With an exciting end to the season in store, Cropredy travelled down to Yarnton Reserves hoping to make it third time lucky, after this fixture had already been postponed twice this season, once for Covid before Christmas, and then due to a waterlogged pitch earlier this year. Crop were full of confidence after a gritty midweek win at Charlton Res. Yarnton also went into the game on a back of a win over Charlton the previous weekend.

Team News
After the performance midweek, Manager Kieran Reading tried to maintain continuity with the side and squad, but was forced into 3 changes, with Liverpool, Butterworth and Liam Squirrell unavailable, so there were places in the eleven, for Alex Morrish at left back, and Ruben Torego and Matt Allum in midfield. Callum Moon also returned on the bench after holiday. Sam Roberts maintained his spot in goal, after a good display against Charlton.
With the title race hotting up, Cropredy knew they very much needed to come away with the 3 points from this one.

First half

Cropredy came out of the blocks at pace, and found themselves ahead with just three minutes on the clock. Torego won the header from a Yarnton clearance to find Ulla-Thomas who was able to drive forward with the ball, and in turn find Allum in space. He was allowed to turn and slip through a delightful ball threaded between the two defenders to find Robertson. Robertson was able to take once touch in the area, before lashing home into the corner giving the home ‘keeper no chance. An early goal for the away side!

Before the home side could settle, Cropredy took advantage and went two up winning the opening 7 minutes. Again, good work from Ulla-Thomas who picked the ball up and found Ash Balfour just outside the centre circle who then played it out to Kyran Beales 25 yards out to the right of the ‘d’. He was able to take a touch to set himself and then delightfully curled the ball into the far top corner, once again giving the goalkeeper little chance, and doubling the lead. 0-2.

Robertson then bought a good save out of the home custodian, after he once again was put through by Allum, but Yarnton then started to grow into the game. The pressure paid off as they found themselves back in the game on the 20-minute mark. They done well to press and win the ball in the middle of the pitch, and got it quickly up to their strikers, who combined brilliantly via a lofted through ball. Josh Lewington found himself in, and slotted past Roberts to reduce the arrears. All 3 early goals great viewing for the gathering crowd.
Cropredy dug in for a tough period, and managed to regain the two goal lead. An in swinging Allum corner caused carnage as the ‘keeper fumbled, and the ball managed to find it’s way to Ruben Torego who fired home from 8 yards out. 1-3 on 35 minutes.

The remainder of the half saw some half chances for both sides, but it was Cropredy who went into the half time interval leading.

Half time – Yarnton Res 1-3 Cropredy Devs

Cropredy came out firing again and got their fourth within the opening moments. Some good skill from Kyran Beales out wide forced a corner, and his kick caused trouble in the box for the home defence again. It bounced around and fell Robertson who just about done enough to force the ball over the line, despite the defences gallant efforts to keep it out. 1-4.

Again, much like the first half, Yarnton fought back, and reduced the arrears once again on 50 minutes, through the experienced Jamie Smith. Firstly Roberts produced a smart close range save to deny the striker, however not long after a great bit of passing football across the field resulted in the ball played out left, where it was then floated up to the back post. Lewington was able to volley back across to find Smith and repay the assist for his goal. He was able to take a touch and calmly fire past Roberts from a couple of yards out. 2-4.

Kyran Beales went close for Crop, after another delightful through ball from Matt Allum found him through on goal, but his side footed effort past the onrushing ‘keeper narrowly went wide of the far post. Cropredy then introduced Chris Young for skipper Balfour, and Young almost made an instant impact. First he combined well with Robertson, who returned him the ball only to drag his effort wide of the post. They then combined again, this time Robertson was on the end of it, but he dragged his one on one wide. Moon and Sean Dineen were also then introduced for the remaining 15 minutes, with Beales and Ruben Torego replaced.

Cropredy did finally find another goal. Initially Robertson was played in, but his effort was well saved by the ‘keeper. Robertson was upended as he struck the ball, and looked an obvious pen, but wasn’t given. Following the save Yarnton failed to clear their lines, and Cropredy recycled the ball, and found Jake Harvey out wide right. He took a touch before playing a great cross over to the back post, where without breaking stride, Chris Young met it on the volley, firing into the far corner to finally get off the mark for Cropredy this season. 2-5.

A bizarre moment then got Yarnton yet another goal. As they took a throw in out wide right, the referee blew the whistle and pointed to the penalty spot. The away side were in amazement at what he’d given it for, and apparently a shirt pull was spotted. Colin Rhodes stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way, to once again get them a lifeline on 83’.
The scoring wasn’t quite done there, as Cropredy won a penalty of their own on the 90 minute mark, after a defender handled the ball to stop a Young effort. Robertson stepped up to fire home the spot kit, and secure his hattrick.

The final whistle sounded, and it was three points for the away side.

Full time – Yarnton Res 3-6 Cropredy Devs

A high scoring encounter that was a great watch for the neutral. Both sides could have scored plenty more goals, but Crop will be happy that they secured the 3 points.
There will be a very entertaining end to the season over the next 3 weeks, with 4 teams still in the hunt for the league tittle and promotion, and a cup final on the 7th May still ahead against Charlton Res. Next up for Cropredy is a trip to title challengers Kennington Reserves next Saturday.

Cropredy will hope to welcome back some of their missing key players in skipper Corey Phillips, Kev Cooper, Leo Beales and Bobby Stewart who have all been absent recently with injuries.

Man of the match – Damien Robertson
On paper seems an easy choice with Damien Robertson given man of the match, after a hattrick, but special mentions also go to Jake Harvey and Matt Allum. Harvey had a solid display at right back, playing some great passes and crosses, and made a great assist for Young’s goal. Allum came into the side to feature for the first time for the Devs, playing in the attacking midfield role, that has become a problem area for Crop since the injury to talisman Leo Beales. Allum linked the play well, and was involved in lots of Cropredy’s attacks throughout the game.