Charlbury 2 Launton Boys 2
Despite creating more than 20 shooting opportunities in the match, hitting the bar, and delivering numerous crosses into the penalty area, a stubborn Launton rearguard action and a breakaway equaliser meant Charlbury had to settle for a draw in Saturday’s league match against Launton Boys.
After taking a few minutes to settle, we began to get a grip on the game with Jaimie and Luke looking to get down the flanks at every opportunity while Felix was his usual determined self in the middle of the park, winning plenty of tackles and moving the ball smartly. After going close a couple of times and a well struck free kick from JK cleared the bar, we took the lead with a typically cool finish from Luke from just inside the box. Soon after the kick off, we doubled our advantage as Felix forced the ball home from close range.
However, despite being well on top, just before half time, a rare Launton attack saw them win a corner and a dangerous ball into the box was then headed up into the air and forced over the goal line from close range. The second half saw Charlbury continue to attack with some fine football, and one move saw a tremendous shot from JK rebound from the bar. While Oli and Jake were in determined mood at the back, a couple of breakaways from Launton showed how quickly they could get forward and from one of these rare attacks a super finish from the Launton striker gave Joe no chance and the scores were level. Sonny came on for Jaimie as we searched desperately for a winner with the clock running down, but the Launton keeper made a string of fine saves or shots went just past the post – even in the final moments, as a slip from a defender saw three Charlbury players bearing down on the Launton keeper, saw him make yet another fine save, and the match finished seconds later as a 2-2 draw.
Man of the Match: JK
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Charlbury 4 Launton Boys 2
The second game saw Jefferson Smith making his debut for Charlbury and he lined up in defence with Thomas and Felix behind them between the sticks. In midfield was Harry, Rowan and Max with Sonny up front. We started well and from his first real chance Sonny crashed home a shot to put us 1-0 up and soon after followed up on a rebound from the keeper to double our advantage.
Defensively we were sound as Thomas had one of his best games to date in a red and black shirt and Felix was quickly off his line to smother any danger. Max had to come off with a toe injury as Cosmo and Archie came on and although Launton pulled a goal back, another good finish from Sonny just after half-time restored our two goal advantage and completed an excellent hat-trick.
With our big squad we were making plenty of changes and Joe who had come on at half time and was giving us lots of energy in midfield opened his account for the season when a through ball for Rowan was just too long, but saw the Launton keeper miss his kick to clear it and the ball trickle over the line. Jefferson was having a very good game at the back together with Thomas, but even they and Felix couldn’t prevent a late consolation for Launton and a very entertaining game finished 4-2 in our favour.
Man of the Match: Sonny
Charlbury Town Under 18s 