Saxton Rovers Res 1-4 Cropredy Devs

After turning things around in the last couple of games, Cropredy Development travelled down to Abingdon in good spirits, to take on Saxton Rovers Rovers. After moving into the OSL from the North Berks league, Saxton have had a good start to the season, winning twice, and losing once.

With a couple of late withdrawals, Manager Reading once again had a 13 man squad at his disposal. Captain Corey Phillips and Jake Harvey both returned to the side after missing the victory last week, and slotted into defence, whilst Hugo Caldeira also returned to take a spot on the bench. Mo Samasa was missing with an ankle injury, whilst Connor Kelly was unavailable, and Alfie Jarvis and Alex Palmer with the first team.

First Half

On a rainy afternoon in Oxfordshire, Cropredy started the game well, and were forcing lots of mistakes from the Saxton side who were giving up the ball cheaply. They thought they’d taken an early lead as Ash Balfour superbly headed home a Woodcock cross, only for the linesman flag to deny him.

Kyran Beales started to cause Saxton problems with his pace, and the young striker would give Crop the lead after 18 minutes. After collecting the ball, ‘keeper Curtly Street delivered a delightful long kick over the backline, which was misjudged by the defence, allowing Beales to latch onto the ball, race through, and slot home under the keeper to put the away side one up.

Crop thought they’d doubled their lead not long later, as another long kick from Street bounced through the midfield, and Kyran Beales went through to tuck home again. The linesman’s flag then went up and after the referee consulted the linesman, the goal was chalked off. Strange decision as nobody flicked the ball on, with the original kick evading everyone.

Both sides continued to attack, but the Cropredy backline was doing enough to keep the home side at bay. The referee began to get busy with his cards, with Stewart, Woodcock and Steet all getting yellows by the end of the game, with Saxton also picking up 4 yellows and a sin bin.

Half time – Saxton Rovers Res 0-1 Cropredy Devs

Much like the last few games, Crop knew the home side would come out and put pressure on them as they look to battle back into the game.
Crop started to create more chances but shot themselves in the foot 10 minutes into the second period. Under little pressure, Sam Roberts played a poor sidewards pass that was read by Saxton sub Liam Smith, who intercepted, raced clear and finished well to level the game. 1-1.

Both sides would then have chances to take the lead. First of all, Crop had their chance, as Ben Smithers could only hit straight at the keeper from inside the area, and the rebound that fell to Balfour was blazed over. Saxton then had the ball in the net, as the striker squared a pass to a teammate to tap into an empty net, only for it to be ruled out for offside, as he was stood ahead of him.

On the hour mark, Crop did manage to regain the lead, with Sam Roberts making up for his error, as he met a Kyran Beales corner to head home into the far corner. 1-2.

Saxton again then had a goal disallowed. Karl Woodcock done well to head clear an effort on the line, but was fouled in the process. Saxton smashed the rebound into the net, but the referee’s whistle had already gone. 2 a piece for disallowed goals now.

Crop then took advantage and scored two quickfire goals to make it 1-4. First Ash Balfour made up for his earlier miss, as he smashed home after Jake Harvey’s effort ricochet off a defender into his path, and then Kyran Beales got his brace on 70 minutes, after he lathed on to a Balfour flick on, and again showed composure to slot home.

Reading then made two changed due to injuries with Roberts and Harvey both forced off with ankle injuries, with Caldeira and Steven Gilbert coming on.

Crop then saw the rest of the game out, with no further clear-cut chances, despite Saxton finishing with 10 men after a player was sin binned.

Full time – Saxton Rovers Res 1-4 Cropredy Devs

Another good team display, with Crop showing good character to win the game after Saxton had levelled things up. Thank you to the hosts for their hospitality and putting on food after the game. We look forward to playing them again later in the season.

It’s another home game next time out, as Heyford Athletic Reserves come to Williamscot Road. Another tough tie expected.