Woodstock Town Devs 2-8 Cropredy Devs

With just 1 point from their last 2 league games, Cropredy Devs were keen to get their league campaign back on track as they travelled to bottom of the table Woodstock Town Devs. Woodstock mostly made up of former Kirtlington players where Crop had a 2-3 extra time win in the Charity Cup last season, came into this after a week off, and a slight upturn in results and performances. They drew 2-2 with Adderbury Devs in their last league game, and beat Oxford Irish in the Presidents Cup at the end of October.

Cropredy came into this after exiting the OFA Intermediate Cup against Headington Amateurs last game, but with a really positive display confidence was high for the away side.

The majority of Woodstocks side turned up late to the game, and the home side lined up with a bare 11, which included one of their usual outfield players donning the goalkeeper gloves, and the Cropredy subs also running the line for Woodstock.

The game also had some added significance at the top end of the table as 2nd place Summertown were playing 3rd in Sporting Headington, and top of the table Bicester Colts had a tough away trip to Chalgrove, meaning 3 points from Crop could see them close the gap and climb the table.

Team news

Ruben Torego and Michael Zinn were both missing from last weeks game, whilst Sam Varnham-Wrigley and Leo Beales were late withdrawals through injury. This still did leave a 14 man squad, with Corey Phillips coming back in, and Callum Moon and James Keane coming in to start, the later making his full Cropredy debut. Stewart dropped to the bench, alongside the returning Butterworth, and striker Maxie Earle in line to make his debut.

First half
Cropredy started strongly and should have taken the lead with their first attack, but the home keeper Probbits denied Robertson, and the rebound fell to Callum Moon who fired well over the bar. The lead did come though after 7 minutes. Robertson set Callum Moon through beating the offside trap, and he squared back across to Robertson first time, who bared down on goal and composed himself to fire into the corner.

Crop almost extended their lead, as a quick long throw by Moon over the defence was latched onto by Robertson down the right, He squared across the 6 yard box to the back post where Kyran Beales met the cross, but a Town defender flung himself across to make a superb goal line block.

Woodstock pushed for an equaliser and a combination of the post & Andrew denied a goalbound effort. The hosts thought they had equaliser after 35 minutes. The number 2 Josh Clarke rose to head home a corner, only for it to be disallowed by the linesman as the ball in was adjudged to have curled out and back in, before being headed home. Woodstock distraught, and on the balance of play deserved a equaliser at this point, and it was a double blow, as Clarke injured his quad in scoring the goal. He spent the remainder of the half on the sideline, so Woodstock played with 10.

Cropredy were sloppy in possession and made numerous poor passes and decisions in the middle third of the pitch, but late in the half should have extended their lead. Moon fed a great ball down the left channel for Beales who drove forward and squared to back post to Robertson, but with the goal gapping he blazed over.

Half Time – Woodstock Town Devs 0-1 Cropredy Devs

Disappointed in the first half performance, the Crop management got the reaction they asked for, as Cropredy extended the lead just 3 minutes into the second period. Callum Moon once again instrumental as he picked up the ball inside his own half, before driving down the right and delivering an outstanding ball across the area that was un-defendable and found Kyran Beales at the back post who fired home.

Matt Allum on his farewell performance before moving back to Cambridgeshire had great chance, but as he was put through on goal he mis controlled it, allowing the ‘keeper to gather. Cropredy bought on Butterworth and Stewart in midfield to try and inject some more energy into the game, with Keane and Liverpool making way.

Woodstock hit back, and found themselves reducing the deficit. Clarke who had re-joined the game at half time despite injury as a makeshift striker got himself on the scoresheet. He picked up the ball and easily got past defenders Steele and Oxley before slotting home left footed past Andrew. 1-2 on 60 minutes.

Despite this added nerves to the Cropredy side, the managed to regain the two goal lead 5 minutes later, Robertson drove infield from the left side and fired a swerving effort from 20 yards giving the ‘keeper no chance. Matt Allum then made way to an ovation from his teammates, with Maxie Earle coming on, and Reading re-jigging the front line.

Woodstrokc replied though, and reduced the lead though Clarke again. A nice phase of football, saw the ball played wide and a lovely cross in was met by the unmarked Clarke who rose and directed his header into the far corner giving Andrew little chance. The injured Woodstock man hobbled away in celebration to give his side hope of stealing some points.

Despite the nerves of dropping points, things were settled after 78 minutes as Robertson secured his hattrick and put the game to bed. A lovely piece of play down the right hand side initially saw Beales slide in Earle, who drew a fine save by the goalkeeper, however the ball was regathered, and Beales once again fed Earle. This time he got his head up and floated the ball up to the back post where Robertson placed his volley into the corner to make it 2-4.

The floodgates then opened for Crop as they scored 4 more times between the 82nd and 88th minute to take the game away from Woodstock. Callum Moon done well to press and rob a Woodstock defender. He drove towards goal and drew another fine save from Probbits, but the rebound fell kindly, and Moon crossed for Maxie Earle to nod home his first for the club. Earle then scored again straight from the kick off as Robertson found Butterworth who’d made a rare stride forward and he prodded across to Earle who fired high into the net from a few yards out.

Kyran Beales then got his second. Earle’s ball across the box was missed by the ‘keeper and Robertson, but Beales was there to collect. His first effort struck the post but it fell straight back to him, and he showed good composure to slot past the defenders on the line. The scoring was then complete as Maxie Earle beat a high offside trap and despite himself, and Beales on hatricks, he squared across to Robertson to grab his forth, and Crop’s eighth.

Full time – Woodstock Town Devs 2-8 Cropredy Devs

An important 3 points for Crop. Not anywhere near their best, and sloppy in stages, but got the job done in the end against a resilient Woodstock side. With a few additions Woodstock will surely turnaround their season, and fair play to them for battling on throughout the game despite a bare 11 and multiple injuries during the game. The score didn’t reflect the game, and it was very close until the final 10 minutes when Cropredy took the game away from the hosts.

Thanks to Woodstock for their friendly hospitality after the game, we look forward to welcoming them to Williamscot Road for the return fixture later in the season.

Summertown and Sporting Headington’s game ended in a 0-0 draw, and leaders Bicester slipped to a 0-1 defeat at Chalgrove, meaning it was a good day all round for Cropredy, as they moved up to third and 3 points off top. Next up is an away trip to local rivals Easington Sports Clan

Man of the match – Kyran Beales
Kyran was superb both in and out of possession, grabbing two deserved goals, and an assist. His all round game has been brilliant so far this season. Callum Moon grabbed a hattrick of assists in a good display, whilst Maxie Earle on debut came on to score twice and get 3 assists.