3 from 3 for the Devs

Despite the delayed start to the season, Cropredy Devs had made a perfect start, winning their opening two games against Bicester Town Colts and Adderbury Park Devs. Next up, was a trip to North East Oxford to face Oxford Irish. A first meeting between the sides, and a first visit to Cutteslowe Park for Crop. Irish came into the game having lost their opening game to Kidlington ‘A’, before seeing off Chalgrove in their last game to put their first win on the board.

Full of confidence, and looking to make it 3 for 3, Cropredy maintained consistency with their team selection. There were two changes, with Izzy Liverpool getting his opportunity in midfield, with James Slaymaker missing, and Jamie Williams coming into the front line, in place of the injured Callum Moon. Charlie MacDonald also returned to the bench, along with Sam Varnham-Wrigley who came into the squad for the first time.

First half
Irish showed their intent early doors, trying to hit their giant attacker straight from kick off, and showing they possessed an extremely long throw in taker in their side. This dictated how the match would play out, with plenty of set pieces, and due to the ensuing wind, the ball would spend plenty of time out of play.

The opening goal of this encounter came after just 7 minutes. Crop done well to win the ball back in midfield, and Liverpool was allowed enough time to play a great ball down the left channel to Robertson. He picked the ball up on the touchline but was able to weave his way past two defenders before slotting the ball past the ‘keeper into the far corner.

The lead should have been doubled moments later. Some good work out wide by Jamie Williams after latching onto a Steele ball down the line, saw him feed it inside to Robertson, who in turn got his head up to find Matt Allum in space. Unfortunately, Allum pulled his shot wide of the far post.

It wouldn’t be long however, until the lead was doubled, and it was the Liverpool, Robertson combination again. This time, Liverpool fed a through ball between the full back and centre half, that Robertson latched on to, drove into the area and finished his left footed effort between the goalkeepers legs. The away side going two up after 19 minutes in Oxford.

Crop pushed to further extend the lead, but home stopper Fowler done well to get down low and deny Beales from the angle, after some good build up play from Williams and Allum. Oxford Irish’s best chances continued to come from set pieces, but the times the Cropredy defence didn’t win the first ball, Sam Roberts was on hand to gather and flick on’s towards goal.
Cropredy good for their lead, going into the break.

Half Time – Oxford Irish 0-2 Cropredy Devs

Irish played better in the second period and managed to string a lot more passes together and created more chances from open play, but the Cropredy defence remained firm, and limited them to mainly longer-range efforts.

The Devs had further chances to kill the game off, with Robertson’s chance of a hattrick going begging. First off he was denied by a combination of the goalkeeper, and the post coming to Irish’s rescue, and late on he rounded the ‘keeper but could only fire wide of the far post from the angle. Irish kept threatening through delivering dangerous free kicks, corners and throw ins into the area, but couldn’t do enough to get past the Cropredy rear-guard.

Full time – Oxford Irish 0-2 Cropredy Development

Cropredy make it 3 wins from 3 to start their league campaign, managing the game well, and seeing off a resolute Oxford Irish side. Next up for Crop is the first round of the OFA Intermediate Cup, as Launton Sports Devs visit Williamscot Road. It sees a return for former manager Sean Dineen, with Crop looking for another good run in the county cup, that saw them get to the semi-final stage last season.

Man of the match – Karl Woodstock
Anyone in the team could have claimed the MOTM for this game. A very solid defensive display, and Woodcock pips it. He has already struck up a good partnership at the back with recent addition Matt Steele in the last two games, which we look forward to seeing further improving in games to come.