OCFC 1 - Taunton 4

The two sides previously unbeaten in the league this season met today at Court Place Farm and it was the visitors who comfortably held on to their record.

It was clear from the first few exchanges that here was a skilful and well-drilled side, and the good-humoured and vocal travelling supporters saw their team produce some excellent, flowing football throughout the ninety minutes that would have had them thinking that they should be challenging for the top-spot in this division.

The visitors were quicker into their stride and Wilkins brought off a good save to touch a shot from new-signing Ryan Havard onto the post. Ray Spence likewise drew a good stop from Ian Jones a minute later, and was then through on goal in the 15th minute but denied a shot by an excellent tackle (photo).

Taunton continued to press and Olima, Da Mata and Havard all went close before Sam Jones just got a touch for Taunton to an accurate cross from Spence with the lurking Greg Williams waiting to pounce. Back to the other end: Olima headed inches wide after a mix-up between defence and keeper left him staring at an open goal; and defender Dean Coppard brought a good save from Wilkins.

In the 37th minute Lewis Craker was adjudged to have handled a ball on the ground and Steve Cook confidently dispatched the resultant spot-kick.

Two minutes later and there were loud appeals for another penalty when Omar Takriti was dispossessed by Cook and Carl Wilkins hurried off his line to take the ball from the feet of the forward as he bore down on goal.

City were given a lifeline on 44 minutes when Harry Burnley turned and neatly hooked a bouncing ball over and beyond Ian Jones in the Taunton goal.

Half Time: Oxford City 1-1 Taunton Town

Ray Spence got behind the defence from the restart but his pull-back couldn’t reach another City player and the home side were soon on the back foot again. On 50 minutes Cook slid a good pass through to Havard who finished well to Wilkins’ right.

The home side were being pressed continuously and, with the mid-field falling deeper and deeper to aid the back-line, City’s strike-force were not getting the service they needed to get back into the game.

Da Mata volleyed just wide, and then Cook had a shot cleared off the line by Marriott before Cook found himself with plenty of space and lobbed the advancing Wilkins to double the Peacock’s lead.

The Blues now had Spence, Alleyne and Keen on and were producing rather more in terms of attacks, but the miserly Taunton defence, which had only conceded one league goal before today, dealt well with the pressure. And from one of these attacks, Taunton broke away through Woodward and Coppard who slid in a neat pass to put the excellent Cook in to complete his hat-trick with two minutes left on the clock.

Full Time: Oxford City 1-4 Taunton Town

City: Wilkins, Durrant (Keen 75), Marriott, Avery, Craker, Takriti, William R., Williams G., Stewart (Alleyne 65), Spence, Burnley (Jones 69).
Taunton: Jones I., Pearson, Jones S., Fisher, Coppard, Martin, Havard (Willshire 75), Da Mata (O’Connor 78), Olima (Woodward 86), Cook, Ward.

Reporter: Chris Byrne

OCFC 5 - Chertsey Town 0

The Curse of the Green Road Roundabout struck the visitors today, delaying their arrival and the kick-off, and our opponents probably had a feeling that it wasn’t going to be their day when Paul Watson suffered an injury, which initially looked rather serious, in the 3rd minute and had to be replaced, after a five-minute hold-up, by David Patterson. Chertsey produced more shots than the hosts in the first fifteen minutes but the game stayed quite evenly balanced. It took a bit of Ray Spence wizardry to break the deadlock after 22 minutes when he beat his marker near the side-line and broke into the box before firing a fine shot into the net past the keeper’s right hand.

This sparked a purple (or should that be blue?) patch for City with Spence in particular terrorising the Chertsey defence. A long-range shot from Omar Takriti was touched over by Piwonski, and then Alex Stewart was forced a little too wide for him to get his shot on target. Chertsey were still breaking quickly and Carl Wilkins was forced to make a fine save from a good shot by Pomroy, who, along with Godfrey Torto, worked tirelessly all match. As the home supporters were still applauding Wilkins’ save, the ball broke to the other end and Spence doubled the lead with a beautifully-judged lob from outside the box with Piwonski stranded.
Five minutes later, on 35 minutes, a neat pass from Ryan Williams put Spence in again (picture above) and, though Piwonski did well to push the ball away from Ray, he could do nothing about Ryan Williams firmly planting the ball past him for City’s third.

City really had the bit between their teeth at this point and pressed forward in numbers. Ryan Williams fired just wide; Lewis Craker brought a finger-tip save from Piwonski with a well-struck volley; and a great run from Spence saw him finish into the side-netting.
In the third minute of injury time a mistimed header from a red defender fell to Spence and his shot was palmed out to Alex Stewart who finished from close in.

Half-Time Oxford City 4-0 Chertsey Town

The visitors came out for the second period in a much more determined manner and pressed hard to try to reduce the deficit. Wadge brought a good save from Wilkins; Patterson shot across the face of the goal when well placed; and Matt Grave hit a fine shot against the base of Wilkins’ right-hand post from the edge of the area. The City defence kept its shape well, though, and weathered the onslaught successfully: the (frequently) unsung heroes at the back doing their respective jobs in an exemplary fashion as always. Andy Lyne brought his three substitutes on with plenty of time for them to make a difference, and City pressed forward again. In the 73rd minute a City free-kick was scrambled away and Ray Spence was the fastest to the loose ball, and, though it looked as though he had been pushed to too fine an angle, finished exceptionally well between the keeper and his near-post to complete a thoroughly deserved hat-trick.

The final fifteen minutes saw Chertsey push on for a consolation goal and City look for a sixth. Aaron Williams was enjoying his debut and using his pace and nimble footwork well on the right, and a neat cross of his was headed just over by Andy Marriott, and, as injury-time ticked away, Aaron’s guile took him into the area where a lunging defender brought him to ground. Aaron himself took the kick, but a good save by his right-hand post from Piwonski denied him a fairy-tale start to his 1st XI career.

Full Time Oxford City 5-0 Chertsey Town

Oxford City: Wilkins, Durrant, Marriott, Takriti, Craker, Williams R., Burnley (Williams A. 65), Williams G., Stewart (Keen 65), Spence, Jones (Rendell 65).
Chertsey Town: Piwonski, Oaks (Morse 61), Watson (Patterson 3(Green 78)) , Muldowney J, Hill, Helsdown, Grave, Muldowney L., Pomroy, Torto, Jones.

Attendance: 134

Andover 1 - OCFC 3

ANDOVER 1
OXFORD CITY 3 Marriott,Spence,Stewart (Spence missed pen)

On Paper this game seemed like it could be a tricky away day and those fears were backed up when Andover took an early lead.

With the City backline and goalkeeper Carl Wilkins still adjusting Andover took a quick free-kick which sailed past a stationary Wilkins and into the net, this however was to be the only real attempt by a very lacklustre Andover side.

City created several good openings during the first half, Ray spence making several promising moves, and with City in complete control Ray Spence was judged to have been fouled inside the area and the referee gave a fairly harsh penalty to City.

Spence took a long winding run-up for the kick but it was saved by the Andover keeper who sent the ball out for a corner kick.

It was from the corner that City got a deserved equaliser, Mark Jones sent a brilliant corner deep into the box and the head of Andy Marriott was there to great it and make the scores 1-1

With half time approaching City almost took a 2-1 lead when a short clearance from the Andover keeper landed at the feet of Harry Burnley who tried a cheeky lob which wasn't far from going in.

City emerged for the second period unchanged and their hard work was rewarded when another penalty was given, this time however it was much more clean cut when Ray Spence had his shirt pulled, The Andover supporters felt Ray had dived, and while everybody is entitled to their opinions, this didn't appear to be the case.

Despite protests from Jonah that he should perhaps take the penalty, Spence stepped up to take his second of the afternoon, this time his low drive went underneath the goalkeeper as City went ahead.

Andover tried in vain but their long high balls were perhaps the wrong tactic for a team that lacked big players, Lewis Craker remained outstanding at the back and easily won the ball each time (whoever said he was useless should've gone to Specsavers)

City's third and final goal of the game came from some terrific movement on the right hand side by Harry Burnley, his perfect cross was converted by Alex Stewart who neatly slotted home.

Stewart and Jones were replaced by Rendell and Keen and shortly after his arrival onto the field Rendell saw a shot cannon of the crossbar.

final score, Andover 1 Oxford City 3

City: Wilkins, Durrant, Takriti, Craker (C), Marriott, G.Williams, Jones (Rendell), R.Williams, Burnley, Spence, Stewart (Keen)

Not used: Avery

Reporter: Padz

FA Cup Abingdon United 3 - OCFC 4

“... Reprieve or another opportunity “ asked Andy in his last notes. Well, in the end, City made the most of another opportunity, but it was certainly done the hard way and our opponents could well feel a little disappointed at the final outcome. They certainly played well; shaded the first half, could have been in the lead by then; and the result was uncertain right up to the end of the extra three minutes of extra-time! Certainly a very different game from seven years ago when City last visited Northcourt Road in the FA Cup and notched up six without reply on their way to the First Round Proper.

The first half hour was quite a tense affair. For the home side there was a succession of corners with both Pierson and Holden going close, while at the other end Stewart had two good runs past the defence but couldn’t pick out a black-and-white shirt with the final pass.

City broke the deadlock in the 31st minute when Stewart broke up an Abingdon attack deep in his own half and picked out Ray Spence who took it on with pace, cut inside and shot well under Tricker. Abingdon continued to press: Ballard volleyed just over and Holden fired hard and low just across the face of Wilkins’ goal. Their pressure bore fruit just one minute from the break when Luke Holden equalised after a goalmouth scramble.

Half Time: Abingdon United 1-1 Oxford City

In the second half the visitors perhaps produced more shots, but mainly from long range: with Ryan Williams, Greg Williams and Merritt all firing just wide or over. Ray Spence brought a good save from Tricker from a narrow angle, and Wilkins at the other end parried a good strike from Brooks. Almost on the whistle Simms came very close to heading a winner for the hosts.

Full Time: Abingdon United 1-1 Oxford City

From the kick-off of extra-time city won a corner on the right and, though Mark Jones’ first kick was headed clear, he immediately returned the clearance for Lewis Craker to restore City’s lead. The yellow shirts poured forward with Brooks again bringing the best from Wilkins, and the equaliser came in the 111st minute when a quickly taken free kick was firmly headed home by an unmarked Herbert with Wilkins rooted to the centre of the goal.

In the second part of extra-time Brooks again went close when well placed in the 115th minute but, two minutes later, Ray Spence picked up a pass on the edge of the area and, making space for himself, fired a great shot past Tricker’s right-hand. Then, with the home side pressing forward, Spence was first to a bouncing ball and took it round the keeper to fire home City’s fourth. Not dispirited, United drove forward again and, into injury time, Mark Simms shot home a rebound to cut the deficit. Still the clock ticked on, but some fairly desperate clearances by the massed black-and-white defence ensured City hung on to claim a home tie against Chertsey in the next round.

Final Score: Abingdon United 3-4 Oxford City

City: Wilkins, Durrant, G. Williams, Brandon (Burnley 70), Craker, Marriott, Jones, Merritt, Stewart (Keen 80), Spence, R. Williams (Rendell 70).

P.S. Apologies to any Abingdon United readers for any errors with names ... but the lack of PA announcements meant there was a bit of guesswork involved!

Reporter: ChrisB

FA CUP: OCFC 2 - Abingdon United 2

FA CUP: Oxford City 2 - 2 Abingdon United

Danny Keen earned City a replay with a goal in the 6th minute of injury time after a poor display at Court Place Farm.

City kicked off their FA Cup campaign in January like conditions down at Court Place Farm , a biting wind made it difficult for either side to create chances, Abingdon had the most of the possesion with old boys Richard Pierson and Andy Ballard both playing well , It was City who took the lead, a lofted ball was met by the swinging foot of Alex Stewart who volleyed home from around 20 yards.

The sides had barely been on the pitch in the second half when Abingdon got a deserved equaliser courtesy of Andy Ballard who shot across goalkeeper Carl Wilkins.

Ray Spence replaced Stewart and was booked shortly after his arrival on the pitch.

With 10 minutes remaining Abingdon made it 2-1 through former Oxford United youth player Ryan Brookes

With City looking to be falling at the first hurdle in the FA Cup deep in injury time a mis-hit shot from anthony alleyne deflected off of an Abingdon player and into the patch of sub Danny Keen who scored , much to the delight of Andy Lyne who came off the bench to leap into his arms.

City now face a local journey to Northcourt Road on Tuesday evening

Wilkins, Durrant, Miletti (Jones), Craker(c), Marriott, Avery, Merritt, Brandon (Keen), Burnley, Alleyne, Stewart(spence)

not used: R.Williams, G.Williams

Reporter: Padz

OCFC 2 - Didcot Town 2

The long-awaited local derby finally arrived on a bright and blustery Bank-Holiday afternoon. As expected there was a large crowd, of 426, eager to see the outcome of the first competitive match between the two sides for almost exactly thirty years: Didcot running out winners that day in an FA Cup match by 1-0.

The first 15 minutes saw both sides fairly cautious in their approach with the Didcot mid-field perhaps having the better of things. Heapy headed over for the visitors and Lewis Craker put a header just wide at the other end for City from a well-directed free kick (photo). Clear chances were proving hard to come by, and the best early one fell to the on-form Stuart Beavon when he volleyed just wide when a Craker header fell to him on the edge of the box. Durrant went close for City after a good run, and a cross-come-shot from Ross Weatherstone had Wilkins nervously scrabbling across his goalmouth. Anthony Alleyne’s pace was proving awkward to deal with for Didcot and he shot just over after eluding his marker, and, right at the end of the half, Danny Keen broke into the box but shot straight at Webb.

Half-Time: City 0-0 Didcot Town

Supporters were still emerging from the clubhouse as Anthony Alleyne put City ahead when he took the ball past Webb to fire home without, I think, a Didcot player touching the ball after City’s kick-off.
The home supporters’ delight was short lived, however, when, in the 47th minute, Jack King was left all alone in the box with acres of space and plenty of time to level the scores with a coolly taken shot beyond Wilkins’ right hand.

Didcot pushed on and Powell shot just high with the defence retreating; Beavon then brought a good save from Wilkins with a shot on the turn. For City Mark Jones had a fine shot after a driving run, and Danny Keen lobbed just wide with Webb stranded after leaving his area to clear from Alleyne.
The visitors grabbed the lead in the 69th minute when some good one-touch football set up Beavon for a shot and Powell was on hand to fire in from Wilkins’ initial save.

Again the crowd had hardly settled when the scores were levelled: Alleyne’s pace took him on to a sharp through ball, and he shot home from an angle past the diving Webb.
Half-chances came and went for both sides as each looked for the winner. Danny Keen shot just over, and Justin Merritt fired just wide when well set up for the Blues; while Jamie Brooks had a good shot just deflected for a corner and Paul Powell headed just wide at the end of a series of corners for the Reds.

Full-Time: Oxford City 2-2 Didcot Town

City: Wilkins, Durrant, Rendell (Burnley 73), Avery, Craker (Brandon 65), Marriott, Jones, Merritt, Alleyne, Keen (Stewart 83), R. Williams.

Reporter: ChrisB

Winchester City 1 - OCFC 1

City’s first visit to Winchester saw a closely-fought game with the away team having more of the clear-cut chances, and greater sharpness in the area could have brought three points rather than the one. Still, we remain unbeaten and laying good foundations for the rest of the season.
The Blues started the quicker and had had two corners in the first five minutes. Winchester had the first shot on target, though, from Ian Mancey who then had to leave for hospital with a suspected broken jaw after a mid-field collision.The home side were having a good period of play and both Biggs and Musselwhite brought good saves from Carl Wilkins.

The Blues were breaking quickly and Anthony Alleyne headed against the bar in the 24th minute (photo) and then, a minute later, was quickest onto a through ball and shot, fairly gently, under the advancing Hook. Webber brought another good save from Wilkins and, at the other end, Mark Avery blasted over from a corner and Danny Keen headed just the wrong side of the near-post from a long throw from Durrant. Just as it looked as though Oxford would go in at the break with the lead Lloyd Webber took advantage of a retreating defence and hit a thunderous shot from well outside the area that flew into the back of the net past an unsighted Wilkins.

Even then the visitors nearly restored their lead when a hard-driven cross from Mark Jones was met by the knee of the lunging Wakefield and flew tantalisingly just the wrong side of the post.

Half Time Winchester City 1-1 Oxford City

The second half saw fewer clear-cut chances and it looked for most of the time as though another goal would be the winner. For Oxford a Mark Jones free-kick brought a great save from Hook and Winchester went straight to the other end for Warren to draw an equally good stop from Wilkins. Adam Durrant shot over for the Blues; Webber tried a repeat of his first-half pile-driver and Winchester’s Mark Jones headed just wide.

With time rapidly running out, the home side had the best chance to wrap up the game when a good run and cross from Davis just eluded the lunging boots.

Full Time Winchester City 1-1 Oxford City

City: Wilkins, Durrant, G. Williams, Avery, Craker, Marriott, Jones, Merritt, Alleyne (Burnley 77), Keen (Stewart 77), R. Williams (Brandon 80).

A very sound performance in many respects: the new players are settling in well, and there is certainly strength in depth at present with plenty of competition for places.
Didcot bounced back from their midweek defeat to score a resounding win today, setting up what promises to be a keenly fought local derby on Monday: this should certainly draw one of City’s biggest gates for some time.

Reporter: ChrisB

Burnham 1 - OCFC 1

City's first away trip of the season took them on a short journey to the smart home of Burnham known as 'The Gore'.

New signing Greg Williams showed good work down the right hand side as City applied some early pressure. It was Williams who had the first real chance of the game when a long range piledriver crashed against the crossbar.

Strikers Anthony Alleyne and Danny Keen continued the half trying to pierce the Burnham backline, but City's goal was to come from defender Andy Marriott.

A well delievered corner was met by the head of Marriott who powered the ball past the Burnham keeper.

Danny Keen had a good chance to double the lead before half time only to lose his footing.

As the second half began Burnham applied more pressure to City, City also had their share of the ball, especially Lee Rendell who worked tirelessly down the left hand side all evening

Burnham levelled the game at 1-1 on the hour.

Manager Andy Lyne replaced Danny Keen with giant striker Alex Stewart.

With the scores level the game was anybodys, Both Alleyne and Stewart tried and tried but the tight Burnham back line didn't back down, Lyner made further subs when Debutant Greg Williams was replaced by Luke Brandon and Harry Burnley joined the attack replacing Alleyne.

City would eventually leave 'The Gore' with a hard earned point.

Wilkins, Durrant, Marriott, Avery, Rendell, G.Williams (Brandon), R.Williams, Merritt (c), Jones, Alleyne (Burnley), Keen (Stewart)

Not used: Craker

Reporter: Padz

OCFC 2 - 0 Bracknell Town

City kicked off their Southern league south & west campaign against old relegation rivals Bracknell Town, the colourful Bracknell "barmy army" set up camp in the far end stand and kept up the noise all afternoon with their drums and horns.
As both sides made their way out onto the lush green surface there were new faces in the city starting 11, pacey striker Anthony Alleyne and midfielder Ryan Williams, both of whom played well.

City got off to a dream start with barely a minute played the ball made it's way into the box and Mark Jones made no mistake slotting the ball home much to the delight of the City faithful, City continued to look dangerous in the first half, both Spence and Alleyne causing problems for the Bracknell defence, Lewis Craker twice came close to making it 2 with his head from corners, it was then Bracknell's turn to attack, with full support of their Barmy army they played some excellent passing football and were very unlucky when a penalty appeal was turned down by the official.

The second half was a reverse of the first, Luke Brandon was brought on for Adam Durrant at half time, this half brought more attacking movement from the away side who created a range of chances but failed to convert, In a rare start, young Lee Rendell played well, showing his pace and close control, however he was replaced by Harry Burnley, City were still on the backfoot as Bracknell kept up the pressure, Danny Keen was brought on to replace debutant Anthony Alleyne, with the game all but over a good move by City saw the ball knocked to Justin Merritt who had plenty of time to place his firmly hit shot into the bottom corner.

final score, Oxford City 2 - 0 Bracknell Town.

(sorry for the less than in-depth report)
CITY: Wilkins, Rendell(Burnley), Durrant(Brandon), Avery, Craker(c), Marriott, R.Williams, Jones, Merritt, Alleyne(Keen), Spence


Reporter: Padz