Bicester Town Colts Devs 0-11 Cropredy Devs

With Storm Arwen battering a lot of the nation, Oxfordshire got its share of sleet and snow in the morning of the game. Luckily most of this had cleared by lunchtime, and the pitch at Bicester was in great condition for this game. There would however still be a very cold and windy afternoon in store for both sides.

As has been the case many times this season, after having to leave players out last week, this week availability was once again limited. A 14 man squad was named, but noticeable absentees from last week included regular ‘keeper Street, Leo Beales, Kyran Beales, Balfour, Miller & Caldeira. Sam Roberts, Bobby Stewart and Alex Morrish did return, whilst there was also a first Cropredy appearance in 18 months for the returning Sam Grant, which was a welcome sight. Chris Brown also stepped in, in goal.

Bicester came in to the game sitting rock bottom of the table with just 1 point to show for their season. Crop were clear favourites being on a great winning run themselves, but with the conditions it was always going to give Bicester a chance early doors.

First half

Crop, playing against the wind first half, were troubled at times but did take the lead early on. A Grant head forward was misjudged, and mis controlled by the Town centre half allowing Robertson to rob him, outpace the covering defender and fire past the keeper high in to the net. The visitors led after just 4 minutes. 0-1.

Bicester thought they’d levelled after 10 minutes, after they headed home from a free kick, however one of the attackers was adjudged to have pushed a Crop defender before heading home. Let off for Cropredy who needed to up it.

The next goal came on 14 minutes, and it was a goalscoring return to action for Sam Grant. A nice attacking move where Roberts, Butterworth and the Robertson linked up, which ended with the later squaring the ball to Grant. His effort from 6 yards out was initially well saved by the ‘keeper but the rebound fell kindly and he tapped home to make it 0-2.

Robertson should have then made it 3 a few minutes later, but he could only fire wide, after Grant found him with a delightful through ball. The third would come on 19’, with Roberts finding the net following some fantastic build up play. Crop played out from the goal kick, before finding Butterworth in some space in the middle. He sprayed a great ball out to Smithers, who in turn delivered a superb cross. It should have been finished by Robertson at the back post, but his heavy touch ended with Roberts somehow poking the ball across the line. 0-3.

Cropredy should have put the game to bed first half, but a combination of some inspired saves from the home stopper (including a triple save in the same mover, denying Smithers, Robertson, and then Grant), and Crop missing plenty of guilt edged chances, meant the game was 0-3 at half time

Half time – Bicester Town Colts Devs 0-3 Cropredy Devs

A quick turnaround at the break, with neither team wanting to stand around for too long in the blistery conditions. Both sides knew the next goal would be important.

Cropredy managed to get it, and it came on 50 minutes with Roberts getting his brace. Butterworth drove forward, and played a ball out wide to Robertson who raced to the byline. He then pulled the ball across to Roberts to tap it home for 0-4.

Manager Reading then made a sub, brining off left back Connor Kelly for a rest, as he was bursting a groin problem. He was replaced by Alex Morrish who made an immediate impact with two quickfire goals on 56’ and 57 minutes. Both were well taken finishes after he combined brilliantly with Robertson down the left flank.

Sam Grant was then replaced in midfield after 65 minutes for Bobby Stewart. A good run out for Grant on his return.
It took until the 70th minute for Crop to find the seventh. By this point the home sides skipper had picked up an injury, and with no subs remaining, swapped with the usual ‘keeper.

Alex Morris completed his hattrick with a fine strike from 25 yards that swerved into the corner, before Robertson got his second a few minutes later. He rounded the ‘keeper and fired home, after Stewart played a dangerous through ball over the top down the right channel.
Luke Butterworth capped off another fine midfield display by getting his first goal for the club, a 25 yard free kick beyond the reach of the goalkeeper.

Robertson then completed his hattrick and got a fourth late on to take the score line to 11. Roberts, after picking up a silly sin bin was then reintroduced, and had his golden opportunity for a hattrick, but blazed over after Robertson had squared the ball to him. There was even time for gaffer Kieran Reading to get a late 5 minute cameo, but their were no further goals in the closing moments.

Full time – Bicester Town Colts Devs 0-11 Cropredy Devs

Despite the awful weather conditions, it was another 3 points for Cropredy who take their winning league run to 8 games. Pleasing to once again to get another clean sheet, a third in a row in the league also.

Fair play to Bicester who put in a battling performance despite the conditions, and struggling numbers. Hopefully they can get through this difficult patch, and start picking up those points soon.

Next up for Crop is a home game against Garsington Reserves next week. Cropredy will be looking for revenge after slumping to a 4-1 defeat down at Garsington on the opening weekend of the season.

Man of the match – Luke Butterworth

Another dominant midfield display from Butterworth both in and out of possession. Kept the away side ticking over and struck up a good partnership in a two alongside Sam Grant. Pleasing for him to also grab his first goal for the club from a well taken free kick.

Match highlights available on the clubs YouTube channel.