Cropredy Development
Matches
Sat 19 Mar 2022
Heyford Athletic Reserves
1
2
Cropredy Football Club
Cropredy Development
K Woodcock (37'), (65')
Woodcock bags Crop the 3 points

Woodcock bags Crop the 3 points

Kieran Reading23 Mar 2022 - 12:40
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Karl Woodcock (pictured) put in a motm display, scoring both of Cropredy's goals in a 1-2 win away at Heyford Athletic Res.

Resources were once again pushed for Cropredy, who traveled down to Heyford Athletic Reserves looking to bounce back with 3 points on the road, after slipping to defeat to Launton last time out.

Team News
Injuries and absentees again wreaked havoc. Skipper Corey Phillips and the lethal Kyran Beales still both remained out injured, whilst Ash Balfour & Luke Butterworth were both away, and Sam Harris had Covid, from last week’s squad. Last minute withdrawals also played their part with Connor Kelly and James Leonard dropping out.

Cropredy were able to welcome Chris Young, Izzy Liverpool, Callum Moon and the returning Jake Harvey back into the fold. There was also a squad debut for recent recruit Marco Mazzanti who has joined from Chesterton. With Phillips and Balfour absent, Damien Robertson took the armband for this one.

A blustery afternoon in Lower Heyford was in store for both sides, which coupled with the slope across the pitch led to a game which wouldn’t see much ‘pretty’ football played.

First Half

Before the management team had even made it to the dugout, Crop could well of taken the lead. A nice move down the left saw Robertson cross to find Leo Beales at the back post, but his close-range volley was superbly tipped over by captain and stand in home stopper Tom McNamara.

Robertson then went close himself after once again combining with Beales, but Crop were once again denied by McNamara who saved well from Robertson’s driven effort from the edge of the area.

Cropredy did then manage to take the lead from a set piece, courtesy of the dangerous Karl Woodcock. Callum Moon’s in swinging corner caused havoc, which the ‘keeper initially palmed into the air, but Woodcock was on hand at the back post to nod home, beating 3 defenders in air to do so. The away side taking the lead after 37 minutes.

Crop were then dealt a blow as they lost the influential playmaker Leo Beales to an ankle injury late in the half, and he was replaced by Marco Mazzanti coming on for a debut. Beales also picked up a yellow card for the incident that led to his injury, which for most on the pitch looked like Beales was fouled himself. The freekick held up in the wind and landed nicely for an Athletic player but was scooped over the bar.
A half of few clear chances, with both sides struggling to adjust to the wind.

Half Time – Heyford Ath Res 0-1 Cropredy Devs

In a frantic start to the second period, Heyford found themselves level just two minutes after the restart. A corner was only half dealt with by the Cropredy defence and fell to a Heyford man 12 yards out, who superbly kicked it overhead into the far corner looping over the defenders and Crop ‘keeper Brown. 1-1 and Heyford back in the game.

Cropredy kept pushing and felt hard done by after a goal was disallowed for offside. Cropredy broke with pace, and Robertson found Callum Moon, who in turn slid it back to Robertson who rounded the keeper and fired home. To the away sides amazement the flag was raised and the goal disallowed. Robertson was clearly onside when Moon slid it through, and the footage looking back clearly shows this.

Despite the disappointment there was still fire in the belly, and the away side retook the lead on 65 minutes. After numerous long throws from Moon hadn’t worked, one finally did, as he found Kev Cooper at the near post. He flicked on to the back post to find centre half partner Woodcock who lashed home on the volley to double his and Crop’s tally. 1-2.

Woodcock was then involved again as he superbly got back and threw himself in front of a goal bound effort from the Heyford front man to keep the score at 1-2. Cropredy late on should have extended the lead. First of all, Samasa done well to get in down the right, but his pull back was blazed over by Robertson. Robertson then combined once again with Moon, who’s powerful effort from the right of the goal was well saved by the goalkeeper.

The game fizzled out and Cropredy were joyous on hearing the final whistle. A game hugely impacted by the conditions, with neither side creating too many clear-cut chances.

Full Time – Heyford Ath Res 1-2 Cropredy Devs

A hard fought, but well earned 3 points on the road for Crop, which was much needed after last weeks defeat. The result leaves them third in the table. Just 6 points separates the top six, with Cropredy having 3 games in hand on Launton and Kennington above them. It sets the scene for an exiting end to the season.

Cropredy now have a couple of weeks off from league games, with a trip down to Chinnor Res next time out, in the Semi Final of the Ivor Gubbins Cup, before a week off on the 2nd April. Crop will hope to welcome back some of their absentees but will still be sweating on the fitness of the influential Phillips and Kyran Beales. Chances are Leo Beales won’t make it after his ankle injury.

Man of the match – Karl Woodcock.
After scoring the two goals, and some heroic defending throughout, Woodcock deservedly takes it for this game. Building on what has already been an outstanding first season at the club. Mo Samasa was also superb at full back, and Callum Moon put in a great battling display further forward and will be disappointed not to be on the scoresheet.

Match details

Match date

Sat 19 Mar 2022

Kickoff

14:30
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