Cropredy Devs 7-0 Mansfield Road Res

Cropredy Devs got back to winning ways after a convincing 7-0 win at home to Mansfield Road. Leo Beales (2), Corey Phillips, Alfie Jarvis, Richard Oakey & Kyran Beales (2) on target for Crop.

After defeat to Easington Sports Clan in their previous game, Cropredy were desperate for 3 points to try and climb up the table, and face a Mansfield Road Reserve side who like Crop have had a mixed start to the season and sat in mid table.

Cropredy made changes following last weeks defeat, with a change of formation and personal. A switch to 352 to try and sure things up defensively, saw Liam Davies come in to form a back three with Sam Roberts and Corey Phillips. Richard Oakey and Alex Palmer bot returned after missing the previous game and came in to the wing back positions, and there was a debut for goalkeeper Curtly Street who was signed late in the week.

With the pitch in great condition at WIlliamscot Road once again, Cropredy started the game controlling the ball and creating chances going forward. Alfie Jarvis had the best of the early chances but could only drag his left foot effort wide of the far post. The wing back were getting plenty of space out wide and were putting balls into the box at every opportunity.

It did take crop until the 18th minute to finally take a deservedly lead. Leo Beales was chopped down just outside the area, and he sent the resulting free kick powerfully under the wall and through the keeper to give Crop the advantage. A second soon followed 4 minutes later, as Corey Phillips rose at the back post to head home a Beales free kick, to score his first goal for the club.

The pressure continued a third goal came on 29 minutes from inform striker Alfie Jarvis. Richard Oakey made good ground down the right, and his cross fell to Ash Balfour, who was denied by the keeper twice, before the ball rebounded to Jarvis who did what Baflour couldn’t, and strolled the ball into the corner.

Oakey who was looking impressive on his return to the side, then got himself on the scoresheet, as he intercepted the ball 35 yards out, and lofted over a stranded Manny Road keeper who was well off his line. 4-0.

Crop should have made it 5 late in the half, as Oakey’s cross found an unmarked Jarvis in the middle of the goal, but he could only fire high over the bar, missing an open goal!

Half time – Cropredy Development 4-0 Mansfield Road.

Cropredy produced a very dominant first half, with the w looking solid and adapting well to a new formation, as well as looking calm in possession. New ‘keeper Street having very little to do but looked assured with his new teammates.

Crop came out and started the second period, as they ended the first and controlled the ball for long periods. The couldn’t find the next goal until the 60th minute. Reading made changes, with Liam Squirrell and Bobby Stewart introduced for Morrish and Palmer, and it was Squirrell who made an immediate impact as he slid a great through ball to Leo Beales, who composed himself and slotted home for his second, and Crops 5th.

Kyran Beales & Jake Harvey followed soon after, with Jarvis & Phillips being replaced. Jarvis lucky not to pick up a card before being substituted after a poor challenge on a Mansfield Road defender. Kyran Beales looked lively after coming on, and was rewarded with a couple of goals.
His first came, after Balfour made a run down the right flank and was found by a good pass from Oakey, the keeper came way out of his goal, and Balfour slid the ball across to Beales who slotted home. He then got another on 82 minutes, as a long ball over the top from Sam Roberts was latched on to, and finished nicely by Kyran, who has really been impressing in his recent performances.

Cropredy should have had a lot more than the seven they got, missing lots of chances. It was not Ash Balfour’s day as he squandered at least 4 or 5 guilt edge opportunities to get on the scoresheet.

Full time – Cropredy Development 7-0 Mansfield Road Reserves

An all-round impressive display from Cropredy who controlled the game from start to finish and didn’t really give their opponents a sniff at goal. Cropredy really need to build on this performance and win now, and travel to inform Hanborough Reserves next week.

Man of the match – Liam Davies
Shouts outs to all the back three this week, as well as Oakey and Leo Beales who all impressed, but Liam Davies edges. Davies came into the side for just a second start of the season, and into a new possession in a back three. He rarely put a foot wrong and linked really well down the right-hand side with Oakey.