Saturday was a big day at the top of the Witney & District Premier Division. At kick off only four points separated the top six. Aston led the way on 17 points with RAF Brize Norton a point behind with a game in hand. Hanborough and Bampton United followed on 15 points. In fifth were Hailey on 14 with danger club Stonesfield in sixth, four points behind the leaders but with three games in hand. To make things more interesting, the top four were up against each other this Saturday afternoon, Hanborough were taking on RAF Brize Norton and leaders Aston welcomed very near neighbours Bampton United, which is where BotP was headed. With less than 2.5 miles between the grounds (much shorter as the crow flies), this was the very epitome of a local derby. Although this would the first league meeting between the sides, they had already played at Bampton in the Fred Ford Cup, a game that saw United's Luke Colville score twice a the home side progressed with a 4-2 score line. Both teams were promoted from Division One last season> Bampton finished third, Aston were in fifth spot. This was United's second consecutive promotion, having been playing in Division Two the previous term, after dropping down a league the year before. Last season's meetings saw a total of 12 goals scored, 8 of which went the way of Bampton. Following a 4-4 draw at home, Bampton went on to win 4-0 at Aston late in the season. As things stood today, any of the top five could theoretically find themselves top of the pile by the end of the day.
Thanks to referee Tim Siret for getting the team sheets for me prior to the game.
Thanks to referee Tim Siret for getting the team sheets for me prior to the game.
Aston come close The opening minutes saw the two teams weighing each other up. The only real action of any note inside the opening 10 was a cynical hack on Aston captain Kieran Watts by Connor O'Shea. Somewhat incredibly the big Bampton striker was let off with just a warning and no card was brandished. Having seen the incident that led to Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly being shown a straight red (by the way, I'm not an Gooner), you'd have to say that O'Shea was very lucky. Bampton were lucky not to have Michael Oliver officiating.
The first real effort of note came form the home team on 11 minutes when Charlie Collins saw his on-target effort comfortably fielded by Mike Hedges.
However, with 19 on the clock, Hedges was caught out by a miss-hit cross from the right that looked to be dipping under his bar at the far post. The United stopper managed to back-peddle and palm it away but only as far as Cairo Cuss who slammed the loose ball into the roof of the net. 1-0
Aston were certainly on the front foot at this point, and Hedges had to be at his best a few minutes later, saving at point-blank range from Dylan Briggs, who had been left on his own some 10 yards out. Just past the half hour mark, with the hosts looking for a second, Briggs squirmed free on the right of the box before firing a low, driven cross along the six-yard line. The ball beat Hedges but a last-ditch defensive tackle prevented Andy Horne from applying the finishing touch.
With just over ten minutes remaining in the first half, Bampton finally found their attacking flair. A quick break found Luke Colville inside the right-hand side of the box. His shot toward the near post was struck very well but home keeper Tomasz Mazur stood strong, parrying the ball away but picking up an injury in the process, one that would come back to haunt him in the second half.
After being on the defensive for the majority of the half, Bampton were making a much better fist of the closing moments. Jay Hughes planted a powerful header just over Mazur's bar from a left-wing corner and Marc Norridge struck a free-kick just over. In between those attempts, however, a defensive howler had allowed Briggs a free run at the Bampton goal, only for the striker to delay long enough for Hedges to close down the opportunity. When Briggs attempted to square the ball for a fellow striker it was cleared and the chance was gone.
HT Aston 1 Bampton United 0. Aston controlled the majority of the half. Bampton noticeably started to come back into it towards the end but, overall, had been second best to the home team for the first half an hour. Having said that, at just a goal down, there was still a lot to play for in this game.
The first real effort of note came form the home team on 11 minutes when Charlie Collins saw his on-target effort comfortably fielded by Mike Hedges.
However, with 19 on the clock, Hedges was caught out by a miss-hit cross from the right that looked to be dipping under his bar at the far post. The United stopper managed to back-peddle and palm it away but only as far as Cairo Cuss who slammed the loose ball into the roof of the net. 1-0
Aston were certainly on the front foot at this point, and Hedges had to be at his best a few minutes later, saving at point-blank range from Dylan Briggs, who had been left on his own some 10 yards out. Just past the half hour mark, with the hosts looking for a second, Briggs squirmed free on the right of the box before firing a low, driven cross along the six-yard line. The ball beat Hedges but a last-ditch defensive tackle prevented Andy Horne from applying the finishing touch.
With just over ten minutes remaining in the first half, Bampton finally found their attacking flair. A quick break found Luke Colville inside the right-hand side of the box. His shot toward the near post was struck very well but home keeper Tomasz Mazur stood strong, parrying the ball away but picking up an injury in the process, one that would come back to haunt him in the second half.
After being on the defensive for the majority of the half, Bampton were making a much better fist of the closing moments. Jay Hughes planted a powerful header just over Mazur's bar from a left-wing corner and Marc Norridge struck a free-kick just over. In between those attempts, however, a defensive howler had allowed Briggs a free run at the Bampton goal, only for the striker to delay long enough for Hedges to close down the opportunity. When Briggs attempted to square the ball for a fellow striker it was cleared and the chance was gone.
HT Aston 1 Bampton United 0. Aston controlled the majority of the half. Bampton noticeably started to come back into it towards the end but, overall, had been second best to the home team for the first half an hour. Having said that, at just a goal down, there was still a lot to play for in this game.
Luke Colville scores for United During the break I took a wander around the pitch but, in hindsight, I should have stayed where I was, in earshot of the Bampton team talk because, whatever their coach said to them at half-time, it certainly did the trick. The visitors came out looking like a different side in the second-half and, within 8 minutes of the restart they were back on level terms. The were awarded a free-kick over on the left side around 35 yards out. Marc Norridge sent the ball into the mix, curling toward the far post. A number of players challenged for the ball which somehow found its way into the corner of the net. 1-1. This sparked off a very funny interaction between players on both sides, who clearly knew each other very well. Norridge was claiming the goal, saying that it didn't touch anyone. Meanwhile, the home defence were claiming they got and touch and it was, in fact, an own goal. I've seen strikers try to claim goals before but never a defender wanting the OG to prevent an opposing striker getting his name on the board. In Full-Time Norridge is credited but on the league web-site it is down as an own goal. In my opinion, the ball was goal-bound and, even if there was a slight touch from a defender, it was Norridge's goal. Either way, it was now all-squareand the visitors had their tails up. To add to Aston's woes, the first-half injury to their keeper had been made worse during the goal and he had to leave the pitch with defender James Fleming taking over between the sticks.
Four minutes later the stand-in keeper was picking the ball out of the net, despite a valiant effort to get to Luke Colville's header from a right-wing corner. 1-2 and the turnaround was complete. Just o the stroke of the hour Colville almost added another when his volley went just over the bar. Aston were now the team struggling to get into the game as United exerted complete control.
Four minutes later the stand-in keeper was picking the ball out of the net, despite a valiant effort to get to Luke Colville's header from a right-wing corner. 1-2 and the turnaround was complete. Just o the stroke of the hour Colville almost added another when his volley went just over the bar. Aston were now the team struggling to get into the game as United exerted complete control.
With just under twenty minutes remaining, Aston did get the ball into the Bampton box, but may have wished they hadn't. Charlie Collins and Jay Hughes both lunged in on a loose ball, but the home player's attempt was deemed wilder and more dangerous by the referee who, after ensuring the physio had come on the see to the stricken Hughes, issued a straight red to Collins. So, Aston were a goal down and now a man down.
A few minutes after the red card, Connor O'Shea almost sealed it for Bampton when his poked effort came back off the foot of the post. However, they did make sure of the points in the 90th minute when Marc Norridge's low strike took a deflection low into the left corner. 1-3 and game over.
FT Aston 1 Bampton United 3. A game of two halves is such a football cliché, but this really game really deserves the tag. Aston were dominant in the first half, but only managed to go in a goal to the good. Bampton were a different proposition ion the second half, taking the game to their hosts and gaining the reward. Of course, the red card also helped their cause. Hanborough also won, beating RAF Brize Norton 3-1, as did Hailey who were 2-0 winners at home to Chadlington. All that meant that the table had a totally different look come the end of the day. Hanborough took over at the top, leading Bampton Unite don goal difference, Hailey were up to third, a point behind, and above Aston on goal difference. Stonesfield, who also won to maintain their unbeaten record, jump to fifth whilst RAF Brize Norton drop into sixth place below Stonesfield, also on goal difference. It's so tight in this league, it really is one to watch for the rest of the season.
Next weekend Bampton travel to bottom side Tower Hill, whilst Aston and Stonesfield get a week off. Hanborough versus Hailey looks to be the pick of the games, whilst RAF Brize Norton are at home to mid-table Milton-under-Wychwood.
Aston: 1.Mazur, 3.Newcombe, 5.J.Fleming, 6.Hardwick, 10.Traynor, 17.Horne, 12.Hare, 8.Watts(c), 16.Collins, 11.Cuss, 7.Briggs. Subs: 2.George, 4.Rowe, R.Fleming
Bampton United: 1.Hedges, 3.Hughes, 15.Pritchard, 16.Day, 4.S.Haley, 17.Norridge, 8.J.Haley, 10.Alves, 6.Chatwell, 7.Colley, 2.O'Shea. Subs: 11.Colville, 9.Jenkins
A few minutes after the red card, Connor O'Shea almost sealed it for Bampton when his poked effort came back off the foot of the post. However, they did make sure of the points in the 90th minute when Marc Norridge's low strike took a deflection low into the left corner. 1-3 and game over.
FT Aston 1 Bampton United 3. A game of two halves is such a football cliché, but this really game really deserves the tag. Aston were dominant in the first half, but only managed to go in a goal to the good. Bampton were a different proposition ion the second half, taking the game to their hosts and gaining the reward. Of course, the red card also helped their cause. Hanborough also won, beating RAF Brize Norton 3-1, as did Hailey who were 2-0 winners at home to Chadlington. All that meant that the table had a totally different look come the end of the day. Hanborough took over at the top, leading Bampton Unite don goal difference, Hailey were up to third, a point behind, and above Aston on goal difference. Stonesfield, who also won to maintain their unbeaten record, jump to fifth whilst RAF Brize Norton drop into sixth place below Stonesfield, also on goal difference. It's so tight in this league, it really is one to watch for the rest of the season.
Next weekend Bampton travel to bottom side Tower Hill, whilst Aston and Stonesfield get a week off. Hanborough versus Hailey looks to be the pick of the games, whilst RAF Brize Norton are at home to mid-table Milton-under-Wychwood.
Aston: 1.Mazur, 3.Newcombe, 5.J.Fleming, 6.Hardwick, 10.Traynor, 17.Horne, 12.Hare, 8.Watts(c), 16.Collins, 11.Cuss, 7.Briggs. Subs: 2.George, 4.Rowe, R.Fleming
Bampton United: 1.Hedges, 3.Hughes, 15.Pritchard, 16.Day, 4.S.Haley, 17.Norridge, 8.J.Haley, 10.Alves, 6.Chatwell, 7.Colley, 2.O'Shea. Subs: 11.Colville, 9.Jenkins
Aston Playing Field
The Ground
The Aston Village Playing Field sits being the Aton & Cote Village Hall just outside the village of Aston, a few miles to the South of Witney. The village hall has parking both in front and to the rear of the building. Theer are also toilet avaialable in the village hall,a lthough this may not always be open. The main pitch is on the far ide of the field from the hall, with small-sided pitches marked out closer to the building. The playing surface loked to be pretty well flat, with no discernible slope. It also looked in reasonable condition for the tiem of year. There's no spectator cover, as you woudl expect, and no dugouts. It is, however, a very pleasant countrysode location which, I imagine, is great in the warmer months, but not so much on a chilly January afetrnoon.
Ground Number: 435
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
The Aston Village Playing Field sits being the Aton & Cote Village Hall just outside the village of Aston, a few miles to the South of Witney. The village hall has parking both in front and to the rear of the building. Theer are also toilet avaialable in the village hall,a lthough this may not always be open. The main pitch is on the far ide of the field from the hall, with small-sided pitches marked out closer to the building. The playing surface loked to be pretty well flat, with no discernible slope. It also looked in reasonable condition for the tiem of year. There's no spectator cover, as you woudl expect, and no dugouts. It is, however, a very pleasant countrysode location which, I imagine, is great in the warmer months, but not so much on a chilly January afetrnoon.
Ground Number: 435
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
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