Crop Devs 7-0 Chinnor Res

With two games to go until the Christmas break, Crop set themselves the target of winning both those games to keep the pressure on the teams around them, and leaders Kennington Res. The visitors today, Chinnor Res have had a bit of turnaround in form since new manager Andy Willis was appointed, and a bunch of new players. Therefore, Cropredy knew it would be a very different challenge and game, then it was when they visited Chinnor back in September.

That away game was in fact the first league win for Crop this season, and the start of the magnificent winning run they’ve been on since.
Once again, there were changes to the side. Stewart, Morrish, Young, Caldeira, Gilbert and Fraser all dropped out from the previous game. Kyran Beales was also a late withdrawal due to illness. In came the returning goalkeeper Curtly Street, Jamie Williams who was a late addition to the squad, and Sam Grant. There was also a debut for talented teenage midfielder Conor Hancock who joined the club recently. In all, 4 changes to the starting line up, with Street, Grant, Hancock & Williams coming in.

First Half

Cropredy knew they would be in for a physical game, and that was evident early doors. Crop knew they would have to be up for this encounter both physically and mentally, and they did indeed match what Chinnor had to through at them.

The game started at fast pace and Crop would go ahead with 5 minutes on the clock. They managed to break down a Chinnor attack, before Leo Beales found Sam Grant with a nice flick, before he released a defence splitting through ball which Damien Robertson latched on to. The Chinnor ‘keeper Bloomfield done well to come out and smoother Robertson, but with the ball on the ground Robertson kept things alive flicking the ball forward. As two defenders rushed to clear, Jamie Williams raced onto it knocking the ball forward before he was clattered by both defenders. Clear penalty for the home side. Leo Beales stepped up and dispatched the penalty to the goalkeepers right. 1-0.

Crop could have doubled their lead, as Beales slipped through Robertson, but his left footed effort was saved well by the keeper’s legs. Chinnor’s best effort came as a free kick was curled just over the bar. The middle exchanges of the half saw a lot of end-to-end play without many clear cut chances for either side.

The game was then changed, as Cropredy produced a devastating 4 minute spell, scoring 3 times. First off, Chay Millers clearance found Beales who on the swivel released Robertson. He made up for his earlier miss, as he rounded Bloomfield to slot home for 2-nil on 39’. 2 minutes later Sam Grant got himself on the scoresheet. Grant started the move with a neat ball out wide left to Robertson. He showed good composure to get his head up and find Hancock on the edge of the box. He in turn found the onrushing Grant, who managed to wiggle through two defenders with the aid on a ricochet and fired home giving the ‘keeper little chance.

The third then came two minutes from the break. Bloomfield pulled off another top save, tipping a 25 yard effort from Hancock round the post, but the resulting corner from Beales found Karl Woodcock at the back post who scored a diving header. 4-0 at the break. A superb half from the home side.

Half time – Cropredy Devs 4-0 Chinnor Res

The late flurry changed the dynamic of the half time team talk, but regardless Chinnor had enough to come out and turn this game on its head if Crop weren’t at the races. A half time change was enforced, and Sam Grant had to come off. He suffered a bang to the head just before the break, and no risks needed to be taken, a shame for Dodge who was having a brilliant game. He was replaced by Luke Butterworth in the midfield.

Chinnor could have had a lifeline early in the half, but Curtly Street pulled off a great save tipping a 25 yard free kick around the post. Cropredy managed to keep their opponents at bay, with the back line defending very well throughout, but they introduced some fresh legs with Connor Kelly and Jake Harvey introduced in place of Chay Miller and Ash Balfour.

The fresh legs helped, and Crop put the game to bed on 69 minutes, and it would see a debut goal for the impressive Conor Hanock. He started the move by driving forward into the Chinnor half, before playing in Robertson down the left with a smart outside of the foot pass. Robertson drove to the by-line, drawing two defenders before releasing it back to Hancock who from 8 yards out, rolled it into the far corner, hitting the post before trickling over the line. 5-0.

Despite the score, Chinnor still had chances, and Street had to be on his game to deny them taking away his clean sheet. The best effort came after Phillips blocked a goal bound effort, the ball feel nicely to another attacker, but Street flew out of his goal and smothered the effort. Another confident display from the Crop number 1.

There was still time for more goals for the home side. On 81’ the hard paid off again, as Crop won back possession before finding Hancock, who again gave it to Robertson who drove forward. His ball back across was ideal for the advancing Williams to strike, but he could only flick on for Leo Beales who was perfectly placed to strike it home from 12 yards. 6-0.

The scoring was complete on 88 minutes, as Hancock grabbed his second with goal of the game. By this point Chinnor had gone down to 10 men, after making all their subs, and the striker picking up an ankle injury forcing him off. Crop played a superb passing move out from the back, which finished with Harvey finding Hancock in space, who from the angle lobbed the goalkeeper from 25 yards. There was still time for Hancock to have a chance for the hattrick, but he blazed over from just inside the area.

Full time – Cropredy Devs 7-0 Chinnor Res

A very pleasing win for Crop that takes their league winning run to 10 games. In the managers view their best and most all round performance of the season to date. Defensively very astute, the work off the ball was tremendous, and a real team performance to score 7 goals in what was for long periods a very close game.

Fair play to Chinnor, they have a good side, and will no doubt pick up plenty more wins as the season progresses. A good bunch of lads who all stayed around after the game for some good banter. Thank you to them for sweeping the changing room also. Good luck for the rest of the season.

Next up for Crop is a trip to Yarnton Res next week. The sides yet to play each other this season so should be an entertaining game to finish off the calendar year, before the Christmas break. With Kennington Res losing this weekend, Cropredy are now 1 point off top spot with a game in hand.

Man of the match – Conor Hancock

Tough decision this week as a real all-round team display, but Hancock edges it. 2 goals and an assist on debut for the youngster, but even without that he showed what he’s all about in a physical game. Won the ball back lots of times for Crop, won plenty of smart free kicks, and was involved in lots going forward with the ball. Great to have him on board at the club.