8 goal local derby, edged by Crop Devs!

After no game for 5 weeks due to postponements and the festive break, Cropredy Devs returned to action with a local derby at Williamscot Road, against Adderbury Park Devs. On paper, this was a top vs bottom encounter, with Crop top of the table, and Park sitting 11th (of 12), however with it being a derby, and with the big gap of no games, it was also going to be quite an open game.

Cropredy won the reverse 1-4 in Adderbury back in September, however their opponents now had a much stronger side as they look to turn their fortune’s around. They were bolstered by the experience of Dee Livious, Ben Boscott, and ex Crop player Gavin Connor, as well as captain Seymour who didn’t feature in the last meeting, as well as the dangerous Josh Northam who’d just returned to the club.

Adderbury also had Andy Willis in their dugout for the first time after joining the coaching staff. Willis on just his 4th club of the season already.

There were plenty of changes for Cropredy from their last game back in December. Unfortunately talented and in-form youngsters Kyran Beales and James Keane were missing, Beales ill, and Keane picking up a frustrating ankle injury at training during the week. Crop were able to hand debuts from the bench to Tom Bucknell, Harry Treml and Ollie Beesley who have all recently signed, and were also bolstered with Maxie Earle being available for this one. Archie Cunnold-Payne was also a late addition, as he was cup tied for the Firsts game this week.

Despite the squad changes, it was just 3 changes to the starting 11, with Stewart, Earle and Moon starting in place of Keane, Williams and Kyran Beales respectively.

The pitch was in good shape, despite the heavy rain during the week, and on the morning of the game, and the sun even decided to make an appearance as kick off approached.

First half
The opening stages were edgy, and very end to end. Within two minutes the local derby produced it’s first yellow card, with Park’s Gascoigne going in late on Crop skipper Robertson. Both sides were mostly creating half chances, the best of which fell to Adderbury striker Northam, who wriggled past two defenders, but Sam Roberts was equal to his one on one effort, getting down well.

As the quarter mark of the game approached, it would be the home side who struck the first blow. Sam Roberts done superbly to claim a dangerous corner, and he quickly launched a long kick forward. The ball went over the head of Boscott, before also bouncing past the outstretched Gav Connor. Maxie Earle was alert, and latched onto it, before lifting the ball over the outrushing Park stopper. The league leaders ahead, after 22 minutes.

Gascoigne was incredibly luckily to stay on the pitch as he made another two late tackles on Robertson to deny counter attacks, with somehow the referee showing some leniency and just giving him a talking to.
Adderbury tried to strike back, and Northam’s 30 yard effort whistled just over with a touch off the bar, and another AP effort from slightly closer also went just over. Cropredy withstood the pressure, and doubled their lead on 33 minutes in controversial circumstances.

Charlie MacDonald launched a ball forward as he received it back from a throw in, and as centre back Livious went to deal with the ball he got a nudge in the back from Earle and went to the ground. The whole Adderbury back line stopped, expecting a free kick, but Earle continued, rounding the keeper and firing home. No free kick came, to everyone’s surprise. Park were livid, but Crorpedy celebrated a 2-0 lead.

Crop then had MacDonald to thank to deny Adderbury pulling one back late in the half. Stewart gave the ball away in a silly area, and Northam capitalised. This time he beat Roberts with his effort, but MacDonald done well to clear on the goal line.

Half Time – Cropredy Devs 2-0 Adderbury Park Devs

Adderbury made personal changes at half time, and their two substitutes made a real difference on the game. Northam who’d picked up a knock was replaced by top scorer Louis Winkworth, with tricky Lawrence Grimes also introduced in place of Gascoigne who was on his final warning.

The changes made the difference and they caught Crop cold in the early stages, and Grimes’ direct running caused problems, and a ball into the area couldn’t be finished by Forbes.

Park did pull one back on 49 minutes. They played on with centre back Corey Phillips down injured (to Crop’s annoyance, as they had put a ball out first half when Adderbury had a player down) and with the defender out of position, Winkworth was able was able to fire an effort high into the net from the edge of the area. Phillips as forced off with an ankle injury, meaning Butterworth had to drop into centre half, and Archie Cunnold-Payne came on into the midfield.

Robertson then went close as his header from a corner was comfortably saved by AP stopper Deasey. Adderbury kept up their pressure, and Roberts produced another great close range save to deny them. The pressure did then tell, as the impressive Grimes got in, and got passed Roberts who slid out and fouled him, giving the referee little option but to point to the spot. Winkworth slotted home the pneralty on 63’ to pull Park level.

Adderbury were in the ascendancy and kept momentum, as they took the lead only a minute later. Matt Steele was outmuscled by opponent Forbes out wide, who laid it across to Winworth who struck an unstoppable out swinging effort from the edge of the area to spark wild celebrations amongst the away side. 2-3 on 64’.

Cropredy knew they still had plenty of time however, and made changes to try and get back into it. Tom Bucknell replaced Callum Moon out wide, and was soon followed by Harry Treml who replaced Oxley at full back. Cropredy once again had Roberts to thank for keeping them in it, as he pulled off the save of the game to dive and tip an overhead kick over the bar.

Set piece specialist Leo Beales then got a chance to pull Crop level on 70 minutes, after Earle was bundled over 25 yards out. Beales stepped up and placed his left footed effort into the far corner beyond the stretching Deasey, 3-3 and the momentum had swung once again.
Bucknell started coming into the game with his trickery and dribbling, as was involved as Crop thought they had taken the lead. He, and Beales combined well, showing some composure in the final third, and Beales’ effort was diverted in by the head of Robertson, only for the linesman’s flag to save Adderbury from going behind. Looked a very debatable decision.

It wasn’t to matter though as Cropredy did regain the lead with 10 minutes remaining, and the linesman’s flag couldn’t save them this time. A neat passing move down the left, eventually found it’s way back to Stewart who’s first time outside of the boot pass over the top was perfect for Robertson, and he lifted it over the goalkeeper to spark celebrations in the corner for Crop. One of the passes of the season, although It did look like he was aiming for the opposite flank!

Crop went close again as a Robertson effort flashed wide, and despite doing enough to see the game out, they managed to secure the win in the 92 minute with another goal. Crop done well to defend a set piece, and Robertson broke. He eventually played in Bucknell down the right who did the rest. He cut in past one, two, and then three defenders in what seemed like slow motion, before tucking the ball home, and knee sliding to the corner, followed by the whole Cropredy side. Beesley then came on for a debut for the closing moments replacing captain Robertson, but the game was over and Cropredy showing great character once again to come from behind and win.

Full time – Cropredy Devs 5-3 Adderbury Park Devs

Cropredy just glad to get the 3 points in the end. They once again showed great character to come back, and defy the odds, however, this seems to be happening too many times this season, failing apart for short spells in games. Still plenty to work on moving forward, if they want to end the season with some silverware.

With most sides in cup action this weekend, the win takes Cropredy 5 points clear at the top of Division One, although Summertown have 2 games in hand. Next up is a trip to Kidlington, to face Kidlington ‘A’. The sides played out a thrilling 5-5 draw earlier in the season, with Kiddy scoring in the last minute to grab a point.

Good luck to Adderbury for the rest of the season. With their recent additions and some experienced players, they will no doubt climb the table in the second half of the season and will take plenty of points off some of the sides higher up. Thanks to them for also cleaning the changing room and staying behind afterwards for food and drinks.

Man of the match – Sam Roberts
Mentions also go to Luke Butterworth who was solid in midfield first half, before having to fill into an unfamiliar centre back role most of the second period, and to MacDonald who had another impressive outing at full back. Recent young additions Treml and Bucknell also made impactful debuts from the bench.
But, this week MOTM goes to ‘keeper Roberts who pulled off plenty of top saves in a commanding performance. His experience and leadership has been vital this season behind a very young defence.