Marston Saints Res 0-12 Cropredy Devs

With last weeks Clarendon Cup exit still at the hands of Launton still hurting, Cropredy Devs turned their attention back to the league, as they travelled down to north Oxford looking to extend their winning streak against struggling Marston Saints Reserves. Marston came into this one on the back of a 11-0 thrashing by league leaders Kennington last weekend.

With the appointed referee dropping out on the eve on the game, Marston’s manager had to officiate this one. The national referee shortage hitting home in the OSL with this already Crops third game this season without an official referee.

Team news

After having 18 players available last week, it was back to reality for gaffer Kieran Reading as he was only able to name a 13 man squad this time out. Phillips, Kelly, Butterworth, Morrish, Samasa and Stewart all missing, whilst Ash Balfour was out injured with a calf strain. Back in came Steven Gilbert and Reading himself, whilst experienced defender Kev Cooper came in, as did Izzy Liverpool for needed game time after a bout of COVID. Recent signing Chay Miller also came in for a debut.

With both skipper Corey Phillips, and vice Balfour missing, Damien Robertson took the armband for the first time.

First half

Despite Marston’s form, Crop knew they had to be switched on, and started the game well, seeing some good periods of possession, and probing the Saints defence. Despite Marston holding out early on, the deadlock was broken on 12 minutes. The recalled Jake Harvey played a superb defence splitting pass, finding the pacey Robertson who raced clear and slotted home to give Cropredy the lead.

Cropredy then started to settle into things, as Kyran Beales made it two on 17’ after being found by Leo Beales, and it was three nil on the 20 minute mark, as Kyran Beales this time turned provided as he rounded off a good team move down the left, squaring for Robertson to bundle home at the back post.

Centre back Sam Roberts then got in on the act on 27’ from a set piece. The corner was headed back across goal well by Kev Cooper, and Roberts was on hand to fire home from close range. Damien Robertson then completed his first half hattrick, as Marston shot themselves in the foot. An under hit back pass between the defenders was punished upon by Robertson who robbed the ball, raced through and rounded the keeper to make it five!

Cropredy did have plenty of other first half chances, but the home keeper did manage to keep the score down, and they went into the break with the score at 0-5.

Half time – Marston Saints Res 0-5 Cropredy Devs

The second half started at ferocious pace, with Cropredy continuing their dominance and were seven nil up in a blink of an eye. First Leo Beales grabbed a goal 2 minutes into the half, as he was slotted in down the right channel. He drove into the area and slotted home at the near post. A minute later Roberts made it a brace for himself, again capitalising from a set piece. The corner was swung in and met on the volley by Cooper, his effort was well saved but it landed kindly for Roberts to score again.

There was another 3 goals in the space of 5 minutes, from 62’ to 67’ with Robertson grabbing another two, and Kyran Beales getting his brace, before Leo Beales made it 0-11 on 70 minutes as he headed home a corner from close range.

The twelfth and final goal came on 74’ with a first Cropredy goal for substitute Steven Gilbert, as he fired home after a ball was squared by Robertson.

It could have been much more for Crop, with two clear penalty claims being waved away, and the referee bought the game to a close on 82 minutes, but Crop take the 3 points home, and a pleasing first clean sheet of the season.

Full time – Marston Saints Res 0-12 Cropredy Devs

A pleasing away win making it six on the bounce now for Cropredy. They are back in cup action next week with a trip to Charlton Utd Reserves in the OFA Intermediate Cup.

Thanks to Marston’s manager for stepping in to referee the game at short notice. We wish them well for the rest of the season.

Man of the match – Jake Harvey
After being left on the bench last week, Harvey gave the management team a great reaction. He dictated play in the middle of the park, getting on the ball throughout and was involved in plenty of the goals either in the build up, or making the final assist.