Cropredy Devs 2-0 Summertown Res

With progress in the OFA Intermediate Cup secured the previous game, attention now turned back to the league for a few weeks, starting with Summertown Stars Res visiting Williamscot Road. Summertown came into it with mixed recent results, whilst Crop were looking to extend their winning league run to 7 games.

Kieran Reading was initially able to name a full 16 man squad, however with 3 drops outs for various reasons on the morning of the game, he drafted in Chay Miller to the squad, and added himself to the bench. Captain Corey Phillips, talisman Leo Beales and Hugo Caldeira were restored to the side, with Morrish & Moon absent, and Smithers dropping to the bench. Ash Balfour was also amongst the subs after returning from a calf issue. A new addition in a Veo Camera also made it’s debut (match highlights link at the bottom of the page)

First half.

Summertown started the half with great intensity and energy both in and out of possession, with Cropredy struggled to deal with at times. Stars committing lots of men forward, every time they robbed the ball from Cropredy.

Summertown had some good early chances, the best of which fell to their front man who could only drag his left footed effort wide of the far post, after being set through.

Crop had chances of their own. Robertson & Kyran Beales were unable to bundle a Leo Beales cross home, as the keeper made a good stop at the back post. Robertson was also twice denied by the Stars stopper after getting in on goal, and Hugo Caldeira could only drag a cross come shot wide after Butterworth slid him in with a neat pass.

A big moment came five minutes from the break. As Summertown countered, and flicked pass caught the hand of Connor Kelly just outside the box. Looked harsh but can see why it was given. With Summertown screaming for a dismissal as last man, and the Crop bench holding their breath, Kelly was in the end given a sin bin for his protests. Let off for Crop, as could have seen red on another day, and the resulting free kick smashed the bar and went out.

This gave Cropredy a difficult situation having the play the last 5 minutes of the half with 10 men, as well as the opening 5 of the second period. They done enough to see out the first task unscathed and it remained goalless.

Half time – Cropredy Devs 0-0 Summertown Stars Res

A game that could have easily seen many goals in the first half, but was somehow goalless, which in the end both teams could have been pleased with.

Cropredy’s task was to stay compact until the got Kelly back on the pitch, and they managed to do so and keep Stars at bay.
10 minutes into the half, Ash Balfour was introduced in place of Caldeira to give Crop more of a presence in the final third, and it would be an inspired change for home side.

With the game still back and forth, and a combination of some good last ditch blocks and some saves from Curtly Street, Crop kept defended stoutly, and then managed to nick the lead
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A long kick out from Street landed in the final third. Balfour tussled with the defender to get a flick on, and looked to have been fouled. Regardless, the ball fell nicely into the feet of Robertson, who set off, and his acceleration took him past a couple of flat-footed defenders, and into the left side of the box, where he finished nicely past the outrushing keeper to give Cropredy the lead on 63 minutes. 1-0.

Summertown tried to come back into the game, but Crop stood firm. Smithers and Miller were introduced to give some fresh energy at full backs, replacing Kelly and Woodcock. Cropredy should have put the game to bed, but a mixture of some good last-ditch blocks and tackles, and some more great saves from the keeper prevented Crop, with both Robertson & Kyran Beales denied.

Kyran Beales did finally get his goal on 82 minutes. Leo Beales won the ball back just inside his half, and drove forward before slipping a through ball to Kyran, that took a nick off a defender helping it through. This time he composed himself, and fired past the keeper at his near post to take the game away from the visitors.

Jake Harvey picked up a booking late on for a nasty late tackle, but Cropredy held out to get a vital three points, and another very pleasing clean sheet.

Full Time – Cropredy Devs 2-0 Summertown Res

A great battling game, that could have swung either way, and Stars stand in keeper, first team striker Dan Cadman was in inspired form, pulling off plenty of great saves throughout. Summertown showed great energy and intensity throughout the game, but the goal on 63 minutes swung the tide, and Crop showed why they are challenging for the title this season. Results elsewhere saw Cropredy move back up to second, now 4 points behind leaders Kennington with a game in hand.

Next up is a trip to bottom of the table Bicester Town Colts Devs next weekend
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Man of the match – Curtly Street
Another pleasing clean sheet for the keeper, who was a calming presence today. Made some key saves and claimed everything that was launched into the box. Could have gone to several players from this game. Cooper and Phillips looked like they’d played together for ages despite it being their first game as a pairing, whilst after coming back into the side Connor Kelly and Luke Butterworth really impressed, but altogether a great team performance.

#UpTheCrop

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToFl99XwbyY&t=337s