HPL Floodlit Challenge Cup 2nd Round

Carterton Town  1         Kidlington   5                

In the end Kidlington were easy winners of this cup-tie. The first half was more of a contest than the second, but after Big Jimmy Deabill put Kidlington ahead in the 4th minute they were on their way into the quarter finals. Carterton to their great credit did equalise in the 37th minute, however a brilliant goal from Lewis Gabbidon had Kidlington back in the lead again before half time.

David Malloy on loan from Oxford United made his debut in midfield, alongside Gabbidon and Denel Thomas. These three players proved to be the engine room from which Kidlington powered to another good win. Before the match manager Paul Lee received a call from Nathan Meade, informing him that he was stuck in traffic in London and would not make it. Lee shuffled his pack and opted to start Matty Heyward at the back alongside James Philpott and Danny Warne as a defensive three.

Kidlington started brightly and were soon rewarded when Deabill got himself on the end of a through ball from Morgan Williams. As Deabill was being closed down, by keeper and defenders, he cheekily steered the ball past James Domm for 1 – 0 in the fourth minute.

Soon after this Gabbidon sent a terrific shot just over the bar. Carterton’s Chris Blakely had a chance at the other end but he also shot over the bar. On 22 minutes Deabill released debutant Malloy on goal. Malloy went round Domm but could not find the net with his shot. Malloy had another chance soon after this. This time Domm did well to keep out the young midfielders rasping shot. Deabill combined well with Spilman in the 29th minute. Spliman’s hard drive was well saved by keeper Domm. Carterton forced a couple of corners just after the half hour mark. From the second of these defender Tom Perry executed a superb headed goal, which Kidlington keeper Steve Benbow had no chance of saving. A couple of minutes later the tricky Gabbidon found space in Carterton’s box. He looked up and bent a perfect shot into the far corner of the net to restore Kidlington’s lead.

H.T. 1 – 2.

Another goal early in the second half, basically settled the tie. Carterton did not clear their lines effectively after a corner. When the ball was knocked back into the box Ben Spilman took possession, he dummied his man and sent in a cracker of a shot to make it 3 – 1. Kidlington were now in total control. Darren Moore who was having an extremely good game out wide right caused all sorts of problems for the Carterton defenders all evening.

The only surprise here was that Kidlington some how failed to capitalise on some of the great balls he played into the box. Spilman broke free again in the 77th minute. This time Domm managed to get a hand to his shot and deflected it out for a corner. From this corner taken by Williams, Warne, who had taken up a good position at the far post volleyed home a forth goal for Kidlington.

Chris Gilkes replaced a tiring Deabill late on, and it was Gilkes who put Williams in for Kidlington's 5th. Gilkes took possession in midfield, he beat his man and slotted the ball inside to the unmarked Williams. Williams steadied himself and fired low and hard into the net from the edge of the area. It finished at 5 – 1 but to be honest it could have been more.

Kidlington played some really good football tonight and although they had so many absentees, the team that was out there was more than a match for a Carterton side, who were not lacking in desire, but may be a bit short on individual skill, especially up front. At the moment Kidlington don’t have another fixture for nearly 2 weeks when they take on Bicester Town in a league match at Yarnton Road on Saturday 10th November. This is not best, but will probably mean that some of our injured players will be back in contention. In saying that it will be hard I’m sure, for Lee to leave any of these players out who have been doing so well for him in the last few weeks.

Finally I must take this opportunity to apologise to Leighton Creer. I was calling him young Leighton, but I’ve found out he’s not as young as he looks, in fact he’s 29, therefore perhaps I should refer to him as a veteran!!. That aside, when he came on last night he again looked an exceptionally talented player. I think he will prove another great asset to Leepy’s squad. Captain James Philpott had another outstanding match and can be justifiably pleased with the way things are going at the moment.

Team :- BENBOW, WARNE, PHILPOTT, HEYWARD, THOMAS, MALLOY, MOORE, GABBIDON, SPILMAN, DEABILL, WILLIAMS. SUBS: -  GILKES, CREER (played) HEYWARD (dnp)