Reports: January 2008
January 26th
Junior Challenge Cup
Bampton Town Reserves made light work of hosts Tackley with a 3-0 win. The goals coming courtesy of Tom Madden, Dan Oyston and Richard Ghagan.
It took extra time to separate Milton as they played hosts to Minster Lovell. After 90 minutes the score was 2-2, but a further two goals from Milton ensured they would be through to the next round. Phil Benfield (2) and David Jeynes (2) netting for the hosts with Dan Bishop, Mike Haines and Craig Sallis hitting back for Minster.
Ducklington Reserves eased through after defeating West Witney Reserves, 4-1. Adam Clarke, Ian Peedle, Ray Read and Richard Newman all found the back of the net for the hosts with Alex Thorne scoring West Witney’s loan reply.
Steve Brasier, Matt Thompson and Joe Sanders were all on target for Witney Royals as they beat Chippy Swifts 3-0.
Carl Shephard scored twice in Brize Norton Reserves 4-3 win over Kingham AB Reserves. Ryan Healing and Ollie Puddle grabbed the others while Miles Harding (2), and Chris Mills scored for the visitors.
Supplementary Cup
Group 1
In the new group format for the Supplementary Cup, Wychwood Forest spelt out their Cup intentions after thrashing Ducklington A 7-2. Will and Tom Graham both scored for the home side, but it was mere consolation as Simon Gibbs banged in a hat trick for the Wychwood. Fellow veteran Dean Godfrey bagged a brace while Chris Reed and Tim Senior also netted.
Brize Norton A also picked up three points in the group after beating Chippy Swifts Reserves 4-0. Luke Simmonds (2), Rob Hook and Matt Jupp with the goals.
Group 2
Matt Hardy and Richard Howe each scored for Freeland A in their 6-2 defeat by Aston Reserves.
The points were shared as Chad Park and Spartan Rangers A drew 1-1. Tom Drinkwater and Dan Andrews scored for Chad and Spartan respectively.
Group 3
Hailey Reserves surprised FC Chequers with a 2-1 victory over their hosts. Kevin Davies gave Chequers the lead but strikes from Dan Daves and Martin Bull gave the visitors the points.
Group 4
Kingham AB Reserves sit atop group 4 after a 4-0 win over Fieldtown. Sam Philpot, Adam Hunt, Ian Widdows and Dan Davies all scored.
Peter Borchmann and Dan Smith were on target as Two Rivers beat Milton Reserves 2-1. Jason Thomas replied for Milton.
Premier League
Freeland moved clear at the top after a nail biting finish to their 3-2 win over rivals Hailey. Freeland were 3-0 up with ten minutes to go after Neil Howe, Tom Mason and Chris Palmer had given them the lead, but Hailey made Freeland sweat after scoring two goals in the last ten minutes through Joel King (Penalty) and Mike Duerden.
The showpiece match in the Premier Division was the 4-4 draw between Cassington and Spartan Rangers. The points were shared as Steve Williams (2), Steve Wright, and Gavin Komenick scored for Spartan while hosts Cassington showed great spirit, coming from behind three times courtesy of goals from Dave Cooper (2), Greg Finnemore and a Carl Osgathorp penalty.
Despite being at opposite ends of the division West Witney were disappointed to only come away from their game with second placed Hanborough with only a point. Both sides had the chance to win the game, but the hosts dug in and battled hard to keep the 0-0 score line.
North Leigh A remain rooted to the foot of the table after going down 4-1 to Charlbury Town. Martin Grimsley lead the way with a hat trick whilst Dan Fitzgerald added the other. Jason Lonsdale replied for North Leigh.
Bampton Town remain pointless in January after losing to Ducklington 2-1. Nathan Beckett scored for Bampton but Mark Wright and Seb Wilsker scored right at the death to snatch the points for Duck..
Division Two
Combe kept alive their hopes of lifting the Division Two title with a narrow 2-1 win over Wootton Sports. Tim Wyatt and Adam Fleetwood scoring the goals that mattered. Russell Bracey replied for Wootton.
Nikita Edwards was on target again as Spartan Rangers Reserves beat Hanborough Reserves 2-0. Chris Baker scored the other goal for the home side.
Division Four
Witney Royals Reserves again produced a promotion winning performance with a 6-0 thrashing of Southrop Reserves. Kearse Simpson bagged a brace with Mikey Piper, Martin Webb, Andy Cross and Loyd Edwards also finding the back of the net.
Division Four's top scorer John Ayres proved the match winner as his hat trick gave Eynsham Sports the three points they deserved after their 3-0 win over Wychwood Forest Reserves.
January 19th
Premier League
Brize Norton retained top stop after a battle with West Witney ended 5-2 in favour of the home side. John Curtis led the way with four goal, whilst Richard Waddoups added the other, scoring direct from a corner. Matt Townsend and Wayne Forrest replied in vain for West Witney.
Freeland got the better of hosts Spartan Rangers, beating them 5-0. David Tarr hit a hat trick, with Joe Crocker and Craig Simpson adding. Freeland are level on points with Brize, but have two games in hand.
Ducklington edged a close game against visitors Cassington, emerging 2-1 victors and pulling away from the drop zone in the process. Carl Osgathorp scored for Cassington who deserved more for their performance, but Matt Gorman and Stu Cutts scored the goals to give the home side the points.
Division One
After going 1-0 down, Witney Royals announced their title credentials with a resounding 8-1 thrashing of Eynsham A. Matt Thompson’s hat trick crowned a great team performance in which, Tom West, Steve Brasier, Anthony Williams, Ritchie Benham and manager Chris Catchpole all scored to keep the home side seven points clear at the top of the division. Craig Freeman scored the consolation for Eynsham who remain rooted to the bottom of the table.
Kingham AB and Ducklington Reserves took a share of the points as they fought out a scrappy 1-1 draw. Miles Harding and Paul Neal scoring for Kingham and Ducklington respectively.
Division Two
There were goals galore as Hanborough played hosts to Division leaders Bampton Town Reserves. Bampton doubled their 3-2 half time lead to finally win the evenly contested match. Aston Leach and Dan Smith scored for Boro’ with Rob Lovick adding a brace, however, doubles from Dan Oyston and Jason Trinder accompanied stickes from Tom Madden and Liam Main to give Bampton all three points and a seemingly unassailable 12 point lead over Combe at the top of the division.
Meanwhile, Combe were embroiled in their own thrilling match away at Freeland Reserves. Leading 3-0 at half time, Combe seemed to have the match sewn up, however, Freeland replied with a never say die attitude and would have leveled the match were it not for a Matt Baker hat trick and a Tom Sharpe goal. Nathan Langford (2) and Richard Howe scored the goals in Freeland’s mini revival but ended up losing 4-3.
Goals were sparse but incident was plenty as West Witney Reserves beat Wootton Sports 1-0. A single strike from Tom McLemon was enough to take all three points for the hosts. Wootton thought they had done enough for a point when they scored direct from a free kick, however, the referee had indicated an indirect free kick, which therefore resulted in a goal kick!
Charlbury Town Reserves picked up a well earned and valuable point at home to Spartan Rangers Reserves as the sides played out a goalless but entertaining 0-0 draw.
Southrop kept pace with the promotion chasing pack courtesy of a 2-1 win over Chippy Swifts. Scott Walters and Jon Simmonds scored the the home side with Gary Smith replying for Chippy.
Division Four
Chad Park are in pole position for promotion after a 4-0 win over Eynsham Sports. Will Phipps scored twice with Josh Vaughan also amongst the goals. Chad are 5 points clear with a game in hand over their closest rivals Witney Royals Reserves.
Witney Royals Reserves played hosts to FC Chequers Reserves who are currently enjoying a purple patch in their incident filled season. Mikey Piper scored twice to give Royals a second half lead, but Paul Read was on hand to pull one back before Dan Cox equalised with a rocket of a free kick from just inside the opponents half. The match ended 2-2 with both sides ruing missed chances and Royals having played the last 40 minutes with 10 men due to losing a player from a red card offence.
The game between Chippy Swifts Reserves and Southrop Reserves was a mirror of the first team game with Southrop coming out on top 2-1. Matthew Smith found the back of the net for Chippy with Adam Trinder and Ady Kew securing the points for the visitors.
January 12th
Fred Ford Cup QF
In what might have been a potential cup upset, Division Two's AC Finstock met Premier Division Freeland. However, the game went to form with Freeland easing through to the next round 5-0. Stuart Hole, Craig Simpson, Tom Mason, Chris Palmer and Tom Scroggs were all on target.
Jack Busby Trophy QF
Division One met Division Two as Ducklington Reserves played hosts to Charlbury Town Reserves. Again, there were no surprises as Ducklington lead 2-0 at half time, doubling it to a 4-0 score line before half time. Ian Peedle, Dan Walker, Paul Neale and Dave Baker all found the back of the net.
Premier League
Premier Division Leaders Hanborough showed their worth as they came back from a 3-1 half time deficit to beat Bampton Town 4-3. Bampton were on the verge of a big scalp after Dan Oyston, Nathan Beckett and Paul Merchant had given them the lead at the break. But Dan Haggie, Duncan Griffin, Paul Rose and Craig Johnson all hit the back of the net to earn the three points which keeps them top of the pile.
Joel King and Mike Duerden each scored a brace as Hailey beat Cassington 5-1. Mark Hamilton replied for Cassy, with Sean King grabbing the other for the hosts. Hailey are now poised 2 points behind leaders Hanborough, with three games in hand.
Division One
The Division One race took another twist on Saturday when leaders Witney Royals were beaten 5-2 by Brize Norton Reserves. Steve Morgan picked up a hat trick in the process with Leo Haines and Rob Hook bagging the others. Matty Thompson, Ritchie Benham and Chris Catchpole all scored for Royals but it was not to be their day as Brize held on for the win which moved them into second place, now just four points behind Royals.
FC Mills beat bottom side Eynsham A 2-0 with a goal apiece from Steve Carvey and Chris Coggins. Eynsham are still rooted to the foot of the table, but just a point behind FC Nomads and Ducklington Reserves who sit above them.
Division Two
West Witney Reserves picked up their second 3 points of the year with a fantastic 5-2 win over Tackley. Darren Aston and Mike Dove both hit doubles with Tom McLeman adding. Craig Broome and Jake Bishop replied for the home side but it was not enough.
Combe moved into second courtesy of a 4-2 win over Spartan Rangers Reserves. Experienced Craig Halkett and your starlet Nikita Edwards both scored for the home side, but neither had an answer to Combe’s four goals scored by Tom Sharp, Tim Wyatt, Matt Baker and Martin Reeve.
The local rivalry between Freeland Reserves and Hanborough Reserves was put to the test as Freeland played host to their neighbours, beating them 6-2. With half time at 1-1, the game exploded into life in the second half as Paul Slater completed his four-timer. Andy Tabi weighed in with a brace, while Chris Leach responded for the visitors. Freeland leapfrogged Boro’ into fourth place as a result.
Chippy Swifts emerged victorious in their see-saw knife edge battle with Southrop. The game was very open ended which was reflected in the 4-3 score line with the hosts winning by the odd goal in 7. Joe Perry (2), Sean Weller and Richard French were all on target for Chippy with Simon Williams, Christian Hobbs and Scott Walters netting for Southrop.
Division Three
Only the top 4 teams were in action today, battling out arguably the biggest two 6 pointers of the season.
Kingham AB Reserves in third welcomed FC Chequers who began the day in second spot. The visitors controlled the match, metering out a 5-0 defeat to their hosts, signaling their title intent. Kevin Davies struck twice with Shaun Rayfield and Steve Foster adding. Ritchie Eastaff crowned a great week for him personally, by scoring also scoring to celebrate the birth of his son earlier in the week. Chequers now sit top, on goal difference with two games in hand.
Level on points with Chequers are Two Rivers. They missed the chance to retain top spot after not being able to find their way past Wychwood Forest. Four goal hero Olly Bush was the man of the match as his second half quartet of goals stemmed the flow of Rivers attack, overturning a 2-0 half time deficit giving the visitors a 4-2 win. Wychwood are still 10 points off Kingham in third but have 5 games in hand.
Division Four
Chad Park returned to the summit of Division Four after a last gasp penalty gifted them the win against title challengers, Witney Royals Reserves. Royals had fought back from 2-0 down, with Andy Cross and Jamie Wearing’s goals seemingly giving them a share of the spoils, however, a converted penalty 5 minutes from time meant that Chad Park took all three points and now sit two points clear of Hailey Reserves. Tom Clevely, Will Phipps and Josh Vaughan with the goals for Chad.
Hailey Reserves travelled to unpredictable FC Chequers Reserves. In a stop start game it was FC Chequers who emerged as victors with a 2-1 score line. Chequers Adam Izzard opened the scoring when he capitalised on a loose ball in the area and finished from an acute angle. Julian Evans then drew a foul in the box to earn a penalty which was converted by Mark DeFreitas, leveling the match. However another penalty for Chequers was the deciding factor, after Chris Montgomery coolly finished from the spot. Chequers move up into 7th while Hailey remain only two points off the pace in second.
Southrop Reserves carved out another win, this time beating Eynsham Sports. John Ayres picked up where he left off scoring yet again, accompanied by Matt Walker. However an Ady Kew goal accompanied a Richard Meredith penalty and an own goal to take all three points and the win.
Milton Reserves also clawed their way up the table, after beating Chippy Swift Reserves 4-1. Adam Claridge, Jason Bufton, David Thorpe and Arrun Baker were all on target for the home side while Rocky Burton scored Chippy’s lone reply.
January 5th
Oxfordshire Junior Shield
Premier Division Freeland made light work of ABK Sports with a comfortable 5-0 win. Dale Kardos, Simon Stapleton, Chris Palmer, Joe Cocker and Dave Tarr scored the goals.
Bampton Town also from the Premier Division dispatched Kingham AB from Division One 6-3. Nathan Beckett and Craig Ferguson each grabbed a brace with Dan Oyston and Steve Godfrey adding.
Brize Norton pulled out all the stops, whilst handing out a 9-1 thrashing to Wood Farm. Jon Curtis smashed in a fantastic 5-timer with Chris Marshall adding a double. Mark Jewell and Jez Morgan also got on the score sheet taking Brize comfortably though to the next round.
Ducklington beat fellow premier League opponents West Witney, 5-1. Gary Brookes turned in a superb performance, capping it off with a hat trick. Matt Gorman completed the scoring. Duck Keeper Ashley Edwards didn’t escape unscathed turning the ball into his own net for West Witney’s consolation goal.
Unfortunately, not all Witney & District teams got through as Milton crashed out to Broughton & N’ton 6-2. Wychwood Forest also had a day to forget as they were comprehensively beaten 9-0 by AFC Hinksey.
Premier League
As the first Witney & District games of 2008 got underway it was North Leigh A who looked more resolute as they earned their first win of the season beating second placed and title challenging Hanborough 4-2. Jason Lonsdale (2), Owen Collins and Scott Cousins were on the score sheet, giving North Leigh their first and most precious 3 points of the season. Matt Lane and Liam Harris replied for Hanborough.
It was a day for the Dave's as Spartan Rangers turned on the style during their 7-1 mauling of Cassington. Dave Cross and Dave Large shared the goals amongst themselves with Cross hitting a four timer. Dave Cooper got HIS name on the score sheet, scoring Cassington's only goal which at the time had levelled the game.
Nothing could separate Hailey and Charlbury Town as they both battled hard to earn a point each in a 0-0 draw.
Division One
Witney Royals increased their lead at the top to 5 points as they beat Aston 3-1. Benji Sunblad threatened to spoil the party giving Aston a 1-0 half time lead, but strikes from Lewis Chadwick (2) and Tom West gave Royals the victory.
Eynsham A drew a blank against Witney Wanderers as they were soundly beaten 4-0. A hat trick from Chris Bennell was the highlight with Mark Rippington adding the fourth.
Brize Norton Reserves edged a tight match 2-1 over FC Nomads. Gary Lewis scored for the home side, but the visitors took the win courtesy of an Ollie Puddle strike and an own goal.
Division Two
The new year brought about a new dawn at Charlbury Town Reserves after they recorded their first points of the season with an impressive 3-1 win over Tackley. Gary Jones was on hand to put two past Tackley with Ben Godfrey adding. Joe Beanham replied for the visitors but the day and the points belong to Charlbury who are now a point behind West Witney Reserves.
West Witney Reserves came mighty close to a big upset as they took runaway leaders Bampton Town Reserves to the wire, narrowly losing 2-1. Mike Dove scored for the home side, but James Millar and James Walkington were on hand to ensure Bampton Stay undefeated, 14 points clear at the top of the division.
Craig Mays scored a hat trick for second placed AC Finstock in their 6-0 hammering of Spartan Rangers Reserves. Dean Mays strike accompanied Gary MkKinnon’s brace to complete the rout.
Mike Gardner, Tim Wyatt and Simon Baker were all on target for Combe as they beat Chippy Swifts 3-0.
Local rivals Hanborough Reserves on the other hand took all three points after their 4-1 win over Southrop. Ryan Hughes, Steve Brennan, Leon Busby and Aston Leach found the back of the net. Simon Williams replied in vain for Southrop.
Division Three
Two Rivers maintain their two point lead at the top after beating Spartan Rangers A 3-0. Tom Radburn, Dan Smith and Lee Butler all notched keeping them at arms length to second placed FC Chequers.
FC Chequers played hosts to Ducklington A and after a close match ran out eventual winners with a 3-1 score line. Jake William Souch levelled Dean Jeffs opener before Adam Gray and Dan Cox finished the job for the home side. Chequers have two games in hand on the leaders as they go into next weeks crunch match against third placed Kingham AB Reserves.
Kingham AB Reserves also keep within touching distance of top spot after they beat Fieldtown 5-1. Sam Philpott (2), Dan Davies, Rob Tyak and Colin Edwards all found the back of the net. Ashley Bull scored the loan reply for Fieldtown.
In the bottleneck that makes up the rest of the Division, FC Mills Reserves leaped 5 places into 5th after dishing out a 7-0 thrashing of Aston Reserves, Dan Godden leading the way with a hat trick against his old club. Steve Lyon, Warren Senior each contributed, with Rob DeBanks and Simon Pepper also netting.
Division Four
Witney Royals Reserves blew the Division Four title race open on Saturday after beating, previously undefeated Hailey Reserves 6-2. The comprehensive win sees them move joint second and only a point behind the leaders. Jamie Kennedy shone as he scored 4 past the usually water-tight Hailey defence. Jamie Wearing added, with Mikey Piper chipping in as well. Rob Wheeler scored the two consolation goals for Hailey.
As the leaders slipped up against Royals, Chad Park sounded their title credentials with a 7-0 hammering of Chippy Swifts Reserves. Will Phipps scored a hat trick with Tom Drinkwater (2), Steve hunt and Josh bughan adding.
Eynsham Sports and Milton Reserves played on an amazing 12 goal thriller with the visitors eventually winning, 7-5! In what was a role call of goal scorers, Dan Aldworth (2), Dan Brookes, Ross Dixey and John Ayres, who was returning from a dislocated shoulder, all scored for Eynsham. However, they were outgunned by Milton for whom David Thorpe and Arrun Baker had remarkable afternoons, scoring 4 and three goals respectively.
Freeland A and Brize Norton A had to settle for a point each as they drew 3-3. Paul Fenwick, Richard Howe and Jason Foottit each bagged goals for the home side after Lee Scholes (2) and Craig Bruce had put Brize ahead.
Southrop Reserves picked up another valuable 3 points with a 4-3 win over Wychwood Forest Reserves. Richard Meredith, Dan Hackett, Josh Truby and Dan Hurd scored for the hosts, whilst Kevin Webb’s brace and a strike from Andy Purl proved not quite enough