Adderbury Park Devs 1-4 Cropredy Devs

After opening their season with 3 points at home to Bicester Town Colts, Cropredy Devs first task away from home was a trip to local rivals Adderbury Park Devs. Adderbury had endured a difficult start to the campaign with 2 defeats, but only narrowly lost both games, scoring 5 goals in the process.

With an improvement in performance levels needed, Manager Kieran Reading did make a handful of changes to the side, some of which were enforced. Last weeks man of the match, Luke Butterworth was away, and Charlie MacDonald dropped out of the squad last minute, meaning a quick reshuffle. Jamie Oxley moved to right back to replace the absent MacDonald, whilst James Slaymaker came in for a debut in midfield, alongside Bobby Stewart who’s recently returned from travelling. 17 year old centre back Matt Steele also came straight into the side after joining during the week, with Tony Truman dropping down to the bench, alongside Liverpool, Zinn, and Ben Coleman who’s also recently re-joined the club.

First half
The home side started the brighter, and had their first great chance only a few minutes in. Jake Harvey could only flick a Park header on, and Henry Rose had read it well to find himself in on goal, but he fired wide of the far post.

After riding the opening pressure, Cropredy then started to come into the game, playing some nice attacking football. Robertson had their first real chance, with a driving run down the right, but his effort was well saved by home stopper Deasy, who also done well to smoother Stewart’s cross shot in the aftermath. He was then again on hand to get a strong hand to a Kyran Beales effort, after he latched on to a lofted ball from Karl Woodcock. Beales was then in again from another through ball, but he tried lobbing Deasy, but only played it straight into the arms of the ‘keeper.

The pressure then finally paid dividends, with Beales getting the games opener after 15 minutes. Cropredy defended well, and a clearance was helped on by Allum, who’s ball forward was in turn helped on by the head of Robertson. Beales raced clear, and this time made no error, as he slotted past a helpless Deasy to open the scoring.

Adderbury then had a great chance to draw level, capitalizing on some sloppy Crop defending, but top scorer Winkworth dragged his shop well wide from just inside the area. Deasy was then on hand to deny Crop again, as he got down well to deny Robertson as he was in on goal, with the rebound from Allum also well saved, then the further rebound fired wide by Moon.

Crop extended their lead on 25 minutes, with skipper Robertson getting a deserved goal. Park failed to clear the ball, allowing Matt Allum to play a beautiful dink through to Robertson, he got there before the goalie, rolling it through his legs, before recomposing himself and smashing past two defenders on the line.

The lead should have been extended further. Robertson headed well wide as he met a Allum cross, before then being denied by Deasy again, but the next goal would once again go Cropredy’s way. A lovely passing move across the pitch incving most the blue players, ended with Slaymaker getting his head up in the middle and slotting through Beales, who had found some good space down the left, and he fired home brilliantly into the far corner from the angle giving the keeper little chance.

Moon then could only drag 20 yard effort wide, after a jinking run down the right before cutting inside, and had another chance which he fired wide with the outside of the boot. Adderbury almost got a consolation near the end of the half, but two efforts were well blocked. Oxley managed to block a back post header, before then a superb diving block from Matt Steele to deny a goal bound strike. The resulting corner then clear off the line from Moon’s head.

Half time – Adderbury Park Devs 0-3 Cropredy Devs

Cropredy in control at the break, with the only downside that they were wasteful in front of goal, with a number of missed chances, and a number well saved by the home side goalkeeper, who was doing his upmost to keep his side in the game.

Within ten minutes of the second period, Crop found themselves with a spot kick. A long free kick from Steele was crossed in by Beales, but from the clearance Allum got to the ball and was fouled from behind by Skidmore right on the edge of the area. The Referee deemed it inside and pointed to the spot. Skidmore lucky to stay on the pitch having been booked moments earlier for a late challenge. Kyran Beales, having missed against Bicester last week, composed himself and sent the keeper the wrong way to extend the lead.

Although less chances for both teams, the second half was just as eventful. Park were awarded a penalty kick of their own, after Jake Harvey clumsily bundled over Forbes after Henry Rose has slipped him in. Winkworth stepped up with the spot kick, but it was well saved by Sam Roberts, saving his second spot kick in consecutive games.

Adderbury did get a goal back after 65 minutes, as they found the Cropredy defence sleeping. A good ball in caught Harvey off guard, and found Forbes at the back post who fired home via the crossbar to reduce the arrears. 1-4.

Changes were made with Liverpool and Zinn introduced for Harvey and Beales respectively, and soon followed by Allum making way for Coleman. With the game petering out, Truman was also bought on to sure up the midfield with Robertson coming off with his job done for the afternoon.

No further chances of note came in the final 10 or so minutes, and the final whistle sounded, meaning it was 2 wins from 2 for Cropredy Devs in their first season in Division One.

Full time - Adderbury Park Devs 1-4 Cropredy Devs

A pleasing display from Crop, with the performance level much improved from their last game. Some new players slotted in brilliantly, and the team defended much better throughout. Next up is an away trip to north Oxford to take on Oxford Irish.

Man of the match – Kyran Beales
Park struggled to contain Beales who’s pace and trickery was causing havoc all afternoon. Other mentions to Matt Steele who had an assured debut at the back, Jamie Oxley who seamlessly slotted in to full back, and Bobby Stewart who put in a good display in his first appearance in blue since last season.