1st to 3rd FEBRUARY

PREMIER Division
Marlow United 2 Kidlington 0
Marlow stun Kidlington
Marlow United pulled off an unexpected win as they defeated high flying Kidlington at Wilkes Park with Jamie West scoring two second half goals to snatch the points for the Bucks club and keeper Carl Murray turning in a superb performance, denying the free scoring Kidlington forwards over the 90 minutes.
Marlow drafted in West, Harman and Nick Flint from Saturdays draw at Fairford as they attempted to return to winning ways, their last league victory coming way back on17th October. Kidlington were soon into their stride with Parker firing over in the first minute. The away side continued to move the ball around with some flair and it took all of United’s determination to keep the scores level. The home teams best chances came as Kidlington defender Chalmers twice almost played Nicol in on goal with poor back passes, keeper Hamling saving the defenders blushes on both occasions. Nicol and Ollie Flint combined to set up Middleton on 21 minutes, the midfielder seeing his shot saved. Five minutes later Murray made the first of several brilliant saves blocking Coyle’s shot from point blank, this after Kidlington saw three shots blocked by a desperate home defence. It certainly wasn’t all one way but the away team were coping with the increasing long balls from United’s defence and to add to Marlow’s wows Chris Paget was replaced on 31 minutes by Dan Pedley having suffered a knee injury. Murray was in action soon afterwards punching a dangerous free kick away whilst under pressure. Nicol saw his shot on the turn saved by Hamling and from the breakaway Parker burst through the Marlow defence and saw his chipped shot hit the bar. Ollie Flint was booked for a late tackle on 44 minutes and Adam Harman then saw his snap shot scrambled away for a corner as the home team threatened to take a shock half time lead.
HALF TIME: 0 - 0
Assistant manager Gary Wiltshire replaced an injured Bob Crawford in the centre of the defence as Marlow’s injury problems mounted and the sub was soon in the action, his last gasp tackle denying Lovegrove as the centre forward shot weakly at Murray whist under pressure when through on goal. Kidlington were soon regretting that miss as a long ball out of defence found Nicol and his accurate pass sent West clear of the defence and the youngster swept the ball past Hamling on 53 minutes.
Kidlington hit back immediately and Murray saved United with two saves from close range shots. With the away team pressing for the equaliser Marlow began to expose gaps in their defence and Middleton missed from close range following Walters cross. Harman saw his shot saved and from the corner Middleton’s header was spectacularly tipped over by Hamling. The ball was then cleared of the line from the resultant corner and it was Middleton again who saw his shot sail wide. Middleton was replaced by Steve Gabb as the midfielder became the third Marlow player to receive an injury. Kidlington began ringing the changes as they attempted to level the scores but they were finding the Marlow defence a difficult nut to crack and it was Nicol who saw his shot deflect off Hamling for a corner as they looked to add a second goal. That goal arrived out of the blue on 85 minutes as Ollie Flint flicked a speculative ball into the Kidlington box where an unmarked West turned the ball past the keeper and into the net. The away team piled more players into the Marlow half in an effort to salvage the game but United held firm with the back four and keeper Murray in outstanding form. United held on through the extra 5 minutes too record probably their finest win in the league this season.
A delighted manager Kevin Carvell praised every member of the squad for their superb display.

Marlow United 2 - 0 Kidlington
Kidlington took to the field with a vastly different line up than had been contesting the majority of their matches this season. A whole host of players were missing either because of injury or unavailability. On the day though the team that strode out in the green jersey should have been more than capable of winning the contest, but in the end came up short after not managing to take any of their many chances.
The opening few minutes saw Kidlington have 4 decent chances to score, however it set the tone for the rest of the match as none of these attempts tested the home sides keeper! On 11 minutes Kidlington nearly committed football suicide. Brad Chalmers knocked a square ball across his own penalty box. Andy Nichol intercepted it and only a terrific save from Rob Hamling kept the strikers shot out. Hamling was called into action again shortly after this. This time it was a shot from the edge of the box from Jamie West. Up the other end Kidlington were still applying plenty of pressure. Home keeper Carl Murray saved well from Lewis Coyle before Jordan Parker was really unlucky to see a chipped shot come back of the bar. Murray then pulled of another great stop to deny Mark Baker, whilst Chris Weedon couldn’t direct a header at goal after he got on the end of a pin point cross from Adam Lovegrove. The last action of the half saw Hamling race from his goal to clear after Ollie Flint was set free by a ball over the top.
Half Time: 0 – 0
Into the second half and Kidlington were again the team applying all the pressure. Adam Lovegrove was through on goal, but Murray came racing out and the striker overran the ball and the keeper smothered it. Mark Baker was then guilty of a glaring miss. He was in a great position coming onto goal from the left, but as he neared the target he hit a powerful shot wide of the mark. The 53rd minute saw Marlow’s 1st attack of the second period and they took the lead. A ball played through the Kiddy defence was chased and then finished well by Jamie West. Kidlington really should have been level only a couple of minutes later. Lovegrove broke through and was one on one with Murray. The keeper did really well to save Lovegrove’s initial shot and when the ball broke to Baker, somehow Murray got back across his goal to prevent Baker’s shot finding the net. Kidlington were starting to push on now in search of an equalizer. This left space at the back which was nearly exploited by Ross Middleton, however keeper Hamling was equal to his effort and saved well. Baker then had another golden chance in the 72nd minute. He was clean through but overran the ball and Murray was there to clean up again. Kidlington made their substitutions next to try and add extra impetus, however a rear break-away earned the home side a corner. From the corner the ball fell invitingly to Jamie West who volleyed home from about 8 yards out for his second of the game. Kidlington had plenty of huff and puff in the final stages of the match, but this had no end result and it finished 2 – 0 to the home side!
Kidlington had many absentees including Jimmy Deabill, Luke Holden, Kieran Sanders, Jack Quinton, Mark Flanagan, James Philpott, Tom McNamara & Lee Rendell. Still even without all these players Kiddy had enough to take the points and probably would have, had they taken their chances and Marlow’s Keeper not been in such fine form!

Witney United 3 Abingdon Town 1
United extended their run of consecutive league wins at The Polythene UK Stadium to eight as they fought back from a goal down to see off Abingdon Town.
It was the visitors who started the sharpest of the sides and a clever spin by Graham Edney saw him fashion a chance for himself but Paul Tassell got down well to block.
In the space of 60 seconds the game saw an opening goal which could so easily have been at the other end. Andrew Younie slid a slide rule pass into Ben Thompson whose cross was missed by inches by Anaclet Odihambo. The Abbotts went down the other end of the field and although the ball went out for a goal kick a poor strike by Tassell saw the ball played through for former United man Dwight Jones to run through totally unchallenged and slot the ball home. This seemed to spark United into life though and midway through the half they were back on level terms. Tom Butler swung in a delightful inswinging free-kick which saw Gary Wickens rise and thump home a powerful header. Six minutes later and the game had turned on its head as a clearance by Stuart Cattell was flicked on by Wickens and Odihambo chased down the ball and got his reward when Gareth Walker watched in horror as his clearance bounced off the United front man and into the empty net. Odihambo was inches away from grabbing a second with an audacious flick from Butler's corner which went into the side netting. Walker redeemed himself for his earlier faux pas when done brilliantly well to save from Thompson at the foot of the post after good work by Younie and Chris Harper. It was another former United man who had the final chance of the half when Stuart Douglas won the ball in midfield before curling a shot from 20 yards but Tassell had the situation under control and held the ball easily.
Half Time: 2 - 1
The visitors almost started the second half with a bang within 15 seconds when substitute Alex Mott was sent clear and it took an excellent save from Tassell to deny the youngster a stunning entry into the match. United continued to press though and Thompson perhaps should have done better when he fired over after Harper had produced a low fizzing cross. Moments later though and that miss was all forgotten as United's top scorer gave us the two goal advantage we sought. Again it was the lively Harper who won the ball and got away from his marker and his deep cross was prodded home at the back post by Thompson. Harper was by now beginning to enjoy himself on the flank and he produced a "Nani" moment as he skipped between two defenders but he couldn’t keep his shot down denying him what would have been a stunning goal. The visitors kept pushing to try and get back in the game and it was Jones again who managed to get a shot away but the ball drifted wide and with it went their last chance of getting back into the game and it was United who had sealed the points.

ONE East
MILTON UNITED 1 THAME UNITED 3
THAME GO TOP AFTER A FINE WIN AT “THE HEIGHTS”
Thame went top of the Division following a good away win at Milton on Monday with two goals from Stuart Barr and a third from Stuart Braun put them on the way to victory before Ian Concannon scored a late consolation goal for the home side.
The visitors were up for this match after being beaten by Milton earlier in the season and knowing they could go top with a victory. Thame started the stronger team and soon put early pressure on the home side. Milton included their new signing George Brewer at left back and he was soon to prove his worth with some excellent defensive work and some good attacking runs down the left. It was however Thame who took the lead in the 23rd minute when Stuart Barr was on hand in the six yard box to stoop and head the ball into the net. This goal seemed to inspire the home side and using the pace of Jonny Summers and Danny Isaiew down the flanks they began to test the Thame defence, but could not convert the final ball.
HALF TIME: 0 - 1
Within minutes of the second half starting Thame scored their second of the night when Stuart Braun put the ball away in the 46th minute after a good run. Milton’s cause was not helped when they lost George Brewer mid-way through the half to an ankle injury. The match was finally put beyond the home side when Stuart Barr scored the third goal in the 76th minute after he pressurised the home defence and won the ball to run on and score his second of the night. The home side did score a late goal through Ian Concannon in the 86th minute and put pressure on the visiting defence forcing several corners on the trot but Thame held on to be worthy victors on the night.

County Cup Competition’s
GFA Trophy 3rdt Round
Shortwood United 2 – 1 Longwell Green Sports 
Mish Green Double sees Wood Through
Shortwood won an eventful game against Longwell Green Sports in the GFA Trophy at Meadowbank on Tuesday but needed a superb penalty save from Rich Barrett to ensure their win.
The evening was packed with rich entertainment between two sides that played entertaining football and attacked each other with a will. Mike Green was the outstanding player and seemed to be everywhere- breaking up attacks and supplying a stream of excellent passes while for Longwell Green ex Almondsbury forward Adam Cole caused the Wood defence problems with his speed all night. The referee added to the evening’s entertainment with a display of eccentricity that at times baffled both sides with some very odd decisions.
Wood made the brightest of starts and scored their opener in the first minute. Ross Casey put Matt Bennett away down the line and his low cross was met by Mish Green who scored from 12 yards with a low shot.  As Wood tried to capitalise on this opening a super ball in from Alton Axton almost led to Jake Parrott doubling the advantage but his effort was blocked. Longwell started to show their own attacking flair and Adam Cole turned superbly between two defenders but his effort too was blocked. Wood did score again after 16 minutes however. A trademark throw from Benneyworth was inadvertently flicked on by a defender and Mish Green took full advantage with a nice turn and shot inside the near post.  Only 3 minutes later Longwell Green were back in the game. A long ball split the Wood defence and Parnell ran through before shooting across the advancing Barrett and inside the far post. Mish Green came close to completing his hat trick with a spectacular scissor kick and Casey, Green again and Bennett all had efforts blocked by desperate defenders. The game swung from end to end with both sides looking to add to their tally but the flow of the game was constantly interrupted by the over fussy official who blew for every perceived infringement. Just before the break a cross was handled by Ross Casey in the area but Rich Barrett dived to his left to keep out Cole’s penalty. Although the rebound was swept home the Referee had blown for an infringement.
HALF TIME: 2 - 1
The second half continued in much the same vein with both sides attacking at will. Mish Green and Hoskins both had shots well saved before a real moment of controversy after 70 minutes Cole and Greenhough both chased a long ball with Cole pulling Greenhough back. As both players fell to the floor it was Greenhough who received a yellow card – a decision which was to cost the defender dear in injury time. Axton had a header well saved by Britton and Barrett matched the effort saving from Cole. Further doubtful bookings for both sides followed but still the action continued unabated with both defences stretched and the keepers forced to deal with a succession of dangerous balls. Greenhough was sent off in injury time for a second yellow card but their was still time for Bennett to come close to a third for Wood with a shot that just flashed the wrong side of the upright.
Afterwards John Evans said: “Mike Green was excellent for us tonight! Once again we should have killed them off but it was a difficult game and I am delighted to go through!”

Wantage Town 1 - 1 Witney United
After a difficult week for United the players did themselves proud with a battling display at Alfredian Park this afternoon as they drew 1-1 with 2nd placed Wantage Town.
On a crispy surface both sides were struggling to find their feet early on and chances were at a premium as neither side could grab a foothold on the pitch let alone the match. It was however the home side who had a great chance with twenty minutes on the clock when a series of ricochet's saw the ball break to Matthew Biddle but he couldn’t decide which foot to shoot with and took too long before screwing his effort wide. United were starting to have some joy down the left flank and some clever footwork by Andrew Younie saw him pick out Ben Thompson whose dipping shot went just wide of the post. Moments later and it was Younie again who beat his man with ease and his cross-cum-shot beat Rob Durrant in the Wantage goal but watched on in anguish as his effort came back off the crossbar. The Alfredians were creating nothing of note until a clearance by Tom Butler hit Lee Henderson and broke to Tom Austin who didnt show enough composure and dragged his shot wide of the far post.
Half Time: 0 - 0
Whilst the first half had brought little of real note it was United who started the second half with a bang as they took the lead within 120 seconds of the restart. Thompson muscled Chris Copp off the ball and burst into the area and Copp clearly aggrieved that he hadnt been awarded the foul bundled Thompson over in the area and a spot kick was awarded. Thompson picked himself up and fired home giving Durrant no chance. This lifted Witney and Thompson had another great chance when Jon-Paul Mills sent him clear but his attempted lob went horribly wrong and dropped into the hands of Durrant. The home side thought they had levelled when substitute Richard Guy ran through and slotted the ball into the net but the United defence had already stopped as the flag had long been up for offside. However five minutes later and they did have the ball in the net for an equaliser. A free-kick was headed goalwards and brilliantly turned away by Paul Tassell but it landed to Danny Keen who made no mistake. Suddenly the Aldredians had their tails up and Guy tried his luck from 35 yards but Tassell comfortably watched the ball over the bar. Andrew Styles was left with his head in his hands as he failed to connect properly with a low shot which Durrant held easily but in the last minute United almost grabbed the win. A chipped pass by Butler was expertly controlled by Thompson who bought himself a yard before lifting the ball over Durrant but onto the crossbar and away to safety leaving both sides to settle for a share of the spoils.

Division ONE WEST
Letcombe 1 – 0 Trowbridge Town
With numerous injuries, Letcombe only had 11 players, although manager Alan Gifford named himself as sub `just in case`.
Former keeper Stuart Game deputized in goal with both regular keepers missing, and was man of the match. Paul Roberts and Paul Sellers formed the central defensive pairing with all three regular centre backs unavailable.
Trowbridge had the better of a disappointing first half for Letcombe, and only excellent keeping by Stuart Game kept the score line blank.
Half Time: 0 - 0
A slightly improved second half performance saw the Letcombe defence more organized, but Trowbridge still had most of the possession. The only goal came after 65 minutes.   A free kick from Josh Cottrell did not get the height he wanted, but a Trowbridge defender completely missed the ball, and it fell to the unmarked Mark Denny, who made no mistake from 8 yards. Letcombe`s injury problems worsened when Scott Hooper received a badly cut shin ten minutes from time which required an ambulance, which meant that manager Alan Gifford had to reluctantly take the field.

PURTON 4 – 4 HEADINGTON AMATEURS
Eight goals were shared in this competitive game at the Red House last Saturday. Attacking wise both sides produced some good play but defensively both sides made silly mistakes in what proved to be a goal feast.
Purton got off to a good start with Tom Cadden going close twice and the "A"s keeper tipping another effort out for a corner. Purton went ahead after 25 minutes when Johnny Coole found Paul Day who netted. On 35 minutes Zagi levelled for the "A"s only for Lee Bowen to head in off a post from a Coole free kick 5 minutes before the break to put Purton ahead again. Right on half time Purton conceded a soft goal when Jacob netted for the visitors.
Half Time: 2 – 2
Early in the second Luke Cuff put the visitors 3-2 up with a great shot, but Purton hit back and a mistake by the "A"s keeper, let in Paul Day to level the match. Play was switching from end to end and Purton keeper Cowley (twice) kept out good efforts while the "A"s keeper atoned for his earlier mistake with a good save. With time running out sloppy play again by Purton allowed Jacob to score on 88 minutes and the goal looked to have given the visitors victory but Purton levelled it at 4-4 after
90 minutes when a defence splitting ball by Adie Roper was latched onto by sub
Warren Fuller who ran on netted the equaliser.

Purton 4 - 4 Headington Amateurs
For the second week running Headington appeared to have won the game with a last minute goal only to concede an equalizer from the restart.
With both teams' committed to attack chances came early at either end. In the first 15 minutes Amateurs 'keeper Harry Jenkins had to make two fine saves, whilst Shaun Jacobs & Ollie Zaja were both foiled by Cowley in the Purton goal. Purton took the lead after 25 minutes, Headington sloppily conceding possession from their own throw in, & Paul Day finishing comfortably from close range. Although Purton were having the better of this first half the A's drew level on 38 minutes, Jacobs putting Luke Cuff through whose goal bound shot was finished off by Zaja. In the 42nd minute Purton were Back in front, Coole heading home unchallenged from a free kick but Headington levelled again on the stroke of half time, Cuff & Jacobs combining again with Jacobs the scorer.
Half time 2 - 2
The visitors' made most of the running in the second period & went in front on 52 minutes, Cuff taking advantage of a poor headed back pass to nip in & beat the stranded Cowley. Purton levelled from yet another mistake, Jenkins fluffing his clearance kick to gift Day a simple finish. Their followed what might have been the 'goal of the season' Jay Hill striking a magnificent effort from the centre kick only for Cowley to claw the ball away from under the cross bar. As both sides went for a winner the game got increasingly stretched but neither could break through until the last minute of normal time, Aftab Hafiz & Cuff setting up Jacobs for a fine cushioned volley that really should have won the game. However from the restart Purton poured forward & with the visitors defence apparently 'frozen' Warren Fuller snatched a dramatic point.

Division ONE EAST
DIDCOT TOWN RES 0 – 2 FINCHAMPSTEAD
The first away game since early December saw Finchampstead up against Didcot Reserves who were not too far beneath them in the table.  With some trepidation, but still fairly confident, the team set about the task without goal keeper, Perry Howard, who was late arriving because of an accident when a pheasant went through the front grill of his Peugeot on route to the ground.  Bobby Hogg kept goal for that brief spell until his arrival.
An early Didcot foray was soon thwarted and at the other end Finch was awarded a free-kick from which a Junior Arquimbau low strike was deflected for a corner. Didcot had a lone front runner who failed to get past Perry Howard at the end of a promising move.  Regaining possession, Finch returned to Didcot territory, with Russell Carter tapping the ball through to Pat Selby around the Didcot penalty area whose cross ended with Kevin Prentice heading wide.  Still maintaining their attacking mode, an up-field pass from Bobby Hogg found Ben Knight who went through towards goal on his own, but Tom Buckner saved his shot, the Didcot keeper then following up with another save from Junior Arquimbau. Although at times Finch looked as if they were under pressure, Didcot’s raids and counter attacks all fizzled out thanks to some good solid defending from the visitors’ backs. Some wild shots from the hosts’ forwards also kept the ball out of the net. As the game developed, Finch created a number of goal scoring chances, the first of which mid-way through the half saw Kevin Prentice heading just wide, immediately followed by Bobby Hogg failing to find the target.  Continuing the theme, Pat Selby set up Sam Wyatt who screwed the ball well wide of the far post, and another right flank sprint by Junior Arquimbau ended with a great cross into the Didcot area that Pat Selby headed wide of the upright.  Sam Wyatt found time for a shot but Tom Buckner foiled that effort.  At the end of the first session, Junior Arquimbau sent in another cross for Bobby Hogg to send wide of the post.
Half Time: 1 - 0
The second half opened with a Didcot free kick being blocked by the resolute Finch defence and the opening ten minutes saw play move from end to end. Returning to the host’s end in the fifty-sixth minute, Junior Arquimbau raced through from the right wing and nut-megged the hapless keeper Tom Buckner to open the account for Finch. Slowly Finch began to overpower their hosts with more chances from Ben Knight and Pat Selby missed the intended destination. In a useful break, Dom Barnes and Luke Wright, battling tenaciously to claw back the equaliser, were stopped in their tracks by Finch keeper Perry Howard pouncing on the ball.  Didcot then had a short spell in the visitors’ area and two corners were cleared away eventually by Finch. As Finch once again started to dominate play, it was not long before Finch consolidated their lead with a two goal cushion, Pat Selby collecting a through ball from Junior Arquimbau in the seventieth minute and giving Tom Buckner no chance with a quality finish. Despite the Didcot players visibly tiring in the last quarter of the match, more futile attempts by Finch to find a third goal were self-thwarted as several efforts either failed to find the target or lacked the necessary power to trouble the Didcot keeper. Pat Selby potted a shot in the closing minute but was justifiably signalled offside before the referee blew the final whistle.
The win gave the Finch players the boost that they needed and the points to put them higher in the table.  Finch’s team managers Bob Langridge and Neil White were pleased with the result and the fact that everybody in their squad played well and that they kept a clean sheet.  Didcot Town manager Paul McKay admitted that Finch was too strong a side for his squad on the day and were physically better as they slowly wore his side down until their game deteriorated.

HOLYPORT 2 SOUTH KILBURN 0
Holyport's promotion bid got back on the tracks with a workmanlike performance against South Kilburn on Saturday. The Londoners came to Summerleaze Village with a 5 point league advantage but Port had 3 games in hand making this a must win game for the home side.
The match was notable for the return from suspension of top scorer Jamie Handscomb and the long awaited debut of Lee Ovens. Ovens found himself thrown in at the deep end having to play in an unfamiliar centre half position alongside Port stalwart Sam Jones after manager Jason Andrews was forced to reshuffle his side playing three of the back four out of position. After last weeks thrill a minute challenge cup match against Almondsbury this was a somewhat dour affair with Jones and ultimately man of the match Ovens manfully coping at he back while the rest of the side battled hard to win their corner. Inevitably it was quality strikes from two of the usual four of Rapley, Lennon, Driver and Handscomb who settled the affair with Rapley netting on 49 minutes followed by the clincher from skipper Lennon on 65 minutes which saw Port home to victory.
This win sets up a crucial six pointer away at Milton United next Saturday, 6th February, when Port should be back to full strength.

OXFORDSHIRE SENIOR CUP – THIRD ROUND 
HORSPATH 2 HOOK NORTON 1
Not for the first time in recent years, Hooky Chairman Mike Barlow has had to cancel provisional arrangements for an open-bus tour of the village in anticipation of the North Oxfordshire club’s First Team winning the Oxfordshire Senior Cup!
The trip to Roman Way, Cowley to play Oxfordshire Senior League Premier Division Horspath always had the potential to become a banana skin and so it proved. From the Hooky perspective, the situation was not helped by the fact that Mark Boyland was able to field only a bare bones’ team with only one substitute who was suffering from an injury. That said, the visitors gave a very sub-standard performance and deserved what they received – elimination from this year’s competition! As a consequence, Horspath progress to the quarter final and are rewarded with a tasty tie against Southern League North Leigh.
From the beginning of the match, the home team had a clear appetite for the match and, for the first 10 minutes or so, they had most of the play, without creating any obvious goal-scoring opportunities. Then on 10 minutes, Hooky took play down the left flank, as a result of which the ball was passed inside to Jason Smith who let fly from 25 yards out. The ball flew unerringly into the Horspath net, with the home ‘keeper being able to do anything about it. From this point onwards, Hooky played with a little more confidence, with James Robbins always looking dangerous on the right wing.
Half Time: 0 – 1
The second half saw Horspath maintain their momentum whilst Hooky tended to be lethargic and disinterested. As the match wore on, with the home team wasting chance after chance and Joe White making timely saves, it seemed that it was going to be one of those days for Horspath but, with just 6 minutes remaining, the Senior League team received their just desserts when substitute Jon Weeks-Pearson slid the ball home into the right corner of the Hooky net to bring the scores level. This was just what Horspath needed and unsurprisingly they grabbed the winner 3 minutes later when second substitute Matt Chase scored a good goal from just outside the penalty area, having received a pass from the left flank.

Reserve Section
FINCHAMPSTEAD RES 2 – 0 HIGHWORTH TOWN
Frostick downs high flying Highworth Town 
Back on league duty after last weeks County Cup disappointment, second in the table Highworth Town were the visitors, an ideal fixture to galvanise this young Finch team for the second half of a long season. 
With Marc Brown, James Brazier, Chris Hollis, Scott Jenner and Jack Skinner back in the side to substantially boost the squad, there was an expectation that Finch would at least be competitive against this strong Highworth outfit.  However as the game unfolded, Finch produced a fine fourteen man team performance that visibly rocked the visitors and left them to take the long journey home pointless.
Highworth started the match the far more fluent football side and with better movement and passing were in control of the play. Finch appeared to still look a little rusty, from their five weeks of inactivity, and were guilty of not putting the away team under enough pressure when Highworth had possession of the ball. The first twenty minutes belonged to Highworth but they never really looked like scoring, Jack Skinner looking solid in goal, and Sam Green and Marc Brown making some timely tackles that kept Highworth at bay, their best chance coming from a free header from a set piece that flew narrowly wide. The resolve of the Finch team was keeping them in the game and slowly but surely their efforts turned the tide as they began to spend quality time in Highworth's half. Finch strikers Lewis Frostick and Adam Bowyer were working hard and began to cause problems along Highworth's back line.  Adam Bowyer's left foot snap shot after thirty minutes was Finch's first decent shot on target which the keeper dealt with comfortably, but it was a sign that Finch were raising their game. It was a fine first half from the Finch team and you could see some of Highworth's confidence dissolve as James Brazier and Richard Kell in central midfield began to win many of the midfield battles. A tight and even first half with plenty of good quality football had totally erased the memory of Finch's below par effort last week and with positive vibes coming out of the dressing room there was a feeling that this match was one that we could win if we could just find something extra from somewhere.

That somewhere came from the Finch subs bench in the form of Chris Hollis, Nick Payne and Scott Jenner. Coupled with switching Freddie Baron to the left wing, the introduction of the three substitutes saw Finch suddenly finding top gear.  Freddie Baron's left wing performance was electrifying as he and Ben Winship tore the Highworth right flank to shreds in a ten minute spell.  Their combined play destroyed Highworth's defensive composure and some chances at last arrived. Thankfully the goal opportunities fell to Finch's king of cool Lewis Frostick and he despatched his first chance with precision into the top right hand corner, despite having a wall of red shirts in front of him and having the ball seemingly stuck between his legs – it was a stunner. Two minutes later he grabbed his match winning second, and again Freddie Baron and Ben Winship were the architects as they opened up Highworth's right side. Lewis Frostick's cool accurate finish through many bodies from a tight angle was superb and Finch were in heaven at 2-0. It was so nearly 3-0 minutes later as Freddie Baron, this time combining with James Brazier, provided Lewis Frostick with his hat-trick chance, but keeper Paul Haines made a fine save. It was exhilarating football to which Highworth had no answer. A cock-a hoop Finch's only real concern now was to keep their discipline as on a couple of occasions careering forward, they exposed their defence to counter attack.  By this stage though the confidence and composure of Sam Green and Marc Brown was huge and along with the excellent Ben Winship and the tough tackling Scott Jenner, we need not have worried too much. The final whistle brought to an end a brilliant second half Finch performance and posted warning that this young Finch side are very much back on track after the six week freeze up.