Kirtlington 2-3 Cropredy Devs

With 2 wins to start 2022 under their belt, Cropredy Devs travelled down to Kirtlington looking to continue their good form and progress in the Oxfordshire FA Intermediate Cup. Kirtlington are a league above Crop in the OSL Division One, so would provide a stern test. They have been in good recent form, and dispatched Yarnton Res and Summertown Res to reach this quarter final stage.

With Crop looking to secure promotion this season, this game would provide a good test and indicator of where they’re at as a side, as they hope to pit their wits against sides from this level next season.

A chance to get to the semi finals was at stake, with Easington Sports Devs, Berinsfield and Woodcote all awaiting in the draw.

Team News

Crop were able to name an unchanged outfield 10 for this one, with the only change coming in goal, as regular stopper Curtly Street returned to replace Chris Brown. Caldeira, Smithers and Miller again took their place on the bench. Squirrell & Moon dropped out of the squad. Extra time and penalties if needed in this competition, with rolling subs also allowed to be used.

First half

Kirtlington set up in a 433 formation, with an emphasis on playing out from the back, and getting their wide players in the game as much as possible.

Both sides had a few half chance early doors, but the home side did take the lead after just 5 mins. They recycled following a set piece, finding a man on the edge of the box. Crop failed to close down well enough, and he unleashed an effort from 25 yards. It headed into the corner of the net. Street will be disappointed he didn’t keep it out, as he got a glove on it, but Kirtlington went one nil up.

This fired the away side up, and they hit back straight from the kick off. A nice passing move down the right allowed Karl Woodcock to deliver a cross into the box. It was well cleared by the home defence, but landed to Leo Beales who’s goal bound effort from the edge of the area took a huge deflection, and left the stranded ‘keeper with little chance. Great response from Crop, to equalise within 30 seconds of the restart. 1-1.

Both sides continued to have chances, with Crop spurring a few clear cut opportunities. Kirtlington’s ‘keeper was having a good game, making a number of key saves, and claiming many dangerous set pieces. Kirtlignton themselves had plenty of chances, but most were easy claims for Street, and the one time he was beaten it smashed behind of the top of the bar.

Cropredy kept battling and managed to edge ahead in the game. A superb passing move across the pitch, ended with the midfield finding Robertson who drove across the area, beating a couple of defenders, before firing across the goal to find Kyran Beales at the back post to tap home, and make it 1-2.

Half time – Kirltington 1-2 Cropredy Devs

Kirtlington made use of the rolling subs at half time, making a number of changes, and changing shape to a 442 to put more pressure on the Cropredy centre backs. The change helped, with the introduced target man, causing havoc at times for the defence, and Kirltington able to push more men forward throughout the half.

Both sides continued to have chances, with neither clinical enough, but Kirltington managed to pull level 10 minutes into the half. A long throw from the right hand side wasn’t dealt with, and ended with a looped effort striking the top of the bar, bouncing back in into the 6 yard box, and was smashed home into the net to make it 2-2. Sloppy from Crop, who had a few opportunities to get rid, and were second best to react to the situation.

Reading introduced the 3 substitutes for the final half hour to try and bring some freshness, with Balfour, Harvey and Leo Beales making way. Crop continued to push forward looking for the winner, but were still unable to beat home ‘keeper Besevic.

Kirlington thought they’d won it, as a late effort smashed the bar, bounced onto the line, and somehow came back out. Claims it had crossed the line were waved away by the referee.

The game faded towards the final whistle, and with extra time in sight, Kirtlington picked up a late sin bin for dissent, so they’d play the opening few minutes of extra time with 10 men.

Full time – Kirtlington 2-2 Cropredy Devs

Tired legs started to creep in, and luckily rolling subs began to come key for both sides.

Cropredy had the best of the extra time chances as they spurred a couple of one on ones, with Kirtlignton also still creating opportunities, but Cooper and Phillips at centre back were having a heroic performance to keep them out. Leo Beales was reintroduced for the final 15 minutes for Smithers to try and bring that last bit of creative spark.

With the game looking to be heading to spot kicks, there would be one final twist in the tie. In the dying moments, Crop pushed forward one last time, and a great little bit of play down the right, saw Kyran Beales get in and round the keeper. From the angle he pulled across the goal to Luke Butterworth who’d found himself forward, but somehow he managed to spur the change on the goal line. Luckily the effort once again found its way to Beales, who beat a defender, rounded the keeper again and produced a great finish from a tight angle, to put Cropredy ahead again, and spark wild celebrations from the away side.

A goal in the 120th minute to win it for Crop!

There was little time for Kirtlington to respond, as moments after the restart the referee blew the final whistle.

Full Time (AET) – Kirtlington 2-3 Cropredy Devs

Deflating for Kirtlington who’d battled well for the 120 minutes, and it probably would have been a fair result had it gone down to penalties. Thanks to them for the battle, for being great hosts, and for putting on some great food at the pub afterwards. We wish them luck for the rest of the season, as they continue to climb the table in division one.

A very pleasing display and result for Cropredy, to beat a side from the league above and progress to the semi finals of the county cup. It’ll be a mammoth task in the next round, as 3 very tough sides away, but it’ll be a great challenge and occasions for the Development side.

Cropredy have a week off next week, with no game scheduled, and return to action on the 5th Feb with a huge top of the table clash against title rivals North Leigh Devs at Williamscot Road. North Leigh currently sit third and are still unbeaten this season. They won the return game back in September 7-3, but Crop go into it in great form, having won every league match since then.

Man of the match – Kev Cooper
The experienced cetnre half edges it this week, putting in a monumental display at the back during the 120 minutes. Special mentions also go to Phillips, Woodcock, Hancock and Butterworth who were very solid through the spine of the team and all also completed the full game.