoyable half ended goalless and both sides must have been happy with that.
Half Time: 0 - 0
Three minutes into the second half and Binfield took the lead. It was fortuitous but sometimes you need some luck and a mix up in the Shortwood defence led to an own goal on 48 minutes. Just two minutes later Carl Withers extended the lead. The Moles were awarded a free kick 30 yards out. Withers curled the ball round the wall as the ball bounced nobody got to it, including Barrett in the Shortwood goal and it sneaked inside the post to make it 2-0. The double hit was a jolt to Shortwood and they reacted, as you would expect one of the top teams in the league to react.  They immediately put pressure on the Binfield defence and Partridge was called into action using his speed to clear the danger. Just as Shortwood were unlucky with the goals they conceded they were lucky with the opportunity which fell to Collins. Fenton stooped to 18 inches to try and head back to Adams but didn’t connect properly and Collins was on it in a flash to lash home from 4 yards. Danny Wing had replaced Scotty Williams, injured by Parrott’s foul, after half time and he immediately started to cause the visitors problems down the left.  Shortwood were really pressing Binfield now but the back four, although busy, were keeping them at bay. Partridge was a bundle of energy and Callaway was displaying a captain’s performance. As the half wore on it was clear Binfield needed to add a little more in defence so Nebbett came on in front of the back four, replacing Callum Whitty and leaving Ian Davies as the lone striker. However, the substitution ironically gave Binfield more attacking finesse as the experienced midfield player started to steady Binfield, keeping the ball on the ground and playing some exquisite passes. Davies was getting more ball now and on 77 minutes he beat his man and squared across an open goal with Tim Walsh diving in just too late to increase the lead. The Shortwood threat started to fade and on 87 minutes Nebbett dissected the visiting defence with a fabulous ball to Davies, the best he had received all afternoon. The experienced striker took the ball to the edge of area and shot across the advancing Barrett to make it 3-1. A very well made, and well taken goal. The referee played a full six minutes of added time due to several long stoppages and the game got a little tetchy as Binfield played out the win. The visitors lamented their missing players with Allard, no longer with the club and Casey missing from their recent starting line-ups. 
Once again, Binfield played better against more accomplished opposition. Shortwood are certainly among the best two clubs we have played this season and you would expect them to be very close to promotion again this season.

Binfield 3 Shortwood United 1
Poor performance!!
Shortwood’s crop of injuries came home to roost at Binfield on Saturday as they lost 3-1.  With so many players injured, or carrying knocks, team selection was a problem but all three of the goals Wood conceded were sloppy and too many players had games they will not want to remember.
Overall the team performance was below par. The one positive they can take out of the game was the performance of new signing Kiran Dingri who looked assured in his defensive midfield performance before he had to be taken off with a knock after 71 minutes. Before that he showed that he could be a good prospect with good distribution and he was strong in the tackle.
The first half was even and both sides made a bright start. For Binfield Walsh showed good speed and control while Wood built well from the back. Wood were awarded a free kick in the area after  home keeper Adams handled a back pass but the free kick was blocked and Binfield broke away and Davies raced clear of the Wood defence but wasted the opportunity by blazing over when he only had Barrett to beat. Parrott broke up another attack and found Andy Hoskins but his goal bound effort was blocked. Adams palmed away Bennett’s cross shot and Bennett then fired badly wide when a cross to the unmarked Hoskins might have served his team better. As play swung from end to end Williams drove a shot across Barrett but narrowly wide of the far post. After half an hour Ash Thomas had an effort following a corner cleared off the line. Binfield were quick on the break and just before the interval Barrett saved a low shot from Walsh with his feet.
Half Time: 0 - 0
Wood were very slow out of the blocks in the second half and were 0-2 down within 5 minutes. Just  2 minutes after the restart a free kick was curled in and Luke Benneyworth could not get enough of his head to the ball to clear. The ball looped back off his head and dropped just under the bar for an unfortunate own goal. Barrett then saved from Davies before Wood conceded a second after only 50 minutes. Withers drove in a curling free kick and there seemed ample opportunity to clear but everyone left it and the ball flew in at the far post past Barrett’s despairing drive. Finally Wood started to play. Hoskins got a touch to an Axton free kick and Mish Green just failed to get the necessary touch but on 54 minutes Wood were back in it. Axton sent a ball into the area, Mish Green’s initial effort was blocked by Adams but Collins drove in the rebound. Wood pressed for the equaliser. Hoskins had an effort blocked and again couldn’t squeeze the ball home while Binfield continued to hit Wood on the break with Barrett saving well from Davies when he was through one on one. Millward almost headed the ball into his own net under pressure from Bennett and Hoskins saw a header rebound off the post. After 76 minutes another Walsh free kick cannoned off the Wood post before Davis wrapped the game up after 87 minutes. Again Wood were caught on the break and a diagonal cross field ball found Davies in acres of space and he scored comfortably. There was still time for a massive scrimmage in the Binfield area with several Wood players having efforts blocked and Parrott forced a good save from Adams but Binfield were generally comfortable and deserved their win.
Afterwards John Evans said: “Binfield were the better side on the day and we were poor with too many players off their game. Dingri had an encouraging debut.

Flackwell Heath 2 – 1 Pegasus Junior’s
Pegasus Junior’s travelled to High Wycombe to play Flackwell on a sodden pitch at Wilks Park. The visitors with a decimated side were able to produce a performance with grit and determination but were unable to find the equalising goal after conceding a goal in each half.
Manager Steve Griffiths gave Shane Cuss and Lee Marlow their first start following promising substitute appearance and both acquitted themselves well.  This was a game were goal scoring opportunities were at a premium and the first on target shot came in the thirty third minute when a run by Adam Paget forced an outstanding save by the visitors gloveman Stuart Turin flying to his right.  From the resultant corner kick Lee Thompson poked the ball into the net from close range during a goal line scramble.
Half Time: 1 - 0
Nine minutes into the second period Stuart McLellan got free on the right and from a low cross Thompson guided the ball into the net. This seemed to be a “wake up call” for the visitors who increased the tempo and gained the upper hand.  Richard Harrison set Simon Gwynne free he muscled his way between two defenders before laying the ball into the path of Chris Mortlock, who at full stretch was only able to push the ball past the far goal post. In the eighty eighth minute The Heathens cleared a corner kick to Richard Harrison who played the ball to Gwynne who with his back to goal controlled the ball with one fine movement between his legs into the net. The visitors gave the home fans an anxious last few minutes as they searched for the equalising goal.

Reading Town 0 Highworth Town 1
Despite suffering their second home defeat in succession, Town remain top of the Hellenic League but on current form they are unlikely to stay there for much longer.
Manager Colin Millard’s men look only a shadow of the side that went until December without losing a Premier Division match. Several key players going through a barren patch at the same time with a lack of goals being their main problem. In contrast, second-placed Almondsbury hammered seven past Marlow on Saturday and, with three games in hand, they look well poised to replace Town at the top of the table. Town badly miss the injured Graham Lewis, whose work rate and running off the ball creates scoring opportunities for the rest of the team. But there is now a fear that Lewis will be out for the rest of the season with a knee injury. He is due to see a specialist next week. While not at the peak of their game and on a pitch that wasn’t conducive to long passing, Town still managed to produce some good approach work at Scours Lane, but their finishing was poor. They lacked ideas in the final third of the field and, like Ardley had the previous week, Highworth’s defence was able to comfortably keep the home forwards at bay. Midfielder Ian Brooks was pushed up front and he had an early chance, only for keeper Adam Miller to get down quickly to block his attempt. But it was Highworth, looking to avenge their 4-2 home defeat on Boxing Day, who created the better scoring opportunities in the opening 30 minutes. Yet Town were not far away from taking the lead just before half-time. Danny Williamson won the ball and forced his way past two opponents before firing inches wide of the far post. Town made an encouraging start to the second half, but without looking like scoring, and Highworth were the more threatening. Blaine Fitzgerald set up a good chance for Tony Bohane, but his attempted volley caused keeper Chris Grace no problems. Grace, however, was left with no chance in the 66th minute. His defence failed to pick up Tom Cole as Tony Joyce floated over a cross and the Highworth skipper was unchallenged as he headed powerfully into the net. Millard sent on strikers Ian Harvey and Dwayne Hamilton, but Town never looked like getting an equaliser. Williamson appeared to be pulled down as he raced towards the area, but appeals for a foul were waived aside by the referee. Town are home again next Saturday, this time to Witney United.

HOOK NORTON 2 ABINGDON TOWN 3
On the day when Manager Dave Risato officially announced that he has handed over the reins of Hooky’s Premier Division team to the capable hands of his assistant Mark Boyland due to the pressure of family commitments, the North Oxfordshire team slipped to yet another defeat in its dismal season so far.
The situation was not helped in this match with the absence of captain Dave Buckwell, serving a one match suspension, and the absence of French player Eric Laborieux, although there were welcome returns for Anton Sambrook, Lewis Edwards and Mike Kenny.
Following a heavy overnight frost, the centre third of the pitch was extremely heavy and, as the match wore on, the whole pitch rendered good passing football a near impossibility. Be that as it may, the visitors started strongly and dominated for much of the first half hour but they let themselves down by being caught off-side time and time again, with the experienced Mark Simms being a frequent offender. When Town did eventually go ahead, it came their way by a piece of good fortune when an attempted Hooky clearance on the right side, well outside the penalty area, cannoned back off a player into the path of a grateful Lance Williams who had a simple tap in for the first goal on 31 minutes. Then, just as it appeared that this solitary goal was going to be the only difference between the two teams at the break, Stuart Douglas headed home from a right wing corner on the stroke of half time.
Half Time: 0 - 2
Kicking uphill in the second half, Hooky started with greater resolve and were rewarded on 51 minutes when leading scorer Pete Moulder volleyed superbly into the top right hand corner of the net from near to the edge of the penalty area. Shortly afterwards, substitute Ben Spiero looked favourite to equalise when he advanced into the penalty area from the left side but the visiting keeper did well to block his shot. From this point onwards until near to the end of the match, Hooky allowed Town to come back into the match and paid the penalty when Alex Mott scored after 82 minutes after the ball was played down the visitors’ left wing. Then, with the final seconds ticking away, Moulder grabbed his second goal on 90 minutes, following good approach work by Spiero on the left, after which frantic efforts by the home team weren’t quite good enough to earn them an equaliser.

Wantage Town 2 – 2 Old Woodstock Town
Lucky Wantage scrape a point
         An under par performance from Wantage on an extremely difficult surface, against a lively and well organised Old Woodstock, produced an action packed game when viewed from the terraces, and left the visitors justifiably upset that they did not capture all of the points.
From the start, Old Woodstock threatened and as early as the 7th minute they had the ball in the net as the Wantage defence hesitated, only to be ruled out for offside. Wantage responded, Captain Gary Swann hitting the bar with a header from a Tom Austin corner in the 11th minute. Possession was evenly balanced as the half developed, both sides struggling to get the ball to flow through a very sticky midfield. On 27 minutes, Rhys Denton put the visitors ahead, slipping past the Wantage back three with ease and showing composure in front of goal as he drove past Wantage keeper Rob Durrant into the goal. Wantage pressed as the half drew to an end and were rewarded on the point of half-time, when Gavin Jones broke of the left, his cross being spilt by Old Woodstock keeper Dan Smith into the path of Wantage striker Richie Claydon who drove the ball back past the keeper to put the home side on level terms. 
Half Time: 1 - 1
The second half reflected the first as both sides failed to make enough use of the flanks where the pitch was in better condition. Richie Claydon drove wide after being let in by an Old Woodstock defensive error. Ten minutes into the half Old Woodstock defender Tony Booker broke forward and put the visitors ahead with a 30 yards shot that screamed past Rob Durrant into the Wantage goal. The goal sparked Wantage and Old Woodstock did well to resist a period of homeside pressure. In the 65th minute, a Tom Malton drive from the edge of the box was well saved by Dan Smith after Richard Claydon’s free kick had been charged down. Five minutes later Wantage had a goal disallowed, Gavin Jones effort ruled out when the Referee adjudged Richard Claydon to be off-side, the Wantage striker standing on the goal line with two Old Woodstock defenders alongside him. In the 78th minute, substitute Matty Horsell was hauled down as he was about to strike from close-in but again the official ruled against the homeside. With game into its last action packed five minutes, Old Woodstock keeper Dan Smith atoned for his error at the end of the first half, saving brilliantly from Wantage substitute Sean McKeon, the keeper deflecting the striker’s well hit shot over the bar. With the supporters beginning to look at their watches, Wantage Captain Gary Swann cleanly met a Tom Austin corner, heading past Smith to put the homeside back on level terms. Well into added time, the action switched to the other end, Swann moving from hero to villain as he conceded a penalty with only seconds left on the clock. Old Woodstock Captain Ben Thomas stepped up, only to see his firmly struck spot kick well saved by Wantage keeper Rob Durrant.
With games coming thick and fast, two and sometimes three a week throughout March and April, the top positions in the table are not guaranteed. Time will tell whether Wantage have the quality and robustness to remain in the top three.
On this showing they will need to step up their game. Next week they travel to Kidlington on Tuesday, and entertain Shortwood at Alfredian Park on Saturday. Another important week ahead.

Division ONE WEST
CHELTENHAM SARACENS.2 – 0 PURTON 
A goal after just 5 minutes and another after 76 minutes ended Purton's run of 17 league games without defeat against Cheltenham Saracens.
Early on in the season Purton won the home game 5-1 but the Saracens now a much stronger outfit fully deserved their win that saw them go top of the table and knocked Purton down to 3rd place the Saracens a point better off but having played three games more. Purton did get chances in the match but the home side also might well have had more than the two scored as they were guilty of a few misses. Both the Saracens goals came from Surcombe crosses that Hammond headed home clinically and Hammond might well have doubled that total but for a bad miss and a good stop by Purton keeper Farrell. Purton’s Day had a shot blocked on the line and Avenall another and Avenall will be disappointed he did not head home a great Day cross in the first half.
Half Time: 1 - 0
Some great saves particularly in the 2nd half late on when he denied Coole and Fuller the home keeper Gilder caused a lot of problems with his excellent kicking abilities that caused Purton problems throughout the match.
Purton will be bitterly disappointed in this defeat but to be fair on the day they performed second best and can have no complaints. The remedy for them is to pick them selves up and hopefully get back on track on the 27th of February when they play hosts to Easington Sports from Banbury

Cirencester United 2 – 4 Letcombe
Letcombe produced one of their worst performances of the season against lowly Cirencester United, and were somewhat fortunate to gain all three points.   Despite dominating the opening exchanges territorially, Letcombe failed to trouble the Cirencester keeper, and were made to pay in the 14th minute when Letcombe failed to clear the ball and Paul Patel showed how it should be done to give Cirencester the lead.   They could have scored two more in the next ten minutes when clearances twice hit Cirencester forwards and rebounded over the head of stranded keeper Simon Byrne, but one hit the bar and the other hit the post.   Just before half time a Cirencester player had to leave the field with a bleeding nose, and Letcombe scored twice whilst they were a man short.   Adam Pendell headed home from a Luke Faircloth cross, and Pete Horswell gave Letcombe the lead on the stroke of half time.
Half Time: 1 - 2
Despite strong words at the interval, the Letcombe performance did not improve, and Dan Cooper equalized for Cirencester from close range.   Adam Pendell restored Letcombe`s lead from the penalty spot after Mark Denny had been fouled, and he had a great chance to complete his hat trick, but volleyed over the bar.   Cirencester looked the more likely scorers in the last quarter, and    they hit the post from a free kick before Mark de la Coze made a goal saving tackle.   Pete Horswell added a fourth for Letcombe in the last minute to give the score line a rather flattering look.

Clanfield 2 Trowbridge Town 2
For the second successive Saturday Clanfield finished the game with ten men after Midfielder Adam Little was sent off on the hour after collecting two yellow cards but a late equaliser saw them salvage a point.
Both teams struggled to produce anything of note in the early stages on a wet and heavy pitch that had been played on midweek and had received further heavy rain in between. It was the visitors who took the lead when Dan Crease rounded off a good move by beating home keeper Chris Brain at the far post despite the efforts of Rob Coules to block the shot. Clanfield were back on terms before half time. Good work by Eddie Everett saw Steve Olphert turn the ball past the keeper and as the ball rolled towards the net a Town defender rifled his attempted clearance in to the top corner for a spectacular own goal.
Half Time: 1 - 1
Little, who had been cautioned in the first half, received his second yellow card after a foul and was dismissed by excellent young Referee Adam Bayliss who really had little option. As with the previous week the Clanfield management made a number of tactical changes but it was Trowbridge who looked likely to take all three points when Ali Jaffari steered the ball home after Brain had saved brilliantly from the first effort. Clanfield were not however to be denied and after the visitors partially cleared a corner Coules crossed the ball into the box for Karl Dickinson to head powerfully home. Dickinson was on the spot again in stoppage time but his header this time was saved.

Launton Sports 1 - 4 Headington Amateurs
The Amateurs recorded their first win of 2010 with this comprehensive, if somewhat laboured win over a spirited Launton, a Luke Cuff hat-trick the highlight of the day.
A heavy pitch made passing difficult, Headington attempting to spread the ball wide as often as possible, but a move through the middle produced the first goal, Aftab Hafiz brought down as he moved on to Shaun Jacobs through ball. Neil Lockhart dispatched the resulting penalty with 10 minutes on the clock. Within a minute the visitors had doubled their lead, Ollie Zaja charging down an attempted clearance & Luke Cuff pouncing on the loose ball for his first goal. Cuff had his second & Headingtons third after 26 minutes, Jacobs pulling down Harry Jenkins long clearance & feeding Cuff for a simple finish.
Half time 0 - 3
The second half was a stodgy affair as both teams became bogged down in a midfield battle, but basement club Launton were rewarded for their effort when Dan Sweeney pulled a goal back on 78 minutes. This seemed to be the wake up call that Headington needed & after they had spurned several opportunities Cuff wrapped up the points as he completed his hat trick with two minutes of normal time left.

Wootton Bassett 1 Cricklade Town 2
On a heavy and wet pitch not suited to the purists who like football played the Arsenal way, Bassett and Cricklade locked horns in their second derby encounter of the season, both side almost at full strength with only Shand for Bassett and Fisher for Cricklade out for differing reasons.
Aaron Maximen scored his first Hellenic League goal for Cricklade as Jackson’s side won the local derby. The Cricklade striker lashed home a vicious 20-yard effort with just 23 minutes remaining to Cricklade their first win in 9 games while ensuring Dave Turner’s side slumped to only their third defeat the season, with two of them coming at the hands of Cricklade. Cricklade started the better of the two sides and took the lead as early as the first minute through Sam Reason, Cricklade moved the ball early to Adam O’Bree who tormented the Bassett rear guard running down the left wing before cutting into the box on Bassett’s by-line, taking out three defenders with a few quick turns before driving the ball across the box straight at Thompson in the Bassett goal, Thompson who was unable to stop the ball going through his legs along the goal line, leaving Sam with the easiest of tap-ins. The first 20 minutes were dominated by Cricklade, the early goal looked to have stunned Bassett who could not get a grip on the game, Cricklade created 3 or 4 chances to increase the lead, Blankley with a 25 yard shot that only missed the right hand side of the net by a yard, Maximen, Leslie and Reason also went close. Bassett looked to have woken up after the 25 minutes and looked an even match for Cricklade in the possession department, and created a couple of good openings as both teams looked to try and get the upper hand, Byfield went close for Bassett bringing a good save out of Goodey after being put through, Oram then headed over from 10 yards from a corner, and this is where Bassett looked most dangerous. With half time approaching on a pitch that was deteriorating with every minute both teams looked comfortable at the back, with Cricklade Happy to soak up the pressure and allow Bassett to come at them and to try and hit them on the break.
Half Time: 0 - 1
Turner sent his team out on a mission for the second half as the home started well breaking down Cricklade’s right hand side, after a foul by Moulden Wootton Bassett were awarded with a free kick, the ball was sent into the Cricklade front post where it was flicked on by the unfortunate Moulden straight on the knee of Philpott as the ball end-up in the Cricklade net. Due to injury Green was replaced by Murdock at right back. The game was now on; Cricklade reaction was good as they started to exert pressure back on Bassett, and looked the more lightly to score, but time aftertime after getting into good positions the final ball was poor. After a good move through midfield Maximen broke free of the Bassett defence only to screw his shot wide, then minutes later was sent free again and brought a good save out of Thompson in the Bassett goal, when a simple pass inside would have give Winchcombe an easy tap in, Leslie then had to depart for Ratcliffe due to injury. With Bassett on danger looking to come from set pieces it was Moulden and Davies that stepped up to the mark and kept their chances to only half chances, with Goodey in the Cricklade goal only called on occasional to make any saves. On 67 minutes the lead was once again restored, it was started by Winchcombe tracking back to slide in and win the ball on the half way line, and release Blankley to get down the line a cross, the clearance fell to Maximen on the edge of the box who brought it down and rifled it into the bottom corner. The game then changed with Bassett trying to exert pressure on the Cricklade backline, but it was pressure that they dealt with, and then turned into counter attacks, with Winchcombe sent through on the keeper twice, both times getting around the keep but both time failing to hit the net, with screwing one wide after the goal was open, to pushing the ball to wide on the other occasion and not find a green shirt when squaring it. Cricklade then closed the game out, and it was difficult to argue that it was a fair result, and possibly should have been a win by a bigger margin on chances created. Any neutral watching would have through it was Cricklade in third place and not Bassett on the performance.

Division ONE EAST
Holyport 4 – 1 Didcot Reserves
PORT CONTINUE THEIR PUSH FOR PROMOTION
Port were without Captain Aaron Lennon and forward Lewis Driver but started brightly against a Didcot team that had taken the scalp of Milton United in the week. The Didcot keeper Bucknor was thwarting the Port forwards with some fine saves but the ever sharp Hanscombe Ports leading scorer was homing in on goal and the defender conceeded a penalty as he was about to slot home, Hanscombe put the ball on the spot but a great save by Bucknor rebounded to Jamie Wright who netted on his return to the first eleven to give Port a deserved lead. Didcot who were playing some tidy football pounced on a by Collis in goal to equalise after 29 minutes. Port try as they may to regain the lead before half time could find no way through the Didcot defence.
Half Time: 1 - 1
Didcot gained confidence and continued their neat passing game but man of the match defender Nathan Lishman ably assisted by Ovens. Reeve and Ackerman formed a formidable wall and Didcot could make no headway. Manager Andrews then made a tactical switch bringing on young Lee Jerum and his nonstop running added more energy to Ports game and after sustained pressure Jamie Hanscombe scored after 62 minutes to put Port back in front followed by Jerum who scored with an unstoppable shot after 70 minutes and Raplys fine goal on 85 minutes to give Port a forth and three points.
Port are now only four points behind Wokingham & Embrook who dropped two points against Henley Town

Milton United 2 – 0 Newbury
MILTON STEAL THE POINTS IN LOCAL DERBY
Milton bounced back from their defeat on Tuesday night with a 2-0 win against Newbury at The Heights on Saturday with two late goals from Concannon and Wilkinson securing the points for the home side.
Considering the rain and frost in the previous days, the pitch was in good condition and the visitors soon settled down and should have taken the lead within the first ten minutes with only a fine save from Steve Howe in the Milton goal and 3 goal line clearances keeping the scores level. The Milton midfield did not settle into their normal rhythm and were harried by a Newbury team that seemed to belay their lowly position in the league. The visitors played the offside trap very well and the speedy Milton strikers were continually caught out but some of the decisions were very tight and Ryan Williams was clear on goal when the Assistant referee belated raised his flag. Their was not much actual goalmouth action in the first half as the match was interrupted by too many stoppages from free kicks which neither side could take advantage of.
HALF TIME 0-0
The second half started better for the home side and they finally started to threaten Newbury’s goal but once again the final pass could not be converted into a goal. The visitors always looked dangerous on the break with Chris Blackford splaying passes to the ever dangerous Kalief Madden or Luke Ramos to run onto but they could not find a way past the resolute Milton defence. After an hour Milton manager Bobby Wilkinson brought himself on to add some fresh legs and this substitution seemed to work as the home side pushed for the winner. The Milton midfielder Kirk Willmoth broke forward well and shot from the edge of the area which was well saved by Kenny Taylor in the Newbury goal but Wilkinson was free and screaming for a pass in the six yard box. The visitors still looked dangerous on the break but it was the home side that got the important first goal in the 82nd minute when Wilkinson delivered the ball to an unmarked IAN CONCANNON in the area who duly put the ball into the back of the net. Newbury pushed forward to try and get the equaliser, but Milton held firm and were determined to keep a clean sheet and they broke away and scored their second goal in the 90th minute when the ball came in from the right and BOBBY WILKINSON finished the move with a well taken shot from just inside the area.

Woodley Town 2 – 0 Penn & Tylers Green
Woodley faced Penn and Tylers Green at home and were looking to retain third position with a win against the side laying bottom in the table.  Penn, who had only lost three of their last nine matches, came with an organised side and made Woodley work hard to gain any headway in the game.
The opening period was dominated by the midfield with few chances being created.  However, the best fell to Town’s Jamie Fairchild on fifteen minutes but his control, turn and shot came to nothing. Luke Williams was enjoying space on the left flank but was frustrated when the ball was cut back to him and he miscued his shot. Woodley did take the lead though through Dan Jewell on twenty five minutes. Chris Hatton bustled his way into the penalty area and the ball broke for Jewell to score from five yards.  The lead should have been increased two minutes later as Woodley broke away quickly through Fairchild who found Carl Davies who in turn saw his lob cleared of the goal line by an outstretched defender. With the game starting to open up Oneal Garnes was required to save at point blank range from Green’s Ricci Putnam on thirty five minutes while at the other end Luke Williams picked out Nick Edwards at the far post but with the goal at his mercy the midfielder some how missed the target.
Sensing that Woodley were unable to put the game beyond them, Penn & Tylers continued to rally and enjoyed the best of the final ten minutes of the half.  Garnes and Andrew Nunn combined to block and effort while Garnes comfortably saved Andy Savage’s free kick.
Half Time: 0 - 0
After a fairly even first half, Woodley took control of the game in the second forty five minutes with Carl Davies coming into the game and causing problems for Penn in the final third.  Craig Hiscock had a free header tipped over by the Penn goalkeeper John Harding and Fairchild had a shot go just wide from a good position. Davies then made it two – nil on sixty five minutes as he held off a defender who had his arm all over Davies to beat Harding to continue his recent purple patch. Woodley had other near misses by Sam Cripps and Davies again but a harsh penalty awarded to Penn and Tylers, for a Warren Baxter handball as he slid in to make a tackle, meant with fifteen minutes remaining the away side had a route back into the game. However, Chris Hurst hit the post and Woodley did not really get threatened again and next travel to Premier Division high flyers Witney United on Tuesday evening in a 2nd Round Bluefin Insurance Brokers Challenge Cup tie.

Reserve Section
Fairford Town 2 - 4 Hungerford Town
Three Shaun Thorp goals made sure of the points in a crucial away game to Fairford.
Fairford started off brightly on a poor pitch and after 5 minutes found themselves a goal to the good. A good cross from the right was met with a late run into the box at the far post and a bullet header flew past Davis in goal. Hungerford had to make changes at the back after 10 minutes, when Mark Jones groin injury got the better of him again. Putting Chris Collins back to sweep saw Danny Pearce come into Midfield. The tables were to turn, when a head butt from the Fairford centre back on Darren Jones resulted in a red card on 10 minutes. It wasn't long then until the scores were level when a foul on Dyke in the box resulted in a Penalty from which Thorpe smashed in the bottom left corner. There were suggestions of a dive from Dyke, but a silly challenge none the less. Fairford were frustrated and their lack of discipline was starting to shine through, with a man down and four booking, they were lucky to remain with ten men when the already booked number 9 abused the Hungerford linesman, but the referee had not heard anything and continued with a ticking off. Hungerford were on top and Thorp got his second of the afternoon, a long ball over the top from Collins saw Thorp beat the offside trap and was through on goal, a neat laced shot pass the keeper into the bottom right hand corner. Thorp had previously seen chances like this missed against Henley some weeks ago, but clearly a midweek hat-trick gave him the confidence he needed. With five minutes to run until halftime stand in captain Gareth Brown scored the third with a powerful attacking header. Some good work again from Dyke on the right of midfield saw him beat two players and deliver an inch perfect ball where Brown rose and headed the ball past the keeper. Town did have other chances, Glen Head hitting the bar from another Dyke cross and Danny Pearce nearly making contact with a scissor kick but it wasn't to be. Hungerford went in at Halftime 3-1 not to the pleasure of the Fairford Manager who abused the Hungerford Linesman calling him disgraceful, however once again video replays proved him wrong.
Half Time: 1 - 3
In the second half Thorp managed his hat-trick where he raced to get to the ball before the oncoming keeper, Thorp managed to a get foot to the ball pushing it round the keeper and firing into an empty net. Fairford were to get a second goal after the sun had confused the referee, when the Linesman had flagged for a free kick to Hungerford, but the referee had given it to Fairford. With a dangerous delivery and a good header they managed to get one back, but this was to be their only two chances off the game. With ten men for 80 minutes this was always going to be tough, but Hungerford proved too good to handle and the in form Thorp who has now scored 16 in 17 league appearances leaving him 3 behind Lewis Frostick at Finchampstead.
Trumper said at the end of the game:
"Another great result today, I am pleased with all the players as we had to make some changes through injuries, but they all did a good job. Fairford to their credit battled for 90 minutes but the lack of discipline gave us the advantage, the lost it in the first 45 minutes and we took advantage. We now look forward to getting revenge next week at Abingdon United and should have some players back from injury."