April 28th

Premier League

It’s still all to play for at the top of the Premier Division however Freeland look to be in the driving seat. They have four games in hand over leaders Ducklington who increased their lead at the top to five points with a 3-1 win over Brize Norton. Ian Peedell, Pete O’Reilly and Chris Palmer scored the goals that put them top with Gary Anderson replying for Brize.

After earning only a point against Brize Norton in the week, Hailey kept their hopes alive with a 1-0 win over FC Nomads. Brave Nomads battled hard but couldn’t find a response to Sean King’s first half opener.

Charlbury Town now appear to out of the reckoning as they went down 2-1 to Hanborough. Andy White and Craig Johnson gave Boro the lead however Martin Grimsley’s reply was not enough.

Dave Large hit a brace in Spartan Rangers 4-2 win over Carterton. Paul Saunders and John Havill added to the tally.

Division One

Bampton Town’s push for the Division One Title faltered on Saturday as they were held to a 2-2 draw with Eynsham A. The sides could not be separated as Same Grace’s brace for the hosts was matched by goals from Mark Carrington and Chris Jordan.

However, Cassington failed to close the gap after being held to a 0-0 draw with FC Mills.

Russell Plumb and Anthony Williams were on the score sheet for Witney Royals as they edged a 2-1 win over Witney Wanderers. Rogerio Pereira scored the consolation goal for Wanderers.

Lee Litton scored for Ducklington Reserves but it was not enough as they were defeated 3-1 by Hanborough Reserves. Youngster Aston Leach hit a double as the visitors took the points. Kevin Grafton completed the scoring.

Pete Benfield and David Jeynes scored the goals that gave Milton a 2-1 win over Minster Lovell. Ian Reynolds scored in the second half for Minster.

Division Two

Brize Norton Reserves were crowned Division Two Champions after their 4-0 win over Chippy Swifts. John Smales (2), Gerrard Morgan and inspirational old hand Mark Jewell were all on target. The title is the perfect tonic for Brize after they were relegated last season.

Spartan Rangers Reserves could not prolong the race any further as they lost 3-0 to Tackley. Spartan are in poor form of late, and it’s only down to their excellent start to the season that sees them joining Brize in Division One next season. Ethan Penny (2) and Joe Beahan scored the goals that  blighted Spartans day.

Combe looked in scintillating form during their 6-1 win over Charlbury Town Reserves. Vinny Snell banged in a hat trick with Pat Gardner (2), and Tom Scroggs adding. Gary Jones scored the consolation for Town.

Freeland Reserves came unstuck against Wychwood Forest going down 4-0. Pete Travis, Simon Gibbs, James Leverton and Dean Godfrey all hit the target.

The points were shared at AC Finstock as the hosts fought out a 1-1 draw with FC Nomads Reserves. Jamie Claridge and Pat Crowley scored for Finstock and Nomads respectively.

Wootton Sports beat Fieldtown 5-0 leaving the visitors only a single point above the drop zone. Graham Clarke (2), Ben De’Ath and Russ Brazier were amongst the scorers.

Division Three

Bampton Town Reserves are now only 2 points away from all but mathematically becoming Division Three Champions. Their 2-0 win over closest rivals FC Chequers now gives them the luxury of a 4 point lead at the top. Dan Oyston (2) was on hand to earn Bampton the points.

3rd beat 4th when Southrop emerged 5-1 victors at Aston Reserves. Goalkeeper Tom Rees scored a penalty for the hosts but Simon Williams (2), Matt Reynolds, Bob Truman and Graham Cuidiskis mean that Southrop sit just a point off second place.

FC Mills Reserves made it four wins in a row as they beat Kingham AB Reserves 3-2. Sam Philpott and Gareth Tyak scored for Kingham, but Lee Scholes, Rob DeBanks and Gordon Attar were all on target for the hosts who remain unbeaten in April.  Mills rounded off their season with a 3-3 draw against Hailey Reserves. Joey and Sean King added to a Kevin Tibbey own goal while Jack Bennett, Warren Senior and Kevin Lloyd all notched for Mills.

April 21st

Premier League

Freeland are now back in the driving seat at the top of the Division after a 1-0 win over closest rivals Hailey Midweek.  A Further 3-1 win over Aston at the weekend keeps them a point and two games in hand ahead of Ducklington who now lie in second.  Tom Mason bagged a brace in Freeland’s win over Aston with Stuart McNaughton adding. A Simon Hole own goal gave brief respite to Aston who now have to win 3 of their last 5 games to avoid the drop.

Ducklington moved into second after a 6-1 win over Carterton. Matt Kent (2), Ian Lewis (2), Ian Peedle and Chris Palmer were all on hand to fire Duck into the lead. Matt Boyd hit back for the home side.

Hailey slipped to third after their midweek defeat by Freeland but are still nicely poised to apply pressure to the leaders after a 1-0 win over Hanborough. Joel King with the only goal of the game.

FC Nomads are now unbeaten in seven as their good form continues. They earned a 1-1 draw with Brize Norton at the weekend moving them 3 points clear of relegation. Paul Taylor scored for Nomads before Brize Levelled courtesy of a Nomads own goal.

North Leigh A picked up another valuable three points in their push for Premier Division survival. A 3-1 win over Spartan Rangers gives them a glimmer of hope for their 4 remaining games. They had to come back from a Paul Saunders goal at half time though and did so with goals from Ben Riordan (2) and Luke Simmonds.

Division One

Cassington clinched promotion to the Premier Division in style as they romped to a 12-0 demolition over Hanborough Reserves. Dave Cooper lead the scoring as he smashed in a four-timer. Dale Cox grabbed himself a hat trick whilst Carl Osgathorpe, Lewis Hooper, Simon Kelly, Sean Lalor and even keeper Dan Cox all added to the score line.

Cassington still sit 4 points behind leaders Bampton Town who now only need 2 wins form their last 4 games to clinch the Division One title after Bampton beat Carterton Reserves 3-0. Jason Trinder, Chris Bowles and Carl Williams scored the goals.

Witney Royals put in an impressive performance against basement boys West Witney Reserves beating them 5-1.  Matt Townsend scored for the home side, but it was the visitors who were too hot to handle scoring through.  Richie Benham and Tom West each bagged a brace with Matt Thompson adding.  West’s 20 yard volley being the pick of the bunch.

Minster Lovell came back from a goal down to beat Witney Wanderers 2-1. Chris Bennell put the visitors ahead but Craig Williams and Mike Wharton gave Minster all three points.

The points were shared at Ducklington Reserves who earned a 3-3 draw with Eynsham A. Ray Read, Dean O’Sullivan and Alan Hughes scored for the home side with Tom Rawlings, Joe Wick and Sam Grace finding the net for Eynsham.

Division Two

Brize Norton Reserves look odds on to bounce straight back up to Division One as Champions after a magnificent seven-nil thrashing of Wootton Sports. Carl Shepherd hit a brace in the win as Brize raced to a 5-0 half time lead. Richard Goodwin, Ollie Puddle, Dan Frizzell, Mark Jewell and Chris Drabwell all added. Brize are now a point clear with 3 games in hand.

Spartan Rangers Reserves hopes of winning the Division took a huge blow on Saturday as they went down 1-0 to Freeland Reserves. Jason Footitt scored the only goal of the match.

Minster Lovell Reserves hopes of survival look pretty bleak after their 4-0 loss to Tackley. Chris Betreen and Ethan Penny each grabbed a brace in their sides victory.

Kingham AB’s Tom Edington stole the show with a 4 goal haul in his sides 8-1 thumping of Fieldtown. Miles Harding and Nick Hartlet both scored a double with Adam Miles replying for Fieldtown.

Wychwood Forest went down 4-1 to Chippy Swifts. Leo Haines scored the goal for the home side, but Warwick Tompkins, Hoe Perry, Richard French and Ryan Green all netted to take all three points.

Division Three

Bampton Town Reserves now need only 1 more win from their last three games to attain promotion after a convincing 6-1 win over Two Rivers. Richard Ghagan hit a double with James Miller, Dan Oyston, Craig Ferguson and Nathan Beckett all scoring. Piotr Wodz hit back with Rivers consolation.

However, Bampton are being made to work hard for the title by FC Chequers, who are only a point behind. Chequers maintained second places after a 4-1 win over Spartan Rangers A. Dan Harwood notched twice with Kevin Davies and Ollie Smith adding. Tom Merchant replied for Spartan.

Hanborough A went down 2-0 to Kingham AB Reserves. Dan Davies and Rob Tyak with the goals.

Ben Jackson (2) and Dave Baker scored the goal that gave Ducklington A a 3-3 draw with Milton Reserves. The visitors have David Jeynes to thank as his hat trick secured a point.

Witney Royals Reserves look set to end the season on the leagues bottom side after a 2-0 defeat at the hands of rivals FC Mills Reserves. The home side, who are enjoying a mini revival scored through Rob DeBanks and Warren Senior.

April 14th

Premier League

West Witney 2 - 5 Freeland

Against an in form West Witney side Champions Freeland put in a strong second half performance to come back from two down and rescue three points to keep their title aspirations on track.

After a string of great performances West made a bright start to this game going two up within the opening half hour when Matt Townsend hammered a thirty yard strike into the top corner for his 25th league goal of the season, followed by another great turn and strike from the increasingly prolific Richard Farr.

West were two minutes away from taking a two goal lead into the break when Freeland were awarded a penalty for a handball which Stuart Hole tucked away.

Freeland came flying out of the blocks in the second half and had reversed the deficit to go 3-2 up by the time the game reached the hour mark. From West’s point of view it was a series of disappointingly scrappy and avoidable goals that they conceded but credit must go Freeland who showed great determination to win the game despite the rigor of their hectic fixture schedule.

West came close to getting back on level terms on a number of occasions. A couple of chances were snuffed out by the Freeland keeper racing quickly off his goal line to sweep up any danger, and West full back Steven Henderson had a close range effort blocked by some great last ditch defending.

Freeland added a couple more late on and West disappointingly lost their heads and opted for winging at the referee rather than increasing their efforts. All in all though Freeland will feel they deserved the points.

Anonymous
West Witney FC

 

There was no change at the head of the Premier league as the top four teams all won.

Hailey remain two points clear after their 3-2 win over North Leigh A. A brace from Dan King was added to by brother Joey, and this gave them the edge despite a second half comeback from North Leigh, when Shaun Harris and Greg Finnemore score.

Ducklington are still in touch in second place, after they beat Brize Norton 2-1. Chris Marshall scored for the visitors, but goal from Matt Kent and Gary Brooks ensured Ducklington took all three points.

Charlbury Town crucially found form again for their title run in. They kept pace after a 3-2 win over Spartan Rangers. Jamie Wearing scored for the second week running to add to goals from Mark Dellar and Craig McCallum. Steve Williams and Jamie Timms scored for the home side.

FC Nomads gained a very valuable point against Hanborough as they drew 1-1. Both goals came in the first half with Kevin Reddington and Dan Smith scoring for Nomads and Boro’ respectively.

Millpark chalked up another win after beating Aston 4-1. Martin Latimer, Alex Bolt, Mike Bolt and Joe Cockroft, all scored to cancel out Craig Walkers strike. Aston now lie three points adrift at the bottom of the league but have a game in hand.

Division One

Bampton Town secured their third successive promotion after a 6-0 thrashing of Witney Wanderers. Steve Godfrey (2), Steve Holder (2), Paul McEntegart and Jason Trinder scored the goal that guaranteed Bampton Premier Division Football next season and just need two more wins to go up as Champions.

Cassington are now just 1 point shy of promotion and kept the title chase alive with a 2-1 win over Milton. Phil Benfield scored for the visitors, but Justin Young and Dave Cooper scored for Cassington.

Carterton Reserves still lead the rest of the pack after a stunning 6-2 win over struggling Eynsham A. Scott Walters (2), Steve Morgan, Dan Cross, Richard Baker and Graham Dunn were all on target as Carterton raced to a 5-0 lead at half time. Ben Clifton and Craig Shepherd replied in vain in the second half for the home side. Eynsham are now precariously placed just two points clear of relegation having played more games than their fellow strugglers.

Ollie Lyon struck yet again for FC Mills but it was mere consolation as they went down 3-1 to local rivals Witney Royals. Richie Benham hit a brace and an own goal from goal Keeper, Kevin Alder completed the score line.

Hanborough Reserves narrowly went down 2-1 to Ducklington Reserves. Jake Souch hit a double that gave the visitors the points, with Kevin Grafton pulling one back in the second half for Boro’.

Division Two

Fieldtown 2 - 1 Charlbury Town Reserves

Two first half goals were enough to give Fieldtown a hard-fought victory over Charlbury Town Reserves on Saturday, in a match which saw the sublime and the ridiculous in equal measure and provided an entertaining spectacle for the gathered hoardes.

Fieldtown began playing down their legendary hill, and took the lead unexpectedly early through a smashing Steve Osnald goal. A corner from the left found Osnald unmarked at the far post. His sweet volley flew back across goal and into the top corner giving the Charlbury defence no time to react. Town saw this only as a momentary blip and believed they could still win through. The early exhanges were scrappy and neither side had taken a firm foothold on the game.

However, as Town created presentable opportunites at the other end - Ian Jarvis struck the cross bar, whilst Rocky Burton shot over - Fieldtown doubled their lead with only their second shot of the match. As Osnald again found space on the left, some uncertain defending allowed Sam King to sneak through the centre and fire into the bottom corner for two nil.

It was as much as Town could do from this point to hold out to the half, although they went on to miss further chances in Fieldtown's area, notably through Burton. The second half was a slightly different story, but only in that Charlbury's dominance of chances became absolute. They soon found a goal after a flurry of promising Travis Rolls' corners finally found their target, and Ian Jarvis prodded home on the line.

But as much as Charlbury pressed - and Fieldtown dropped deep - the more they created the hard work for themselves. On two occasions, the home side broke clear on Charlbury's goal, the first saved one-on-one by goalkeeper Alex Connolly, and the second thwarted by Connolly as he jumped and blocked an audacious Ashely Bull attempt outside the area. Town themselves were becoming desperate, and missed a hatful more of good chances through Jarvis and Burton.

But at last it seemed Charlbury's pressure would pay, as Burton muscled through a tight penalty area, and rolled a ball across the six-yard box for Sam Cleaver to finish. As Town celebrated, the referee noticed the liesman's flag raised. He consulted the linesman, and decided that the goal was not legitimate. It was a crushing blow, and in the remaining desperate moments there was little Town could do to break down Fieldtown's determined resolve.

The game ended in victory for the embattled home team, and Charlbury were left to rue some dismal finishing and a lax first half. The disallowed goal was untimely, but hopes were truely dashed by the catalogue of missed chances rather than one contentious decision.

The division two basement battle continues.

Fieldtown: B Thomas, N Lynch, G Bull, I Moss, G Sutton, A Miles, N Harris, S King, S Osnald, A Bull, O Whitehall. Subs: T Pile

Goals: S Osnald, S King

Charlbury Town Reserves: A Connolly, D Oliver, G Jackson, T Rolls, D Pratley, C Siford, L Kelly, S Jarvis, I Jarvis, R Burton, G Jones. Subs: S Cleaver, F Duffield

Goals: I Jarvis

Grampus's Man of the Match: In a dogged perfromance from a team shy of league points, Steve Osnald produced the game's only moment of class with an excellent first goal. His prompting from the left wing was also key to Fieldtown's victory and his was the outstanding contribution from either side.

Alex Connolly
Charlbury Town FC

 

Despite sitting second in the table to their opponents Spartan Rangers Reserves, Brize Norton Reserves are now in a commanding position after winning the table top clash 3-0. Three second half goals from Richard Goodwin, Gerrard Morgan and Jon Smalles decided the tie. Brize now sit 5 points behind leaders Spartan but with 4 games in hand.

Despite being several points off the pace, Tackley, in third, continued their promotion push with a convincing 5-1 over Freeland Reserves. A second half goal blitz saw Tackley improve on a 1-0 half time lead with Chris Betreen scoring a hat trick. Ethan Penny and Joe Beahan added while Les Hole replied for the home side.

Wychwood Forest and Combe drew 2-2. Chris Reed and Matt Herbert (penalty) scored for Forest with Patch Gardner and Steve Smith replying for Combe.

Minster Lovell Reserves came from behind to earn a valuable point against Kingham AB. Andrew Forteath and Ian Reynolds goals earned Minster a point after Miles Harding and Luke Herbert had given Kingham the lead.

FC Nomads Reserves went down 3-1 to Chippy Swifts with a Warwick Tompkins brace doing the damage. Richard French added after Ian Hoddy had scored for Nomads.

Division Three

In the leagues most competitive Division, Bampton Town Reserves still lead the pack after a convincing 5-0 win over Hailey Reserves. Dan Oyston (2), Kevin Buckingham, Wayne Bowles and Craig Ferguson scored the goals that keep Town a point clear at the top.

FC Chequers had to fight hard to earn their 3 points, and keep pace with Bampton after a narrow 2-1 win over Wychwood Forest Reserves. Frank Burlingham gave the home side the lead at the break but goals from Kevin Davis and player manager Simon Moore settled the tie.

Southrop also maintained the pressure on the top two after a 2-0 win over Ducklington A. Urim Fejzulah and Matt Reynolds scored the goal that keep Southrop 2 points off the top spot having played a game more.

Steve Hill bagged a brace for Spartan Rangers A in their 3-0 win over FC Mills Reserves. Joel Graham added a stunner from outside the box.

Rob Tyak and Andy Watson both scored a brace in Kingham AB Reserves 5-0 thrashing of Two Rivers. Dan Davies added.

Michael Piper was on the double in Witney Royals Reserves 4-0 win over Milton Reserves. Martin Byrne added with veteran centreback Alan Kennedy getting on the score sheet for the first time this season.

April 7th

Premier League

West Witney 5 - 1 Spartan Rangers

West Witney produced a superb performance to obliterate local rivals Spartan 5-1 and move into a season high position of 5th in the league.

As in the reverse fixture at the start of the season it was actually Spartan who took an early lead. Striker Dave Large got away from his marker and the West goalkeeper misjudged the bounce on his speculative effort. West soon leveled though after the Spartan keeper repaid the favor by failing to hold onto a strike from Richard Farr and presenting the ball to Matt Townsend for a tap in.

As the first half progressed Witney’s midfield began to dominate the game physically and the home side got themselves in front when a dead ball delivery from James Clarke was met by a thunderous header from Dale Hartless. The result was then secured by half time when centre back Wayne Forrest lashed in a third goal from close range after a goal mouth scramble.

Spartan’s one chance to get back in the game came early in the second half but a close range volley fell tamely into the arms of the West keeper and from there the home sent went from strength and looked like scoring at will with some great free flowing football. The fourth goal came after Jonothan Smith went on a pitch length solo run, drawing all the Spartan defenders towards him before calmly playing in Richard Farr who unleashed a hammer strike that nearly bust the back of the net.

More chance followed, James Clarke hit a volley which just sailed over the bar and then produced a fine save from the Spartan keeper after being put clean through. West finally did get the fifth goal that their football deserved when Clarke turned provider for Matt Townsend who after spurning a couple of chances of his own this time accepted the invitation to bag his second.

A brilliant team performance from a West side who are now looking at a potential top six finish having won four of their last five league games.

Anonynous
West Witney FC

 

The gap at the top remains at two points as Hailey were in cracking form as they beat title rivals Charlbury Town 6-1. Craig McCullum scored for the visitors but a Joel King inspired Hailey were out of sight before the break. King’s hat trick did the damage, and Richard Sutton, Terry Tinson and Darryl Steele completed the rout.

Ducklington managed to go one better beating Aston 7-0. Brace Aston fought hard but were undone by a Chris Palmer hat trick. Gary Brooks (2), Matt Kent and Ben Morris also added.

Freeland dropped only their second points of the year after a 3-3 draw with fierce local rivals Hanborough. Jefferson Harriott, Richard Trigg and Tom Mason gave Freeland the lead, but Ben Glastonbury inspired a comeback with a brace, with Neil Rose adding.

Millpark grabbed a valuable three points with their 3-1 win over North Leigh A. Martin Latimer’s brace being all that was needed. Will Smalldon replied for North Leigh.

Brize Norton went down 3-2 to visitors Carterton.

Division One

Bampton Town continued their relentless charge for the title after they beat FC Mills who themselves have been enjoying a recent good run of form. Youngster Ollie Lyon scored for the home side but Craig Ferguson, Chris Bowles and John Shuker ensured the points went to Bampton. Chris Coggins missed the change to make Bampton sweat when he blazed a penalty over the crossbar.

Cassington scored twice in the second half to earn a 2-0 win over Ducklington Reserves and ensure the title race isn’t over quite yet. Dave Cooper and Carl Osgathorp with the goals.

Scott Walters and Harry Threthowan both found the net in Carterton Reserves 2-0 win over Minster Lovell.

Steve Reynolds scored the only goal of the game in Witney Royals 1-0 win over Eynsham A.

Chris Bennell was on the double for Witney Wanderers as his two goals ensured a 2-1 win over North Leigh B. A rare Dominic Baker strike was all North Leigh had for their toils.

Milton made light work of Hanborough Reserves beating them 3-0.

Division Two

Spartan Rangers Reserves remain top despite only managing a 1-1 draw with fellow promotion hopefuls Kingham AB. Craig Halkett and Dave Lamb scoring for Spartan and Kingham respectively.

Gerrard Morgan lead the way for Brize Norton Reserves in their 4-1 win over Freeland Reserves. Morgan’s hat trick was complemented by a strike from Richard Goodwin with a Sam Symmonds strike Freeland’s only reply.

AC Finstock edged their local derby with Charlbury Town Reserves. A first half blitz saw Travis Rolls and Ian Jarvis score for the home side with James Claridge, Craig Horne and Dan Claridge snatching the points for Finstock.

In another local derby, hosts Wootton Sports went down 4-0 to Tackley. Chris Betreen hit another double with Jacob Bishop and Ethan Penny also adding.

Combe kept their promotion hopes alive with a 3-1 win over FC Nomads Reserves. Tony Wilsons first half goal gave Nomads hope before Pat Gardener completed a double adding to Simon Gale’s strike.

Division Three

A top of the table clash saw leaders Bampton Town Reserves take on second placed Southrop. A Steve Holder brace gave Bampton the lead before Dave Meredith and Urim Fejzulaha pulled it back. The very evenly balanced match ended in a 2-2 draw with Southrop rueing a late chance to win the match.

FC Chequers capitalised on the draw to move second with a 2-1 win over Ducklington A.  Curtis Hobday scored for Duck but goals from Dan Harwood and Graham Barclay settled the tie.

Aston Reserves are still in the chase after Eddie Brookes two bullet headers gave Aston a slim 2-1 win over Witney Royals Reserves. Nathan Bowles replied for Royals with what is now their customary 20 yard strike.

Rob Tyack struck twice to earn Kingham AB Reserves a 2-1 win over Hailey Reserves. Julian Evans replied for the visitors.

Phil Mills inspired Two Rivers to a 3-2 win over FC Mills Reserves after Rob DeBanks (2) had fired the visitors into the lead. Jon Tillson also scored in the second half with a fine long range effort before the Two Rivers manager grabbed a second with a superb volley.