Cropredy Devs 3-2 Chalgrove Cavaliers

Cropredy Devs returned to Williamscot Road for the first time in 5 weeks, as they welcomed Chalgrove Cavaliers for the first meeting of the two sides this season. Crop coming into the game on the back of two straight league defeats, equalling their worst run in the 3 seasons the side has been going. Cropredy keen to bounce back, if they want to maintain a title push for the rest of the season.

Their opponents Chalgrove made the long “17 hour round trip” from south Oxfordshire on the back of an unbeaten run in the league stretching back to early November when they lost at Summertown, although due to a string of postponements and walkovers, it was their first league match since early December. The sides met in an entertaining friendly a few seasons back, but this the first competitive meeting between Chally and a Cropredy second side.

Team news
Cropredy were able to welcome back Sam Roberts in goal, with Jamie Andrew away, whilst the experienced Kev Cooper came in for a game at the back, with Corey Phillips also absent. Luke Butterworth was a welcome returnee in midfield, whilst after some impressive displays off the bench, Ollie Beesley was handed a first start. All in all, 4 changes from the defeat at Headington last week. The management also able to name a full squad this week, with a strong bench of Leo Beales, Oxley, Keane, Timms and Williams to come on.

First half

Cropredy burst into life, catching their opponents cold and had the ball in the net after just 24 seconds! Stewart won the ball back, before finding Moon at wide. He in turn, slid in skipper Robertson who got past a centre back, and his cross come shot was finished off by the sliding Kyran Beales at the back post. 1-0.

A slow start for Chally, but they began to come into the game as the half progressed. Crop were made to battle for their lead. They had returning ‘keeper Roberts to thank. Chalgrove attacker Max Taylor-Lane manged to get past Cooper and Steele, but Roberts got down to smoother his effort as he tried to slide it home.

Chalgrove were having more of the ball but Cropredy were resolute in their defending, and were looking dangerous on the counter. Despite this they had Roberts to thank once again late in the half. Josh Billingham found space 25 yards out, and Roberts diving save denied him, but the ball came out to Sam Drake a few yards out, but somehow Roberts got down once again to turn it around the post. Some double save by the home stopper!

Half Time – Cropredy Devs 1-0 Chalgrove

Crop good for their lead, but Chalgrove were beginning to show their quality and would come out firing in the second period. Their management, clearly very frustrated with their first half display made some ruthless decisions, emptying their subs bench with a triple half time substitution.

The second half continued much like the first, but Chalgrove weren’t creating any clear chances, and were made to pay as Crop hit them on the counter once again. 5 minutes into the second period, Butterworth and Stewart won the ball back in the middle, and quickly found Moon once again wide left. His inch perfect ball set Robertson away once again. The skipper still had work to do, but he cut inside the defender and fired home into the far corner from just inside the area, to double Crops lead. 2-0.

The goal deflated the away side once again, but they continued to battle. A superb overhead kick goal line clearance from Charlie MacDonald denied Chalgrove from a corner, but they did finally get back into the game on 62 minutes.

From a Cropredy corner, Moon lost the ball in a silly position, a Chally countered at pace. The ball found its way to the dangerous Sam Drake, who showed good composure to cut inside past Stewart and fire home into the bottom corner from the edge, giving Roberts no chance, and halving the arrears. 62 gone and game on.

Cropredy used their subs to get fresh legs into the game, and continued to weather the storm, but the game was clinch as Robertson got his second on 84 minutes. A Roberts goal kick was helped forward by Keane, and fellow sub Jamie Williams helped it round the corner to find Robertson. Again, he had work to do, but raced past the defender and slotted home left footed past the outrushing Snellgrove, to make it 3-1.

Williams should have put the game further beyond reach minutes later as Leo Beales played him in, but a good save by Snellgrove had the forward frustrated. Chalgrove would have the last say as the pulled another goal back through Sam Drake in the final minute, but with seconds on the clock there was little time for the restart before the referee blew the final whistle.

Full Time – Cropredy Devs 3-2 Chalgrove

A much needed win for Crop which keeps them level on points with Headington and Bicester at the top of the table as they also both picked up vital wins. Next up for Crop is a break from the league as we finally get to play in the Stockton Charity Cup after the tie has been postponed on many occasions. We travel up to Coventry to face Coundon Court Old Boys.

Crop will meet Chalgrove again in 3 weeks’ time as they make the journey down the M40, for what’s bound to be another great encounter based on this game.

Man of the Match – Charlie MacDonald
Few contenders for the MOTM with Sam Roberts very impressive in goal. A calm and assuring performance once again, with some very important saves in the first half. Robertson also led the line very well and grabbed two deserved goals, but this time its goes to Charlie MacDonald.
Young defender MacDonald with another impressive display getting up and down from left back very well, and rarely putting a foot wrong all game. He also made a vital goal line clearance in the second half during a tough period his side had to manage.