A balmy May evening in Oxfordshire. I was on my way over to The Lucy Plackett Playing Field in Adderbury for a late season Oxfordshire Senior League game that had the potential to play a big part in the destination of this season's Premier Division title. The hosts, Adderbury Park, had found themselves in a very unusual position. Currently sitting third in the table on 49 points, they trailed the current leaders, Carterton, by 15 points. However, with all three teams above them having completed their fixtures and Adderbury having five games remaining (due to many earlier postponements), five wins and a 25 goal swing in goal difference would see them snatch the championship. It was a big ask for team that had already played ten games in the last month and now faced another five in 13 days. Of their remaining five games, all at home, they had probably marked this one down as the biggest hurdle. The visitors this evening were Halse United who were placed just one spot below The Adders, four points worse off. Having said that, when they met on the opening day of the season, Adderbury returned from Syresham with a 3-0 victory, courtesy of goals from Durrell Livous, Louis Winkworth and Llifon Torr.
Adderbury's 2-0 defeat of league leaders Carterton, just four days ago, must have added some belief to the team. However, the recent run of games had taken its toll on the squad, shown by four changes in the starting line-up this evening and the absence of top scorer Durrell Livous, who had managed to notch 11 goals in just 14 games for the club this season. Halse were looking for a strong finish to the season and were on a rich run of form, having lost just once in their last six outings. That came at Thame United Reserves who, oddly enough, had also shaken up Adderbury Park's run-in with a 1-1 draw a week ago.
Thanks to referee Martin Woodward who let me grab a photo of the team sheets at half-time. Very much appreciated.
Adderbury's 2-0 defeat of league leaders Carterton, just four days ago, must have added some belief to the team. However, the recent run of games had taken its toll on the squad, shown by four changes in the starting line-up this evening and the absence of top scorer Durrell Livous, who had managed to notch 11 goals in just 14 games for the club this season. Halse were looking for a strong finish to the season and were on a rich run of form, having lost just once in their last six outings. That came at Thame United Reserves who, oddly enough, had also shaken up Adderbury Park's run-in with a 1-1 draw a week ago.
Thanks to referee Martin Woodward who let me grab a photo of the team sheets at half-time. Very much appreciated.
Purnell puts Halse ahead Adderbury took to the field in their change kit of all dark blue for this game and they started the game looking determined to get the points they needed. An early header from a corner was followed by a massive opportunity in the 8th minute. Josh Gibbins broke clear on the right before squaring to Llifon Torr who looked odds-on to score before a loose first touch saw the chance go astray. Then, in a lively start from both sides, Halse's Billy Durnin flicked an effort just over Adam Rimmer's bar. It became clear that Adderbury weren't going to find the early breakthrough they wanted to steady the nerves and, to their credit, Halse looked up for the challenge too.
The opportunities for Adderbury were falling to Llifon Torr. Just past the quarter hour the striker was again presented with a half-chance but failed to get his shot off as Callum Humphries reacted quickly in the Halse goal to smother the ball. When Halse did break they looked dangerous. Twenty miunutes in they came very close to opening the scoring as the home goal lived a charmed life. Firstly Durnin saw his effort strike the post and come straight back out only for Rimmer to save well from Kyle Willimas on the rebound and then recover in time to fall on Oli Read's second follow up.
The home side's relief, however, was short-lived. Four minutes later Durnin was hauled down in the box and the visitors had a penalty, which was tucked away by Ben Purnell. 0-1
The home side tried to find a response but it just didn't seem to be coming together for them. They couldn't really build up a head of steam and had to be constantly on their guard against a Halse side who had already proved that they could hurt them on the break.
As the half drew on, Adderbury did start to ramp up the pressure a little. With eight minutes remaining they were a little unlucky when the referee blew for a free-kick right on the edge of box despite the ball having continued on to find James Hunt on his own inside the penalty area. The Adders captain was not best pleased by the decision but, to be fair tot he referee, he was watching for the initial foul and blew immediately. To make matters worse for the home team, nothing came of the free-kick. Torr, who had been buzzing around all game, tried to make some space for a shot, but was closed down well by a determined Halse defence. Alex Stott also saw a snapshot hit the side netting in first half added time. However, sandwiched between those chances Halse also had an opportunity when a deep cross from the right found the head of Oli Read only for a good defensive challenge to force the attempt off target.
HT Adderbury Park 0 Halse United 1. A disappointing half for Adderbury who never really got into their stride. A lot of the credit for that must go to Halse who looked sharp, especially up the flanks. The Adders could never concentrate on pushing forward because of the constant threat from the visitors. A big second half to come.
The opportunities for Adderbury were falling to Llifon Torr. Just past the quarter hour the striker was again presented with a half-chance but failed to get his shot off as Callum Humphries reacted quickly in the Halse goal to smother the ball. When Halse did break they looked dangerous. Twenty miunutes in they came very close to opening the scoring as the home goal lived a charmed life. Firstly Durnin saw his effort strike the post and come straight back out only for Rimmer to save well from Kyle Willimas on the rebound and then recover in time to fall on Oli Read's second follow up.
The home side's relief, however, was short-lived. Four minutes later Durnin was hauled down in the box and the visitors had a penalty, which was tucked away by Ben Purnell. 0-1
The home side tried to find a response but it just didn't seem to be coming together for them. They couldn't really build up a head of steam and had to be constantly on their guard against a Halse side who had already proved that they could hurt them on the break.
As the half drew on, Adderbury did start to ramp up the pressure a little. With eight minutes remaining they were a little unlucky when the referee blew for a free-kick right on the edge of box despite the ball having continued on to find James Hunt on his own inside the penalty area. The Adders captain was not best pleased by the decision but, to be fair tot he referee, he was watching for the initial foul and blew immediately. To make matters worse for the home team, nothing came of the free-kick. Torr, who had been buzzing around all game, tried to make some space for a shot, but was closed down well by a determined Halse defence. Alex Stott also saw a snapshot hit the side netting in first half added time. However, sandwiched between those chances Halse also had an opportunity when a deep cross from the right found the head of Oli Read only for a good defensive challenge to force the attempt off target.
HT Adderbury Park 0 Halse United 1. A disappointing half for Adderbury who never really got into their stride. A lot of the credit for that must go to Halse who looked sharp, especially up the flanks. The Adders could never concentrate on pushing forward because of the constant threat from the visitors. A big second half to come.
Callum Bryant gives The Adders hope Many were expecting a home onslaught at the start of the second period. However, following a handball on the edge of the area, the first chance fell to Halse with a free-kick less than 20 yards out which was driven into the wall.
However, nine minutes in the home side were given a great opportunity to level it up. A quick break saw the ball fed to Llifon Torr who rounded the keeper and was about the slot home from the edge of the box when an attempted sliding block Beasley saw the ball deflected wide by the arm of the defender. Not a deliberate handball, but a penalty nevertheless. It could easily have been seen as a red card offence but, in this case, the referee saw fit to make do with a spot kick which Callum Bryant slotted home. 1-1
The goal immediately perked up the home side. Maybe the unthinkable was back on? They suddenly looked quicker, sharper in the tackle and brighter all over the pitch but, as if to warn them, Halse then generated the next big opportunity. Salvatore's cross from the right was perfect for Read to head goalward. Fortunately for Adderbury there was not enough power on the header and Rimmer was able to collect comfortably.
On the hour mark a nasty clash of heads saw Adderbury lose Alex Stott, who left the pitch with blood streaming from a head wound. Six minutes later their entire team had a headache as they were completely caught cold by a long ball. Some indecision at the back allowed Halse substitute Harry Brock to latch onto the ball before sliding a pass across the six yard box for Billy Durnin to tap into the unguarded net. 1-2
Adderbury now had just over 20 minutes left to get two goals and keep their season alive. Josh Gibbins took up the gauntlet, cutting in from the left and firing just wide of the far post before Torr's flick saw substitute Haruna Konateh break free on the left, although he never looked in balance before also putting his effort wide of the mark.
Leading by example Adderbury captain James Hunt was trying to drive his team forward from midfield and be there to seize on any chance in the box. With just over ten minutes of normal time remaining he too dragged a shot wide before, two minutes later, unleashing a dipping volley that flashed past the opposite post. Hunt was involved again a minute after that, bravely stooping to plant a header just wide. By this time, Halse seemed content to sit back and see out the remining minutes but, just to keep Adderbury on their toes, they did launch their own raid on 84 minutes that culminated with Brock curling an effort just over Rimmer's bar.
With a minute left on the clock, Hunt put another effort just wide. You couldn't fault the captain's effort. The last five home attempts at goal had all come from their leader. Desperation was setting in as Adderbury pumped balls into the Halse area at every opportunity. A minute into added time one such ball was flicked on by Ashley Thompson but, like so many previous attempts, the ball sailed the wrong side of the post.
And then it was all over.
FT Adderbury Park 1 Halse United 2. One of those nights for Adderbury Park. Although, by their own admission, not at their best, they had enough chances to put the game to bed. Halse, meanwhile, took their chances when they were presented and, to be fair, looked a threat for the entire game.
The result means that, whatever happens in The Adders' final four games, they can't now secure enough points to win the league. Many congratulations to Carterton, Oxfordshire Senior League Premier Division Champions.
Adderbury Park: 1.Rimmer, 14.Reynolds, 5.Thompson, 22.Bryant, 2.Welch, 8.Evans, 6.Hunt(c), 10.Stott, 19.Torr, 4.Gibbins, 5.Glass. Subs: 16.Marsh, 21.Thornton, 7.Konateh, 11.Collier, 3.McDonald
Halse United: 1.Humphries, 2.Salvatore, 11.Summers, 6.Brady, 18.Beasley, 10.Simpson, 14.Purnell, 8.Read, 9.Williams, 12.Durnin, 15.Mortimer. Sub(s). 20.Brock
Ground Number: Re-visit
Attendance: N/A
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
However, nine minutes in the home side were given a great opportunity to level it up. A quick break saw the ball fed to Llifon Torr who rounded the keeper and was about the slot home from the edge of the box when an attempted sliding block Beasley saw the ball deflected wide by the arm of the defender. Not a deliberate handball, but a penalty nevertheless. It could easily have been seen as a red card offence but, in this case, the referee saw fit to make do with a spot kick which Callum Bryant slotted home. 1-1
The goal immediately perked up the home side. Maybe the unthinkable was back on? They suddenly looked quicker, sharper in the tackle and brighter all over the pitch but, as if to warn them, Halse then generated the next big opportunity. Salvatore's cross from the right was perfect for Read to head goalward. Fortunately for Adderbury there was not enough power on the header and Rimmer was able to collect comfortably.
On the hour mark a nasty clash of heads saw Adderbury lose Alex Stott, who left the pitch with blood streaming from a head wound. Six minutes later their entire team had a headache as they were completely caught cold by a long ball. Some indecision at the back allowed Halse substitute Harry Brock to latch onto the ball before sliding a pass across the six yard box for Billy Durnin to tap into the unguarded net. 1-2
Adderbury now had just over 20 minutes left to get two goals and keep their season alive. Josh Gibbins took up the gauntlet, cutting in from the left and firing just wide of the far post before Torr's flick saw substitute Haruna Konateh break free on the left, although he never looked in balance before also putting his effort wide of the mark.
Leading by example Adderbury captain James Hunt was trying to drive his team forward from midfield and be there to seize on any chance in the box. With just over ten minutes of normal time remaining he too dragged a shot wide before, two minutes later, unleashing a dipping volley that flashed past the opposite post. Hunt was involved again a minute after that, bravely stooping to plant a header just wide. By this time, Halse seemed content to sit back and see out the remining minutes but, just to keep Adderbury on their toes, they did launch their own raid on 84 minutes that culminated with Brock curling an effort just over Rimmer's bar.
With a minute left on the clock, Hunt put another effort just wide. You couldn't fault the captain's effort. The last five home attempts at goal had all come from their leader. Desperation was setting in as Adderbury pumped balls into the Halse area at every opportunity. A minute into added time one such ball was flicked on by Ashley Thompson but, like so many previous attempts, the ball sailed the wrong side of the post.
And then it was all over.
FT Adderbury Park 1 Halse United 2. One of those nights for Adderbury Park. Although, by their own admission, not at their best, they had enough chances to put the game to bed. Halse, meanwhile, took their chances when they were presented and, to be fair, looked a threat for the entire game.
The result means that, whatever happens in The Adders' final four games, they can't now secure enough points to win the league. Many congratulations to Carterton, Oxfordshire Senior League Premier Division Champions.
Adderbury Park: 1.Rimmer, 14.Reynolds, 5.Thompson, 22.Bryant, 2.Welch, 8.Evans, 6.Hunt(c), 10.Stott, 19.Torr, 4.Gibbins, 5.Glass. Subs: 16.Marsh, 21.Thornton, 7.Konateh, 11.Collier, 3.McDonald
Halse United: 1.Humphries, 2.Salvatore, 11.Summers, 6.Brady, 18.Beasley, 10.Simpson, 14.Purnell, 8.Read, 9.Williams, 12.Durnin, 15.Mortimer. Sub(s). 20.Brock
Ground Number: Re-visit
Attendance: N/A
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
Halse defending en-masse
RSS Feed