Match Centre

Senior Challenge Cup R1

Witney Royals made light work of Combe beating them 6-0 in the Senior Challenge Cup.  Dave Cross scored a hat trick, with Ryan Colleton, Steve Brasier and Matt Thonmpson adding.

Ducklington almost matched the score line, beating West Witney 5-0. Ray Read began the goal fest, followed by Jack Morton, Ian Peedel and Matt Gorman,. The in included an own goal.

Brize Norton went down 3-1 to Charlbury Town. Gerard Morgan scored for Brize but goals from Matt Smith, Gary Jones and Mark Dellar gave the win to the visitors.

Supplementary Cup R2

Spartan Rangers A 2 - 3 Witney Royals A

Matt Wondy's A side progressed into the Quarter final of the Supplementary cup in a cracking game with plenty of chances at both ends but Royals worthy winners on a wet and muddy pitch at Burwell Meadow.

Royals immediately came out of the blocks flying with constant pressure on the Spartan defence with Josh Russel looking dangerous and Cowelly and Gaz playing some great link up play.

Royals first chance came when Gaz rounded the keeper via a great through ball but with the angle against him this resulted in no threat to where the ball was eventually cleared by the Spartan defence.

Spartan were working hard to try to look for an opener but created very little due to a superb defensive display by Nick and skipper Danny Andrews at the back which meant Burke was not seriously tested in the first half.

Simon Mills hard work paid off for him when the ball was swung in from a corner to where his initial shot was blocked the ball fell back to Mills who struck the ball into the bottom corner 5 minutes before half time, despite handball appeals from Spartan, Royals were in the driving seat.

A few minutes afterwards Royals were denied a 2nd in bizarre fashion to where Gaz showed great footwork and fired a shot from close range on for the ball to hit the static Spartan keeper on the shins (one of many saves he made, with his shins!!!)

It wasnt over yet and it took a superb tackle by Dan Hill in first half stoppage time to deny Tom Merchant from what may have been a possible one on one.

Half time: Spartan A 0-1 Witney Royals A

Second half started very well and on around 50 minutes Gaz found himself in acres of space via great play by youngster Josh Russel. The ball found the far corner to put Royals 2 goals to the good from close range.

Sadly from here on this arguably saw Royals take their foot off the gas to where Spartan had possesion and were knocking it around well on the right wing but couldn’t really find a finish or a way past Danny Andrews. Although despite defensive heriocs Andrews left the field of play due to a groin strain.

Spartan pulled a goal back in a dubious fashion when Simon Mills made a great tackle for the referee to then give a free kick, which was taken quickly to catch Royals unaware the ball was played to the right wing and a superb cross was lofted in for the header to scrape the post, despite Neils attempt to clear it the ball trickled over the line. 2-1

Royals were now starting to play good football again and were very unlucky not to find the back of the net via some good saves by the keepers legs.

On around the hour mark saw Andy Cross and Kearse Simpson join the action.

Spartan were now looking more confident in attack and Tom Merchant was denied by Burkes outstrectched foot from close range after being forced to work had to find his way past Steve Mullins. Mullins then produced a brilliant clearance to get the ball to safety.

Royals creativity of chances paid off when the ball was played to Andy Cross who showed lightning pace to force his was into the box to square the ball to Kearse who finished with aplomb with around 15 minutes to play.

Spartan knew there was nothing to lose and once again played some great football on the right wing, Luke Fry put the ball low and hard which evaded the Royals defence to where the Spartan left midfielder had a great chance to score, the powerful shot was denied by a great two handed save by Burke who grabbed the ball at the second attempt.

Spartan grabbed a second when a free kick was awarded at the edge of the box, the ball was put in low and hard and bounced around like a pinball in the water and mud to where Luke Fry eventually shot home with 3 minutes to go.

Royals hung on and the last 3 minutes were played out with little or no alarm which then sees them progress to the Quarter finals knowing they are in a real test for whoever they will clash with next.

A fantastic performance by all of the A side in soggy and muddy conditions, special mentions go to Cowelly who played some great balls on the wing, Simon Mills in some great challenges and Kearse Simpson who held the ball up very well.

Michael Burke
Witney Royals FC

Tom McCudden bagged a brace in Stanton Harcourt’s 6-0 thrashing of Eynsham A. Martin Cripps also grabbed two with Tom Gerken also getting on the score sheet.

Corinthians narrowly lost out 2-1 to FC Hollybush. Andrew Sanderson scored for the hosts but Stu Phillips and Paul Dray put the visitors through to the next round.

It took extra time to separate Freeland A and North Leigh B in their tie. Adam Longford scored twice with Nathan Langford, John Pyrah and Tom Scroggs all adding for the hosts as they drew 4-4 in normal time with North Leigh B. Craig Horne, Lee Moseley, Darren Tasker and Dan Smith scored in vain for the visitors.

Milton Reserves 2 (Dan Fletcher, Adam Wallington) v Hailey Reserves 6 (Chris Gunter 3, Joe Fullerton 2, Les Quick)

Premier Division

Minster Lovell won 3 well-earned points in their 2-1 win over Spartan Rangers. Matt Townsend scored for Spartan between goals from Ben Tew and Eddie Dunn.

Kingham AB 2 (Michael Knight 2) v Hanborough 1 (Tom Lewis)

Division Two

Southrop failed to capitalise on the top two being out of action this weekend as they only gained a point against Middle Barton. Ryan Moore and Dan Collins scored the goals for the visitors in the 2-2 draw after Jack Eaglestone and Ian Fraser had given the hosts a 2-0 half time lead.

West Witney Reserves 0 v FC Nomads 3 (Josh Truby, Lee Hodgson, Chris Lawrence)

Wootton Sports 3 (Russell Bracey, Lewis Hooper, Liam Gubbins) v Ducklington 1

Tackley 1 (Paul Gray) v Charlbury Town Reserves 3 (Robert Appleton, Sam Cleaver, Kevin Duester)

Division Three

Minster Lovell Reserves 2 (Simon Gibbs 2) v Kingham AB Reserves 2 (Liam Barnes, Sam Philpotts)

Division Four

Wychwood Forest Reserves 6 (Craig Isle 4, Chris Marshall, Dave Anstee) v Eynsham Sports Reserves 0