Cropredy Development 6-3 Heyford Athletic Reserves

Cropredy Devs welcomed Heyford Athletic Reserves to Williamscot road on a sunny October afternoon for their OSL Division Two clash. Despite mounting injury problems, Cropredy were able to name a 14 man squad, but there were a number of players playing with injuries.

From the win over Saxton Rovers the previous week, Luke Butterworth and Hugo Caldeira were absent, as was Connor Kelly again. Mo Samasa did return, whilst new addition Damien Robertson came into the side, and Chris Brown replaced regular goalkeeper Curty Street who was with the first team this week.

First Half

In their changed green kit, Crop started brightly and could have taken a lead through Robertson as he blazed over after being set through, but it was the visitors who would go one up. A free kick was awarded 25 yards out, which was curled into the corner to make it 0-1 after 6 minutes.

Crop fought back and had a few chances, then equalising on the 18 minute mark through an own goal. From a set piece, Karl Woodcock saw his effort well saved by ‘keeper Matt Ingram, but the save the hit a teammate and eventually ended up in the net. 1-1.

Heyford then retook the lead just a minute later. Cropredy tried playing out from the back but lost the ball cheaply. After initially dealing with the threat, the ball then landed to the Heyford attacker who lobbed his effort up and over Brown from just outside the area. 1-2.

On 25’ Crop were once again level in fortunate circumstances. A harmless throw into the area by Mo Samasa bounced up and hit the defender’s arm. Unlucky for the away side, but the referee given little option but to point to the penalty spot. In form Kyran Beales stepped up and slotted home to continue his great goalscoring start to the season. Ingram diving the correct way, but unable to keep it out.

A Heyford midfielder was then unfortunately forced off after twisting his knee when chasing down the ball. We wish him a speedy recovery, and hope the injury is nothing serious.

The second equaliser got Cropredy going, and they finally settled into the game, taking the lead and adding a further goal before half time. Damien Robertson grabbed a deserved debut goal on 28 minutes, as he latched on to a Leo Beales pass to fire home, and finish off a superb team move from Crop. Kyran Beales then got his second 6 minutes from the interval. Samasa who was looking dangerous all half once again got forward, and delivered a great cross up to the back post, which lofted over the defenders head and was perfectly met on the volley by Beales giving the keeper little chance. 4-2.

Crop could have had further goals, but some good saves by Ingram, and the post denying Woodcock managed to keep the score down.

Half Time – Cropredy Devs 4-2 Heyford Ath Res

Crop started the second half as the finished the first, and kept pushing forward for more goals. They would go on to grab another 2 within the first 5 minutes of the half.

First off, Kyran Beales grabbed his hattrick. Another good team passing move, ended with Leo Beales playing a ball out to the right-hand side of the area towards Kyran, who with a superb turn beat the defender and slotted home at the near post under the keeper, making it 13 goals already for the season.

Leo then got himself on the scoresheet to make it 6. The referee awarded a strange free kick for Crop inside the area, after Ingram was adjudged to have dropped the ball to the floor before picking up again seconds later. The indirect free kick was laid off by Harvey to Beales who fired into the far corner. Good performance from Leo Beales who had come into the game with a groin problem.

With the lead being extended, Manager Reading was able to bring off a couple of the injured bunch with Ash Balfour (knee) and Samasa (ankle) making way for Steven Gilbert and Ben Smithers who were able to come on for good run outs.

Inconsistency started to sneak in for the home side, as the spurred a number of opportunities to extend their lead. The best fell to Gilbert who had a great opportunity to open his Crop account as he made a good run to meet a cross, but the keeper managed to spread himself to keep out the effort.

After failing to make the dominance pay, Crop allowed Heyford a lifeline with another goal. A long-range effort down the throat of Brown was spilled out, and Heyford followed up well to slot home and make it 6-3.

Luckily Crop done just enough after this and saw the game out to pick up a fourth win in a row and move up to 2nd in the table.

Full time – Cropredy Devs 6-3 Heyford Athletic Res

Thanks to Heyford who stayed behind for a drink and the food, a good bunch of lads who we look forward to meeting again later in the season.
Many thanks also goes out to Grimsbury Fish Bar who kindly supplied the post-match food this week.

Man of the Match – Kyran Beales
Another great team performance where MOTM could have gone to most of the team. Kyran picks It up this week after another hattrick taking him up to 13 goals in just 6 games this season. A pressure penalty and then two superbly taken strikes, helping the Devs climb the table.

#UpTheCrop