Cropredy Devs 2-4 Saxton Rovers Res

After a week off, and reaching a cup final in their last game, Cropredy Devs were back in league action as they hosted Saxton Rovers Reserves in the penultimate game to be played at Williamscot Road this season.

Saxton came into it after a couple of weeks off, one of which where they forfeited a game against Kennington due to lack of players. They made the long trip up from Abingdon in good spirits and looking to avenge the reverse fixture that saw Crop run out 1-4 winners in a feisty game back in October.

Cropredy didn’t have many players to pick from this week, with plenty of key players missing. Skipper Corey Phillips was forced to make an earlier return from injury then planned, with Chris Brown, Sam Roberts and Kyran Beales also coming into the starting line-up. Manager Kieran Reading named himself on a depleted bench, alongside Mo Samasa who helped with numbers, despite currently observing Ramadan.

First half
Damien Robertson had the ball in the net within the opening minutes of the game but the linesman raised his flag, and it was disallowed with Chris Young adjudged to have been offside in the build-up. Crop then had another great chance, but the away ‘keeper pulled off a great save as he tipped a deflected Young free kick around the post, and he also done well to smoother a Robertson effort after he went through on goal.

The visitors then started to grow into the game. Cropredy began to get frustrated with the referee giving plenty of free kicks and lapses in concentration began to creep in. First of all the lively Archie Smith struck the post from 30 yards with it fortunately bouncing clear for the home side. The deadlock was broken though on 27 minutes. Cropredy initially cleared a free kick out for a throw in. It was smartly played out wide, and the cross in to the near post caught the defence flat footed and Smith darted in to flash a head past Brown to make it 0-1.

Crop hit back level within 5 minutes. Some sloppy passing around the back by Saxton allowed Robertson to rob and beat the right back, before being clattered by the big centre half, giving the referee little option but to award the penalty. Kyran Beales calmly slotted it away to equalise. He then had a good chance to double his tally moments later as he met a Young flick on with a half volley on the angle, but it whistled over the far corner.

Saxton then retook the lead after 39 minutes, as midfielder Zac Weller sent a looping effort over Brown from all of 35 yards to deflate Cropredy, who were looking the most likely to score again to that point. Despite the setback, the home side kept pushing with their best chance seeing Phillips head against the bar from a corner, which was then recycled with Young forcing another smart save out of the away stopper at his near post.

The score remained 1-2 at home time, in an end to end half.

Half time - Cropredy Devs 1-2 Saxton Rovers Res

The half time team talk was completely disregarded as Cropredy started the second period very slow, and fell further behind. Roberts gave away a free kick to the side of the area, and picked up a yellow card for his troubles. The free kick was then swung in an looped over Brown who’s glove could only help it on its way into the goal. Saxton then struck again to make it 4 before Crop could compose themselves. Weller struck the bar with a thunderbolt of an effort, and the ball rebounded out to Archie Smith who managed to nick in and beat Phillips to the ball to head into the corner beyond the scrambling home ‘keeper. 1-4 with only 4 minutes played in the second period.

Mo Samasa was introduced, with Balfour making way to try and inject some more energy into the side, and unfortunately in trying to stop the goal being scored, skipper Phillips was forced off with a suspected broken nose, and replaced by gaffer Reading.

Cropredy did manage to grab themselves a lifeline on 53’ as Robertson headed home a Beales cross from close range to decrease the deficit. Saxton then had a goal ruled off by the linesman as a cross was well headed home by an attacker in an offside position.

Brown was then on hand to smartly save a one on one, but it was to be in vain, as the remainder of the game fizzled out with only a few half chances for either side. Cropredy not showing enough fight and desire to get anything out of the game, and looked really flat and deflated for a lot of this one.

Saxton celebrated at the final whistle. A great result for them that they can take into their final league game next time out against Chinnor

Full Time – Cropredy Devs 2-4 Saxton Rovers Res

For Crop, a really disappointing afternoon, that puts a real dent in their title hopes. It does remain in their hands till, just about, as 6 wins from their remaining 6 games would still see them lift the league title, but it’s going to be a really difficult run in, with 4 of those games against sides in the top 5.

Injuries begging to mount up again, with Phillips forced off after just returning, and Reading, Harvey and Stewart all finishing the game with injuries, and news that regular number 1 Curtly Street is now out for the rest of the season with a knee injury. Hopefully some of the other absentees will return next week as Crop try to turn things around with their last home game of the season, against Bicester Town Colts Devs.