25th to 27th January

PREMIER Division
OLD WOODSTOCK TOWN 1 HOOK NORTON 2
Hooky welcomed back into the fold new signing from Banbury United, Mark Essex  for the league encounter at Oxford Road, Bicester against Old Woodstock Town who comprehensively defeated the Brewery Boys at The Bourne on Boxing Day earlier this season.
Whilst the home team, once again, dominated play, particularly in the first half with neat passing football, the match on this occasion was a closer affair with Hooky finally securing all 3 points, courtesy of a gutsy second half performance which saw them hang in when under the cosh and then steal the points at the death with two well taken goals.
The first half was nearly all Old Woodstock who played exciting football, especially in midfield, but let themselves down when in the last third of the pitch. Unfortunately for them also, they came up against an opposing ‘keeper, Joe White, who was absolutely brilliant, saving Hooky time and time again with superb saves and interceptions, with the exception of in the 26th minute when Rhys Denton beat him with a well placed acute angle shot from the left when Hooky were reduced to 10 men, following an injury to Ashley Prentice who was subsequently replaced by Lewis Edwards
Half Time: Old Woodstock Town 1 Hook Norton 0
The second half saw Hooky kicking up the hill and having had the benefit of a sound tactical talk from managers, Mark Boyland and Dave Risato. As a result, even after
Tony Beckham replaced Matty Travers and Oliver Brotherston replaced Essex, the
North Oxfordshire team suddenly developed belief in themselves and came more and more into the game, with captain Dave Buckwell converting a left wing cross from Pete Moulder for their first goal after 64 minutes and Beckham opportunistically lobbing the home ‘keeper for the winner with just 2 minutes of the match remaining. The nature of this win will give Hooky much confidence for the remaining matches of this season.

Wantage Town 3 – 1 Ascot United
Wantage leave it late to overcome hardworking Ascot.
         The fat lady was practising her scales, when in the 88th minute Wantage central defender and Captain Gary Swann made his way into Ascot’s penalty area for Wantage’s umpteenth corner. As Tom Austin’s perfectly delivered cross arrived in the box, Ascot keeper Jon Keough’s momentary hesitation allowed Swann the inch of space required to glance the ball past the big visiting keeper and into the net to give the home side the lead. As the Referee Ben Whitty counted down the final few seconds of the game, Tom Austin broke clear and slipped the ball past Keough for the home side’s third, to produce a result that disguised a hardworking and resilient performance from Ascot, who had frustrated Wantage for 87 minutes. Ascot created very few chances in either half, but their packed midfield and disciplined defence continually got in the way of Wantage’s patient build-up play, the home side being forced into making errors, particularly in respect of making the final pass tell.
The first half opened with Wantage conceding an early goal. As the Wantage defence failed to deal with an innocuous cross, the ball fell to Sam McIntyre, who prodded the ball back past Rob Durrant in the Wantage goal to give the visitors the lead in the 4th minute. Wantage responded, keeping possession but unable to break down the well drilled Ascot defence. Wantage front men Richard Claydon and Sean McKeon spent a great deal of time receiving the ball with their backs to goal, but were unable to turn a resolute Ascot defence, until the 40th minute when Claydon’s quick turn and dash into the box resulted in a trip, the Referee and the Assistant Referee both immediately indicating a penalty. Claydon stepped up to coolly strike the spot kick past Keough, the prolific striker converting his 8th spot kick of the season. Two minutes later, Wantage should have increased their lead, Ellis Langford receiving a perfectly flighted pass from Claydon to find himself one on one with Ascot keeper Jon Keough, who managed to deflect Langford’s shot just past the wrong side of the post.                     
 Half Time: 1 - 1
The second half was all Wantage as the visitors fell back in numbers to protect their point. Wantage keeper Rob Durrant had a battle to keep warm in the sub-zero temperature, his only action being to deal with a couple of back passes. But at the other end Wantage could not penetrate an industrious Ascot defence. A series of corners were cleared with the home side unable to turn opportunity into threat. A couple of chances fell to Sean McKeon but the striker’s efforts failed to find the target. In the 70th minute, Richard Claydon broke clear of his marker and hit a perfect shot only for Jon Keough to save brilliantly, diving to his left. As the small but loyal band of home support stamped their feet in the freezing air and assumed a drawn result, the game moved into those crazy last couple of minutes, proving that it is not all over until the fat lady sings.
To their credit, this Wantage squad does not give up, and maintaining their patient build-up play, they have the ability to keep pressure on for 90 minutes. In a game well managed by Referee Ben Whitty, and played on another well prepared surface, Wantage reinforced their 2nd spot position in the league, and can now look forward to the visit of Witney United on Saturday (30th Jan), another recently re-arranged fixture.  

Bluefin Hellenic Challenge Cup 1st Round
Marlow United 3 Farnborough Res 3 aet Marlow win 4-2 on penalties

Marlow were taken into extra time for the second time in a week, this time eventually winning through to the second round of the Challenge Cup as keeper Carl Murray produced two superb saves in the penalty shoot out to consign a youthful Farnborough team to defeat.
The home team made a quick start taking the lead on 3 minutes as a poor back pass allowed Harman the opportunity to beat keeper Scott to the ball only to be felled by full back Woods.
The defender received a yellow card and Ben Filmore then placed the spot kick past Scott.
Farnborough looked rattled for a time but soon regained their composure and deservedly equalised on 8 minutes as Luke King met a free quick from the left, heading home as the Marlow defence looked on.
The away side were passing the ball quickly and accurately and Marlow were looking like a side short of match practice as they struggled to contain Farnborough.
They were unlucky not to take the lead on 21 minutes though as Ollie Flint fired in a tremendous volley only for Scott to produce a great save, pushing the ball onto the post and out for a corner.
Farnborough took the lead on 26 minutes with King again heading home unchallenged following a cross from the right.
The same player then hit the post as the away team threatened to further increase their lead.
Marlow upped the tempo as the half closed winning a series of free kicks and corners but failing to threaten the Farnborough goal.
HT 1-2
The second period took a little time to come to life but it was the home team who eventually broke the deadlock with Adam Harman playing James Flint into space, the Marlow forward smashing the ball past Scott to equalise on 54 minutes.
United began to impose themselves on the youthful Farnborough team, Middleton replacing Rowley in midfield, and Sam Walters missed a great opportunity on 58 minutes firing over Flint’s cross from 6 yards.
That only delayed the third goal by three minutes as James Flint notched his second and Marlow’s third following a through ball from Filmore that found the forward unmarked in the area.
Farnborough refused to go quietly and 75 minutes they were level as King swept home the ball from the right of the area following a cross from the left to notch his hat trick.
United had their hearts in their mouths on full time as Murray took an age too get down to a low shot and then had to defend a corner as the whistle went.
FT 3-3

Marlow looked the more likely winners in extra time with Walters again missing a great opportunity, failing to convert Ollie Flint’s cross when unmarked in the area.
Harman saw a volley tipped over as the tie ended all square and went to a penalty shoot out.
Although Dan Flint fired over Ben Filmore, Ollie Flint and Adam Harman all converted whist keeper Murray made two saves allowing Jamie West to slot home and win the tie for United by 4 penalties to 2.
Marlow now go on to a home game against in form Slimbridge of Div 1 West for a place in the last eight on 9th February.

Chairman’s Reserve Challenge Cup
Henley Town 1 - 2 Hungerford Town
The Crusaders go marching into the next round....
The Crusader’s in truth outplayed their opponents, but missed chances made it too close for comfort.
Henley were always going to be tough opposition but Hungerford played out of their skin and if it weren't for missed chances & a great keeping display the score line could have been double figures. Hungerford were under instruction to allow Henley no time on the ball because if allowed to play then they will score goals. With Ponsford and Willmoth in the centre of the park, Trumper & Cook were looking for both to break up play and get the ball flowing. They did this from the start and found Shaun Dyke on the right side numerous times with some great balls; dyke delivered some great balls into the box but was frustrated with the lack of anyone getting on the end of them. It was Dyke who should of put Town a goal to the good in the opening 10 minutes, when a ball from Benham on the left found Dyke on the penalty spot, instead of heading the ball first time, Dyke delightfully controlled the ball and hit it on the volley but couldn't keep the ball down. It was 5 minutes later and Dyke delivered another cross in from the right, this time a deflection found Thorpe at the far post to header into an empty net, but Thorpe could only find the side netting. Benham also had a chance with his head but never really connected with the ball and it flew wide. Town should have been three up and it was obvious what was going to happen next. Henley found space in the middle and threaded the ball through to their attacker; Dominic Green rushed out and made a block but the rebound fell kindly to the striker who finished into an empty net.
Half Time: 1 - 0
In the second half Town were attacking down the slight slope and created chances from the start, Thorpe had three one on ones and should of at least taken one of them but with the keeper making some great saves, MOTM Lloyd Ponsford struck a 25 yard shot which looked to be flying into the top corner but again the keeper got across his goal to make a save for the camera's. It was on 65 minutes though when another great move down the right involving the ever present Brizzell, Dyke and Thorpe allowed Thorpe to cross the ball from which Benham found his header this time and into the net to equalise. During this battle Henley were still in the game, although we created chances you felt one mistake and Henley would capitalise. Brizzell, Mandry, Head and Brown all did their jobs well, with Darren Jones out of position on the left of midfield also becoming a major part of the defensive duties.
It was however to be The Crusaders night after another move on the right the ball coming in from Dyke and Benham struck home on the half volley from the penalty spot.
In truth Town had some great chances and could of been double figures, but credit to Henley they battled and made sure Hungerford had to be alert at all times.
The victory puts Hungerford into the Semi Finals and awaits their opponents.
This was probably the best performance of the season a great game, great attitude and a great result. Ponsford stuck out in the middle of the park, he did not stop running and stopped everything that came his way and was given the Man of the Match, but credit to every individual who played a huge part in the victory.

County Cup Competition’s
Oxfordshire Senior Cup Quarter Final
Kidlington 2 – 3 Oxford United (aet)
Attendance 578
Brave Kidlington denied by Turley brilliance
In a pulsating cup tie here at Yarnton Road Kidlington were extremely unlucky to loose to a very strong Oxford United side. Kidlington led twice but were pegged back and finally undone by a Franny Green goal in extra time. If you ever wanted an advert for Hellenic League football then this was certainly it. Kidlington stretched their more illustrious neighbours to the limit and you really couldn’t tell which was higher league team over the 120 minutes
United applied the early pressure and the first real chance of the match fell to Jamie Cook from a free kick. Cook whipped the ball in well, but Kiddy Keeper Rob Hamling was equal to it. Soon after this a fine ball turned inside found Oxford’s Richard Groves but he shot wide from the edge of the box. After Oxford’s early dominance Kidlington began to peg the visitors back. Lewis Coyle saw a powerful shot whistle over Billy Turley’s bar, after that Turley was tested twice in a matter of minutes, firstly by Luke Holden and then Mark Baker. Both times the experienced keeper pulled of excellent saves. It was now Kidlington making all the running and on 35minutes they took the lead. United defenders, Adam Chapman's and Henry Owen got themselves in a pickle and Jack Quainton was able to rob the ball away from Owen. Quainton ran at goal and drew Turley, as the keeper came out he squared the ball to Holden. Holden shot but the outstanding Turley got a hand to it, quick as a flash Quainton was onto the loose ball and calmly stroked the ball home. Shortly after this, Kieran Sanders delivered a wonderful cross in to the box from the right flank. Holden and Turley went for the ball and Turley managed to tip it behind foe a corner. As we went into added time United were pressing for an equalizer. Jordan Parker who had sustained a cut was requested to leave the field to change from a ‘bloodied shirt’. Whilst he was still trying to get back on United’s Franny Green seized this opportunity. After Chapman’s initial cross was cleared, from the edge of the box Green hit a great strike which Hamling did well to get a hand to, but couldn’t prevent going in to level the score.
Half Time: 1 - 1
In the first 5 minutes of the second half Turley make two tremendous saves again, firstly to deny Baker and then Holden what looked certain goals. From this point Kidlington’s pressure was immense and on 58 minutes they reaped their reward when Jordan Parker prodded the ball home after Turley could only parry a header from Holden. The majority of the largest crowd for many seasons at Yarnton Road when crazy as Kidlington’s lead was restored. However, whether it was the shock of leading again but Kidlington allowed United to level again only a minute later. James Dobson whipped in a decent cross from the left which was brilliantly controlled by Jamie Cook, Cook surged forward and seeing he was unchallenged let fly with a stunning shot which found the far corner of the net with Hamling well beaten. This was a goal worthy of any match anywhere. Franny Green and Matt Green linked up well in the 67th minute, with the latter’s header arcing toward goal until Hamling pawed it away. In the 74th minute Kidlington nearly snatched the league once again. Kieran Sanders again provided a fantastic cross into the box where Baker rose well and headed powerfully for goal. That man Turley was there again to make another telling stop. As we neared the 90 minute mark of this ‘full blooded’ cup tie both teams were battling it out in mid-field and the tie really could have gone either way as both teams had late half chances. As it was neither team could conjure up a winner, so extra time it was.
Full Time: 2 - 2
Into the extra time phase and you could see that Kidlington’s players who had given their all over the 90 minutes were starting to visibly tire. On 102 minutes Franny Green volleyed home at the far stick firing his shot into the roof of the net from the 10 yards out to make it 3-2 and give United the lead for the 1st time in the match. The pace of the game dropped dramatically as two tired teams slugged it out, the second period of extra time will be remembered for two incidents. The first of these was a nasty foul committed by Lee Fowler on James Philpott, for which Fowler received a yellow card, perhaps in other circumstances the punishment would have been more severe?. Philpott had to be carried form the pitch and Kidlington were thus reduced to 10 men. The second of these incidents was the disqualification of what looked a perfectly good goal for Kidlington substituted Lee Rendell. Another of the Kidlington substituted Jack Johnson created the opportunity, Johnsons ball found the onrushing Rendell who out jumped his marker and he powered a header past Turley. He wheeled away in triumph but then inexplicably the official on the far side raised his flag and the goal was chalked off. There was still time for a late effort from Mark Flanagan, but his rasping drive fizzed over Turley’s bar and the referee John Farries brought proceedings to a close.
This had been a great match contested fiercely with no quarter asked or given. Oxford really knew they had been in a battle Royal. On the night United’s Keeper Billy Turley was the difference, he was outstanding, making 4 or 5 fantastic saves which in the end proved decisive.
Their really wasn’t a difference between the two sides out on the pitch and considering the age of the Kidlington team this was a fantastic performance, you could say a coming of age.
All I can add is COYG & roll on Saturday – More of the same please