Cropredy Dev 12-2 Bicester Hallions Res

After picking up their first win of the season last week at Charlton Res, Cropredy were looking to put a winning run together and start climbing the table. They faced a Bicester Hallions side who came into the game having lost all 3 of their league games so far.

Team News

For Cropredy it was the first time they were able to name more a less the same starting side as the last game, with just the one enforced change with Richard Oakey who has re-signed for the club filling in at centre back, replacing Sam Roberts who was on holiday. Strikers Kyran Beales & Alfie Jarvis both returned after injury, Mike Burrell came in for a first appearance of the season, and recent signing midfielder Tom Mercer also came in after featuring off the bench for the Firsts last week. Those 4 joined Mo Samasa making a full 5-man bench.

The pitch was looking lovely for the Devs first home game at Williamscot Road, with the flat playing surface suiting Crop’s attacking passing style.

First half

Crop started the game with great intensity, looking to play out from the back and work the ball up the pitch. They should have had the lead in the opening minutes, but the linesmans flag was raised a Joe Squirrell finished off a good team move. Looked very debatable.

Cropredy did get a deserved lead on 11 minutes, with Joe Squirrell opening the scoring. Again, a well worked goal, with Squirrell latched on to a Leo Beales flick, a calmly slotted home. Against the run of play Hallions did pull level 4 minutes later, as a long through ball left the defence flat footed and they slotted home a one on one. Looked suspiciously offside, but the linesman’s flag never came. 1-1.

Crop continued to play some good football, but the final ball just wasn’t there, and when it was, they squandered chances, with L.Beales, J.Squirrell, Balfour & Harding all having great opportunities first half. Despite the pressure, it took until the 33rd minute for Cropredy to retake the lead. Again, Joe Squirrell finished coolly, this time a good through ball by his brother Liam.

2 more quick goals came before half time, both from attacking midfielder Leo Beales. The first saw him combine well with Balfour and then J.Squirrell, before his effort at goal deflected off the centre half beyond the helpless ‘keeper. Crop then thought they had a penalty, but the referee judged a foul on Liam Squirrell to be just outside the box wide right. Beales stepped up and curled the resulting free kick into the top hand corner. 4-1

Half time – Cropredy Dev 4-1 Bicester Hallions Res

Despite the dominance, Crop knew they’d need a few more goals to kill this game off, and secure the three points. It was 5 with only 2 minutes gone in the second half. Cropredy recycled the ball well, after a missed chance, and Joe Squirrell done well to get his head up inside the area, and roll it across to skipper Mike Harding who smashed home a left footed strike.

Hallions were reduced to ten men, after midfielder Barber received his marching orders after a tussle with Morrish & Balfour. Balfour lucky to escape without a booking.

On 57’ Joe Squirrell completed his hattrick. A great cross field pass by Jake Harvey found Squirrell out wide and he drove towards goal before firing home. He then turned provider 2 minutes later as he found himself through again, but unselfishly squared across for strike partner Ash Balfour to tap home. The same move a minute later should have ended with an exact replica goal, but this time Balfour couldn’t slot home.
Mike Burrell & Mo Samsa were introduced for the last half hour for Harvey & Stewart, with Reading using the opportunity to give all the subs a good run out. Kyran Beales and Alfie Jarvis then soon followed, as did Tom Mercer. They replaced J.Squirrell, Balfour & L.Beales.

The subs all made a good impression and combined well for more Crop goals. The next came on 74’ as Burrell surged forward down the right flank and delivered a ball square across the six-yard box for Alfie Jarvis to score his first for the club. Mercer then made it 9 with a well taken finish, before Samasa got forward from left back to clip over the ‘keeper who could only help it into the net. Alex Morrish then made it 11-1 with a superb 25-yard striker with the outside of the boot, rocketing past the keeper.

Crops last goal then came as young Kyran Beales calmly rounded the keeper to get his first goal for the club, and make it 12. Well deserved for Beales who had earlier had a goal ruled out for offside.

Hallions did keep battling and got a consolation in the last minute, as Mo Samasa needlessly hacked down an opposition player just inside the box. The penalty was well taken beating Wolstenholme into the corner, who had very little to do second half. 12-2.

Full Time – Crorpedy Development 12-2 Bicester Hallions Res

A dominating win for Crop who climb up to 6th following the win, and also done their goal difference some good. It’s now time to turn their attention to the Clarendon Cup, as they once again face Bicester Hallions, this time at Ashdene Road. Hallions will be looking to fight back after this defeat.
Their will certainly be some selection headaches, with Liam Davies, Sam Roberts, Alex Palmer & Connor Kelly all still absent from the squad for this game.

Man of the match – Corey Phillips
Despite the superb attacking football on display throughout, both Phillips and centre back partner Oakey both had solid games for Crop, doing well out of possession to stock attacks, with plenty of interceptions and aerial duels won. Most of Cropredy’s football started from them at the back.