Summetown 5-3 Cropredy Devs

Cropredy Devs had little to play for as they travelled down to Oxford on a rainy May afternoon, other than the chance to finish the league campaign with a win, which would see them finish in 4th place. In comparison, opponents Summertown had all to play for, with a win needed to see them secure promotion back to the OSL Premier Division.
Team news
With one eye very much on the following weeks Clarendon Cup Final, a number of players were missing. Skipper Damien Robertson was absent nursing an injury, as was vice captain Corey Phillips, Leo Beales, Ollie Beesley, James Keane, Maxie Earle and Izzy Liverpool, as well as the suspended Bobby Stewart.
This meant lots of experience missing, with 7 teenagers In the starting lineup, with a further two to come off the bench. A teenage backline included Matt Knight, who came in for a debut. Knighty spent pre season with the club before heading off to uni. He was partnered by Charlie Jefferies on a return from injury. Mike Harding came into midfield to help the side out, as did Tom Bucknell who was also back from Uni for the weekend.
The pitch was in an awful state, and arguably unplayable, with large puddles and ditches in both goalmouths, but the game went ahead.
First Half
Promotion chasing Town came out with intent and enjoyed more possession in the early exchanges, but it was the visitors who tried to put a dent in the party plans with an early goal. After just 4 minutes, a Harding ball down the right channel deceived the defence and found Callum Moon. Moon raced clear and slotted the ball home, to shock the gathering crowds.
Summetown kept pushing, and with every opportunity were getting the ball out to the left to the dangerous Victor Alvizu, who was tormenting the Cropredy defence with his skill and dribbling. Crop could only keep the lead for 10 minutes, as Town pulled level. A corner to the back post wasn’t cleared well enough, allowing the hosts to recycle and cross back into the area. Sam Roberts made an error as his attempt to claim the ball saw it fly into the air, and Alex MacBryan was on hand to head the ball home on the goalline. 1-1
The momentum well and truly shifted to the hosts after pulling level. Alvizu twice went close, as he first blazed an effort well over the bar after a jinking run, before forcing a top save from Roberts with another attempt. A long range effort then cannoned back off the post, as Crop were threading water. The pressure did finally give, as on 25 minutes Alvizu did get on the scoresheet. A cross into the box was headed by Jefferies straight to Alvizu, who showed composure before firing home for 2-1.
6 minutes later the score was extended as a cross was palmed out by Roberts straight to marksman Dan Cadman who wasn’t going to turn down an opportunity to extend his goal tally for the season, 3-1. Summetown then hit the post again from a free kick before an extended break in play so some water could be swept from the goalmouths.
Crop managed to give themselves a lifeline on the stroke of the interval. Similar to the first goal, Crop played out and found Kyran Beales, who done well to take it under control and turn his man, before slotting the ball through to Bucknell, who slotted home to bring the score to 3-2.
Half time – 3-2
Cropredy were their own worst enemies, with all three of the goals conceded very avoidable with some sloppy errors. They knew if the could stay in the game as long as possible, there was a chance to nick something from the match.
The first 25 minutes of the second period were largely uneventful. Treml was introduced for some fresh legs, for Timms who’d had a tough afternoon against Summertown’s best player, but a good learning curve for the young man. Crop had the best chance, as Beales’ free kick was saved by the home stopper, and the rebound luckily falling to a red shirt to clear.
As 70 minutes approached, Crop caused another shock as they levelled. A mix up in the home backline saw the centre half miskick a clearance to Kyran Beales, who raced clear, rounded the ‘keeper and slotted home to level the scores at three each.
Cropredy were hanging on to try and grab an unlikely point, but it was unfortunately another sloppy error that saw the hosts retake the lead. On 79 minutes a corner was swung in, Roberts dived out but couldn’t get to it, and the ball bounced in off Charlie Jefferies to spark celebrations in the home camp. Crop’s heads had gone and they conceded literally a minute later, as Summertown countered and slipped the ball through to Alvizu who slotted home under Roberts to secure the win, as the home players celebrated in the corner. A smart saved from Roberts managed to keep the score down late on.
Full time – Summertown Stars 5-3 Cropredy Devs
The final whistle sounded to scenes of celebration for Summertown, as they secured second place an promotion to the Premier Division. A strange one considering they took voluntary relegation from the Prem at the start of the season.
On paper the side should have strolled Division One, after finishing 8th in the premier division last season, and with a much stronger side this season, but we wish them the best for next season, and if they keep this strong squad together will no doubt be very competitive.
As for Crop, although the league campaign ended in defeat, it has been a successful one. After winning Division Two last season, and getting promoted to the highest level the club has ever has a ‘second’ team, there are so many positives to take. Many of last seasons more senior players were replaced with raw youngsters, whilst a few made the step up to the First Team. The squad for this one, which included 9 teenagers shows the work that has gone on behind the scenes, and no doubt sets the club in good stead moving forward.
Attention now turns to next weeks Clarendon Cup final, where Crop take on these seasons Division Two winners Yarnton Res. They’ll be full of confidence having strolled to the league title, whilst Cropredy will be looking to end the season with silverware before a well-earned rest. The game takes place on Saturday 13th May, 5.30pm KO at Kidlington FC.
Once again, congrats to Summertown on their promotion, and to Chalgrove Cavaliers who secured the league title with a win at Woodstock. Some achievement with the amount of games they’ve had to catch up on, and are now on a 11 match league winning run since Crop beat them at Williamscot Road back in early February. Commiserations to Bicester Town Colts who narrowly missed out on promotion after today’s results.

Team – Roberts ©, Timms (Treml 64’), MacDonald, Knight, Jefferies (Reading 89’), Harding (Oxley 73’), Butterworth, K.Beales, Bucknell, Moon, Williams
Sub not used – Fraser
Man of the match – Matt Knight
Knighty spent all pre season impressing with the side, before heading off to uni, so was finally making his long awaited debut for Cropredy. He impressed with some good composure at the back, and showed leadership in a very young squad for this game.