OCFC 4 - Beaconsfield 2

So, a speedy rematch between the two sides, both looking for points to try to move up the table. The visitors would have been hoping for a repeat of the result at Holloways Park three weeks ago and City would be hoping for a continuation of Tuesday’s improved form.

City got off to a bright start and two early corners nearly produced the desired end-result, as did a pacy cross from Mark Jones that just eluded Alex Stewart’s head by a whisker. As it was, City didn’t have to wait too long to open their account when, after 12 minutes, with the red back-line shouting for offside, Alex Stewart ran on to cross low and hard for Ray Spence to tuck the ball under the diving Bamfry from the edge of the six-yard box. Beaconsfield were close to conceding a penalty three minutes later when Spence went down under a hefty challenge very close to the box – the referee and the City supporters disagreeing as to which side of the line it was. Alex Stewart took the kick quickly and hit it well, but straight at Bamfry.
The City defence were conceding a number of free-kicks and on 19 minutes Jeffries delivered one that the unmarked Cannon headed against the post and Daniel Willment was on hand to bundle the ball over the line.
City were still finding ways behind a rather flat defence and five minutes later Ray Spence picked out Stewart with a fine cross-field pass and, with a cross very similar to that for the first goal, Alex found Harry Burnley arriving at the far post for goal number two.
Just as City were beginning to increase the pressure a long clearance from the heart of the SYCOB defence in the 31st minute bounced over Lewis Craker and Roy Gumbs found the left-hand corner of Farrow’s net with a neat right-footed lob from some distance.
City regained their composure and attacked well down the flanks and looked as though they had edged in front again when Lewis Craker powered in a header from Mark Jones’ outswinging corner, only for the referee to cut short the celebrations awarding a free-kick for a push.
With half-time only 3 minutes away City deservedly edged in front again when another attack was halted by a foul five yards outside the box and Mark Jones stepped up to hit a fine shot around the wall and beyond Bamfry’s left hand.

HALF TIME: City 3-2 Beaconsfield

Straight from the kick-off Spence went on a long run and his accurate cross was met by the head of Stewart but the attempt was cleared for a corner following which Greg Williams shot just beyond the far post.
Beaconsfield took the game to City for the next five minutes or so and both Zealey and Canavan had shots just off target and there was some resolute defending to be done, but, ten minutes into the half, City were to get the next, all-important goal. Another break forward by Spence drew the defence and he released Alex Stewart at exactly the right moment to take the ball on and pull it back from right on the goal-line for Mark Jones to score his second of the afternoon.
The visitor’s attacks became more and more sporadic after this, City became more assertive and Danny Keen, on three or four occasions, Justin Merritt and Greg Williams all had shots on or close to the target through the half. The clearest opportunity to increase the cushion fell to Ray Spence after Danny Keen had been firmly pushed by Paul Abbot when well placed for a cross in the penalty area, but Ray pulled the spot-kick wide of the post.

FULL TIME: City 4-2 Beaconsfield SYCOB

Oxford City: Farrow, Durrant, Steedman, Takriti, Craker, Williams G., Jones (Ford 72), Merritt, Stewart (Alleyne 46), Spence, Burnley (Keen 62).

Beaconsfield SYCOB: Bamfry, Zealey, Abbott, Jeffries, Canavan, Smith, Parsons, Willment, Gumbs, Cannon, Mapes.

Reporter: Chris Byrne

Beaconsfield 2 - City 0

Back to league action again this week, City made the short trek up the M40 to Holloway’s Park for the first time to face beleaguered Beaconsfield SYCOB. The home side had had the week from hell with the loss of their chairman and a number of their first team squad in the light of budget cuts, and all must have been wondering what effect this would have on morale.

City started well and forced three early corners while Adam Durrant on the right and Harry Burnley on the opposite flank were both putting in good runs and crosses. The first good chance fell to Justin Merritt when a neat spell of passing put him clear but with, eventually, too difficult an angle to convert the chance. Alex Stewart was working hard up front and getting in some good flicks from lofted balls, but none led to clear-cut chances.
The home side were defending solidly, leaving only one man up for much of the time, but were breaking speedily from defence when chances came their way, and Farrow twice had to be quick off his line to save from Cannon. And from one of these breaks Parsons could count himself unlucky when a good run and cross-shot rebounded off the post into the thankful arms of Lee Farrow.
At the other end City were still putting in some tidy approach work but still not really testing Bamfry, though Greg Williams was unlucky when a well-directed strike from the edge of the box clipped Harry Burnley’s heels and flew to safety.

Half Time: Beaconsfield SYCOB 0-0 City

City started strongly after the break: Burnley drew a sharp save from Bamfry, and a shot-cum-cross from Mark Jones almost deceived the keeper, but, after this, goalmouth action at either end was rather limited.
Both managers rang the changes and introduced their substitutes at intervals through the half. Rendell for City was causing the hosts problems on the left and Paget, who had replaced the hard-working Mapes, went very close from an acute angle for Beaconsfield.
The City players looked long and hard at the linesman after 75 minutes after a well-struck cross from Lee Rendell spun up and was hooked out from under the bar by a defender, but no other chances fell their way.
The Reds were still finding space to break and Farrow just smothered a good break by Cannon who was then adjudged to have been fouled by Lewis Craker on the edge of the box, and the City captain was shown a second yellow card with 10 minutes to go. Although the free-kick from this incident was dealt with easily, three minutes later the lively Riccardo Cannon found himself with that extra bit of space and crashed an excellent volley past Farrow’s left hand. To rub salt into the wound, the same player was on hand in the 86th minute to steer a cross from Parsons over the line for that decisive second goal.

Full Time: Beaconsfield SYCOB 2-0 Oxford City

City: Farrow, Lane, Williams, Avery, Craker, Takriti, Durrant (Rendell 73), Merritt, Stewart (Alleyne 59), Burnley (Keen 67), Jones.

Reporter: Chris Byrne