Bicester Hallions Res 2-6 Cropredy Development

On a very rainy weekend in Oxfordshire, attention now turned to the Clarendon Cup for Cropredy Development, after 4 weeks of league games that saw Crop pick up 2 wins and 2 defeats. Having faced Bicester Hallions Res in the league in the previous game, and picking up a commanding 12-2 victory at home, Crop knew this would be a different challenge, going away from home against a side looking to bounce back and give Cropredy a run for their money.

Team news

There were three enforced changes for Crop, with regular ‘keeper Connor Wolstenholme out injured, right back Jake Harvey working, and striker Joe Squirrell with the first team this week. They were replaced in the starting line up by 16 year old Chris Brown who made his debut in goal, Mo Samasa, and Alfie Jarvis. Liam Davies, Sam Roberts and Alex Palmer also all came in to the squad.

First half

Cropredy started the game very much in the same vain as the previous week, playing the ball around nicely, and creating goalscoring chances. Alfie Jarvis was looking lively up front, making his first start of the season, and could have had a few goals already before he opened the scoring on 5 minutes. Crop showed good composure in the build-up, and Leo Beales found time and space to feed a through ball down the left channel to Jarvis, who had time to pick his head up and slot nicely past the Hallions keeper.

Despite the pressure, Cropredy squandered plenty of chances, including forcing home ‘keeper Smith into a number of good saves. Hallions themselves had chances, forcing Crop stopper Brown into a decent save from a long-range effort.

Hallions equalised on 23 minutes, after Bobby Stewart handles in the area resulting in a penalty. A cross bounced up on the to the arm of the full back, and Crop could have little complaints with the decision. For a second week in a row, midfielder Dan Dyer stepped up to slot home the spot kick.

Cropredy were then punished once again for their failure to convert their chances and making some poor passes and decision making in the final third. Bicester took the lead in the game on 35’, as a poor back pass was miskicked out by young Chris Brown straight to the Hallions front man who duly accepted the gift and slotted home.

The half also saw the referee dish out a couple of yellow cards for both sides, with Richard Oakey going in the book for a mistimed challenge, and Corey Phillips for
an alleged dive for the away side. Skipper Mike Harding also saw himself spend 10 minutes in the sin bin for dissent towards the official.
Half time – Bicester Hallions Res 2-1 Cropredy Development.

Cropredy remained positive at the break, and knew their chances would come in the second half to turn the game around.

It took until 10 minutes after the restart, but the equaliser came from Alex Morrish. He picked the ball up outside the area, before driving forward and smashing home for 2-2. A third goal in consecutive games for the hard-working midfielder.

As Crop pushed to take the lead, manager Reading made a couple of changes, introducing pacey Kyran Beales on up front for Ash Balfour, and Mike Burrell given another opportunity to stake a claim at full back, on for Samasa.

The changes helped to spark some extra life into the performance as the impressive Jarvis grabbed his second, with the assist coming from Morrish. Reading then also changed the shape to 433, with Alex Palmer introduced on to the left wing, with Liam Squirrell making way. He almost scored with his first touch but could only head a cross wide at the far post.

Palmer did though open his account on 76’ as he latched on to a Jarvis pass, and walloped the ball home given the ‘keeper little chance. The game was then secured in the final 10 minutes, as first Leo Beales tapped home after his nephew Kyran’s effort was well saved, and then Palmer got his brace with 5 minutes remaining, and he pounced on the ball to prod home after the ball had fallen kindly to him inside the area.
Bicester were reduced to 10 men again for a second game running during the second half, and their midfielder picked up a second yellow card. Substitute Liam Davies also picked up a needless booking after handbags with an opponent.

Full time – Bicester Hallions Res 2-6 Cropredy Dev

So, Crop progress into the next round of the Clarendon Cup after the win and await to see who they will face next. Attention turns back to the league for the rest of the month, starting with a trip to face unbeaten Easington Sports Clan, which will be a tough game.

Man of the match – Alex Morrish
A tough choice between Morrish and striker Alfie Jarvis who had a very impressive first start for the club. Morrish edges it after a superb all-round display. He scored for the third game running, which is an added bonus for a defensive midfielder in the side to help break up opponents attacks and help get the ball up the field through the thirds. Morrish has really helped Crop tick in the midfield over the past 3 games after returning from injury, and is becoming a huge part of how manager Reading wants the team to play.