The UTV was devastated to learn of the death of Abba Athletic player Andy Sams, Saturday night. The league wish to send our condolences to Andy`s family, friends & the Abba officials & players who somehow managed to play, Sunday morning.
OFA Sam Waters Cup Final
It proved to be third time lucky for Oxford Yellows as they lift the Sam Waters cup following a 3-2 extra time win over rivals AFC Cowley in a hard fought final.
The disappointment of the last two seasons were soon forgotten as Sean Flaherty scored an extra time winner. Yellows took an early lead when ex Oxford united winger Joey Beauchamp dispatched a free kick past Cowley keeper Wayne Bessa-Grant, from the edge of the box.
Cowley equalised when Nick Thorne was tripped in the box & his powerful spot kick beat Yellows keeper Ryan Davies, despite getting both hands on it.
Cowley winger Dominic Bruno came close from a wide free kick, his chip just missing the cross bar. Rocky Whiting then had the chance to put Yellow`s ahead after Flaherty was fouled in the box but Bessa-Grant brilliantly pushed the spot kick away & Whiting could only fire the re-bound over.
As Cowley had more possession it looked as though Aaron Barrett may unlock a solid Yellow defence & he nearly scored when brother Mark put him clean through. Davies, however made a super block & extra time looked inevitable.
The extra period burst into life as Cowley sub Joe Cook headed home a super Tai Herbert-Thomas cross. Cowley`s joy was short lived as Tom Gaughan`s free kick was finished off by Yellow`s Ryan Brooks.
As players tired Flaherty won it when he tapped home after a fine leftwing run & cross from Josh Dutton-Black. It was Cowley`s time for despair but who would begrudge Yellow`s this win at the third attempt, apart from AFC Cowley, of course!
Ridgeway Cup Semi Finals
Favourites Kennington United had a relatively easy ride to the final with a 5-1 win at Donnington. John Mills hit a double with Andrew Younie, Ryan Johnson & Jay Morris completing the United scorers. Lee Spencer hit the solitary reply for Donnington who had influential midfielder Ryan Coles sent off.
JET flew into a two goal lead against Punchbowl Pirates, the first from James Broughton after just 15 seconds. Fred Marlin scored the second but Pirate James Organ replied by firing a treble with Jon Cummings wrapping up a super come back. The final is scheduled for May 2nd at Abingdon United 6pm kick off & should see a bumper crowd in attendance.
Division 1
AFC Hinksey are keeping the pressure on at the top of division 1 following a fine 5-1 win at in form Childrey OHB. Ben Taylor scored for the home side but Hinksey can thank Anaclet Odhiambo for yet another hat trick, Gavin Preston whacked home from 22 yards & birthday boy Toby Webster celebrated by coming off the bench & scoring.
Ian Marshall & Brian Rawlings both hit doubles for current champs Dorchester United as they beat The Bay Tree 6-0, in a rehearsal for next Sunday`s Devenney cup semi final. David Smyth & sub Mark Denslow completed the victory for Dorchester who stay in touch & third.
Kings Arms Wheatley still have a big say in the championship as they won 6-1 at Kidlington Royals. Adam Simmonds fired home a fine 20 yard chip, Jay Hill doubled the lead with a well taken volley. Darren Smith, Shaun Pearce, James Luckett & Steve Skyrme all scored to complete the win.
Standlake Garage`s chance of avoiding relegation looks bleak following a 6-2 home defeat to Sutton Revolution. Jamie Madge inflicted a hat trick on Garage, Yousef Shahab, Chris Beesley & Jason Fisher all netted for the Revolution.
Division 2
AFC Woodfarm move 12 points clear at the top after a fine 3-1 away win at a tricky Wallingford Wanderers. Jake Howard fired Woodfarm ahead after a tremendous run & finish from an acute angle. But Wanderers equalised when Danny Woods scored after Sam Elkins pulled back a cross following a rare mistake from Woodfarm keeper Tom Gillett.
The ever dangerous Paul Alder knocked in a free kick that Lance Williams deflected in to restore the Woodfarm lead. Ben Green then made sure of three valuable points for the leaders when he converted Howard`s cross late on.
Wanderers did score with the last kick, Liam Woods smashing home a Dave Norris cross but they were without time & their slim chances of promotion, all but over. The Oxford outfit collect three more precious points in their quest for back to back championships, with Kennington the only team with a realistic chance of catching them.
Didcot Casuals slim promotion chances took a dip as they were held 2-2 by an in form Research Machines. Goals from Casual`s John Hedges & Jamie Clark were pegged back by RM`s Simon Collett & Lee Cook.
Abba Athletic players made the extremely difficult decision to play following the tragic loss of one of their players & the 2-1 win against Woodstock Wanderers was practically irrelevant. For the records, Jordan Weaver & Wesley Bone were the Abba scorers with keeper Stuart Burlow outstanding.
James Harris cracked home a goal for Rutherford Lab but the game ended all square at 1-1 against Oxford FC.
Division 3A
Leaders Mansfield Road made use of the fact title favourites Donnington were on cup duty by going four points ahead following a 4-2 home success over Bicesterlona. Max Burton & Jon George both hit doubles for Mansfield, Michael Woodward scored both goals for the visitors. Mansfield will have to beat Donnington when they meet to solidify their championship credentials.
Railway Wheatley were well & truly de-railed as Yellow Eagles made amends for the earlier 9-3 thrashing & completely turned the tables in a 3-0 win. Simon Hill set up Lee Rendell to open the scoring, Eagles doubled that lead when centre half Alex Dawson headed home from a corner. Ben Crawford`s fine one-two with Sam Saywood saw the Eagle player capitalise & complete the 3-0 win.
Jack Hayhurst exchanges passes with Aaron Williams & netted for AFC Jericho to give his side the lead against Freeland Yeoman. That was as good as it got for Jericho as Yeoman hit back with three unanswered goals from Jamie Hodges, Darren Payton & Danny Taylor, the West Oxon side completing a 3-1 win.
The Leys got back to winning ways edging a seven goal thriller at Northway Boys & Girls, with Jefferson Assumpcao hitting a double in their 4-3 win. Sam Tombs & Ant Simpson also scored for The Leys, Liam Hatt, Jamie Tatum & Marvin Martin strikes for Northway weren`t quite enough for a point.
Division 3B
The 3B title looks to be going all the way to the wire after Chalgrove were made to work hard for the points as they won 2-1 at Bowyer Arms. Mark Nicholl scored for Bowyer Arms, a Craig Davies own goal was all Chalgrove could muster until late on as Danny Smith scored the winner. Bowyer`s put up a better fight than the away fixture where they leaked nine goals, a much improved performance.
Brightwell FC notched up another victory with a 3-1 home victory over Abingdon Exiles. Richard Gross, Ben Cordery & Andy Gibbons all found the target, Dean Godwin replied for Exiles.
Long Wittenham won back to back matches for the first time this season a Chris Green brace helping them to a 5-2 success at home to Abingdon Knights. Stu Saunders, Steve Malloy & an own goal made up the Wittenham tally, Knights hit back through Chris Stringer & Kevin Irvine.
Midweek Scorers - Div 2 - Sandman 0 - 7 Kennington Utd, Mark Druce 2, Ben Quinn, Ollie Wright, Kieran Lewis,John Mills & Ryan Johnson.
Div 3B - Hampstead Norreys 1 - 5 Brightwell FC, Andy Gibbons 4, Nathan Gray.