Match Round-up for 3 January 2009
Report by Andy Wells

Would you believe it?! Wilson debut winner for Drayton ten

Despite going down to ten players with 40 minutes remaining, Drayton hit back to record a 2 – 1 win against neighbours Steventon and jumped four place in the Division 1 table.

In the only top level game to survive the freeze, both sides gave the large crowd a decent game to watch; albeit on a bumpy pitch which made accurate passing difficult. Drayton were the more likely side in the first half, with Joe Dixon on the left wing featuring well and George Brewerton full of energy in the midfield.

Drayton took an early lead through Billy Warner in the 12^th minute; Danny Curran supplying the touch and Warner volleying in from close range. Steventon were relying on the quick counter and the long ball to unsettle Drayton and Mark Brind lobbed just over from a wide position on one occasion.

Andrew Cummings missed a great chance at the far post from a cross by Brewerton but the ball did arrive from a sunny background. The home side took advantage when, three minutes from the interval, Brind took the ball down well and shot over the keeper from 25 yards out for a superb equalizer.

Drayton’s Alex Horsman picked up a booking for shirt pulling in the build up to the goal and it was to prove costly, as within five minutes of the restart he slid into a late tackle and was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

Photograph © Andy Wells
Steventon captain Stuart Carless (Sky blue) tries his best to contain the unorthodox skills and style of Drayton's Joe Dixon

Drayton reorganised but kept looking for a winner and in the 62^nd minute substitute and debutant Richard Wilson glanced in a left wing cross from another substitute Lewis Allen, to put the visitors 2 – 1 up.

Steventon created a great chance to take a share of the points with some fifteen minutes remaining, when Danny McArdle rifled in a shot which Drayton keeper Rob Hudson parried, Brind picked up the rebound and laid the ball back perfectly but Adam Parsons sliced his shot wide of the goal.

In Division 2, Saxton Rovers Reserves moved up into equal third place following a 5 – 1 home win over Grove Rangers. Andy Goodchild put Grove ahead with a good goal early on but Steve Pitson got the equalizer to make the half-time score 1 – 1.

After the break, Rovers got on top and further goals came from Michael Quinan, Steve Bloomfield, Pitson again and Benny Sutton.

It just wasn’t a good day for Grove, as their Reserves also went down to a 5 – 1 defeat, to Botley United in Division 3. Andy Potter (2), Chris Potter, Kevin Cooper and Barry Ives getting the goals to take Botley back to the top and two points ahead of Drayton Reserves; Phil Riding netted Grove’s consolation.

In Division 4, Hanney United went three points clear at the top as they gunned down one of their main rivals Stanford in the Vale 5 – 0. Joe Ledbury, Danny Sayer and James Bishop scored the goals which give Hanney real hope of a successful 2009.

Marcham Reserves moved away from the bottom two places with a 7 – 0 win over Uffington United – though the goals of usual first-teamer Stuart Armstrong (3) helped them considerably. Other goals came from Leighton Jackson (2), Tristan Barret and Dave Tunnah.

In Division 5, Hanney United Reserves recorded only their second win of the campaign as they defeated basement rivals Hagbourne United Reserves 3 – 1, thanks to goals from Jamie Alexander, John Monnery and Nick Clinch. Mike McNulty scored for Hagbourne.

Finally, Uffington United Reserves moved into 3^rd place with a 4 – 1 home win against Challow United Reserves, courtesy of goals from Kevin Edwards (2), Devan Bryan and John Mildenhall.

Match Round-up for 3 January 2009 Report by Andy Wells

Match Round-up for 3 January 2009
Report by Andy Wells