Season Previews

Brize Norton

Dan Frizzell has taken over the manager’s job at Brize and has lost a number of experienced players.

Although the majority of last years defence which was the meanest in the league are still in place. 

The problem came at the other end of the field with no one getting into double figures.
If they can find a goal scorer a top 4 finish is possible if not then expect a fair few 1-0’s.

Their best bet would seem to be a cup.

Players In: Paul Winch, Jez Morgan.
Players Out: Chris Drabwell, Danny King, Chris Marshall, Lee Williams, Mike Haines.
One to Watch: Mark Hedges
Last Year: 3rd
Prediction: 7th

Charlbury Town

Charlbury  will be relying on Craig McCullum  to score the goals again this season and if they  can keep a settled side and play to their  potential then there is no reason why they can't go one better than last season and win the title.

Andy Woodley, Matt Holloway and Macca form a very strong nucleus to the team and will be 3 very important players for them and in Shaun Akers they have one of the better keepers in the league.

The only foreseable problem could be strength in depth if players are away or injuries and suspensions kick in.

Players In: -
Players Out: -
One to Watch: Craig McCallum
Last Year: 2nd
Prediction: 3rd

Combe

New boys Combe had a great season in Division 1 last year and pulled off some notable scalps in cup competitions so will fancy their chances of a good finish this season.

However striker Matt Baker will miss the early part of the campaign after fracturing an ankle. Additionally Centre back Craig Worth will be working abroad and so will leave a large hole in the defence.

Whilst not likely to be in the hunt for the title I cannot see them struggling at the wrong end of the table.

Players In: Dan Sherbourne
Players Out: Paul Snook, Robin Chan.
One to Watch: Tim Wyatt
Last Year: Champions (Division One)
Prediction: 8th

Ducklington

A close season of upheaval at Duck with manager Ian Luckett stepping down to run the reserves and Rod King taking charge  once again.

Last season’s leading scorer Craig Mays has left to try his luck in the Hellenic League and other major players have retired. 

The talismanic Gary Brooks may be back, or he may not. Ben Morrish has returned to bolster an already strong defence  but Ashley Edwards has got to cut out the silly mistakes in goal.

Expect a challenge in cup competitions but the league is beyond them.

Players In: Ben Morrish, Tom West.
Players Out: Craig Lee, Pete O’Reilly, Neil Maskell, Craig Mays.
One to Watch: Matthew Gorman
Last Year: 4th
Prediction: 6th

Hailey

Last years champions will again be the  side to beat and there is no reason why they cannot go on and complete a league double.

The signing of Wayne Forrest will add back up to an already powerful defence and you can be sure that goals will come from all areas of the field.

Expect a stronger challenge in the cups as well with the Oxon Junior Shield their priority.

Players In: Wayne Forrest, Luke Manning.
Players Out: Mike Bolt, Perry Tinson, Ross Fleming.
One to Watch: Dean Mays
Last Year: Champions
Prediction: Champions

Hanborough

Hanborough suffered an injury ravaged season last season and were only once able to put out their strongest line up.

Neil Rose was a key loss to them and he will again miss the start of the season. 

Pete Andrews and James Llody have arrived from Stonesfield and will add strength to their squad with Llody in particular helping a defence that conceded too many poor goals.

I don’t think they will have the firepower to mount a serious title challenge but expect a better performance than last year.

Players In: Pete Andrews, James Llody.
Players Out: -
One to Watch: Aston Leach
Last Year: 6th
Prediction: 4th

Kingham AB

Info coming from "the wilds" is sketchy so no idea on player movement. 

It would be fair to say that last years promotion was a surprise to many (well me) and I am sure that manager Matthew Gorton would settle for staying up this year.

Last years striking duo of Chris Mills and Sam Philpott were a real handful for Division One defences, whether they can do the same again this season will be the key to Kngham staying up.

Players In: -
Players Out: -
One to Watch: Sam Philpott
Last Year: Runners-up (Division One)
Prediction: 11th (Relegated)

Minster Lovell

There is a renewed optimism at Wash Meadow after last years struggles where relegation  was only avoided by Bampton’s decision to withdraw.

There is a new manager in Charlie Hewer and he has bought in a number of new young players. 

Ben Tew is an exciting forward and with Nathan Harris they may form an exciting partnership, but whether this will be good enough remains to be seen.

Players In: Ben Tew, Craig Williams, Michael Wharton, Nathan Harris, Jordan Denley.
Players Out: -
One to Watch: Ben Tew
Last Year: 10th
Prediction: 10th (Relegated)

Spartan Rangers

An impressive pre-season has lead to renewed optimism in the Spartan Rangers camp.

Both Matt Townsend and James Clarke have made the brief trip to the Leys from West Witney and they hope that if Townsend can recreate his goal scoring exploits from a few seasons ago they can come close to the title and would certainly expect a top 4 place.

Players In: Matt Townsend, James Clarke.
Players Out: -
One to Watch: Seb Wilsker
Last Year: 7th
Prediction: 5th

West Witney

Despite lots of pre-season optimism at West Witney I foresee another season of struggle.

Despite new manager's Martin Prews signing's there appears to be a feeling that the players lost are better than the players gained, although this may make them a more cohesive unit.

They certainly need someone to be able to score 15 – 20 goals if they are to push out of the lower reaches.

A mid-table finish would be a bonus.

Players In: Mark Hamilton, Adam Rackham, Gary Jones, Steve Monk, Chico Manjavacas.
Players Out: Matt Townsend, James Clarke, Wayne Forrest., Matt Hemsley.
One to Watch: Tony McLeman
Last Year: 9th
Prediction: 9th

Witney Royals

A fine first season back in the top flight  for Royals last year and the management are confident that they can match or better this.  

They have plenty of competition in the forward department and there are lots of potential match winners on there day.

Keeper Tom Such will miss a large portion of the season and there is a feeling that they are not as strong at the back as they are up front.

Expect a big challenge and it would not be a major surprise if a trophy end ‘s up in Izzi’s come the end of the season.

Players In: Stephen Knight, Tom Kempster
Players Out: Tom West
One to Watch: Dave Cross
Last Year: 5th
Prediction: 2nd