Chinnor Res 2-0 Cropredy Dev

The newly formed Cropredy Development side got the season underway with a long trip down to Chinnor. The team, managed by former Chasewell Park boss Kieran Reading have put together a side containing, a good mix of youth and experience, with just 3 of the squad having played for the club before.

This first game, on paper, was against a side that effectively finished bottom of the Oxfordshire Senior League Division Two last season (when the season was curtailed). That said, they have ad some eye widening results in pre-season, including thrashing Kirtlington, so it was clear that this was a newly built side that provide a very stern first test for Crop.

Reading was able to name a full 16-man squad for this one, and unfortunately also had to leave a couple of players out, as well as having 2 out injured. Mike Harding captained the side, which set up in a 442 formation that had be used a number of times in preseason.

First Half

Chinnor started the brighter looking to play the ball quickly up to front man Pat Buston, and play off him. As Cropredy started to come into the game and playing the ball around well, they were dealt a blow. On 22 minutes, Chinnor won themselves a penalty. After the ball was played up to Buston, left back Alex Palmer initially done well to show him away from goal, but the striker then managed to cut back inside, before forcing outrushing keeper Connor Wolstenholme into a sliding challenge that bought down the striker. The former Thame Rangers frontman then stepped up to slot the resulting penalty into the corner to give the home side the lead.

Despite the rest of the half being fairly close, it was still Chinnor who had the better of the play, with Crop limited to some half chances, the best of which was an effort from the edge of the box from Joe Squirrell, but he couldn’t connect properly with the strike. Crop were also forced into an early change after 35 minutes, with Alex Morrish forced off with a reoccurrence of a hamstring problem. He was replaced by Alfie Jarvis, which resulted in a change in formation to 433.

Half time – Chinnor Res 1-0 Cropredy Dev

The half time plans were soon torn up, as Cropredy fell two behind after 51 minutes. A needless free kick was conceded just inside the half, which lead to the ball being lofted into the middle of the area. ‘Keeper Wolsteholme came for the ball but misjudged the flight, and missed his punch, leaving Buston to nod home into an empty net to double his tally. 2-0.

Another blow was dealt to Crop, with centre half Corey Phillips forced off on the hour mark with a foot problem, with Liam Davies on. The game then began to open up with both sides having chances to get goals. Cropredy’s chances fell to Alfie Jarvis, who’s first was smothered by the keeper as the ball fell to him at the back post, then he also had a one on one, that the keeper done well to get out quickly and palm away the effort. Ash Balfour also had the best chance of the game. A long ball was flicked on by Joe Squirrell, with Balfour racing through from the half way line, but he could only slide his effort straight at the Chinnor ‘keeper who had a solid game for the home side.

Palmer & Balfour were also then bought off with injuries for Kyran Beales & Bobby Stewart. Crop not having much luck with injuries at the moment.
Cropredy did have a man advantage for the last 10 minutes, as Chinnor midfielder Aaron Baines was sin binned for dissent, but Crop failed to make the advantage count, creating very little. Late on Wolstenholme did produce the save of the game as he managed to tip a top corner bound effort over the bar at full stretch.

Full time – Chinnor Res 2-0 Cropredy Dev

A disappointing result for Cropredy, but a deserved win for Chinnor in the end, this Chinnor side will be one of the top sides in the league this season. Really nice set up at Chinnor, the facilities are class, and they were a friendly and welcoming bunch. We wish them good luck for the rest of the season, and look forward to welcoming them to Williamscott Road later in the campaign.
Cropredy now move on to face Launton Reserves next weekend. Launton went down 4-1 to Heyford Res on the opening day. Crop will be hoping the players forced off will recover from injuries in time

Man of the match – Tony Truman
Truman had a very solid game in defence, and also showed good composure in possession throughout the game, and its easy to see why he’ll be in first team contention as their campaign gets underway next week.