Cropredy Development 6-2 Kennington Reserves

Cropredy Development went into their first home game of the season in good spirits, having put their first points of the season on the board last weekend. Their opponents, Kennington Reserves, came into it, sitting top of the table after 3 wins from 3.

After changing to a back four last week, and it paying dividends, Manager Kieran Reading decided to stick to the same formation, but was forced into a number of changes as Connor Kelly, Corey Phillips and himself dropped out of the side. In came the returning Sam Roberts at the back, Luke Butterworth in midfield, and Ash Balfour starting and captaining the side after returning to the squad last week. There were also positional changes for Mo Samasa and Ben Smithers who slotted into full back. Mike Burrell was a late addition to the subs bench for the first time this season, and Steven Gilbert came in, in line for a debut.

After not playing at Williamscot Road since December, it was a lovely warm September’s day as the Devs looked to pick up consecutive wins.

First half

Kennington were possibly guilty of coming in to the game and underestimating Cropredy based on recent results, as were stunned as Crop took the lead after just 3 minutes. A neat passing move, saw Kyran Beales find Leo Beales, who found some space in the area to fire home into the far corner.

Cropredy then roared into life, and were 3-0 up within 18 minutes of the match, with Kyran Beales continuing his fine form as he grabbed two. The first came after he was assisted by Balfour, and then minutes later, Butterworth managed to bundle the ball through to him, and he showed his composure in front of goal to bag a quickfire brace.

Crop partially took their foot off the gas after taking the quick 3-0 lead, and had to spend 10 minutes with 10 men, after Butterworth picked up a silly sin bin. In this period Kennington made Crop pay. First, they were denied by a couple of superb saves from Curtly Street, but then Street did get beaten, as a high lofted cross from the left touchline eluded him a looped into the far corner. 3-1.

Joe Squirrell unfortunately was forced off after half hour with a reoccurrence of a hamstring issue, meaning late addition Mike Burrell stepped into action sooner than anticipated. He sotted in to right back, with Smithers moving further forward.

The lead would have been further extended later in the first half, but Kennington’s ‘keeper was having a fine game, twice taping goal bound efforts on to bar, amongst a number of other impressive saves.

Half time – Cropredy Devs 3-1 Kennington Res

As in last weeks game with Chinnor, Crop knew Kennington would come out fighting early in the second period, as they looked to maintain their top spot.

Cropredy did well in the early stages to withstand the away sides pressure, with Curtly Street having a calm assured game in the sticks. After the pressure, Crop then took control of the game again as Leo Beales scored the goal of the game, delightfully chipping the goalkeeper from 25 yards to make it 4-1.

Steven Gilbert was introduced for a debut for the final 25 minutes in place of Balfour, who’d had another influential display. Cropredy then went on to grab two more goals, as Kyran completed his hattrick with another well taken finish, before finally finishing with 4 as he capitalised as the Kenny defence failed to deal with a long goal kick, and Beales nipped in to grab the ball, round the keeper and smash home.

Kennington still kept fighting despite the score line, and got themselves a second as they took advantage of a poor goalkeeper clearance, and showed good composure in the area to fire home.

The final score saw Crop pick up another win and climb the table to 6th. Kennington still remained top due to other results and will look to bounce back next week.

Full time – Cropredy Devs 6-2 Kennington Res

Another pleasing all round performance for Cropredy, who’ve really bounced back after starting the season with 2 defeats. Another tough trip down to Abingdon next week to face in form Saxton Rovers Reserves. Reading will hope to welcome back a number of this week’s absentees.

Thanks to Kennington for staying behind for a drink and food afterwards. We look forward to travelling down for the return fixture later in the season.

Man of the match – Bobby Stewart
Again, as with last week, any of the squad could have got the MOTM award for this game. Bobby had a very assured and composed display in midfield, a role he has really grown in to this season. After being in and out of the side last season, he’s now made one of the midfield spots his own.