Easington Sports Clan 0-4 Cropredy Devs

Although the performance in last weeks game against Woodstock Devs wasn’t at the high standards Cropredy Devs have set themselves this season, they did get back to winning ways with 3 points, and came into this game 3rd in the table.

Their opponents Easington Sports Clan have endured an up and down season so far, picking up a recent 0-4 win at Oxford Irish, either side of heavy defeats against Abingdon Abbotts and North Leigh Devs, respectively. With their Devs side’s game called off due to a waterlogged pitch on the morning of the game, they were bolstered with a few players. The young side were without their regular ‘keeper due to injury, so defender Ben Jackson donned the gloves. Both sides contained a number of young players who knew each other off the field.

A number of top of the table clashes were due to take place, but Summertown’s trip to Abingdon was called off due to the weather, and Bicester hosted Sporting Headington. Crop knew that a win would at least moving them up to 2nd in the table, as they continued to defy expectations and challenge a the top of Division One.

Team news
Crop travelled over to Middle Barton with a full squad, as Manager Reading was able to recall regular stopper Sam Roberts after a finger injury, and talisman Leo Beales after a hamstring problem, with both coming into the line-up as the only two changes. Sam Varnham-Wrigley and Jamie Williams also returned to the squad, and after the Firsts game was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Williamscot Road, Karl Woodcock and Luke Ulla-Thomas who were both part of last seasons double winning side, came onto the bench to help out.

First half

The pitch was in good condition despite the heavy rain all week, and Cropredy started the game playing the ball around nicely from back to front, trying to create chances. The opening 20 minutes provided little clear cut for both sides.

Cropredy had the first clear opening. The ball was played out wide to Callum Moon, who done well to hold the ball up with two defenders around him, and he found Leo Beales just inside the area. His dummy gave him half a yard, but he fired his curling effort past the far top corner. Easington responded with their best chance of the half, as Jack Herbert was put through on goal. The youngster fresh from featuring for the Firsts against Cropredy’s Firsts Tuesday night, lashed at his effort early and it trickled well wide of the near post.

The away side were dominating possession, and despite not creating too much, didn’t let their frustration deter them, and the goal did finally come after 32 minutes of the first half. Callum Moon took the Cropredy corner, and cleverly rolled it to the edge of the box, where an unmarked Kyran Beales was able to meet it first time with the outside of the left boot. The shot made its made through all the bodies in the area and into the far corner, giving the ‘keeper little chance. 0-1.

Leo Beales had a great opportunity to make it a scoring return. Kyran Beales and Robertson combined down the left, and the latter’s cross was met by Leo Beales, but his header went well wide. Easington’s young side kept up the pressure and had a good chance as the found Kelan McConnon in the area, but his shot on the swivel was straight at Sam Roberts who saved comfortably.

Crop then almost scored a fantastic goal with a lovely bit of passing and moving. James Keane won the ball back in midfield as found Kyran Beales wide left. He drifted in side, and combined twice with uncle Leo, which found Leo Beales on the by-line and his cut across to Robertson was well defended and cleared for a corner by Mallory King.

From the resulting corner however, Cropredy did extend their lead. Moon floated in again, and found Leo Beales who had a free header from 6 yards out, and this time made no mistake as he fired home. Cropredy two up with 3 minutes remaining in the half.

Half Time – Easington Sports Clan 0-2 Cropredy Devs

Game management would be key in the second half for Crop, with 3 points and a clean sheet the priority, and some good substitutions to introduce in the second period.

Again, there was a period of the game with little clear cut chances. Easington’s best in this spell was a free kick from Herbert, that looked harmless as Roberts left it, but it hit the top of the bar on it’s way out. With the job almost done, Crop made changes as the 70 minute mark approached with Corey Phillips and Leo Beales withdrawn to protect them, with Karl Woodcock and Luke Ulla-Thomas introduced.

Ulla-Thomas had an immediate impact and was on the scoresheet on 72 minutes. Keane once again recycled the ball in midfield and found Moon out wide right just inside the half, he cut inside and played a lovely ball to find Ulla-Thomas who had made a surging run from midfield. He was clean through and showed great composure to slot past the goalie and put the game to bed.

Williams and Varnham-Wrigley then came on, with Moon and Jamie Oxley, impressive displays once again by some of the young Cropredy players. Varnham-Wrigley almost provided another goal, as he got forward and his cross took a wicked deflection and was heading in, but Jackson done well to palm it over the bar. Jamie Williams eager to get off the mark for the season, had a chance as he found himself through, but his effort from a tight angle was well saved, and captain Fowler made a good challenge to deny Robertson on the follow up. Robertson then had another chance, as he robbed a defender, but he scooped his effort well high and wide as he bared down on goal

The Clan’s subs were eager to impress and had the best of their remaining chances. Corbett his the outside of the post after getting through on goal, and Docherty’s effort from the right squirmed agonisingly wide as he beat the onrushing Sam Roberts to the ball.
There was time for a fourth goal of the game in stoppage time. Robertson’s header forward put Williams away down the left, and he returned the ball into the patch of the skipper. This time he beat the ‘keeper but saw his effort cannon back off the post. It fell kindly to Williams who fired home for his first of the season. 0-4

Full Time – Easington Sports Clan 0-4 Cropredy Devs

A very pleasing win for Crop, a cleans sheet, and +4 added to the goal difference. The win takes Crop joint level on points with top of the table Bicester, who slipped to defeat at home to Sporting Headington. Next up for Cropredy is a home tie against last seasons rivals North Leigh Devs. Cropredy pipped North Leigh to the Division Two title last season on goal difference, but Crop will be up for the game having suffered defeat to the opponents twice last season. Hopefully it’ll be a dryer week and the Williamscot Pitch will have time tor recover for the game.

We wish Easington best of luck moving forwards, some talented young players that will only improve and take experience week by week. Thanks very much for their great hospitality after the game, and we look forward to playing them again in the return tie later in the season.

Man of the match – James Keane
An all round good team performance, but also some great individual displays to boot. Mentions to Callum Moon who got a hattrick of assists, and to the back four and ‘keeper who were very solid throughout the game. James Keane gets it this week, Keano has been impressive wince recently joining the club from Easington Devs, and has now started the last two games. He done well to break up play, and used the ball very well throughout and started lots of Cropredy’s forward moves.