2nd - 3rd March

Bluefin Insurers Challenge Cup -2nd Round

Shortwood 0 Shrivenham 2

With so many games to play – and not that much time to play them – John Evans rang the changes for this Cup tie and sent out a real squad side as he brought in several players who have featured for the Reserves this season. He has every reason to be proud of their performance as every single one of them gave everything and pushed Shrivenham to the absolute limit. It is fair to say that they were desperately unlucky to lose and on any other day it would be them and not Shrivenham in the next round. The senior players rallied round their team mates and encouraged and cajoled an excellent performance from the side.

Wood introduced Chris Fower – a striker from Hartbury, for his club debut and he looked strong and full of running.

Wood made their intentions clear from the start as Liam Meredith crossed and Jack Price flashed a header narrowly wide and then Fower stung Painter’s hands. Man of the match Jake Parrott was a constant threat all night and his dead ball placement created several chances and Axton headed one such free kick just over. Wood were giving more than a good account of themselves and played fast and fluent football with confidence and it was against the run of play when Shrivenham scored after 19 minutes. Wood were undone by a long ball and Sanders ran through and fired over the advancing Barrett. Shrivenham found themselves pushed onto the back foot as Wood pressed and Price drove the ball into the goal stanchion to give them a real scare.

Wood lost Price and Ryan Meredith with knocks early in the second half but their play was not disrupted. Thwaite came close with one effort, Axton sent a header over the bar and Painter produced a tremendous save to keep out Ed Parsloe’s shot from 8 yards. Shrivenham did not produce any kind of a threat in the second half until the 83rd minute when Bunting sent a volley just over Barrett’s bar. Shortly after Lowe was fortunate to receive only a yellow card for a lunge on Dingri and was even more fortunate minutes later after another challenge on Liam Meredith. Shrivenham broke away after 86 minutes and Barrett saved well from Sanders but this was only a brief respite from the Wood attack and their goal led a charmed life and Wood’s pressure was constant.Bennyworth had a header cleared off the line, Thwaite powered another header just over and Fower rattled the frame of the goal. In the dying seconds Sims thundered a 20 yarder home past Barrett to give the scoreline an unrealistic look.

Premier Division

Ascot United 0 Witney United 1

Witney made their first ever visit to Ascot United’s neat ground on the edge of the famous Racecourse on a freezing evening with a seriously weakened side that included Andy Younie who had already played a full 90 minutes for his University team the same afternoon!

A strong breeze, as well as the freezing temperatures, played a part in a fairly low-key match with neither keeper being overly exerted although both dealt well with the threats their goals did face.

The first clear chance of the match fell to Chris Harper who used all his pace to get onto an Andy Younie through ball but keeper Neil Griffiths did well to turn his shot away for a corner. Just after the half-hour mark Andy Styles played a neat ball into Ani Odihambo but he dragged his shot wide from the corner of the penalty area.

As half-time was about to arrive it was Andy Younie who was the provider again as he fed in Ani Odihambo who just beat the keeper to the ball on the edge of the box but his shot went wide.

Half-time: Ascot United 0 Witney United 0

Almost straight from the kick-off Chris Harper was played in on goal and he calmly slotted the ball home giving Neil Griffiths in the home goal no chance. United nearly lost their lead immediately when, from the restart, Richard Mills had a sharp effort saved by Paul Tassell at the foot of the post.

The game continued without many direct threats on goal although Witney’s front two of Harper and Odihambo were giving the home defence a torrid time with their pace and unstinting work both on and off the ball. At the other end the central defensive paring of Jack Smith and skipper Stuart Cattell were comfortably dealing with the sporadic attacks from the home side.

As Ascot pushed for the equaliser towards the end of the game United threatened to take advantage of the extra space to increase their lead when Gary Wickens made a brilliant individual run on 80 minutes but his clipped cross from the bye-line was headed wide by Ani Odihambo. Five minutes later Dan Walker fed Odihambo on the left wing and, after driving into the box, his reverse ball found Chris Harper who rounded the keeper but the resultant angle was too tight and his shot went across the goal and away to safety.

Carterton 1 Hook Norton 1

A much improved performance from that of Saturday by Hooky saw the Brewery Boys take a deserved point from fellow strugglers Carterton at Kilkenny Lane on a reasonably good surface, given all the wet weather that the area has received of late.

Hooky were once again without the services of French player Eric Laborieux but welcomed back captain Dave Buckwell from his one match suspension. The match also allowed manager Mark Boyland to include 17 years’ old newcomer Harrison Foster for his second consecutive match and, as in Saturday’s match, the young player did not disappoint in a match in which the visitors started well, with Danny Poole working his way into the left side of the penalty area in the first few minutes before having his shot on goal deflected round the post by home ‘keeper James Domm. But, after just 11 minutes, Hooky did go ahead when James Robbins crossed accurately from the right wing to the near post where leading scorer Pete Moulder was first to the ball which he hooked high into the far corner of the net. From this point onwards, Carterton took the play to Hooky, creating a number of chances which they either squandered or in which they were thwarted by the excellent shot-stopping of Joe White. However, after 31 minutes, White was unable to do anything about a well- directed shot from Kevin Lewis which flew into the left side of the Hooky net after good approach work from the same player, following a right wing corner.

Half Time: Carterton 1 Hook Norton 1

The second half was a very even affair, not unlike the first half, with the home team looking marginally more dangerous in attack than Hooky who, nevertheless, created chances of their own, usually as a result of strong right wing runs from the speedy Robbins and the ability of the rangy Moulder to open up goal scoring opportunities for himself and others. That said, Hooky came closest to adding to the score when, on 75 minutes, Foster struck the left angle of the crossbar and the upright with a shot from the edge of the home penalty area. Unfortunately for the visitors, the ball rebounded back into play and the home team were able to clear it.

Kidlington 1 Almondsbury Town 4

After a few below par performances in the last couple of weeks you certainly couldn’t fault the Kidlington player’s effort in this one. With several players still missing because of injury, suspension and general unavailability Manager Gordon Geary again had to shuffle his pack. There were starts for Lee Bolton, Adam Lovegrove & Ben Willoughby, and a tactical change to a more solid looking 5 man midfield.

Almondsbury came out of the blocks fast and pumped up, which possibly explained the outrageous foul on Kiddy’s Mark Flanagan after only 30 seconds. Flanagan was left prostrate and the perpetrator of the foul was extremely lucky not to have received a red card for his transgression. Almondsbury pushed on and came close with a couple of decent efforts in the opening 10 minutes. After this initial flurry Kidlington began to get a foot hold in the match.

A hand ball on the edge of the visitor’s box was spotted by referee Ollie Dolton. Jordan Parker spotted a great opportunity and executed the perfect free kick to give Kidlington the lead in the 14th minute. Diving keeper Start Jones got a hand to the ball but the power of the free kick carried the ball into the back of the net. Kidlington were now having a purple patch. Firstly Jimmy Deabill burst through and only a fantastic save from Jones prevented the hosts going 2 up. Soon afterwards Mark Flanagan who had by now recovered from the knock he received in the opening minutes saw a thunderous shot whistle past Joneses far post.

In the 25th minute Parker found Flanagan in space on the edge of the 18 yard box. The tricky winger beat his man and as Jones came out steered the ball past him. Only a last ditch saving clearance off the line prevented Flanagan increasing Kiddy’s lead.

Almonds were awarded their own free kick just past the half hour. A decent dead ball was delivered into the box which wasn’t cleared. Marcus Mapstone was quickest to react to the situation of the second ball and he fired it into the net from about 8 yards to bring parity to the score line. This was a little deflating for Kidlington as they had general been on top for the last 15 minutes or so.

Just before half time ‘The Almonds’ Dean Griffiths had a goal bound shot from the edge of the area charged down with the ball spinning away for a corner.

H.T. 1 – 1.

Kidlington started this half brightly. A good team move of one touch passing allowed Adam Lovegrove a run at goal from a central position. Lovegrove was closely pursued by a couple of Almondsbury defenders and keeper Jones came racing off his line to confront him. Before the defenders could get to him Lovegrove tried to chip Jones, however the keeper’s reaction was cat like and he managed to get a hand to the ball flicking it up and collecting it at the second attempt.

As we progressed into this second period Almondsbury seemed to find another gear and in was in the 60th minute Aaron Blackmore gave them the lead. He raced onto a ball played over the top and smashed a stunning shot past Tom McNamara. There seemed to be more than a hint of ‘off side’ about this goal but nothing could sway the linesman’s decision!

Almondsbury seemed to take over after this. Nick Dunn hit a cracking shot just over the bar and a couple of minutes later Blackmore from a good position did the same. Kidlington were on the back foot now, though in the 72nd minute Lovegrove managed to conjure a decent effort from distance that shaved the bar.

Jack Johnson replaced Lovegrove on 75 minutes and shortly after this Danny Leggett was injured going into a tackle. Kidlington’s influential Skipper had to be taken off with Nathan Geary coming on to replace him. Kidlington were now hanging on bravely, but ‘The Almonds’ looked powerful and were basically camped in Kidlington territory now. From one of several corners forced during this period defender Lee Bridson blasted home a towering headed goal for 3 – 1.

A late substitution saw Kidlington add an extra attacker to the fray when Steve Litten came on to replace Lee Bolton. Unfortunately it was too late as Kidlington’s spirit already looked to have been broken. Kidlington despite a really decent effort were looking well beaten and it was no real surprise when the visitors added a 4th goal. It came from another set piece corner, and the scorer was Bridson again. He was left all alone in the centre of the goal and he could pick his spot before heading home smartly.

Tonight was a decent effort against a top side, possibly the top side, who knows. Kidlington could and probably should have been 2 – 0 up before ‘The Almonds’ fight back began, but that’s history now. Certainly this was a far better performance and with so many players missing the lads can hold their heads high again.

Malmesbury Victoria 1-3 Binfield

James Rogers and Jack Tallentire came back into the starting line-up for the long trip to picturesque Malmesbury. This was the first action the Vics pitch had seen in over four months and unfortunately the snow and subsequent floods had taken their toll on the quality of the playing surface. However both of the recalled players played well with Rogers complementing Ian Davies in attack and Tallentire renewing last year’s midfield partnership with Steve Nebbett.

The Moles started brightly and it never stopped. Rogers was providing Davies with some good service as was Scott Williams on the left. Binfield had a huge share of the possession in the first half but although they created chances the Vics keeper was more than equal to the challenge. The pitch added to the challenge with bobbles and bumps making accurate passing and shooting difficult. The home side were surprisingly quiet and as the half time whistle blew the Moles’ defence hardly needed a rest.

HT 0-0

The domination continued in the second half and it was just a matter of time before Binfield scored. It happened just four minutes after the break. The surface at the town end of the ground was a little smoother and made passing a little easier. After a multiple exchange of passes in and around the Vics penalty area the ball came to Davies who calmly slotted it past the Vics keeper’s outstretched arm.

The reverse was probably the shock the home side needed because they came more into the game and it was clear Binfield would need another goal to secire a win because Malmesbury were now swinging it wide and long and a break away goal was always on the cards.

In the event the pitch played its part and on 72 minutes an unexpected bounce caught out the Binfield defence and Newton took his chance to equalise. A draw would have been an inaccurate reflection of the play but that’s often the way in football. Goalkeeper errors are usually decisive too and just two minutes later, after having had an excellent game the Vics keeper spilled an innocuous attempt at goal and Davies snapped it up and rolled it into an empty net. Rough luck on the keeper but no more than Binfield deserved.

With a minute to go Suarez made sure the score put a more accurate reflection on the match. This was a much easier win than the1-0 home win against Malmesbury earlier in the season.

Shortwood United 1 Highworth Town 3

Shortwood went down to a second consecutive league defeat and must now consider their chances of winning the league title slim. Manager John Evans summed up this disappointing display aptly: “We had a lot of possession but they were better in the box. A few of my senior players disappointed! Craig Cole was our man of the match – and I would like to say that the officials tonight were excellent.”

Indeed Mr Mizzi had a fine match and his control of the game was excellent. Wood, however, were out of sorts and for all their possession their final ball lacked accuracy. When the ball did reach its target Shortwood’s efforts on goal lacked power or direction and Highworth keeper, Miller, generally had a comfortable evening. Wood even wasted a penalty 10 minutes from the end.

Wood found themselves a goal down after only 3 minutes. A long ball was deflected directly into the path of Fitzgerald who calmly chipped Barrett as he came out to meet him. It should have been worse just one minute later as Wood’s defence was caught square and Town’s Matty Bennett ran through but his shot at Barrett was week. Wood could have equalised after 8 minutes after Mike Green’s corner was flicked on but Casey blazed over the bar. Mike Green had another corner headed off the line and Wood were unable to force the ball home and Casey squandered another good opportunity – heading over from a great position. Time after time Wood wasted the possession they had by crossing either too close to the keeper or by failing to clear the first defender. Highworth looked good on the break, however, when Bennett was given too much room down the left and his curling cross was met by powerful header from Yardley to put the visitors 2-0 up.

Wood huffed and puffed for the remainder of the half. Mish Green beat a defender on the bi line but crossed straight into the arms of the grateful Miller who also saved a free kick from Mike Green.

Benneyworth and Cole provided most of the good running as Wood tried to force their way back into the game in the second period and Collis miss hit cross bounced up off the bar but Casey’s volley was well wide before Wood pulled a goal back after 53 minutes. Mike Green’s corner was headed back to him and his cross was met by Andy Hoskins head. Miller turned his effort onto the post but Axton was on hand to force the ball home. Highworth, however, soon restored their two goal cushion. Again Matty Bennett was given far too much time and space as he went past two defenders before shooting home off the inside of the post. John Evans sent on Parrott, Price and Liam Meredith and Wood took heart from the energy of the young trio. With 10 minutes to go Hoskins shot was handled in the box but Hoskins chipped effort from the spot sailed high and wide.

Highworth had the last word as Barrett was forced into a good save to deny Highworth a fourth.

Division One West

Division One East

Holyport 1 Farnborough Reserves 3


Holyport went in to this game knowing that three points was a must to keep up with Thame United and their promotion dreams. But as early as the 6th minute and in young Farnborough’s first attack Port were one nil down. A volley from the Boro midfielder was powerful enough to get past the helpless Collis in Ports goal.

This sparked some life into a disjointed Holyport who looked out of soughts. Farnbourgh were only creating anything when Port gave the ball away in bad areas or over committed men going forward. In the 10th minute Handscomb had a goal bound header cleared off the line, the keeper then missed an Ovens cross that then just evaded Lennon.

Holyport then gave the ball away whilst in complete control, a ball over Jones saw the Boro forward one on one with Collis, his chip hit the bar and bounced to safety. The young technical Boro were content on hitting Port on the counter attack, once again in the 22nd minute a misplaced pass allowed Boro to gain procession. The forward skipped clear and shot wide of Collis’s goal.

Holyport then dominated the remaining of the half but couldn’t find the cutting edge to get the deserved equaliser; the closest was in injury time as Lennon hit the bar with the keeper stranded.

The 2nd half started with Holyport getting a corner and Handscomb headed home to make it 4 in 4 and one a piece. It was then again Holyport who pressed with Farnborough happy to use their youthfulness to play counter-attacking football. It took until the 65th minute for Boro to get an attempt on goal.

Holyport continued to try to get the next goal but kept hitting a wall in stubborn Boro back line. As the 2nd half was drifting into injury up popped a Boro forward to score in the 87th minute, with Port still in disarray they then grabbed another in the 92nd to complete the smash and grab. Boro passed the ball well but Holyport must look at how cheaply the ball was given away at times.

With Wokingham dropping points at Henley, this is again another missed opportunity. The visit to Thame United on Saturday is now a must win game.

Resrve Division One

Wootton Bassett 1 Swindon Supermarine 3

Supermarine started this game with the upper hand playing the ball around well not letting Bassett get any where near the ball. With a good passing movement down the left hand side with Steve Nesbitt and James Keller linking up well with Joe Blackford, Keller drove down the wing and delivered a cross that was cleared by the Bassett defence, only for Nolan Paul to drive home the first goal from 18yrds inside 3 minutes, from the restart we got the ball back and again down the left side Nesbitt delivered the ball into the box for Mark Barnes to be brought down for a penalty, up stepped Joe Blackford to stroke the ball to the keepers left and the keeper went right.

2-0 with only 5 minutes gone on the clock, it was then that Bassett started to get into the game and came close to getting one back with a good shot from the edge of the 18yrd box but a good save from Luke Adams denied them a goal. But Bassett did get a goal back with 5 minutes to half time with a looping header from 12 yards out.

Half Time 1-2

Marine again started the better of the two in the second half with some good flowing moves across the park with Blackford distributing the ball well to the flanks, again we threatened the Bassett goal but some good saves from their keeper kept them in it, with some strange decisions from the referee we seemed to be playing against 12 men, but it wasn't till captain Gavin Cook got sent off for what nobody seems to know but the referee gave Cookie his second yellow.

Backs to the wall as Bassett seem to have wave after wave of attacks against us but the Marine defence dealt with it well ,it was after one of these attacks that we broke out of our 18 yard box with a good clearance from Matty Russell to Blackford who passed it on to Barnes who ran the half length of the pitch to take the ball round the keeper to slot home the ball and give us the three points.

Bassett weren’t finished though they kept attacking us but the defence held on for the last 2 minutes for a great squad performance.