Cropredy Devs 5-5 Kidlington A

The comfortable win in the Clarendon Cup had instilled lots of confidence back into the Cropredy Devs side, and after losing their last league game at the hands of Summertown, they were eager to get back to winning ways, as they welcomed Kidlington ‘A’ to Williamscot Road.

Kidlington came into the game with a mixed start to the season and had exited the President Cup in their last game, to Bicester Town Colts.

Team News
Changes in key areas were enforced with regular goalkeeper Sam Roberts breaking a finger during the week, and back up Jamie Andrew away, Craig Fraser was called up for a first appearance of the season, which saw Crop Devs use a fourth different ‘keeper already this season. Both usual centre halves Steele and Phillips were away, so Izzy Liverpool filled in at the back, and Cropredy stalwart James Kite was called in to help the side. Skipper Robertson, and Kyran Beales also returned to the starting 11 after injury.
Crop were dealt another blow as the creative Leo Beales was ruled out in the warmup with a ankle injury.

First Half

Crop came out firing and took the lead within 3 minutes. A long clearance by ‘keeper Fraser, was left to bounce over the Kidlington defence, and Robertson reacted quickest to nip in and get there before the keeper, rounding him and firing into the empty net to give Crop the lead. He should have doubled his tally as he was put through down the left. He skipped away from the defender and beat the keeper with his effort, but it whistled just over the bar.

The best of the goals came on 21’, as Crop won the ball back inside their own half, some neat passing between Butterworth, MacDonald and Kyran Beales, saw the later fed through down the left flank. He was allowed plenty of time and space on the touchline to get his head up and pick out Robertson at the far post who met it on the volley to double his and the home sides tally.
Kidlington’s best chance of the half came late on, as their wide player got the better of MacDonald out wide, but his effort was dragged wide of the post via a deflection.

A good solid half from the home side, controlling the game and defending well despite the changes.

Half time – Cropredy Devs 2-0 Kidlington ‘A’

The message was for more of the same from the Manager, and that continued as Cropredy extended their lead within the opening 5 minutes of the second period. Crop played out from the back, and Kite’s ball forward found Kyran Beales who in turn got it forward to Robertson, who nipped in before a stranded defender, rounded the centre half and ‘keeper, before slotting his effort in past the sprawling defender who could only help it into the net, 3-0.

The away side got a fortunate goal back just minutes later, as a 25 yard effort from Matty Walker flicked off the back of his teammate and spun into the opposite corner of the goal, giving Fraser little chance. Although this gave Kiddy a glimmer of hope, Crop were still in control at this stage.

Kyran Beales was next on the scoresheet, with a deserved goal. Matt Allum done well to smartly close down a defender, and blocked a pass, before slotting the ball into the path of Beales who outpaced the last defender to get to the ball first a slot first time past the goalkeeper. 4-1 on 63’.

Michael Zinn was introduced up top for Callum Moon who’d put in a good shift despite a knock to the knee first half, and he was influential in the fifth goal. Matt Allum had a great chance to score but his overhit loft was heading well wide. Zinn done well to keep it in play, and held off a couple of defenders before squeezing it back to Beales, who quickly laid off Robertson who fired left footed into the far corner for his forth.

At this point the home side were 5-1 up and on course for the 3 points, but things began to unravel.
Kiddy got another one back minutes later via another fortunate deflection. It was Walker again who’s long effort once again deflected into the corner, but this time, Craig Fraser will be disappointed he didn’t keep it out.

Crop introduced Harvey and Band to try and see the game out, but Kidlington kept pushing, and scored a third from young striker Iwuchukwu on 79’ as he struck perfectly into the corner from the edge of the box, and the momentum had shifted. Harvey was penalised out wide, for a very debatable free kick when he himself was having his shirt pulled, but regardless the free kick was well delivered, and with Cropredy’s defensive line all over the place, Solomon Massz has a simple task of tapping home unmarked to make it 5-4 with 81 minutes on the clock.

Crorpedy tried to see the game out, but with a ridiculous amount of time added on by there referee, Kidlington has one last chance to equalise. A soft free kick awarded on the half way line, where Kite simply beat his man in the air. With 7 minutes of stoppage time already played the free kick from Walker was lofted in. It was overhit and looked like a simple save for Fraser which would have signalled the end of the game, but he fumbled the ball between his legs, to spark wild scenes amongst the away bench and players. 5-5.

Cropredy managed once last corner which was dealt with, and only one side was happy come the final whistle.

Full Time – Cropredy Devs 5-5 Kidlington A

Disappointing afternoon all round for Cropredy. Brilliant for 70 minutes, awful for the last 20, in a game they should have run away with, and very much two points dropped. Fair play to Kidlington who kept going even when their heads could have dropped, and done really well to gain a point. Thanks to them for all staying for drinks and food after, and we look forward to the reverse fixture later in the season.

Cropredy will need to quickly forget about this one, as they host high flying Hellenic side Headington Amateurs next game in the OFA Intermediate Cup. A good test for the Devs, but they know they won’t be able to afford sloppy periods in the game like this one.

Man of the match – Damien Robertson
After returning from an ankle injury, the skipper lead by example, scoring 4 goals, and putting in some great defending when he needed to. Already on 13 now for the season, he also passed 50 for the club in the year he’s been at Cropredy.