One Game Left..

With one game left to play it certainly has been a season of ups and downs.

There have definitely been a few setbacks and challenges – we have been unable to field a side on four different occasions (Wantage, Didcot Casuals, Didcot Town and Abingdon Youth) and although we managed to rearrange the first three fixtures, the latter was awarded as a walkover to Abingdon – the first time in 13 years that this has happened to us. Similarly we could only field nine players away at Abingdon in November and have had to cancel numerous training sessions for lack of numbers. Joe has been unavailable for all but one game this season, we lost George Warren and our captain Luke Kelly three games into the season, and Tom missed the opening five games with a knee injury. We also suffered a couple of disappointing cup defeats to Mansfield Road and to Stonesfield.

Despite all this, and irrespective of the result in our final game, we will finish the season in third place in the A League and have put in some excellent performances this season to beat Kidlington, Didcot Casuals and Oxford City – the latter especially satisfying. We were unlucky to draw both games with Wantage, where a combination of disallowed goals, missed penalties, the woodwork (5 times) and some outstanding goalkeeping stopped us claiming deserved victories. Away at Kidlington it took a goal deep into added time for them to snatch a draw. With a little more good fortune we would now be on 21 points rather than 15!

Charlie Fisher, Felix and Max have been ever present this season, and we welcomed JK back for a couple of games, while two new players joined – Kyle and Matteo (who will go into the record books as Charlbury’s player with the least minutes – managing 40 away at Wantage in his only appearance).

Fred leads the scoring charts with 9, second top in the league, with new captain Felix on six (plus another five assists).

So on Sunday, after three seasons of friendlies and ten seasons of league football, we play our 185th and final competitive match. Thanks to everyone who has been part of it – what a true and genuine pleasure it has been!

New Season

Following the postponement of our opening game against Wantage, and no fixture the second week, our rearranged fixtures for the season are:

26/9 Kidlington (H)
3/10 Oxford City (A)
10/10 Didcot Casuals (H)
17/10 Mansfield Road U17 (H, County Cup)
7/11 Abingdon Yth Green (A)
14/11 Wantage (A)
28/11 Kidlington (A)
5/12 Oxford City (H)
12/12 Didcot Casuals (A)
19/12 Didcot Town (H)
9/1/22 Abingdon Yth Green (H)
16/1 Didcot Town (A)
23./1 Wantage (H)

Updated Fixtures

Congratulations to all the boys for reaching the cup final after a very hard fought and tense win over Kingston Colts – a great effort. Our goals came from fine strikes by JK and AJ just before half-time and a cool, calm finish across the keeper from Fred to put us back ahead after Kingston had pulled it back to 2-2. Man of the Match was Felix.

Here are the updated fixtures for the rest of the season.

Weds 13th April – Hook Norton (H), League

Sun 17th April – Yarnton (H), Supplementary Cup

Sun 24th April – Garden City (Carterton Town), KO Cup Final

Thurs 28th April – Hook Norton (A), Supplementary Cup

Thurs 5th May – Launton (A), Supplementary Cup

Greatest Warm Up Ever

This may be the greatest warm up routine ever, by the greatest player ever.

Not only that, but it is the semi final of a European tie and the tune he is ball juggling too is none other than the 1984 cheese ridden Euro-pop “classic” Life is Life by Opus.

So until Messi does this to Taylor Swift’s Shake It Off, this rules.

Watch and admire…

Signing On Day Details

Man of the Match Awards – Update

Apologies for the lack of match reports lately – work keeps getting in the way.

Here is an update for the Man of the Match Awards for the past two games:

Against Tower Hill Stars
League: Jake & Oli (shared)
Friendly: Harry

Against Yarnton Blues
Match 1: Jamie
Match 2: Joe

Well done to all the boys!

Charlbury Come Out On Top In Thriller At Banbury

Banbury Utd Puritans 1 Charlbury Town 3

Following the disappointments of back to back defeats in the cup at Garden City and at home against a strong Tower Hill side, Charlbury travelled to Banbury for our final match of 2013.

Having being well and truly turned over 4-0 the previous season, and won 3-2 at home with a last minute winner, we knew it would be a tough game, and when Joe’s injured hand meant he couldn’t take his place in goal, the task looked even harder.

With Sonny in goal, we changed the planned line up slightly starting with Oli and Jake at the back, Luke, Felix and JK in midfield and Max up front. Banbury started the stronger going close straight from the kick off and putting Charlbury under pressure. We were finding it hard to get into the game as Banbury pressured us into mistakes and passed the ball quicker and better than us. A goal looked like it was coming and it duly arrived as Banbury played the ball wide down the left, worked the ball to the byline and scored from close range from an excellent cross – Sonny had no chance.

We continued to struggle in the first half with Sonny being called into action a few more times and although we managed a couple of good moves late on ourselves forcing the goalkeeper into a couple of good saves, the halftime score of 1-0 to Banbury was a fair reflection of the play.

The second half, thankfully, was a totally different story as we played probably our best 20 minutes of football all season. We passed the ball much more quickly and accurately, found space, pressured the Banbury players into mistakes and won tackles all over the pitch. Having made a number of chances we finally got the equaliser our second half performance deserved when Felix typically showed his desire and determination in the penalty box to force the ball home. Soon after more excellent play from our midfield trio saw the ball fall to JK in the box and his first time shot went straight into the far corner to put us ahead.

Jake and Oli were limiting Banbury to long shots which were not troubling Sonny, and we continued to create plenty of chances with Luke, Felix and JK totally dominating midfield and using the ball intelligently the whole time. So, it was no surprise when JK charged down another defender’s clearance and the ball ran kindly for Max alone in the penalty box and he smashed the ball home to seal a fine 3-1 victory.

Men of the Match: Max & JK

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Banbury Utd Puritans 4 -2 Charlbury Town Youth

For the friendly match we started with Harry in goal, Archie and Jefferson at the back, a midfield of Jamie, Rowan and Joe with Woody up front. In contrast to the first match we started well and a good through ball from Joe and a powerful run from Woody saw him finish smartly into the corner of the net and give us the lead. Banbury came back into the game and equalised soon after when a cross reached the back post where a Banbury player had been left unattended to easily score past a helpless Harry.

Soon after Harry made a tremendous diving save from a long shot to keep the scores level, but shortly after a corner from the right was excellently headed home by a Banbury player and they went into half-time with a 2-1 lead.

The second half saw Archie take over in goal and Sonny came on in midfield and again we started well and a fine run from Jamie took him deep into the penalty area and Woody nicked the ball off his toes to slide home the equaliser. For a while we looked like we would take the game to Banbury with Rowan going close with a couple of shots from distance, but a couple of lapses in concentration saw us punished twice in quick succession and we were suddenly 4-2 behind.

We worked hard to try and get back into the game, but could only create a couple of half chances and in the end Banbury probably just about deserved their victory.

Man of the Match: Woody

Goals Rain In At Tower Hill Stars

Tower Hill Stars 4 Charlbury 4

A thrilling match of eight goals saw Charlbury and Tower Hill share the spoils, and JK score his first hat-trick for the club.

Kicking off with Joe, Jake and Oli at the back, JK, Felix and Luke in midfield and Max up front against a big strong and skilful Tower Hill side, we knew we were going to need a better start than last week – and despite absorbing some early pressure we got our noses in front when JK managed to get on the end of a cross across the edge of the box to finish bravely into the bottom corner. Back came Tower Hill Stars and from a corner, in a similar scenario to last week, an unmarked player on the edge of the box picked up the half-cleared ball to slam a shot home into the roof of the net.

Both teams were intent on attack and Charlbury regained the lead when JK showed great technique to volley a bouncing ball high into the goal from the edge of the area. Almost immediately Tower were back level when despite a fine save by Joe, a Tower forward managed to get to the rebound first and poke it over the line. Undaunted we regained the lead just before half-time when Felix forced the ball home from a goalmouth scramble.

We started the second half well, moving the ball better and coming to terms with some physical challenges. Jake and Oli were working well as a pair, with the midfield three putting together some incisive passing and Max working really hard up front to put pressure on their defenders. This time though it was Tower who struck first, another ball across the edge of the box was very calmly and expertly side-footed home into the corner of our net. Worse was to follow as from a corner, the ball was turned home at the near post and for the first time in the game we were behind.

As always with Charlbury, our determination stood us in good stead as we battled to get back into the match and from a typically brave and powerful run from Felix into their penalty box, which left him in a heap on the floor, JK was able to crash the loose ball home for an equaliser and a fine hat-trick. There was still time for either side to get a winner, but Joe made a couple of smart saves and a couple more long shots flashed past the post, while at the other end, with Sonny on for Max, we couldn’t quite create a clear cut opportunity for a strike on goal.

Tremendous performances by both teams and it showed how well we played as a group when the Tower Hill coaches picked out three different Charlbury boys as their man of the match and the referee chose a fourth! Again we could have chosen any of the boys for the award, but given his three goals and first hat-trick for the team, this week the award goes to JK.

Man of the Match: JK

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Tower Hill Stars 6 Charlbury 3

If eight goals wasn’t enough in the first game, the second saw nine!

Thomas took the gloves first the first half with Jefferson and Archie at the back, Harry, Rowan and Jamie in midfield and Sonny up front. Tower were a tough proposition with some boys from the first game starting in this one too and they took the lead early on with a cool finish that left Thom no chance. However, we were also creating chances and Sonny in particular was in very determined mood proving a constant thorn in the Tower Hill defence’s side and going close twice before hitting home a superb equaliser from the edge of the box.

As had been the pattern all morning though, Tower came back to regain the lead with another cool finish past Thom on a one on one situation, and extended it when a long shot found the net and put us two goals behind. We were still working really hard with Jefferson and Archie making some good tackles and interceptions and Jamie, Rowan and Harry continuing to create chances for Sonny. Rowan and Sonny both struck the post with excellent shots and with a bit of luck we could have gone in level at half-time.

Jefferson took over in goal for the second half and Thom slotted into defence, but Tower had brought on some of their attacking players and despite a number of fine saves from Jefferson, we conceded three goals to fall 6-1 behind. Joe came on for a few minutes of outfield football and helped strengthen the defence whilst making some good forward runs, and from one of his corners Rowan pounced to put the ball into the net from a couple of yards and open his account for the season. Soon after Max, on for Sonny, beat a couple of defenders in the area and rolled the ball home for a third and a late free kick from Joe flashed across the face of goal with Max, Jamie and Harry all just unable to get a touch to put the ball into the empty net and the game finished 6-3.

Man of the Match: Thomas

Two great matches and 100% effort and determination from all the players – we stood up really well to the test posed by very strong opposition.

Stubborn Launton Defy Charlbury

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

Final League Table

WITNEY & DISTRICT GREEN LEAGUE

1 Tower Hill  43 pts

2 Charlbury Town 38 pts (P16, W12, D2, L2, Pts 38)

3 Banbury United Youth Puritans 35pts

4 Bardwell Youth 25pts

5 Wychwood 23pts

6 North Leigh 21pts

7 Launton Boys Blues 11pts

8 Grendon Rangers Lions 7pts

9 Brackley Town 6pts