Chinnor Res 2-6 Cropredy Devs

After suffering defeats in their opening two league fixtures, and conceding 11 goals in the process, Cropredy Devs made the long trip down the M40 to face Chinnor Reserves. Chinnor beat Crop last season, and were unbeaten when the league campaign was curtailed, however also went into the game searching for their first points this season.

With lots of absentees for various reasons, and two dropouts on the morning of the game, Manager Kieran Reading was left with a bare 11, before Ash Balfour & Jake Harvey stepped in at the last minute to help out. Balfour only returning from honeymoon late on the Friday, and Harvey still having an ankle issue.

From last week, Street returned in goal, whilst Reading bought himself into the side for a first Cropredy start, and Connor Kelly and Joe Squirrell joined Balfour in featuring for the first time this season. There was also a change of shape to a back four this week.

First half

Crop showed their intent from the off, playing the ball around and create chances with a dangerous front 3 of Kyran Beales, Joe Squirrell & Ben Smithers, with Leo Beales just in behind them. With some early pressure, it didn’t take Cropredy long to take the lead. After some good football down the right channel, Bobby Stewart received the ball in the middle of the pitch, and sprayed a delightful through ball into the path of Kyran Beales, who bared down on goal, and slotted home past the keeper. 0-1 within the first 10 minutes. Very pleasing for Crop who’ve conceded early doors in both their previous games.

Cropredy kept pushing forward looking for more goals, but Chinnor responded ten minutes later with a wonder strike. Striker Sam Naylor found some space 25 yards out and struck a superb effort into the top corner beyond the reach of Street.

It didn’t take too long for Cropredy to regain the lead, as Leo Beales sent a ball in behind for Joe Squirrell to latch on to, and he managed to poke it on the bounce beyond the outrushing home stopper. 1-2 to Crop.

Crop then squandered a few chances, the best of which fell to Ben Smithers who’s curling effort went just wide of the far post, which allowed Chinnor to gain another foothold in the game. They were awarded a penalty on the stroke of half time, as their striker tricked his way between the Cropredy defence who invertedly bought him down. Captain Matthew Hill stepped up to slot the penalty home, which saw the teams go in to the break level at 2-2.

Half time – Chinnor Res 2-2 Cropredy Devs

Chinnor came out firing at the start of the second half. They pressed much higher, and counter attacked with more bodies to cause the away side problems. Cropredy done really well to battle through the opening 15 minutes of the second half to keep the score at 2-2, and then they capitalised to turn the tide of the game.

On the hour mark another good team move, saw Joe Squirrell released in the area, and he fired home to put Crop 2-3 up. This allowed Cropredy to then make a couple of subs to get fresh legs on. Ash Balfour and Jake Harvey came on, to replace Smithers and Reading.
Balfour would have an immediate impact and score with his first touch! A long ball caused problems with Balfour’s presence causing the centre half to miss the header, which ran through to Squirrell. A home defender done well to get back and block Squirrell’s effort, but the striker done well to keep it alive, get his head up and slot the ball across the 6 yard box for Balfour to bundle home. 2-4. Unfortunately the Chinnor defender injured his wrist blocking Squirrell’s effort and was unable to continue, so Chinnor were forced to play with 10 men for the remainder.

Cropredy used the extra man advantage, and went on to score two more goals late on. Leo Beales got himself on the scoresheet after recycling an attack, as he fired brilliantly in to the far corner from just in side the box. Kyran Beales then rounded off the win in the final moments to double his account.

Full time – Chinnor Res 2-6 Cropredy Devs

Commiserations to Chinnor, who showed good fight to battle on even when they went down to 10 on a warm afternoon. Thank you for their hospitality after the game as well, we look forward to welcoming them to Williamscot Road later in the season.
A good win for Crop. A proper team performance, with every player putting in great shift. They need to build on this now as they look to start climbing the table. Next up is the first home game of the season, against Kennington Reserves. Kennington sit top of the table after winning their opening 3 games so will provide a stern test for Crop.

Man of the match – Connor Kelly (pictured)
After signing for Cropredy last season, Kelly finally made his long-awaited debut, after numerous injury problems, and bouts of COVID isolations. He didn’t look like he hadn’t played a competitive game in over a year, with a very assured performance at left back. Great to finally get him involved.