Witney & District Football Association

Freeland re-took top spot in their last game of the season after a 3-1 win against relegated North Leigh A. Joe Crocker scored a brace and Tom Leader added. Dean Treadwell replied for the visitors. Freeland now have a 3 point lead and will retain their title unless second placed Brize Norton can pick up a 3 points from their last two games.

Ducklington beat Charlbury Town 2-1 with goals from Matt Gorman and Corey James. Andrew Woodley replied for Charlbury.

Division One

Braces from Brad Bryant and Craig Williams kept alive Minster Lovell's hopes of winning Division One as they beat FC Mills 4-1. Rob Debanks replied for Mills who also lost 3-1 to FC Nomads midweek.

Witney Wanderers retained an outside chance of promotion as they thrashed Milton 5-1. Mark Saxel (2), Chris Bennell and Jerry Thomas bagged the goals.

Eynsham A produced their performance of the season beating Aston 6-4. Simon Tombs and Craig Freeman struck twice with Ian Law also adding. Phil Caswell (2), Ryan Hewer and Joe Hewer also added. However Aston DID pick up three points in the week with a 3-1 win over Brize Norton Reserves.

Division Two

Bampton Town Reserves and Combe are both promoted to Division One after AC Finstock, who have been hot on their heels all season long fell to a 4-1 midweek defeat against Freeland Reserves. Paul Mills rounded off the scoring for the visitors who had earlier taken the lead through Tom Mason (2) and Joe Crocker.

On Saturday, AC Finstock had the chance to close the gap again, but were held to a 3-3 draw against Wootton Sports. Luke Rand (2) and Leigh Grant scored for the home side with Chris Thomas hitting back for Finstock with a fine hat-trick.

Combe meanwhile secured their place in Division One with a convincing 5-1 win over Tackley. Craig Broome scored the consolation goal for Tackley after Matt Baker (2), Sam Hibbard, Adam Fleetwood and Martin Reeves had secured the points for Combe.

John Clarke (2), Henry Clarke, Jamie Timms and Chris Jordan all scored for Spartan Rangers Reserves in their 5-1 win over Southrop for whom Josh Truby replied.

Division Three

Kingham AB Reserves will join FC Chequers in Division Two next year after they grabbed their final three points in a 3-1 win over Minster Lovell Reserves. Having lost 5-2 to FC Mills Reserves midweek, Kingham's promotion was in the balance, but an impressive display capped by a goal from 54 year old Roger Huxford put the seal on a fine season.

Newly crowned Division Three Champions FC Chequers played out a 0-0 midweek draw with Wychwood Forest. That point, wasn't enough for promotion chasing Wychwood Forest who on Saturday lost 3-2 to fellow high flyers Two Rivers. Tom Radburn (2) and Peter Borchman scored the goals that consigned Wychwood to another season in Division Three.

Aston Reserves beat Ducklington A 4-2 to give themselves a relegation avoiding lifeline. Matt Brown (2), Dan Isherwood and Joe Coutts all scored to earn the vital 3 points. Aston must now muster 3 points from their last 3 games in order to avoid the drop.

Division Four

Freeland A wrapped up their season with a 3-1 win over stuttering Hailey Reserves midweek. Stu McNaughton, Ollie Smith and Nathan Langford all scored for the visitors with Les Quick replying for the home side.

Division Four Champions Chad Park rounded off their league campaign with a comfortable 5-0 thrashing of Southrop Reserves. Will Phipps was again amongst the scorers.

Hailey Reserves suffered yet another defeat, this time going down 3-2 at home to Milton Reserves in both team's final game of the season.

April 19th

Premier League

The Premier Division Title race is set to go right to the wire as both Brize Norton and Freeland dropped points this week. On Saturday, Brize Norton could only manage a 2-2 draw against a resilient North Leigh A. John Curtis and John Smales scored the goals for the league leaders while two second half strikes from Dean Treadwell and Kevin Trethowan levelled the match.

Freeland were held to a mid-week 1-1 draw with Bampton Town, but again pulled level on points with Brize after beating Ducklington 4-3 on Saturday. The see-saw match produced 7 goals. Stu Cutts, Gary Brooks and Matt Gorman all found the net for Duck, but strikes from Joe Crocker, John Leader and Darren Macnamara stole the points.

Brize Norton will win the Premier Division if they secure 4 points from their final two games or even sooner, if Freeland fail to take all three points from their final league game versus North Leigh. It won’t be an easy match as bottom placed North Leigh need to win both of their remaining games to avoid relegation.

Also at the wrong end of the table relegated West Witney picked up a notable mid-week scalp in their final Premier Division game beating Hailey 2-1. Matt Townsend and Michael Dove scored the winning goals with Mike Bolt replying.

Hailey restored some pride in their penultimate game of the season, beating Bampton Town 2-0. Joel King and Ross Flemming with the goals.

Nothing but pride was at stake when mid-table Spartan Rangers faced Charlbury Town. The visitors took all three points courtesy of a 1-0 win with a single Bruce Claridge goal proving the winner.

Division One

Witney Royals will be playing Premier Division football next season for the first time in the club's history. They achieved promotion after a 4-1 win over Witney Wanderers. Matt Thompson scored twice with Luke Chadwick and Jamie Kennedy adding. Royals will be joined by Minster Lovell if they are able to win one more of their three remaining games.

Minster Lovell's promotion push faltered slightly mid-week as they were defeated 4-2 by Witney Wanderers. However, a 5-2 win over Eynsham A on Saturday put them back on track. Dan Bishop bagged a brace while Craig Williams, Brad Bryant and Chris Smith all added. Ian Law notched both of Eynsham’s consolation goals.

FC Nomads left the division in the opposite direction after they suffered two defeats in the space of a week. Successive losses keeps them bottom and will see them playing Division Two football next season. Dave Jeynes scored 4 of Milton's 5 goals past them in a 5-0 mid-week thrashing, while Paul Neil and Antony Lune each scored to give Ducklington Reserves a 2-0 win on Saturday. This consigned Nomads to relegations and ensured Ducklington’s Division One survival.

Mid-table FC Mills had typically contrasting fortunes this week bouncing back from a 5-2 loss against Aston, to beat Brize Norton Reserves 7-0. It was one-way traffic as Ollie Lyon and Rob DeBanks each scored twice. Steve Lyon added, with Lee Brown and Andy Moriarty also amongst the scorers.

Division Two

Tackley and West Witney Reserves are embroiled in a battle to avoid relegation at the bottom of Division Two.

However, the fate of both teams lies in Tackley’s hands as West Witney Reserves failed to register a point in their last league game. They were soundly beaten 6-3 by AC Finstock with Dan Claridge and Dean Mays each scoring a hat trick. Alex Vaughan, Tom McLeman and Wayne Forest scored in reply and now face a nail biting wait.

Tackley need one win from their last two games in order to leapfrog West Witney into a position of safety after earning a point in their 1-1 draw against fellow strugglers Spartan Rangers Reserves. Jamie Timms and Craig Broome scored for Spartan and Tackley Respectively.

Freeland Reserves have no such worries as they secured 4th place with successive wins over Wootton Sports. Having beat them 5-3 in the week, they earnt all 6 points in this double header, but by a slimmer margin on Saturday. John Williams was Freeland’s Superman scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win.

Division Three

FC Chequers capped an impressive season in Division Three by beating Aston Reserves 5-1 and claiming the Division Three title in the process. Boasting the best defensive record in the league, Chequers picked up the vital three points courtesy of goals from Kevin Davies (2), Mark Edmunds, Steve Foster and player manager and super Sub, Simon Moore.

They will be joined by one of either Wychwood Forest, Two Rivers or Kingham AB Reserves.

Kingham AB Reserves, in 2nd place, were held to a 2-2 draw by Ducklington A with Will Graham and Ben Jackson grabbing the goals in the second half for the home side after Sam Philpot and an own goal had given Kingham a half time lead.

Wychwood Forest hold the cards however as they have a game in hand, They kept pace with Kingham by beating Fieldtown 6-1. Simon King scored the consolation goal for the home side but Chris Read (2) Simon Gibbs (2) and Ollie Bush scored the goals that keep them in the promotion race.

Minster Lovell Reserves, who remain in Division Three this year, notched up a 5-1 win over FC Mills Reserves. Dan Godden scored for Mills with Richard Williams and Ian Reynolds both scoring braces for Minster. Jamie Barker added the 5th.

Division Four

Division Four Champions Chad Park finished off their season in emphatic style with a 7-1 thrashing of Brize Norton A. Hot shot Will Phipps lead the way with a four timer. Tom Drinkwater and Steve Hunt added others before Matt Jupp replied for Brize.

Fellow promotes Witney Royals Reserves also gained a victory in their last league game, beating Freeland A 4-0. Mikey Piper banged in a hat trick while Richard Benham added a fourth.

Hailey Reserves restored some pride with a 2-1 win over Chippy Swift Reserves. Hailey, who finished third scored through Adam Morrison and Dan King.

FC Chequers Reserves inaugural season finished with a loss at the hands of Southrop Reserves. Shane Imms scored two excellent left footed strikes with Josh Truby also adding two. Dale Cox and Matt Hutton replied for Chequers.

April 12th

Supplementary Cup QF

Despite a valiant comeback, Division Four's Hailey Reserves, surcumbed 4-3 to Wychwood Forest of Division Three in a tight match. The Visitors edged the game thanks to Simon Gibbs (2), Chris Read and Craig Agnew. Chris Gunter (2) and Adam Morrison scored for Hailey.

After securing promotion, Division Four's Witney Royals Reserves more than held their own against Division Three leaders FC Chequers. However, it took just a single Shaun Rayfield header to send the visitors through to the semi-finals after a stop-start but fairly contested 90 minutes.

Premier League

League Leaders Brize Norton made no mistakes with their game in hand as they beat Hailey 6-2, giving them a 3 point lead at the top of the Premier Division. John Smalls lead the attack, scoring a hat trick. Jez Morgan bagged a brace with Chris Marshall adding. Dan and Joel King fired in Hailey’s token response in the second half.

Relegated West Witney, put last week's disappointment behind them and gave Ducklington a run for their money, narrowly losing 4-3. Two goals behind at the break, Witney mounted a comeback. All their goals came courtesy of a James Clarke hat trick. However, it was not enough as Stu Cutts also scored a hat trick, but with Paul Franklins goal tipping the tie in Duck’s favour.

A single goal was enough for Spartan Rangers to register a 1-0 win over Bampton Town.

Division One

Witney Royals threw down the gauntlet to their Division One rivals, by beating Aston 6-0. Royals who are currently in top spot, hit Aston for six with a second half goal blitz. There were brace’s for Richard Benham and Jamie Kennedy, with Nathan Bowles and Chris Catchpole also finding the back of the net. Royals currently lead second placed Minster Lovell by 5 points.

Minster Lovell, however, still have their fate in their own hands after beating Milton 3-2. Craig Williams, Brad Bryant and Steve Holder all scored for the hosts, who still have two games in hand on the league leaders. Arrun Baker and James Beaney replied for Milton.

Ducklington Reserves all but mathematically secure their Division One survival with a convincing 5-0 win over FC Nomads. Ian Lewis scored a hat trick with Jake Souch netting twice. Things look altogether less positive for bottom placed Nomads, who need at least 7 points from their remaining four games to avoid the drop.

Division Two

AC Finstock maintained their seasons aspirations with a 4-3 win over Southrop. The fate of the title may be out of their hands, but they took another step towards promotion as Dean Mays (2), Jamie Claridge and George Woodcock all found the back of the net. Southrop scored through Shane Imms and Lee Crouch.

West Witney Reserves continued to teeter on the brink of the drop zone after going down 2-1 to Chippy Swifts. Stuart Donals scored for the hosts, but Justin Morgan and Richard French popped up with the winning goals for Chippy.

Division Three

Spartan Rangers A are dicing with the drop as they were beaten 2-0 by Minster Lovell Reserves. Ian Reynolds scored both the goals that keep Spartan third from bottom.

Division Four

A 3-1 win over Freeland A ensured that Chad Park will be Division Four Champions if they can earn just one more point from their next three games. Will Phipps (2) and Josh Vaughan were on target for the leaders who have already secured promotion. Freeland replied through John Williams.

John Ayres found himself on the right end of a corner, to score with a bullet headers for hosts Eynsham Sports, however, was on the wrong end of a 7-1 score line against FC Chequers Reserves. The visitors overcame a nervy first quarter of an hour and settled the match with goals from Kevin Davies (2), Dale Cox, Justin Thomas, Chris Montgomery, Anthony Barlow and Charlie Forkner.

April 5th

Senior Challenge Cup QF

Hailey saw off fellow Premier League opposition Hanborough 3-0 in their Senior Challenge Cup game. Sean and Joel King's goals were accompanied by an Ollie Oswin strike.

Supplementary Cup QF

Division Four leaders Chad Park gave a superb account of themselves as they beat Division Three's Kingham AB Reserves who currently sit second in their league. Josh Vaughan, Steve Hunt and Will Phipps were all on the score sheet.

Eynsham Sports shrugged off their lowly position in Division Four to put on a fantastic display against Division Three high-flyers, Two Rivers. Eynsham raced to a 4-1 lead with John Ayres (2), Dan Brookes and Matt Walker all getting on the score sheet, but a lack of concentration let Rivers back into the game and eventually equalise through Phil Mills (2), Tom Radburn and Dan Smith. Smith then grabbed his second and the match winner in extra time.

Premier League

Despite a purple patch in the middle of the season, West Witney are now consigned to Division One football next year as Cassington beat them 3-1. West Witney needed at least a draw against Cassy to retain any hope of surviving the drop, yet a Dave Cooper brace and a strike from Greg Finnemore were the deciding factor in the game, despite John Smith's reply.

Brize Norton moved another step closer to winning the Premier Division title after a comfortable 3-0 win over Charlbury Town. Jez Morgan (2) and Dan King scored the goals that keep Brize three points clear at the top.

Freeland came back from a string of successive defeats to beat Ducklington 5-1, thus keeping alive their hopes of retaining the Premier Division crown. Simon Hole, Darren McNamara, Tom Mason, Joe Crocker and Dave Tarr all scored to secure the three vital points.

Closer to the bottom of the table, North Leigh A have seemingly turned the corner on their poor form, winning yet again, this time via a 3-1 defeat of Spartan Rangers. Jason Lonsdale was on the score sheet for the second week running with Kevin Trethowan and Brian Lewis adding. Paul Saunders scored the consolation goal for Spartan.

Division One

Nothing is has yet been decided amongst the relegation candidates in Division One as only Ducklington Reserves managed to gain a point. It came courtesy of a 1-1 draw with FC Mills. Ian Lewis and Ollie Lyon scored for Duck and Mills respectively, both goals coming in the first half.

Brize Norton Reserves vanquished Eynsham A 3-2. Ollie Puddle (2) and Steve Morgan with the goals. Craig Freeman and Tom Rawlings replied for the visitors.

FC Nomads were also only one goal away from a point, losing 4-3 at home to Milton. Martin Chivers (2) and Matt Sykes scored for the bottom placed side, but goals for Phil Benfield (2), Paul Dray and John Barnes kept Nomads rooted to the foot of the table.

Meanwhile at the top, Minster Lovell moved to within 4 points of leaders Witney Royals after a 3-1 win over mid table Aston. Brad Bryant netted a double, with Steve Holder adding for Minster who still have two games in hand on the league leaders.

Division Two

Combe bolstered their promotion chances after a fine display against Southrop winning 6-0. Martin Reeves, Guy Newland, Simon Baker, Tom Sharp, Matt Baker and Robin Chan were all on the score sheet

AC Finstock however have their promotion future in their own hands as they beat Tackley 4-2. Chris Betreen scored twice for Tackley, whilst Ashley Overton and Craig Mays each bagged a brace in the victory. Finstock can snatch second place from Combe if they win all three games in hand.

West Witney Reserves are teetering on the brink of relegation after a 6-1 defeat at the hands of Freeland Reserves. Nathan Langford and Tom Scroggs each scored doubles with Lee Walton adding. Rob Belcher rounded off the scoring. West Witney now need two wins from their last three games to ensure their Division Two status.

Division Three

Adam Gray, Ritchie Eastaff and Dan Cox all scored for FC Chequers in their 3-1 win over Minster Lovell Reserves. The result keeps them top by three points with two games remaining.

Wychwood Forest still have promotion firmly in their sights after a 4-0 win over Ducklington A. Ollie Bush scored yet another brace, whilst Dean Godfrey and Simon Gibbs completed the scoring.

Division Four

FC Chequers Reserves moved into fourth place courtesy of a 6-1 thrashing of Milton Reserves. The visitors took the lead with a superb strike from Adam Claridge, However the home side levelled when Ben Davies scored with an audacious lob. Matt Hutton then stole the show with a well taken hat trick. Dale Cox was also amongst the scorers.

Freeland A moved out of the bottom three with a competent 4-0 win over Southrop Reserves. Mo Semali, Jamie Perkins, Chris Hicks and Ollie Smith were all on target for the home side.