Cropredy travelled down to Abingdon on a sweltering Saturday afternoon to take on Saxton Rovers for their second league game of the season. After an opening day heavy defeat at Carterton, Kieran Reading’s men were looking to kick start their campaign against a Saxton side who they took 4 points off last season.

Sacky had started their season with 3 points, with a 0-1 win on the road at Thame Utd Reserves who have bene relegated from Step 6.
The long journey was also hindered by awful traffic on route, meant the majority of the team arrived late, meaning a speedy team talk and warm up for Cropredy, for a second week running.

Team news
There were 5 changes to the side that lost 6-1 at Carterton. 17 year old Alfie Aspinall made his debut at centre back after a very impressive pre season. Ben Coleman came into start in place of Treml, Damien Robertson for skipper Jack Welch, and Kyran Beales for Moon. Dan Reeves took the armband for this one.

There was also late withdrawal, in Luke Butterworth, giving an opening for Conor Hancock to come in for what is his first appearance for the club in 18 months. Hancock spent the whole of last season out injured, and started this season playing a few games at Moreton Ranges.
Welch, Moon and Treml made up an energetic bench, alongside gaffer Reading who kitted up for the game.

First half

Saxton had the first chance of note, as their midfielder fired wide from 25 yards after running onto an Aspinall rebound, before Crop also had a good chance in the early minutes. The changes seemed to make the desired impact as Robertson gathered the ball off a defender. He drove down the left before flashing a ball across the box, but Kyran Beales could only divert it well wide with his weaker foot.

Sacky had the next opportunity as they played a neat piece of football down the left, before pulling the ball across the side yard box to the back post, but the attacker could only place his finish straight at the sprawling Bailey, a chance that looked easier to score than miss. A let off for Crop early on.

The away side were looking dangerous on the counter with their pace, as Robertson had a great chance to open the scoring. Coleman bought the ball out before feeding Beales, who took his time before sliding in Robertson to the left of the goal, but his left footed effort didn’t quite have enough on it to beat the home stopper.

Crop then had another great chance in the closing stages of the half, as a poor kick out from the ‘keeper fell to Hancock, who had so much time 30 yards out, but he opted to try and lob the retreating keeper but his poor effort rolled along the turf for a goal kick.
Nil-nil at the interval which was a fair scoreline at this point with both sides having a number of spurned chances.

Half time 0-0

Ben Coleman had picked up an ankle knock first half, and succumbed to his injury only minutes into the second period, meaning near enough a full half. Treml who along with the other subs would have been disappointed to be left out from the starting 11, with some good minutes to impress.

The home side started the half much the brighter and were pushing for the opening goal. A great cross from their right, couldn’t quite find a connection from the striker, and moments later a cross from the other side, found a red shirt but they headed well over the bar from 6 yards out.

The deadlock was then broken on 58 minutes through an unfortunate own goal. Saxton found some joy down the left getting behind Treml, before a player drove round Reeves to the byline, and pulled the ball across the box, which deflected off Karl Woodcock into the net. Unlucky for Crop but the goal had been coming. 1-0

The referee blew for a water break following the goal, allowing Crop to regroup and make a couple of changes with Welch and Moon introduced for some extra energy in place of Hancock and Squirrell.

The changes seemed to make the desired impact with Moon looking lively down the right. Treml found Moon with a lofted pass down the line, before he cut in to cross to the back post. The cross found Beales who cut inside his man, but dragged his effort wide of the near post from close range.

Moon and Beales were involved again, with another great opportunity. King played the ball down the left channel to Beales who combined with Robertson before squaring to Moon just inside the area. He probably should have struck it first time, but took a touch which allowed the Saxton defender to get back across and block his effort. Crop beginning to rue their missed chances.

Crop then had a nig penalty shout as Woodcock looked to have been fouled following a set piece. Looked a clear one but the ref admitted his view was obstructed so he couldn’t see the incident. Moon took a bang to the head in the same move, and unfortunately after trying to carry on, he was forced off for the final 10 minutes or so. Gaffer Reading had to bring himself on, meaning a reshuffle with Woodcock moving up top.

With time running out Cropredy had one final chance. A deep free kick from Bailey was lofted forward but cleared by Saxton. Their through ball was snuffed out by Reading who then found Treml out wide. He found Beales who played it into Reeves in the area who done brilliantly to turn it around the corner back to Beales who then fired home at the near post from close range, to spark celebrations for the away side, who had grabbed a point.

The final whistle sounded pretty much straight from the restart, so the two sides shared the spoils.

Full time 1-1

A tough afternoon for both teams in the heat, and thanks to the decent contingent of support who were watching from the shady treeline.
Next up for Crop is a first home game of the season, as Garsington make the trip up to Williamscot Road next Saturday.

Manager Kieran Reading’s reflection on the game
“it was tough for both teams today, and on the balance of the game a draw is probably a fair result. We spoke before the game about this game kickstarting our season, and at half time we felt we could get all three, but we’ll take a point.

The lads showed good work rate and character to come from behind and score a last minute equaliser, and I was impressed with the reaction showed after last weeks heavy defeat. The subs also all came on and made a great impact, giving us some real selection headaches for the next week.

Thanks to Saxton for a greatly contested game, and for their hospitality. We’ll see them again later in the season at Williamscot Road.”

Man of the match – Mallory King
A tough one to call between King and debutant Alfie Aspinall, but King showed great resilience after a tough debut at Carterton last week, to bounce back and put in a solid display this time out.