Photo take from the Witney Facebook page Once again a storm raging across the country put paid to a lot of football this weekend. My daughter's game was cancelled on Friday evening and, when I awoke on Saturday, things were looking bleak as far as catching a game was concerned. Storm Darragh was proving to be something of a menace, if not a beast, with clouds gathering like dark destroyers. However, after spending a few hours keeping an eye on postponements I came across a game that was not only one, but had a story to it too. An Oxfordshire Senior League Division Two clash between Witney Town and Oxford Irish Athletic. The story, you may ask? Well Witney Town, founded way back in 1885, have hit on bad times in recent years but are now, hopefully, heading back in the right direction. The club has played as high as the Southern Premier League (step 3), but after folding and being re-born a few times, the club was resurrected again for this season, starting life again at step 9. So far, so good. It's been a good start and, going into this game, Witney sat second n the league, two points adrift of Oakley United having played two extra games. They were coming into this game on the back of four consecutive wins in all competitions, including a resounding 8-0 defeat of Summertown Stars Reserves last weekend. Their visitors, Oxford Irish Athletic, were relegated from Division One last season after three seasons at that level. They came into this game in eleventh place and only a point above the drop zone. The point earned, with a 1-1 draw at East Oxford last weekend, was their first since beating Summertown Stars Reserves 7-2 towards the end of September. That win came a week after they played Witney in the reverse of today's fixture. In a day to forget Irish lost that game 8-1 at home, Adam Holloway scoring four for The Blanketmen.
You get close to the action at Witney Town The game almost got off to a blistering start. Within the first 10 seconds Mercayd Morgan-Allen burst down the right flank before firing over a low cross that Jack Morton hit first time, flashing the ball just wide of the far post. Witney continued to press forward and had another opportunity o 6 minutes when Kieam Preston-Carney fired straight at Alfie O'Connor in the Athletic goal.
Oxford were not going to let the home side have it all their own way however, and they came close to taking the lead against the run of play in the 13th minute. A ball into the left side of the home penalty area looked to be comfortable for goalkeeper Ton=m Bennington but, under pressure, the ball squirmed free and fell into the path of Dean Boyles who struck it goalward. The effort was on target but Joe Wood had covered well to get in a great headed clearance off the line.
Following this scare, Witney set about getting their heads in front and there followed an incredible sequence of events that may have had home striker Morgan-Allen wondering if it was going to be one of those days. In the space of five minutes, the home number 11 managed to put a gilt-edged chance over the bar from 6 yards, then get sent clean through only for Alfie O'Connor to make a good stop with his feet. A minute later, Morgan-Allen stooped to head home from inside the 6 yard box only for his effort to be parried by O'Connor. The ball popped up invitingly for Morgan-Allen, but again O'Connor blocked his header. Two minutes later O'Connor again came out on top, saving well from the same striker.
Just when it looked as if the home side were not going to be able to break down their opponents, they did finally get the ball in the net. 25 minutes in, they broke down the right again. The low cross caused some problems for the Oxford defence, but they did manage to scramble the ball half-clear. It fell into the path of Mercayd Morgan-Allen who, channelling the frustration of his previous misses, absolutely hammered the ball home from 15 yards. Possibly the most difficult of the chances he had had so far. 1-0
Somewhat surprisingly, given the balance of possession, the floodgates did not open after the goal went in. Athletic were still digging in and, although they weren't stretching Bennington, they were still very much in the game. However, they couldn't make it to the halfway stage with just a goal between them. With seven minutes to go before the break, Witney struck again. Kieam Preston-Carney's low drive proving too hot for O'Connor. 2-0
HT Witney Town 2 Oxford Irish Athletic 0. A surprisingly good game of football given the awful conditions the teams were having to endure. Witney created the vast majority of chances and could easily have been more ahead. However, Athletic are still in the game. It's hard to see how they managed to lose the reverse fixture quite so heavily. There doesn't look to be such a gulf between the teams.
Oxford were not going to let the home side have it all their own way however, and they came close to taking the lead against the run of play in the 13th minute. A ball into the left side of the home penalty area looked to be comfortable for goalkeeper Ton=m Bennington but, under pressure, the ball squirmed free and fell into the path of Dean Boyles who struck it goalward. The effort was on target but Joe Wood had covered well to get in a great headed clearance off the line.
Following this scare, Witney set about getting their heads in front and there followed an incredible sequence of events that may have had home striker Morgan-Allen wondering if it was going to be one of those days. In the space of five minutes, the home number 11 managed to put a gilt-edged chance over the bar from 6 yards, then get sent clean through only for Alfie O'Connor to make a good stop with his feet. A minute later, Morgan-Allen stooped to head home from inside the 6 yard box only for his effort to be parried by O'Connor. The ball popped up invitingly for Morgan-Allen, but again O'Connor blocked his header. Two minutes later O'Connor again came out on top, saving well from the same striker.
Just when it looked as if the home side were not going to be able to break down their opponents, they did finally get the ball in the net. 25 minutes in, they broke down the right again. The low cross caused some problems for the Oxford defence, but they did manage to scramble the ball half-clear. It fell into the path of Mercayd Morgan-Allen who, channelling the frustration of his previous misses, absolutely hammered the ball home from 15 yards. Possibly the most difficult of the chances he had had so far. 1-0
Somewhat surprisingly, given the balance of possession, the floodgates did not open after the goal went in. Athletic were still digging in and, although they weren't stretching Bennington, they were still very much in the game. However, they couldn't make it to the halfway stage with just a goal between them. With seven minutes to go before the break, Witney struck again. Kieam Preston-Carney's low drive proving too hot for O'Connor. 2-0
HT Witney Town 2 Oxford Irish Athletic 0. A surprisingly good game of football given the awful conditions the teams were having to endure. Witney created the vast majority of chances and could easily have been more ahead. However, Athletic are still in the game. It's hard to see how they managed to lose the reverse fixture quite so heavily. There doesn't look to be such a gulf between the teams.
Athletic attacking the car park end After a much needed warming cup of tea, I took up a position for the second half, expecting an onslaught from Witney, who now had the conditions in their favour for the second half. However, it didn't transpire. Let's give credit to Athletic. They'd been under the cosh for a lot of the first half but, after being back out on the pitch a good few minutes before their hosts, they looked to be reinvigorated for the second period. That said, neither the visitors or the home side caused their opposing goalkeeper much stress in the first half of the second 45 minutes.
In fact, it took until the 70th minute for the scoreboard to be bothered again. However, when it did come, it was a goal created by the best flowing move of the game. Witney got their passing game into gear, stroking the ball around with some style as they cut open the Athletic defence to present substitute Jacob Sapwell with an opportunity. His effort was blocked but fell to Jack Morton on the edge of the box, who fired the ball low past O'Connor's left hand to make it 3-0.
At 3-0 with less that 20 minutes remaining, the game was effectively over. With nine minutes to go, the home side made absolutely certain. A retaken indirect free-kick, inside the penalty area, was nudged to Jack Morton who drove the ball low to O'Connor's right. 4-0.
Oddly, the fourth goal seemed to spark some life into the visitors. Two minutes later they were very close to getting a goal back when Bennington let a cross from the right squirm loose but Kyan Jajua couldn't take advantage, leaving the striker hitting the Astroturf in frustration. Three minutes later, following a corner form the right, the visitors came even close but this time the effort (from Edward Parker? my view was restricted) crashed back off the post. However, they did finally get a consolation a minute later and it was a real scorcher, Dean Boyles crashing a strike, possibly with the aid of a small deflection, into the far corner. 4-1
FT Witney Town 4 Oxford Irish Athletic 1. A comfortable victory for Witney that sees them, for now, go to the top of the table. In some ways this was a strange game. Despite Witney taking until the 25th minute to open the scoring, the result never really felt in any doubt. Town dominated the play for most of the game but Oxford kept themselves in the game until the 70th minute, without really threatening the home goal too much. Then, once they were four behind, Oxford came out of their shell and could easily have had three goals in the finally 7 or 8 minutes.
If you want to see these sides in action, they both have interesting games next weekend. Witney travel to Premier League side Launton Sports in the Oxfordshire Charity Cup. Irish are back at home in the league as they welcome the team Witney have currently displaced at the top, Oakley United.
Finally, a shout out for today's referee. I can't mention him by name because, as an under 18, his name is not list on Full-Time. However, not only did he allow me to photograph the team sheets, he handled the game very well, explaining decisions to players at every opportunity and officiating with an air of confidence. Great to see,
Witney Town: 1.Bennington, 12.Thomson, 3.Miles, 4.Gunn, 5.Wood, 6.Boyd, 7.Oliver(c), 8.Preston-Carney, 9.Holloway, 10.Morton, 11.Morgan-Allen. Subs: 14.Walker, 15.Shayler, 17.Busby, 18.Butcher, 19.Sapwell
Oxford Irish Athletic: 1.A.O'Connor, 5.T.Murphy, 12.Merola, 4.Castle, 11.Rawlings, 8.Parker, 2.Taylor, 18.Rockett, 10.Thomas, 9.Boyles, 16.Horton. Subs: 7.Jajua, 14.D.Maskens, 17.Faulkner, 3.Pagano, 6.Allen
In fact, it took until the 70th minute for the scoreboard to be bothered again. However, when it did come, it was a goal created by the best flowing move of the game. Witney got their passing game into gear, stroking the ball around with some style as they cut open the Athletic defence to present substitute Jacob Sapwell with an opportunity. His effort was blocked but fell to Jack Morton on the edge of the box, who fired the ball low past O'Connor's left hand to make it 3-0.
At 3-0 with less that 20 minutes remaining, the game was effectively over. With nine minutes to go, the home side made absolutely certain. A retaken indirect free-kick, inside the penalty area, was nudged to Jack Morton who drove the ball low to O'Connor's right. 4-0.
Oddly, the fourth goal seemed to spark some life into the visitors. Two minutes later they were very close to getting a goal back when Bennington let a cross from the right squirm loose but Kyan Jajua couldn't take advantage, leaving the striker hitting the Astroturf in frustration. Three minutes later, following a corner form the right, the visitors came even close but this time the effort (from Edward Parker? my view was restricted) crashed back off the post. However, they did finally get a consolation a minute later and it was a real scorcher, Dean Boyles crashing a strike, possibly with the aid of a small deflection, into the far corner. 4-1
FT Witney Town 4 Oxford Irish Athletic 1. A comfortable victory for Witney that sees them, for now, go to the top of the table. In some ways this was a strange game. Despite Witney taking until the 25th minute to open the scoring, the result never really felt in any doubt. Town dominated the play for most of the game but Oxford kept themselves in the game until the 70th minute, without really threatening the home goal too much. Then, once they were four behind, Oxford came out of their shell and could easily have had three goals in the finally 7 or 8 minutes.
If you want to see these sides in action, they both have interesting games next weekend. Witney travel to Premier League side Launton Sports in the Oxfordshire Charity Cup. Irish are back at home in the league as they welcome the team Witney have currently displaced at the top, Oakley United.
Finally, a shout out for today's referee. I can't mention him by name because, as an under 18, his name is not list on Full-Time. However, not only did he allow me to photograph the team sheets, he handled the game very well, explaining decisions to players at every opportunity and officiating with an air of confidence. Great to see,
Witney Town: 1.Bennington, 12.Thomson, 3.Miles, 4.Gunn, 5.Wood, 6.Boyd, 7.Oliver(c), 8.Preston-Carney, 9.Holloway, 10.Morton, 11.Morgan-Allen. Subs: 14.Walker, 15.Shayler, 17.Busby, 18.Butcher, 19.Sapwell
Oxford Irish Athletic: 1.A.O'Connor, 5.T.Murphy, 12.Merola, 4.Castle, 11.Rawlings, 8.Parker, 2.Taylor, 18.Rockett, 10.Thomas, 9.Boyles, 16.Horton. Subs: 7.Jajua, 14.D.Maskens, 17.Faulkner, 3.Pagano, 6.Allen
Witney attacking the Premier Inn End
The Ground
This was my first visit to this stadium as an observer. I had been previously in the role of coach to my daughter's team when they played there in a tournament run by Witney Vikings. The Witney Artificial Turf Pitch, recently renamed to The Witney Community Stadium after a poll run by the club, is situated at the top of a residential road just to the South of the town centre. There's ample parking around the stadium which is accessed via a door that leads through the block that houses all of the facilities, multiple changing rooms, clubhouse and tea/snack bar.
Once inside, spectators are limited to one side of the ground. There is a covered walkway that runs along half of the pitch, which is raised above pitch level. Spectators are also allowed inside the caged area, so long as the stay behind the respect barrier and remain on the clubhouse side of the pitch. It's not the greatest view for spectators. From the covered walkway, which admittedly did provide some protection from the abysmal weather, the view through the cage does cause some obstruction. Obviously, standing pitch side gives a much better view, but be aware that you are only a couple of feet beyond the touchline, so you need to keep your wits about you.
This was my first visit to this stadium as an observer. I had been previously in the role of coach to my daughter's team when they played there in a tournament run by Witney Vikings. The Witney Artificial Turf Pitch, recently renamed to The Witney Community Stadium after a poll run by the club, is situated at the top of a residential road just to the South of the town centre. There's ample parking around the stadium which is accessed via a door that leads through the block that houses all of the facilities, multiple changing rooms, clubhouse and tea/snack bar.
Once inside, spectators are limited to one side of the ground. There is a covered walkway that runs along half of the pitch, which is raised above pitch level. Spectators are also allowed inside the caged area, so long as the stay behind the respect barrier and remain on the clubhouse side of the pitch. It's not the greatest view for spectators. From the covered walkway, which admittedly did provide some protection from the abysmal weather, the view through the cage does cause some obstruction. Obviously, standing pitch side gives a much better view, but be aware that you are only a couple of feet beyond the touchline, so you need to keep your wits about you.
The Programme
It's very unusual for a team at this level of the pyramid to produce a programme. So, it was a very pleasant surprise to find that, not only do Witney produce a glossy programme, it is also 'free' on entry. All they ask is a voluntary donation. The programme is essentially a folded A4 sheet but features full-colour and a glossy finish. It contains a message from the Witney manager Ben Reardon, a player of the week feature (this week it is Jacob Sapwell), statistics from games played, including scorers, the league table and latest results section. The squad is also listed on the back page. All in all, a great little programme that shows the way the club is hoping to move in the future. Good luck to them I say.
Ground Number: 426
Att:
Entrance: Voluntary donation
Programme: Free with entry
It's very unusual for a team at this level of the pyramid to produce a programme. So, it was a very pleasant surprise to find that, not only do Witney produce a glossy programme, it is also 'free' on entry. All they ask is a voluntary donation. The programme is essentially a folded A4 sheet but features full-colour and a glossy finish. It contains a message from the Witney manager Ben Reardon, a player of the week feature (this week it is Jacob Sapwell), statistics from games played, including scorers, the league table and latest results section. The squad is also listed on the back page. All in all, a great little programme that shows the way the club is hoping to move in the future. Good luck to them I say.
Ground Number: 426
Att:
Entrance: Voluntary donation
Programme: Free with entry
RSS Feed