Finally, some decent weather and a chance to watch a game in t-shirt and shorts rather than multiple layers. After an entertaining morning watching my daughter's team play some of their best football of the season (too late now girls!!), I decided to head into the wild's of rural Oxfordshire for my afternoon game. I've dipped in and out of the Witney & District League for the past few seasons, mainly in the Premier League. However, today was a big game in the race for the Division Two title. The home side, Uffington United, sat top of the table at the start of play, two point ahead of Deer Park Rangers, in what had become a two-horse race. Today's visitors to Uffington were, of course, Deer Park Rangers. What made this game even more important was the fact that Rangers had two games to play, whereas this was Uffington's final match of the season. However, Uffington's goal difference was so much better that, they effectively led by three points. So, the upshot of it all was that Deer Park needed to win today and then win their last game, at Heyford Athletic Reserves, to take the title. A win for Uffington today would seal the title, regardless of Deer park's final result. Both teams had lost just once so far. Deer Park losing a nine-goal thriller 5-4 at Bampton United Reserves back in January and Uffington, a 1-0 defeat at Deer Park in February.
Uffington striker Kyle Cross came into the game as, far and away, the league's top scorer with 37 goals in 23 games. Both teams are recent additions to the Witney & District League. Uffington spent many years in the North Berks League, transferring at the start o this season. Deer Park Rangers were only formed in 2021, joining the league two season ago. They won Division Three last season and, like Uffington, have already secured promotion this season.
Many thanks to referee Nicholas Spring, who kindly shared the team sheets with me prior to kick-off.
Uffington striker Kyle Cross came into the game as, far and away, the league's top scorer with 37 goals in 23 games. Both teams are recent additions to the Witney & District League. Uffington spent many years in the North Berks League, transferring at the start o this season. Deer Park Rangers were only formed in 2021, joining the league two season ago. They won Division Three last season and, like Uffington, have already secured promotion this season.
Many thanks to referee Nicholas Spring, who kindly shared the team sheets with me prior to kick-off.
Uffington attacking the car park end Unsurprisingly, with the league title at stake, the game off to a rather cagey and evenly balanced start. Neither goalkeeper was unduly tested inside the opening 10 minutes or so. However, Uffington were gradually beginning to exert a little authority over play, perhaps with the aid of the slight slope.
They made this advantage pay off in the 15th minute. Liam Eltham got in behind the visitor's defence on the left-hand side of the penalty area, but his attempt at goal was blocked by Deer Park keeper Frankie De La Cruz. The ball ran to the opposite side of the goal to be met by Luca Rennie, who fired low and hard from an acute angle, seeing the ball fly in off the keeper. 1-0
The home side were on their way and, buoyed by the goal, pushed for a second. Just on the midway point of the half, they were awarded a free-kick some 25 yards out in a fairly central position. Tom Austin struck the dead ball perfectly and was only denied a goal by an exceptional save from De La Cruz, just about getting a fingertip to the stinging drive and turning it against the bar.
Four minutes later, however, De La Cruz was helpless to prevent his team going two goals behind when United top-score Kyle Cross got a glancing header onto a delivery from the left, guiding the ball into the corner beyond the keeper. 2-0
At this point of the game I was joined on the side-lines by none other than Witney & District League President himself, John Smyth. Really good to have a catch up with John, and his dog Callie, who was clearly enjoying the game too (although, not too keen on a foul that happened just in front of us. Sorry ref!).
On the pitch, Deer Park were struggling to make inroads against a well-organised Uffington defence, although the hosts did have to thank goalkeeper James Farmer for an excellent point-blank save from James Scott as half-time approached.
HT Uffington United 2 Deer Park Rangers 0. A good half for Uffington, who now had one hand on that league trophy. As they returned to the shade of their changing room, Deer Park stayed out on the pitch for the half-time break. They had a lot to do in the second half if they wanted to turn this game around, especially as a draw was not really much help to them.
They made this advantage pay off in the 15th minute. Liam Eltham got in behind the visitor's defence on the left-hand side of the penalty area, but his attempt at goal was blocked by Deer Park keeper Frankie De La Cruz. The ball ran to the opposite side of the goal to be met by Luca Rennie, who fired low and hard from an acute angle, seeing the ball fly in off the keeper. 1-0
The home side were on their way and, buoyed by the goal, pushed for a second. Just on the midway point of the half, they were awarded a free-kick some 25 yards out in a fairly central position. Tom Austin struck the dead ball perfectly and was only denied a goal by an exceptional save from De La Cruz, just about getting a fingertip to the stinging drive and turning it against the bar.
Four minutes later, however, De La Cruz was helpless to prevent his team going two goals behind when United top-score Kyle Cross got a glancing header onto a delivery from the left, guiding the ball into the corner beyond the keeper. 2-0
At this point of the game I was joined on the side-lines by none other than Witney & District League President himself, John Smyth. Really good to have a catch up with John, and his dog Callie, who was clearly enjoying the game too (although, not too keen on a foul that happened just in front of us. Sorry ref!).
On the pitch, Deer Park were struggling to make inroads against a well-organised Uffington defence, although the hosts did have to thank goalkeeper James Farmer for an excellent point-blank save from James Scott as half-time approached.
HT Uffington United 2 Deer Park Rangers 0. A good half for Uffington, who now had one hand on that league trophy. As they returned to the shade of their changing room, Deer Park stayed out on the pitch for the half-time break. They had a lot to do in the second half if they wanted to turn this game around, especially as a draw was not really much help to them.
De La Cruz about to turn Austin's free-kick against the bar The visitors were back in formation and ready to go well ahead of United, clearly up for the battle and, once the game got back underway, they did start on the front foot. Aided by the advantage of the slight slope, they began to apply some pressure in search of a way back into the game. That paid off three minutes before the hour when a long throw from the right evaded everyone except for Marcus Albert, who managed to get a toe to the ball, stabbing it past Famer. 2-1 and possibly game on now.
It looked very much like Uffington were going to have to dig in and ride out an onslaught from Rangers now. The tide seemed to have turned. However, the best form of defence is attack and, seven minutes after being pegged back, Uffington broke and grabbed what looked to be the deciding goal. Kyle Cross was the instigator, bursting down the left before spotting the run of Luca Rennie who arrived unmarked in the edge of the box. Cross found him and, after taking a touch, Rennie guided the ball past De La Cruz to make it 3-1.
The goal was a kick in the teeth to Deer Park who had been on the offensive up until that point. Shoulders slumped a little, but not completely. To their credit, they continued to try to push Uffington back and, on 72 minutes, generated an opening for substitute Harry Quilley, who met a cross with his head some 10 yards out. Unfortunately, he looped the ball over the bar and the chance was gone.
As time ticked by, Uffington knew they were unlikely to concede three in the closing minutes and were content to play out the clock. However, there was still a little late drama to come. Five minutes into added time Rennie tried to get onto a bouncing ball in the box and was almost caught by a high boot from a defender. Penalty to United and chance for Rennie to grab a hat-trick. Sure enough, Rennie took the spot-kick, which was saved by De La Cruz. However, the referee spotting that the goalkeeper had come off his line, ordered a re-take. This time Rennie made no mistake. 4-1.
Soon after that the referee blew for the end of the game, sparking celebrations from the home dugout, including flares sending blue smoke across the pitch.
It looked very much like Uffington were going to have to dig in and ride out an onslaught from Rangers now. The tide seemed to have turned. However, the best form of defence is attack and, seven minutes after being pegged back, Uffington broke and grabbed what looked to be the deciding goal. Kyle Cross was the instigator, bursting down the left before spotting the run of Luca Rennie who arrived unmarked in the edge of the box. Cross found him and, after taking a touch, Rennie guided the ball past De La Cruz to make it 3-1.
The goal was a kick in the teeth to Deer Park who had been on the offensive up until that point. Shoulders slumped a little, but not completely. To their credit, they continued to try to push Uffington back and, on 72 minutes, generated an opening for substitute Harry Quilley, who met a cross with his head some 10 yards out. Unfortunately, he looped the ball over the bar and the chance was gone.
As time ticked by, Uffington knew they were unlikely to concede three in the closing minutes and were content to play out the clock. However, there was still a little late drama to come. Five minutes into added time Rennie tried to get onto a bouncing ball in the box and was almost caught by a high boot from a defender. Penalty to United and chance for Rennie to grab a hat-trick. Sure enough, Rennie took the spot-kick, which was saved by De La Cruz. However, the referee spotting that the goalkeeper had come off his line, ordered a re-take. This time Rennie made no mistake. 4-1.
Soon after that the referee blew for the end of the game, sparking celebrations from the home dugout, including flares sending blue smoke across the pitch.
 Penalty 1 |  Penalty 2 |
FT Uffington United 4 Deer Park Rangers 1. The game was tighter than the score suggests. When Deer Park pulled it back to 2-1 in the second half, things started to look tricky for United. However, give them credit for going on the offensive rather than trying to defend their one goal advantage. The third goal effectively ended Deer Park's resistance. Congratulations to Uffington, Champions of Division Two. Congratulations, of course, to both teams on their promotion into Division One.
All that was left was for Uffington to be presented with their medals and trophy by League President John Smyth, and of course the obligatory spraying of the champagne.
Uffington United: 1.Farmer, 2.Howe, 3.Hogan, 4.Rolls, 5.Bowsher, 6.Naish(c), 7.Austin, 8.G.Rennie, 10.L.Eltham, 11.Cross, 16.Woodbridge. Subs: 9.B.Eltham, 12.Bruce, 15.Legg, 17.Hannaby, 18.Giles
Deer Park Rangers: 1.De La Cruz, 13.Albert, 18.Bee, 4.Partridge, 16.Wright, 14.Olive, 2.Phillips, 7.Scott, 17.Medley, 9.Godfrey, 5.Jacob Tudge. Subs: 15.King, 3.James Tudge, 8.Quilley, 10.Delnevo, 11.Laing
All that was left was for Uffington to be presented with their medals and trophy by League President John Smyth, and of course the obligatory spraying of the champagne.
Uffington United: 1.Farmer, 2.Howe, 3.Hogan, 4.Rolls, 5.Bowsher, 6.Naish(c), 7.Austin, 8.G.Rennie, 10.L.Eltham, 11.Cross, 16.Woodbridge. Subs: 9.B.Eltham, 12.Bruce, 15.Legg, 17.Hannaby, 18.Giles
Deer Park Rangers: 1.De La Cruz, 13.Albert, 18.Bee, 4.Partridge, 16.Wright, 14.Olive, 2.Phillips, 7.Scott, 17.Medley, 9.Godfrey, 5.Jacob Tudge. Subs: 15.King, 3.James Tudge, 8.Quilley, 10.Delnevo, 11.Laing
Champions!
The Ground
Craven Playing Fields on Fawler Road is the home of Uffington United, as well as Uffington Cricket Club. It's been on my list to visit for some time, but I'm glad I waited until a day like today to pay a visit. This would not have been the case if Uffington's David Grainge Trophy match with AFC Grove earlier in the season had not been switched to Grove's ground (Home From Home).
Situated on the South Eastern edge of the village and at the foot of the Berkshire Downs Fawler Road is pretty much idyllic on a bright, sunny day. There's a reasonable sized car park and parking available on the grass verges just outside the ground. The clubhouse, bar, changing rooms and what appeared to quite a large function room, are just off the car park. The football pitch runs from the car park in parallel with Fawler Road. There are dugouts bearing the clubs name on the cricket ground side of the pitch, but no spectator cover. The ground does, however, have a floodlights, which is highly unusual at this level. The pitch slopes slightly from the car park end towards the downs. It's quite open around the ground and I heard a few locals saying that it can be chilly there, even in good weather, when the wind blows across the pitch. However, there was none of that today. In good weather, at least, Fawler Road is a delightful spot to watch football.
Ground Number: 451
Att: At least 100
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
Craven Playing Fields on Fawler Road is the home of Uffington United, as well as Uffington Cricket Club. It's been on my list to visit for some time, but I'm glad I waited until a day like today to pay a visit. This would not have been the case if Uffington's David Grainge Trophy match with AFC Grove earlier in the season had not been switched to Grove's ground (Home From Home).
Situated on the South Eastern edge of the village and at the foot of the Berkshire Downs Fawler Road is pretty much idyllic on a bright, sunny day. There's a reasonable sized car park and parking available on the grass verges just outside the ground. The clubhouse, bar, changing rooms and what appeared to quite a large function room, are just off the car park. The football pitch runs from the car park in parallel with Fawler Road. There are dugouts bearing the clubs name on the cricket ground side of the pitch, but no spectator cover. The ground does, however, have a floodlights, which is highly unusual at this level. The pitch slopes slightly from the car park end towards the downs. It's quite open around the ground and I heard a few locals saying that it can be chilly there, even in good weather, when the wind blows across the pitch. However, there was none of that today. In good weather, at least, Fawler Road is a delightful spot to watch football.
Ground Number: 451
Att: At least 100
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
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