Kidlington warm up Yarnton Road, being just a few miles from home, is my 'go to' ground when I want to watch a game but don't have time for a long journey. This was the case again this Wednesday. After missing out on a a cracker at Farnham on Tuesday night, I was in need of football therapy. So, a League Cup clash between The Greens and Swindon Supermarine looked like a good bet.
Anyone who has followed this blog over the years will know that I have never seen Kidlington lose a match and, what's more, I have 100% record at Yarnton Road. Played four, won four up until this evening.
I'm not going to go into the layout of Yarnton Road because this was my fifth visit and not that much has changed since the last one. What I will
say is, if you haven't been to the ground, then get yourself down there. It's a good set-up. Decent football at a good price. What's not to like?
Autumn has really come on with a vengeance in the last week or so. There was already a noticeable nip in the air and a very chilly breeze blowing across the pitch as the players made their way out, Kidlington in their rather nice new green and black kit and Supermarine in the change kit of all red.
The home side looked pretty relaxed, despite being eight league places and eight league points below their opponents. Clearly boss Julian McCalmon had not over-emphasised the importance of retaining my 100% home record. The sides have not met in the league yet this season, so there was no pointer to the possible outcome from that aspect.
Anyone who has followed this blog over the years will know that I have never seen Kidlington lose a match and, what's more, I have 100% record at Yarnton Road. Played four, won four up until this evening.
I'm not going to go into the layout of Yarnton Road because this was my fifth visit and not that much has changed since the last one. What I will
say is, if you haven't been to the ground, then get yourself down there. It's a good set-up. Decent football at a good price. What's not to like?
Autumn has really come on with a vengeance in the last week or so. There was already a noticeable nip in the air and a very chilly breeze blowing across the pitch as the players made their way out, Kidlington in their rather nice new green and black kit and Supermarine in the change kit of all red.
The home side looked pretty relaxed, despite being eight league places and eight league points below their opponents. Clearly boss Julian McCalmon had not over-emphasised the importance of retaining my 100% home record. The sides have not met in the league yet this season, so there was no pointer to the possible outcome from that aspect.
Team Sheet Both sides seemed very happy to knock the ball around without really mounting any kind of serious assault on the opponents goal. With fifteen minutes played neither keeper had been stretched but both sides had shown some nice movement, with Kidlington having the lion's share of possession.
The Greens' extra possession paid off in the 21st minute when Swindon lost the ball just inside their own half of the pitch. A through ball split the defence allowing Anaclet Odhiambo to race clear. Josh Hill advanced from his goal but the Greens striker lofted the ball over him and, despite the stopper getting a touch, the ball nestled in the back of the Swindon net. 1-0.
Swindon tried to respond to going behind and continued to play the ball around. However, apart from the odd glimpse from Lee Marshall and some pace on the right flank, they didn't trouble Tetek in the home goal. In fact, it was Kidlington, and Odhiambo in particular, who came closest to scoring again in the first half. After 37 minutes the Greens striker found the ball dropping at his feet inside the penalty area but he snatched at the opportunity a little and the ball bobbled through to Hill. Three minutes brother Eddie, on an overlap down the right, fizzed in a low cross which Anaclet met well only to see his effort smash against the bar and bounce clear.
HT Kidlington 1 Swindon Supermarine 0. The Greens deservedly in front and very little goal threat from Swindon. Both sides want to knock the ball around and have played some decent football. A good game of football to watch so far.
The Greens' extra possession paid off in the 21st minute when Swindon lost the ball just inside their own half of the pitch. A through ball split the defence allowing Anaclet Odhiambo to race clear. Josh Hill advanced from his goal but the Greens striker lofted the ball over him and, despite the stopper getting a touch, the ball nestled in the back of the Swindon net. 1-0.
Swindon tried to respond to going behind and continued to play the ball around. However, apart from the odd glimpse from Lee Marshall and some pace on the right flank, they didn't trouble Tetek in the home goal. In fact, it was Kidlington, and Odhiambo in particular, who came closest to scoring again in the first half. After 37 minutes the Greens striker found the ball dropping at his feet inside the penalty area but he snatched at the opportunity a little and the ball bobbled through to Hill. Three minutes brother Eddie, on an overlap down the right, fizzed in a low cross which Anaclet met well only to see his effort smash against the bar and bounce clear.
HT Kidlington 1 Swindon Supermarine 0. The Greens deservedly in front and very little goal threat from Swindon. Both sides want to knock the ball around and have played some decent football. A good game of football to watch so far.
Dugout Supermarine were out early for the second-half and looked very much like they wanted to step it up a gear. They were certainly getting more of the ball in the early stages of the second period but, again, never really seemed to be causing any great problems for the Kidlington defence.
Once again, though, the game was enjoyable to watch. A little bit of niggle had crept in and one or two scores were being settled across the pitch. Kidlington looked to be fairly comfortable but, with just a single goal lead, they couldn't sit back too much.
With 10 minutes remaining, however, they effectively made the game safe after a slice of good fortune. Supermarine defender Ryan Wood slipped and was forced to bring down Odhiambo for a penalty. Mark Janes stepped up and hammered the ball home with a great deal of confidence. A very well struck spot-kick. 2-0.
The game was up at this point but Swindon, to their credit, did not let heads drop. They kept trying to play their football.
The Greens were not finished though and they had saved their best for last. Playing with a great deal of confidence now, they started a move in midfield, popping the ball about with one and two touches. The ball was spread wide to substitute Tommy Castle who produced a low driven cross. On the end of it was that man Odhiambo. His effort flew past Hill, crashing into the net off the underside of the goal. A superb team goal, and a finish off the woodwork as a bonus, worthy of the entrance fee alone. That, right there, was the beautiful game in a nutshell. 3-0.
FT Kidlington 3 Swindon Supermarine 0. The Greens ran out comfortable winners at the end of a good game which saw both sides trying to play some decent football. My 100% home record at Yarnton Road continues.
Att. 52
Entrance: £6 (Special price for a midweek cup match)
Programme: £1.50
Once again, though, the game was enjoyable to watch. A little bit of niggle had crept in and one or two scores were being settled across the pitch. Kidlington looked to be fairly comfortable but, with just a single goal lead, they couldn't sit back too much.
With 10 minutes remaining, however, they effectively made the game safe after a slice of good fortune. Supermarine defender Ryan Wood slipped and was forced to bring down Odhiambo for a penalty. Mark Janes stepped up and hammered the ball home with a great deal of confidence. A very well struck spot-kick. 2-0.
The game was up at this point but Swindon, to their credit, did not let heads drop. They kept trying to play their football.
The Greens were not finished though and they had saved their best for last. Playing with a great deal of confidence now, they started a move in midfield, popping the ball about with one and two touches. The ball was spread wide to substitute Tommy Castle who produced a low driven cross. On the end of it was that man Odhiambo. His effort flew past Hill, crashing into the net off the underside of the goal. A superb team goal, and a finish off the woodwork as a bonus, worthy of the entrance fee alone. That, right there, was the beautiful game in a nutshell. 3-0.
FT Kidlington 3 Swindon Supermarine 0. The Greens ran out comfortable winners at the end of a good game which saw both sides trying to play some decent football. My 100% home record at Yarnton Road continues.
Att. 52
Entrance: £6 (Special price for a midweek cup match)
Programme: £1.50
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