RIDGEWAY CUP SEMI FINALS
Reformed Robin Hood booked their place in the final of the Ridgeway Cup after a nail biting extra time win against rivals OARFDC, with hot shot Martin Latimer grabbing a last gasp winner, his ninth goal in the competition, this season. The Oxford Refugees can count themselves very unlucky as they had enough chances to guarantee a final appearance, in their first season in the league. Hood midfielder Kieran Davis set up Dean Mays, who opened the scoring, when he flicked the ball over a defender & coolly slotted home. Oxford equalised when a Fama Mara pass was squeezed home by top scorer Okita Sumbu. Latimer then fired Hood in front only for a repeat goal from Oxford, as Mara set up Sumbu again, with the, at times frantic cup tie going into the break. The second half was goal less, although Oxford had the better chances, we had to wait until the last two minutes of extra time, when Latimer finished off a fine move orchestrated by Mays & Darren Keyani, to book their place in the final, the first of which took place in 1982, won by, Robin Hood.
Its a touch of deja vu, for Goodlake Arms who play Robin Hood in the cup final after another cracking semi final, Arms winning 1-0 against fancied CR Marks Kirtlington, Goodlake won the cup back in 1996. Steve Madge scored the only goal after 25 minutes, John Srawley breaking up another Marks attack & putting Mark Pryde clear, he managed to pull the ball back to Madge who fired home from 25 yards. Goodlake did their home work on Marks, who are the top scorers in the league, with the Srawley brothers Tom & John, dominating a super defence & keeper Simon Matthews, also outstanding. Despite Marks missing some good chances, Pryde should of scored near the end, then Arms Johnny Pike, hit the post. Kirtlington just knew it wasn`t their day, when a late equaliser was ruled out for offside, they still have a great chance, though, to wrap up the Division 3A championship.
DIVISION 1
Congratulations to Abingdon Casuals who wrapped up the Division 1, title with four games still to play, coming away from Bampton with a 15-0 annihilation of unlucky Horseshoe. Paul Douglass top scored with a four timer, Kev Secker & Tom Smith hit doubles. Also on target were Jon Beames, Dave Bayliss, Chris Meek, Dwight Jones, Glynn Jones, Matty Shelton & finally Ben Tyler. Every player in the squad has found their way onto the score sheet, this season.
In the chasing pack for second spot, Jackass Inn & AFC Oxford battled out a
3-3 draw, helping neither sides search runners up. Lewis George hit a double for Oxford, the second a 30 yard special, Paul Robinson grabbing the other, Jackass scorers were, Glynn McGibbon, from the spot, Bryn Ingram & Andy Patton.
Cross Keys slim hopes of grabbing second place took a huge knock with a revitalised Standlake Garage making it three wins on the bounce, to eleviate their relegation worries, following a 3-2 win. Keys dominated a goalless first half with Tom Hemmings dominating the game, forcing several saves out of Garage stand-in keeper, Jack Shephard. Leon Titcombe then came close to opening the scoring, as the Keys defender whipped a free kick, just over the bar. Chris Palmer did hit a post, in a rare Garage raid but in the first half but manager Gerry Seniors half time talk seemed to do the trick as Standlake came out in the second period & flew into a three goal lead, in 10 minutes. Palmer made amends when he took advantage of a sleepy Keys defence, slotting home a drive at the near post. Lee Senior then unlocked the Keys defence, when he shot home, into the far post. The ever dangerous Chris Bennell then saw his deflected shot, fly past Adam Dewar, in the Keys goal. At 3-0 down, Keys got going, when Leighton Jackson ran through the Garage defence, to score, Then man of the match Hemmings, deservedly flicked home to make the score 3-2 & we expected a Keys revival buy Garage stood firm with Bennell going close twice near the end, to give his side three, just about, deserved points, with Dewar the busier keeper, in the latter stages.
Garry Hartleys five minute hat trick ensured a 5-3 win for Saxton Rovers at East Hendred, a Steve Pitson double, making up Rovers tally.
Sandman & Childrey OHB`s 1-1 draw will not help either side, as they chase for second place, Kieran Russell running through to score for Sandman, Matty Pedder chipping the keeper, for a fine equaliser.
DIVISION 3A
Leaders AFC Cowley were held to a 1-1 draw by Clanfield 85, a Daniel Richmond strike, when he curled his shot past the keeper, looked good enough for three points. Cowley keeper Russell Wainwright though, misjudged a long ball in the wind & the ball flew in, for an own goal, equaliser.
Abingdon Exiles came away from Henry Box OB`s with a fine 5-0 win, though the home side could only start with seven players. Danny Shurmer hit a brace, Lawrence & Steve Hook both scored, the other goal came from Steve Cox. Six teams can still win the division title, these three points helping Exiles cause.
DIVISION 3B
The big game in Division 3B fell to leaders Wallingford Exiles who were made to fight all the way as they won 3-2 at Allbrite. Rob Taylor gave Allbrite the lead but Gary Miller equalised then Dave Cheeseman gave Exiles the lead at the break. Shaun Brown levelled the score in the second half but Exiles Gavin Ward netted, with 20 minutes to go. With Exiles holding on, Allbrite`s final attack almost produced another equaliser as Browns shot went agonisingly wide, shaving the post.
A James Wilcox double got Didcot Casuals back on the winning track, Casuals beating Sandman Reserves 4-2. Steve Hedges & Chris Green, also netted.
JP`s had a 3-1 home win against Red Lion Drayton, Keith Beavons long ball in the wind, allowing George Brewerton to chip the keeper. Jon Cummings long shot into the corner brought the scores level but in the second half Brewerton missed a couple of chances before heading JP`s in front. The home keeper Chris Giffords quick throw was picked up by Beavon who ran through the Drayton defence, then passed to Graham Cole who set up Mark Melrose, to fire home & ensure the points for the home side.
Goals from Andy Suggett, Jordon Scott & Nigel King gave JET a 3-0 win at Hampstead Norreys.
Rebels & The Bell Grove shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw, Adam Wheeler & Luke Ailing, scoring for Rebels, a Nick Howe double, the reply.
ALAN ALDER TROPHY
The Leys couldn`t hold back Wheatley Park whose 13 goals, proved unlucky for the home side. Jamie Tatum cracked a super long shot home for The Leys but Park skipper Steve Skyrme bagged a four-timer, with Jay Hill & James Luckett hitting doubles. Bob Woodcock, Francis Mapplethorpe, Dave Oliver, Mark Whiting & an own goal, made up the scoring.
Park can win the second division championship with a win at lowly Rutherford Lab, Sunday.
Dorchester United made light work as they thrashed Division 1 AFC Kidlington 6-0, Lee Allmond cracking a hat trick. Brian Rawlings hit a double, the other goal a strike from Lee Dixon.