Cropredy Firsts returned to Williamscot Road for the first time in 4 weeks after 3 successive away games. The odds were against them as they welcomed Halse United however as they were missing EIGHT first team regulars through a mixture of injuries, work commitments, Covid and unavailability. They were however able to name a substitute with new (returning) signing Richard Oakey being drafted in.

The message for Cropredy was to battle and make things difficult for their opponents and lay their own punches when they can. The hosts started brightly and came closest to opening the scoring through Ben Coleman but his effort at the far post was struck wide. Halse then posed some questions of their own, once missing narrowly from a free header in the box and then the ball flashed a crossed the goal but no player in a black and white shirt could tap it in.

The game was going to plan for Cropredy until they conceded two quick fire goals just before half time. Joe Berry had the ball in the net to half the arrears just before half-time but it was ruled out for offside. The late concessions made the team talk change as it was clear Cropredy would have to be a bit more expansive to get back into the game but with little in the way of attacking options to influence this. Any hope of getting back into the game was put to bed with another quick fire back-to-back goals. Damage limitation was the agenda from that point but further damage came when Will Dee was replaced with a thigh strain and a foul on Dan Bartlett forced his removal. Cropredy were down to 10 men and conceded again whilst manager Lawrence O’Sullivan who hadn’t played for 4 years was ludicrously forced to ready himself into the action in a week where the club had 27 available players. Cropredy, albeit with the game behind them had a bright spell and had shots on target one a long range effort form goalkeeper James Cutts that forced a corner and efforts from Berry and Coleman were well saved.

Halse we’re awarded a penalty on 75 minutes when O’Sullivan tripped Gilsenan in the box but Read’s effort was brilliantly saved with a left handed fist by Cutts to keep the score down to 5. Two further strikes in the final 5 minutes ensured a 7-0 victory for Halse, the same amount as they put past Crop in the final game of last season.

A bad day at the office for Crop. Attentions turn to Garsington away in the Presidents cup next week where they hope to have at least six returnees and be able to compete more effectively. Thank you to Halse for cleaning their own dressing room.

MOTM: Harry Walters

A tough day for all players in blue but Walters showed great effort and professionalism working relentlessly from minute one to 90 and supporting his team mates

Cropredy: Cutts (C), Smithers, Woodcock, Jefferies, Bartlett (O’Sullivan 60), Dee (Oakey 57), Berry, Dunham, Coleman, Williams, Walters