It was all change this Saturday. My daughter's game was called off as we were in transit for the ground, and then a late switch of venue meant that, my chosen game for the afternoon was being played at Grove rather than Uffington. In the end, this worked out to my advantage. Not already being at Kidlington meant that the journey to Grove was actually shorter than to Uffington. On the down side, all the research I had done about Uffington went out of the window. Ah well, maybe I'll get there in the near future?
Today's game was a David Grainge Trophy match, a competition run by the Berks and Bucks FA, specifically for County League teams playing outside the top division. I have to admit to having very little knowledge of this competition apart from knowing that the current champions are AFC Carpathians (a team I visited earlier this season - Champions League).
This second round tie pitched Witney & District Division Two (Step 11) side, Uffington United, against North Berks Division Two (Step 9) AFC Grove.
Grove, who are only in their second season, finished bottom last season but have started well this term. Currently in fourth place, they are unbeaten in their opening four games, winning two and drawing the other two. They also won in the previous round of this competition, beating HKRG United 5-1 thanks to a hat-trick from Ben Hadley and one each from Ewan Lillies and Kongkiat Sattrupinart.
Uffington, who finished bottom of North Berks Division 3 last season, before moving into the Witney & District League for 2024-25, have started life in their new league brilliantly. Before kick-off today they were sitting in second place with a 100% record after four games. A point behind leaders Chadlington Reserves, with a game in hand. They boast an identical home and away record, played two, won two, scored twelve, conceded one. An impressive defensive record. Up front, Kyle Cross has scored eight in four for them. Their progress into this round came courtesy of a walkover against Cholsey United Reserves.
Today's game was a David Grainge Trophy match, a competition run by the Berks and Bucks FA, specifically for County League teams playing outside the top division. I have to admit to having very little knowledge of this competition apart from knowing that the current champions are AFC Carpathians (a team I visited earlier this season - Champions League).
This second round tie pitched Witney & District Division Two (Step 11) side, Uffington United, against North Berks Division Two (Step 9) AFC Grove.
Grove, who are only in their second season, finished bottom last season but have started well this term. Currently in fourth place, they are unbeaten in their opening four games, winning two and drawing the other two. They also won in the previous round of this competition, beating HKRG United 5-1 thanks to a hat-trick from Ben Hadley and one each from Ewan Lillies and Kongkiat Sattrupinart.
Uffington, who finished bottom of North Berks Division 3 last season, before moving into the Witney & District League for 2024-25, have started life in their new league brilliantly. Before kick-off today they were sitting in second place with a 100% record after four games. A point behind leaders Chadlington Reserves, with a game in hand. They boast an identical home and away record, played two, won two, scored twelve, conceded one. An impressive defensive record. Up front, Kyle Cross has scored eight in four for them. Their progress into this round came courtesy of a walkover against Cholsey United Reserves.
Spot-kick The game was very open and even for the opening 10 minutes or so, although neither side made any significant threat against the opposition goal. However, the game did start to ebb in favour of Uffington as it drew on. Luca Rennie called Grove goalkeeper Sam Cross into action on 12 minutes after latching onto a delightful Crossfield pass. He drove down the right and fired in a across which the keeper did well to hang on to. As Uffington continued to wind up the pressure on Grove, Cross had to acrobatically punch Tom Austin's inswinging corner away for another corner, before Howard Woodbridge headed the second corner over the bar. Two minutes later it was Austin on the end of a cross but the result was thew same, the header going just over Cross's bar. Then Woodbridge had another headed opportunity, once again putting his effort over the top. Grove were struggling to deal with Uffington's set pieces and aerial dominance, but fortunately for them, United had so far failed to hit the target.
Just past the halfway mark in the first 45 minutes, Grove broke Uffington's spell of dominance by hitting their opponents with a quick break up the left. The ball was fed back inside to Brian Mullally but his strike was well wide of James Farmer's goal. Shortly afterwards another Grove break, this time up the right, culminated in Sattrupinart producing lovely cross into the heart of the penalty area, just inches too high for Ben Hadley to get a head on it.
The game was still very much in the balance when, on 33 minutes, Uffington were awarded a penalty. Another searching ball found Luca Rennie bursting into the right side of the penalty area. His first touch looked a bit heavy but, as Cross raced off his line, the striker managed to get a toe there first and then went over the goalkeeper's lunge. Referee Daniel Roch had no hesitation in pointing to the spot but the Grove players, especially the keeper, were not happy. From my vantage point it was hard to see what they were complaining about. Was the ball already going out of play perhaps? Whatever the case, the referee was not going to change his mind. Kyle Cross put the spot-kick low to Sam Cross's right, but the keeper got down well to save. However, Howard Woodbridge followed in to slot home the rebound. 1-0
A few minutes later Uffington had another penalty shout but this time the referee waved play on despite United having down in the box. Once again, it was hard to see from the opposite end of the pitch, but the referee was close at hand and, again, had no hesitation with his decision.
There was still time for both sides to come close before the break. Kyle Cross for Uffington, cutting in from the left before seeing his strike deflected wide. Sattrupinart or Grove, who did the same, cutting in from the left before striking for the far post. Farmer did well to get across to mace the save.
HT Uffington United 1 AFC Grove 0. Not a great deal to choose between the teams. Uffington probably just about reserve to be in front at the break on the number of chances they created. Both sides were unhappy with some of the refereeing decisions at times but, for a local derby, the game had not seen any flash points. Also, a big thank to to Daniel Roch for letting me get a phot of both team sheets during the break.
Just past the halfway mark in the first 45 minutes, Grove broke Uffington's spell of dominance by hitting their opponents with a quick break up the left. The ball was fed back inside to Brian Mullally but his strike was well wide of James Farmer's goal. Shortly afterwards another Grove break, this time up the right, culminated in Sattrupinart producing lovely cross into the heart of the penalty area, just inches too high for Ben Hadley to get a head on it.
The game was still very much in the balance when, on 33 minutes, Uffington were awarded a penalty. Another searching ball found Luca Rennie bursting into the right side of the penalty area. His first touch looked a bit heavy but, as Cross raced off his line, the striker managed to get a toe there first and then went over the goalkeeper's lunge. Referee Daniel Roch had no hesitation in pointing to the spot but the Grove players, especially the keeper, were not happy. From my vantage point it was hard to see what they were complaining about. Was the ball already going out of play perhaps? Whatever the case, the referee was not going to change his mind. Kyle Cross put the spot-kick low to Sam Cross's right, but the keeper got down well to save. However, Howard Woodbridge followed in to slot home the rebound. 1-0
A few minutes later Uffington had another penalty shout but this time the referee waved play on despite United having down in the box. Once again, it was hard to see from the opposite end of the pitch, but the referee was close at hand and, again, had no hesitation with his decision.
There was still time for both sides to come close before the break. Kyle Cross for Uffington, cutting in from the left before seeing his strike deflected wide. Sattrupinart or Grove, who did the same, cutting in from the left before striking for the far post. Farmer did well to get across to mace the save.
HT Uffington United 1 AFC Grove 0. Not a great deal to choose between the teams. Uffington probably just about reserve to be in front at the break on the number of chances they created. Both sides were unhappy with some of the refereeing decisions at times but, for a local derby, the game had not seen any flash points. Also, a big thank to to Daniel Roch for letting me get a phot of both team sheets during the break.
Grove attacking It didn't take long for the team's unhappiness with some decisions to come to the forefront in the second half. Only three minutes had been played when Uffington captain Josh Giles was sent to the sin-bin for 10 minutes. His emotions got the better of him after two decisions in a short space of time went against him, first being pulled up for a foul he felt he didn't commit and then not getting a decision for a foul he felt had been committed on him. Hi remonstrations clearly went a little too far. However, Grove didn't have too long to try to take advantage of the extra man. Just a few minutes later they were also down to 10 when Stan parry was also sent to the sin-bin for dissent.
Just on the hour mark, with both teams still a man light, Uffington came close to making it two with what would have been a real freak goal. Rennie's sliced effort from the edge of the box flew up in the air and looked to be going well over. However, the wind seemed to hold the ball up and it dipped quickly, striking the bar before being scrambled clear.
Two minutes later, Grove keeper Sam Cross had to be brave twice in very quick succession, diving at the feet of Rennie to make a block before getting up quickly to throw himself at the loose ball, just getting there in advance of Josh Giles and getting a knock for his troubles. Good goalkeeping to keep his side in the game.
On 64 minutes, however, Cross was left clutching at air as Austin's lovely curling effort flashed past him and, luckily for Grove, past the outside of the post too.
Although Uffington had edged possession throughout, the game was very much still there for either team until the 76th minute, which is when Uffington made sure of their progression. A long ball caused the problem. As Cross came out the ball was headed back by a defender, wrong-footing the keeper and allowing Luca Rennie to nip in behind him. Cross recovered enough to prevent Rennie from getting a strike away but there was no cover inside as the ball was rolled back into the path of Howard Woodbridge, who made no mistake from 8 yards out. 2-0
The game was finished as a contest now. Grove didn't look to have the firepower to break down this Uffington defence twice, although they did still have time to miss their best chance of the game when a 92nd minute long throw was not cleared and fell to the feet of Dan Parry, who somehow put it wide from inside the 6-yard box. However, it would only have been a consolation, as the referees whistle blew shortly afterwards.
FT Uffington United 2 AFC Grove 0. From a neutral's perspective, overall Uffington deserved the win. There wasn't too much between the teams. Uffington took their chances, Grove were shut out by a United defence that displayed why they have only conceded twice in the league so far.
f you want to see these teams in action next week, both have away league fixtures. Uffington make the journey to Witney where they face ninth placed Spartan Rangers. Grove have a tricky game at leaders Woodcote Development, who are defending a 100% record after six games.
Uffington United: Farmer, Hannaby, Hogan, Bowsher, Naish, Austin, G.Rennie, Woodbridge, Giles(c), Cross. Subs: Pryde, F.Kerman, Medlock, D.Rennie, Fecher
AFC Grove: Cross, Bevan, Weeks, Walker, B.Mullally, Reed, Williams, D.Parry(c), Hadley, Stock, Sattrupinart. Subs: Kalhari, E.Lillies, M.Lillies, S.Parry
Just on the hour mark, with both teams still a man light, Uffington came close to making it two with what would have been a real freak goal. Rennie's sliced effort from the edge of the box flew up in the air and looked to be going well over. However, the wind seemed to hold the ball up and it dipped quickly, striking the bar before being scrambled clear.
Two minutes later, Grove keeper Sam Cross had to be brave twice in very quick succession, diving at the feet of Rennie to make a block before getting up quickly to throw himself at the loose ball, just getting there in advance of Josh Giles and getting a knock for his troubles. Good goalkeeping to keep his side in the game.
On 64 minutes, however, Cross was left clutching at air as Austin's lovely curling effort flashed past him and, luckily for Grove, past the outside of the post too.
Although Uffington had edged possession throughout, the game was very much still there for either team until the 76th minute, which is when Uffington made sure of their progression. A long ball caused the problem. As Cross came out the ball was headed back by a defender, wrong-footing the keeper and allowing Luca Rennie to nip in behind him. Cross recovered enough to prevent Rennie from getting a strike away but there was no cover inside as the ball was rolled back into the path of Howard Woodbridge, who made no mistake from 8 yards out. 2-0
The game was finished as a contest now. Grove didn't look to have the firepower to break down this Uffington defence twice, although they did still have time to miss their best chance of the game when a 92nd minute long throw was not cleared and fell to the feet of Dan Parry, who somehow put it wide from inside the 6-yard box. However, it would only have been a consolation, as the referees whistle blew shortly afterwards.
FT Uffington United 2 AFC Grove 0. From a neutral's perspective, overall Uffington deserved the win. There wasn't too much between the teams. Uffington took their chances, Grove were shut out by a United defence that displayed why they have only conceded twice in the league so far.
f you want to see these teams in action next week, both have away league fixtures. Uffington make the journey to Witney where they face ninth placed Spartan Rangers. Grove have a tricky game at leaders Woodcote Development, who are defending a 100% record after six games.
Uffington United: Farmer, Hannaby, Hogan, Bowsher, Naish, Austin, G.Rennie, Woodbridge, Giles(c), Cross. Subs: Pryde, F.Kerman, Medlock, D.Rennie, Fecher
AFC Grove: Cross, Bevan, Weeks, Walker, B.Mullally, Reed, Williams, D.Parry(c), Hadley, Stock, Sattrupinart. Subs: Kalhari, E.Lillies, M.Lillies, S.Parry
The Ground
AFC Grove play at the Grove Recreation Ground off Recreation Lane, just to the South of the village. The facility is also home to Grove Rugby Club and Grove Challengers, a local junior club. The football pitch is next to the main car park and, effectively behind the clubhouse building, which opens up to face the rugby pitches on the opposite side. There's a good-sized bar and the usual facilities. Of course, it's a public space, so there are no stands or spectator cover of any sort. There are also no dugouts. The pitch itself looked to be in pretty good condition, especially considering the downpours overnight (the reason the game had been switched from Uffington).
Ground Number: 422
Att: A surprising number for this level - well over 50
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
AFC Grove play at the Grove Recreation Ground off Recreation Lane, just to the South of the village. The facility is also home to Grove Rugby Club and Grove Challengers, a local junior club. The football pitch is next to the main car park and, effectively behind the clubhouse building, which opens up to face the rugby pitches on the opposite side. There's a good-sized bar and the usual facilities. Of course, it's a public space, so there are no stands or spectator cover of any sort. There are also no dugouts. The pitch itself looked to be in pretty good condition, especially considering the downpours overnight (the reason the game had been switched from Uffington).
Ground Number: 422
Att: A surprising number for this level - well over 50
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
RSS Feed