Witney & District Football Association

Minster Lovell fought an epic battle with Croerdy, eventually coming out on the right end of a 6-4 score line. Chris Smith lead the way with a hat trick whilst Craig Williams a(2) and Bradley Bryant added to the Witney and District sides tally, seeing them through to the next round.

Ducklington and St Clements knocked a metaphoric 7 bells out of each other in a ding-dong battle until the sides were eventually split by extra time. Matt Kent scored four of Duck’s goals during the 120 minutes, with Matt Gorman bagging a brace. Ian Luckett scored the other goal in this fruity encounter.

A double strike from Matt Townsend was enough to see off North Leigh A in West Witney's 3-0 win at the weekend. Paul Martin scored the other goal for the visitors.

OFA Charity Cup

Martin Grimsley was in the thick of the action at both ends as Charlbury Town played out a 1-1 draw with local rivals Chadlington before eventually winning 5-4 on penalties.

His first half own goal and strike in the correct end gave parity to the score line which remained unchanged throughout the second half. Penalties were required to separate the sides, with Charlbury holding their nerve the longest to win 5-4.

Fred Ford Cup QF

Division Two Combe showed that they were comfortable punching above their weight as they narrowly lost out 3-2 to Bampton Town from the Premier Division. The sides were level at half time but two further goals from the visitors in the seconds half decided the closely fought tie. Matt Baker and Martin Reeves scored for Combe with Andy Stock, Nathan Beckett and Jason Trinder on the mark for the visitors.

Premier Division Hailey were also made to work hard for their 3-2 win against Witney Royals of Division One. Mike Duerden, Dan King and Dan Crossman were on target for the hosts, but Hailey were made to sweat it out as strikes from Luke Chadwick and Richie Benham made the result anything but a foregone conclusion right up until the 90th minute.

Jack Busby Trophy QF

Division Four's FC Chequers Reserves' Cup run was ended by Division One Brize Norton Reserves, but not before they were given a fright as the visitors took a 3-1 lead in a cracker of a match. Chequers' Chris Montgomery scored from the spot, accompanying goals from Anthony Barlow and Ollie Smith, however, Brize held firm and eventually overcame their opponents with goals from Paul Morrison (2), Ollie Puddle, Matt Howard and a Darren Hargreaves penalty winning 5-3. The good-spirited match surprisingly yielded 4 yellow cards and one red with the visitors Adam Gray being sent off after the final whistle.

Aston Leach was the saviour for Hanborough Reserves as he struck in extra time to send them through 2-1 against Minter Lovell Reserves for whom Ian Reynolds scored.

Premier League

The race for the Premier Division title is now currently closer than ever as it goes into it’s festive break with three teams sitting on 19 points at the top.

New leaders Hanborough currently sit atop the festive tree after their 6-1 thrashing of Spartan Rangers. Neil Rose proved a thorn in Spartan’s side scoring a hat trick. Craig Johnstone (2) and Matt Lane adding. Richard Forward scored a rare goal in reply for Spartan.

A single strike from Mark Jewell with just 10 minutes left of the clock was enough to earn Brize Norton all three points in their 1-0 win over Cassington.

Division One

Eynsham A picked up their first three pointer of the season beating Kingham AB 4-3. Craig Freeman scored a brace with Sam Jones and John Crump adding. Miles Harding, Mick Hartley and Jason Atkins all scored for the visitors but it was not enough.

Mark Limmer scored for Aston in their 3-1 home defeat to Milton. David Jeynes (2) and Paul Dray earning the 3 points for the visitors.

Division Two

Bampton Town Reserves continue to dominate the Division with a comfortable 4-2 win over Chippy Swifts. Simon Brown scored both of Chippy’s goals, but Craig Ferguson (2)< Dan Oyston and Aiden Nichhi-Ghiri returned fire for Bampton keeping them 14 points clear at the top of the division.

Second placed AC Finstock put in a 5-star performance and declared their intentions on taking Bampton all the way with a 12-1 thrashing of Charlbury Town Reserves. There were hat tricks for Chris Thomas and Craig Horne, with Gary McKinnon bagging a brace. Ben Godfrey Ashley Overton, Sam Bowers ad George Woodcock all got in on the act as well, completing the rout.

Alex Vaughan scored in West Witney Reserves 1-0 win over Spartan Rangers Reserves. The goal coming in the second half.

The points were shared at Wootton Sports as the hosts played out a 0-0 draw with Southrop.

Division Three

All the goals came in the first half as Two Rivers beat fellow title challengers Kingham AB Reserves 3-1. Sam Philpot struck for the home side but Tom Radburn, Steve Burke and Sean Harris all replied to give Rivers the win and keep them sitting 3 points clear atop Division Three,

FC Chequers still remain within striking distance having two games in hand over the leaders despite being held to a 1-1 draw with improving FC Mills Reserves. Rob DeBanks gave the visitors an early lead, and a missed Dale Cox penalty was tidied up by brother Dan Cox after a great save from Martin Lister to give each side a point.

Spartan Rangers A leapfrogged their opponents Aston Reserves after handing out a 6-2 mauling. New signing Nikita Edwards proving to be too much to handle, banging in 4 goals. Tom Busby also got on the score sheet.

Fieldtown went down 3-2 to Ducklington A with Will Graham (2) and Dave Bakers goals doing the damage. Ollie Whitehall replied in vain for the hosts.

Division Four

Hailey Reserves remain top of Division Four over the Christmas period, after beating a plucky Milton Reserves 5-2. Perry Tinson put in a glittering performance scoring twice with Jamie Hale, Martin Bull and Adam Morrison adding. Gary Webb and Arrunn Baker replied for the home side.

Chad Park also showed no festive spirit beating Eynsham Sports 6-2. Dan Brookes and Luke Ranking scored for Eynsham, but goals from Steve Hunt (2), Tim Mallen (2), Tom Drinkwater and Richard Ingrham ended any hope of a happy Christmas for the hosts.

Witney Royals Reserves narrowly beat Brize Norton A 2-1 despite dominating for much of the match. Rob Hook gave the home side a half time lead but second half strikes for Mikey Piper and Allan Morris over turned the score line and gave Royals all three points.

Freeland A end their year on a high with a 4-2 win over Southrop Reserves. Adrian Kew hit both goals for the hosts but Tom Scroggs, Jamie Perkins and a brace from Richard Gunner-Howe ensured all three Christmassy points went Freeland’s way. The game could have been a lot closer were it not for Scott Perkins in the Freeland goal who saved a penalty.

December 1st

December saw the return of the rain around the Witney & District and many games were postponed and in some cases abandoned because of it.

Those that DID see out 90 minutes will have their work cut out, cleaning kits and repairing pitches for next weekends games as the inclement weather, yet again takes its toll.

Oxfordshire Junior Shield

Bampton Town scored the biggest victory with an 8-0 thrashing of Arncott. Nathan Becket, who bagged a four timer was accompanied by Jason Trinder who weighed in with a hat trick before Paul McEntergart struck to complete the rout.

Milton also chalked up an impressive win after a 6-1 win over Real Islip. Dave Jeynes lead the scoring with a hat trick while Pip Benfield (2), and Paul Dray added.

Thame United were ejected from the cup by the Giles Team of the Month, Brize Norton. John Curtis struck twice, adding to strikes from John O’ROurke, Gerard Morgan and Richard Waddoups.

Spartan Rangers weren’t so fortunate and find themselves out of the cup, going down 5-2 to Berinsfield. Dave Large’s strike for Spartan added to an own goal.

Kingham AB overcame AC Finstock 5-2 in a match which was closer than the score line suggests. Alex Kelly and Miles Harding each grabbed a brace with Nick Hartley adding the 5th, Ashley Overton and Craig Horne replied in vain for the visitors.

FC Chequers went down 3-2 to ABK of Banbury.

Hailey were dispatched by Broughton & Newington, 2-1.

Witney Wanderers also fell in a 4-1 defeat at AFC Hinksey. Chris Bennell with Wanderers' goal.

Premier League

Charlbury Town picked up three points at home, in a 3-1 win over Cassington. Craig McCallum scored twice with Matt Holloway adding. Paul Hogg replied for the visitors.

Division One

Division One pace setters Witney Royals, strode regally back to the top of the table with a 1-0 win over Brize Norton Reserves. Richard Benham scored the games only goal in the second half giving Royals a 2 point lead over second placed Minster Lovell.

Division Two

Bampton Town Reserves look unstoppable in their charge for promotion. They now sit an extraordinary 12 points clear at the top of the league before the Christmas break thanks to a 5-2 win over Tackley. Craig Broome and Roger Moss scored the Tackley goals but Aidan NEcchi-Ghiri hit a hat trick with Dan Oyston and Tom Madden both adding.

Dan Smith (2), and Aston Leach were on the score sheet for Hanborough Reserves in their narrow 3-2 win over Chippy Swifts. Liam Fudge and Richard French hit back for Chippy but it was not enough as the hosts held on for all three points.

Division Four

Nothing could separate hosts Chad Park and Hailey Reserves In the battle at the top of Division Four. Andy Woods scored in the first half for Hailey who had their lead cancelled by Will Phipps’ equaliser in the second half in the 1-1 draw.

The draw would have please the rejuvenated Witney Royals Reserves who are hot on both their heels, after thrashing Wychwood Forest Reserves 8-0. Andy Cross ran the show, scoring a hat trick in the process. Loyd Edwards who pulled the strings in midfield also got on the score sheet. Mickey Piper (2), Colin Morris and Ryan Cook added completing the rout. Nigel James hit the consolation goal for the visitors.

Dan Tasker struck twice for Brize Norton A in their 3-1 win over Milton Reserves. Tim Dorsett scored for the visitors before David yallop added the finishing goal for Brize.

Freeland A seem to have turned the corner after their impressive 5-1 win over Chippy Swifts Reserves. Richard Stanley who lead the scoring for the visitors with a brace but it was man of the match, Stu McNaughton who called the shots, scoring in the process. Nathan Langford and Jamie Perkins grabbed the other goals. Rocky Burton dispatched l late penalty for Chippy after Paul Fenwick was shown the red card for hanballing on the line.

Debutant Dan Cox smashed home 5 goals for FC Chequers Reserves in their 9-0 demolition of Eynsham Sports. Defender Shaun Rayfield picked up a hat-trick in several forays he made up front with Justin Thomas adding the single. The brave visitors battled hard in the poor conditions and the score line could have been double figures were it not for a terrific performance from Eynsham keeper Ashley Bowerman who pulled off a string of excellent saves throughout the 90 minutes.