My first outing of the new season, a Henty Hawtin Memorial Cup game between Charlbury Town of the Witney & District Premier and Witney Royals, currently in the division below Town. As this is effectively a pre-season friendly competition, team sheets tend not to have numbers associated with players, so I've not been able to give credit to everyone involved, although I managed to pick one or two up by noting names called against short numbers.. More than happy to fill in the blanks at a later date. Many thanks to referee Roger Huxford for giving me access to today's team sheets.
Charlbury launch a free-kick into the Witney box On a very warm but slightly breezy evening Charlbury, in red, began by defending the clubhouse end against their lower division rivals, in blue. As expected, it was Charlbury who took the initiative and were ahead as early as the third minute. The goal was created by Toby Lang, who did well on the right before crossing for Number 19. His initial strike was well saved by Ashton Holloway, but the keeper was helpless as the same player latched onto the rebound and smashed it into the net. 1-0
Six minutes later Holloway almost gifted a second goal to Town when his clearance only got as far as Town's Number 4. His drive then flew just over the Witney bar. The keeper, however, did make amends a few minutes later with a very good save to dent Number 4. This came a minute before Witney mustered their first strike on target. Number 14 with a good strike that was comfortably fielded by the Charlbury Archie Bradbury.
Midway through the first half Witney's Holloway was called into action again, showing excellent reflexes to make the save from Charlbury's Number 21.
The game was being played predominantly in the Witney half, but it was still only 1-0 until the 25th minute, when Charlbury were awarded a penalty after Town's number 10 was brought down, somewhat needlessly, in the area. Toby Lang took the kick, drilling the ball home. 2-0
That could have signalled the opening of the floodgates but, to their credit, Witney hung in and, aside from a good strike from Charlbury's Number 18 that Holloway did well to push away for a corner, there were no more major incidents before the referee blew for the break.
HT Charlbury Town 2 Witney Royals 0. Town with the predicted lead at the break, but they probably would feel they should have been further ahead and have the game sewn up. At 2-0, it only takes one slip for the opposition to get back into the game.
Six minutes later Holloway almost gifted a second goal to Town when his clearance only got as far as Town's Number 4. His drive then flew just over the Witney bar. The keeper, however, did make amends a few minutes later with a very good save to dent Number 4. This came a minute before Witney mustered their first strike on target. Number 14 with a good strike that was comfortably fielded by the Charlbury Archie Bradbury.
Midway through the first half Witney's Holloway was called into action again, showing excellent reflexes to make the save from Charlbury's Number 21.
The game was being played predominantly in the Witney half, but it was still only 1-0 until the 25th minute, when Charlbury were awarded a penalty after Town's number 10 was brought down, somewhat needlessly, in the area. Toby Lang took the kick, drilling the ball home. 2-0
That could have signalled the opening of the floodgates but, to their credit, Witney hung in and, aside from a good strike from Charlbury's Number 18 that Holloway did well to push away for a corner, there were no more major incidents before the referee blew for the break.
HT Charlbury Town 2 Witney Royals 0. Town with the predicted lead at the break, but they probably would feel they should have been further ahead and have the game sewn up. At 2-0, it only takes one slip for the opposition to get back into the game.
Toby Lang scores from the spot Maybe Charlbury were fully aware that a two goal lead was not unassailable because they were quickly into the stride in the second half and, just six minutes in, they made the game safe with a delightful goal. Moving the ball wide on the right, Town's Number 3 swung over an inch-perfect cross that Number 4 met in the centre of the penalty, deftly flicking a header into the far top corner. Unsavable! 3-0
That goal sealed the deal as far as the points went and, unsurprisingly, the game fell a little flat for a while. Charlbury shuffled their pack a few times. Witney continued to huff and puff but couldn't find a way through a well-marshalled Charlbury defence.
With ten minutes remaining Charlbury's Number 4, not satisfied with his earlier header, decided to demonstrate his shooting power. It was another fine Town move with the ball being switched from the left across to Number 4 on the right-hand edge of the box. Letting the ball bounce across his body the Town midfielder then lashed a volley across Holloway and into the far corner. A great strike for 4-0.
Six minutes later Town's Number 4 possibly had a chance to collect a hat-trick but chose to turn provider, sliding the ball across the six-yard box for Number 10 to score with ease. 5-0
FT Charlbury Town 5 Witney Royals 0. A very comfortable victory for Charlbury who, at times, demonstrated the one division gap between the teams. Witney gave up the ghost but didn't have enough to worry Town. Charlbury have now played two, won two and top Group A having already scored nine goals in their two games. Witney prop up the table and have yet to muster a goal. Next up for Charlbury is a tie with Milton-under-Wychwood on Saturday the 9th at 14:00. Straight after that game, Witney take on Deddington at 17:00.
Once again, apologies for mostly using shirt numbers rather than names. More than happy to edit at a later date.
Charlbury Town (squad): Bradbury, Goode, Fitzgerald, Robertson, Nutt, Hawley, Lang, Ball, McCallum, Piotrowsky, Edmonds, Hornblow, Nimmo, Williams-Cavus, Maskell
Witney Royals (squad): A.Holloway, Rowlings, Catchpole, S.Tranter, Horne, Collins, Harris, Ryall, Lambourne, Colleton, Munter, Colwell, Lewis-Rippington, Nolan, A.Tranter
That goal sealed the deal as far as the points went and, unsurprisingly, the game fell a little flat for a while. Charlbury shuffled their pack a few times. Witney continued to huff and puff but couldn't find a way through a well-marshalled Charlbury defence.
With ten minutes remaining Charlbury's Number 4, not satisfied with his earlier header, decided to demonstrate his shooting power. It was another fine Town move with the ball being switched from the left across to Number 4 on the right-hand edge of the box. Letting the ball bounce across his body the Town midfielder then lashed a volley across Holloway and into the far corner. A great strike for 4-0.
Six minutes later Town's Number 4 possibly had a chance to collect a hat-trick but chose to turn provider, sliding the ball across the six-yard box for Number 10 to score with ease. 5-0
FT Charlbury Town 5 Witney Royals 0. A very comfortable victory for Charlbury who, at times, demonstrated the one division gap between the teams. Witney gave up the ghost but didn't have enough to worry Town. Charlbury have now played two, won two and top Group A having already scored nine goals in their two games. Witney prop up the table and have yet to muster a goal. Next up for Charlbury is a tie with Milton-under-Wychwood on Saturday the 9th at 14:00. Straight after that game, Witney take on Deddington at 17:00.
Once again, apologies for mostly using shirt numbers rather than names. More than happy to edit at a later date.
Charlbury Town (squad): Bradbury, Goode, Fitzgerald, Robertson, Nutt, Hawley, Lang, Ball, McCallum, Piotrowsky, Edmonds, Hornblow, Nimmo, Williams-Cavus, Maskell
Witney Royals (squad): A.Holloway, Rowlings, Catchpole, S.Tranter, Horne, Collins, Harris, Ryall, Lambourne, Colleton, Munter, Colwell, Lewis-Rippington, Nolan, A.Tranter
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