Manager Sean Dineen and coach John Clark we’re both absent so assistant manager Lawrence O’Sullivan took temporary charge of this fixture with former Halse player Robbie Brown stepping up as a player coach and being named on the bench for the first time since November due to a lengthy injury.

In team news Alex Palmer came in for S.Dineen and there was a slight tactical change as Izzy Liverpool and Ruben Torego switching positions so the latter played in an unusual position for him next to Luke Ulla Thomas.

Only one point separated the two teams going into the match after a run of five wins out of the last six for Halse had propelled them up the league table. The first half started brightest for the visitors. Playing in an interchanging fluent formation it took Cropredy a period of time to adjust to who they should be marking and Halse were guilty of missing some guilt edged chances to open the scoring in this period. The best chance was blasted at point blank range but James Cutts in the Cropredy goal did terrifically well to parry the shot away.

Cropredy grew into the game keeping their shape well and creating fast dynamic attacks when they turned over possession without any luck of creating clear cut shots. In the 27th minute Jack Welch had drifted over to the right wing and had beaten one man before being cynically fouled. The ball rolled into the path of Aaron Dineen and there seemed to be no advantage for Cropredy but the free kick wasn’t awarded. Dineen made sure that didn’t matter and took full advantage cutting in and winning a duel with the Halse goalkeeper and slotting home for 1-0. Shortly after after being fouled a few too many times, Welch sought retribution with a challenge of his own, only this time the referee decided to get his cards out and the Crop skipper was booked.

Cropredy grew into a comfortable pattern of frustrating their visitors and attacking when they could but Halse kept pressing for an equaliser. They managed to get in clean through before being denied by Cutts again spreading his body out to block a one on one opportunity. The equaliser did eventually come on 37 minutes, a throw in the final third reached a Halse attacker in the penalty area who cut inside and shot into the far corner of the net for 1-1.

It looked like the sides would be going in level at the break until a long ball caught Cropredy off guard and Sam Wheatley was adjudged to of fouled a Halse striker in the box and a penalty was awarded. It was well converted into Cutts’ right hand post. The ball hitting the back of the net was greeted by the sound of the referee’s half time whistle. 1-2.

Despite the set back, Cropredy were in positive spirits at the break and were confident they could back into the game. They started the second half much the better of the two teams. Breaking forwards through Harry Dunham and Ben Rogers on the wings and Dineen was a physical nuisance up front. The Halse goalkeeper had been uncomfortable with the ball at his feet throughout the game. When closed down by Dineen he struck the on rushing striker who capitalised by slotting past the defenders on the cover for the equaliser. By this point there had been a real turning of the tide in Crops favour. They took the lead in similar fashion to the second goal, Dineen closing down the keeper who failed in two attempts to clear his lines and smashed the ball against Dineen’s head outside of the area who the had the simple task of setting his sights and converting into an open goal.

The ground staff at Williamscot Road had done a fantastic job of making sure the pitch was in great condition after a vast amount of games in tough conditions but Dineen gave them more headaches with yet another knee slide in the corner akin to his celebration in Crop’s last win 5 weeks ago.

With 20 minutes remaining, there was then the task of not surrendering the lead again and the defence consisting of the experienced Tony Truman and Liverpool flanked by Palmer and Sam Wheatley gave little change to Halse’s front three and they were screened brilliantly by Ulla Thomas and Torego in his new role for the day.

Crop could of gone further in front on a couple of occasions. Welch had a venomous shot saved very well by the Halse Goalkeeper and recent recruit Matt Allum, off the bench, almost opened his account, striking the crossbar for the second time in two weeks, directly from an in swinging corner.

The game was keenly contested as the visitors sought an equaliser and tackles flew in leading to a mini melee in the midfield with five minutes remaining resulting in a Halse player and Torego also entered the referee’s notebook.

James Leonard and Tim Bennett entered the fray as Crop looked to freshen up for the final minutes and they saw the game out for a well deserved and needed three points.

Next up Cropredy travel along the A34 to Yarnton looking to put right their semi-final exit there last month.

Cropredy: Cutts, Wheatley (Bennett 85), Truman, Liverpool, Palmer, Ulla Thomas, Torego, Dunham (Allum 70), Rogers (Leonard 85), Welch (C), A.Dineen

Goals:

A.Dineen 27,60,68