Middleton Cheney Football Club - Season Highlights 2013-14

MIDDLETON CHENEY FOOT BALL CLUB

A TEAM 2013-14 SEASON OXFORDSHIRE SENIOR LEAGUE RESERVE SECTION DIV 2 AND CUPS

Middleton Cheney Chairman Vice Chairman Secretary Treasurer 1stTeam Manager Res Team Manager A Team Manager Richard Fisher Alan Gascoigne Richard McMahon Chris Reynolds Chris Morris Steve Finch 1stTeam A Team Res Team Oxford Senior League Div 1 Oxford League Reserve Div 2 Banbury & Lord Jersey League Div 1

September 14th2013 Oxon Senior League Div 2 - Home Middleton Cheney A 4 v 0 OUP Res J. Hart S. Finch L. Gascoigne M. Ward L. Finch M. Ward T. Owen R. Lafferty M. Ramsdale D. Fuller J. Brooker R. Gascoigne C. Coles S. Ciballi M. Reynolds Goal scorers L. Finch 2 M. Ward M. Ramsdale

Division 2 Middleton Cheney Reserves 4 OUP Reserves 0 Saturday, 14 September 2013 Mc: Luke Finch (2), Robbie Brown, Matt Ward Cheney got off to a flying start with an emphatic win over visitors OUP. The game was played in a great spirit throughout and both sides battled hard in the first 45 minutes to gain control without ever really testing the respective keepers. The second half started in much the same vein with neither side able to gain the upper hand until Robbie Brown drove forward and spotted an opening in the visitors defence and fired the ball past Gary Williams. Two goals from Luke Finch, including a fierce drive to finish off a great team move, put the home side in a commanding position before Matt Ward put the ball in directly from a corner to make the final score 4-0 and secure the first three points of the season for Middleton

September 21st 2013 Oxon Senior League Div 2 - Home Middleton Cheney A 1 v 4 Stonesfield Res J. Hart L. Gascoigne M. Ward L. Finch T. Owen J. Evans B. Hawkes R. Lafferty M. Ramsdale R. Gascoigne C. Coles R. Brown S. Finch M. Reynolds Goal scorers M. Ward

Division 2 Middleton Cheney Reserves 1 Stonesfield Reserves 4 Saturday, 21 September 2013 M/C: Matt Ward Stonesfield: Lewis Stayte (2), James Cook, Rick Higgs Cheney came back down to earth after their flying start last weekend as the visitors gave an accomplished display to take all 3 points away with them. The home side were fielding a very young side, with an average age of 21, excluding veteran goalkeeper Chris Coles, but they battled throughout the game until the experience of the visitors took its toll. Stonesfield went ahead after 10 minutes and increased their lead mid way through the first half to put themselves in a comfortable position. Cheney got a glimmer of hope soon after when a Matty Ward cross from the left managed to avoid everyone, including keeper Dom White, and nestled in to the corner of the net. However they were unable to take advantage of this as Stonesfield restored their two goal advantage within two minutes and held it until half time. The second half produced a good battle as Middleton s young guns tried to get back in to the game but a goal with 15 minutes left finished them off and secured the points for the visitors.

September 28th 2013 Oxon Senior League Div 2 - Home Middleton Cheney A 0 v 0 Adderbury Park Res J. Hart S. Finch A. Jones M. Ward E. Somerton L. Finch T. Owen J. Evans M. Ramsdale D. Fuller J. Brooker R. Brown S. Finch S. Ciballi Booked Booked Goal scorers

October 5th 2013 Oxon Senior League Div 2 - Away OUP Res 2 v 5 Middleton Cheney A J. Hart A. Jones L. Gascoigne M. Ward E. Somerton L. Finch T. Owen J. Evans B. Hawkes M. Ramsdale J. Brooker R. Gascoigne R. Brown Goal scorers R. Brown 2 M. Ward T. Owen J. Brooker

Division 2 OUP Reserves 2 Middleton Cheney Reserves 5 Saturday, 05 October 2013 OUP: Andrey Pepperell Gray, Jelfs MC: R Gascoigne, J Brooker, T Owen, R Brown 2 In an entertaining game at Jordan hill Middleton Cheney overcame an improving OUP. The first half was controlled by the press only going behind to a long range strike against the run of play. Andrew Pepperell Gray returning for his first game of the season was energetic and he was tripped just inside the area and dispatched the penalty himself. Cheney then got a foothold in the game and won themselves a penalty after a robust challenge in the box. The game was now end to end and the press equalised through Jelfs after neat build up play. Ht 2-2 From an OUP point of view that was full time as they did not start the second half, and really struggled to get out of the half and Cheney capitalised on this to run out 5-2 winners the last of which a screamer from 30 yards to seal the win.

October 12th 2013 Clarendon Cup 1st Rd - Home Middleton Cheney A 3 v 5 Mansfield Road Res J. Hart S. Finch L. Gascoigne S. O Brian M. Ward L. Finch T. Owen J. Evans M. Ramsdale D. Fuller J. Brooker R. Gascoigne C. Coles A. Ell S. Salt Goal scorers J. Hart 2 S. O Brian

Clarendon Cup Round 1 Middleton Cheney Reserves 3 Mansfield Rd Reserves 5 Saturday, 12 October 2013 MC: Josh Hart (2), Steve O Brien MR: Shaun Dinn (2), Alex Lemman (2), Stephen Kyriacou Mansfield Road came out on top of this high scoring cup game, although the score probably flattered both teams as neither managed to play their best football or dominate the game. Cheney had the best of the opening exchanges, and when Steve O Brien opened the scoring on 15 minutes it looked as if they could go on and win easily. But the visitors fought their way back in to the game and scored before half time to make it all square at the break. They then came out in the second half and took control before taking the lead. Josh Hart equalised for the home team but Mansfield Road went ahead again due to some poor defending from Cheney. Hart once again pulled things level shortly after but the visitors moved up a gear and scored two before the final whistle to give them victory and leave Middleton frustrated by their poor performance

October 19th 2013 Northants Area Cup 1st Rd - Home Middleton Cheney A 0 v 3 Syresham Res J. Hart S. Finch L. Gascoigne M. Ward E. Somerton L. Finch J. Evans B. Hawkes R. Lafferty R. Gascoigne C. Coles S. Haynes E. Frape Goal scorers

October 26th 2013 Oxon Senior League Div 2 - Away Stonesfield Res 3 v 4 Middleton Cheney A S. Finch A. Jones L. Gascoigne S. O Brian M. Ward E. Somerton B. Hawkes S. White D. Fuller E. Chevis P. Connelly B. Andrews A. Harris Booked Booked Booked Goal scorers S. O Brian 2 B. Andrews OG

Division 2 Stonesfield Reserves 3 Middleton Cheney Reserves 4 Saturday, 26 October 2013 Stonesfield: Lewis Stayte, Nick Clarke, James Cook Midd Cheney: Scott Lambourne, Steve O'brien (2), James Finch. At 3.1 and very comfortable at half time, Stonesfield threw it away with a bad last 15mins, conceding three goals. Stonesfield scorers were Lewis stayte', nick Clarke and James Cook. Mid Cheneys goals came from a Scott Lambourne oh, 2 from Steve O'brien and a cross cum shoot from James finch.

November 16th 2013 Oxon Senior League Div 2 - Home Middleton Cheney A 3 v 0 Bletchendon Res J. Hart St. Finch A. Jones S. O Brian E. Somerton T. Owen J. Evans B. Hawkes S. White T. Mitchell E. Chevis T. Salt Sc. Finch S. Twynham Booked Booked Goal scorers Sc. Finch S. Twynham S. O Brian

Division 2 Middleton Cheney Reserves 3 Bletchingdon Reserves 0 Saturday, 16 November 2013 MC: Scott Finch, Steve Twynham, Steve O Brien Cheney came out on top of this hard fought, physical battle, finally taking control in the second half to wear the visitors down. Both teams settled well in the early stages and matched each other for possession, but with neither keeper really tested. Striker Scott Finch opened the scoring for the home side shortly before the break and this seemed to lift Middleton as they came out for the second half looking the better team and quickly went 2-0 up with Steve Twynham converting a penalty. However they could not press home the advantage any further, and Bletchingdon pressed them for long periods of the half without being able to convert their chances. Cheney finally made sure of the 3 points with Steve O Brien finishing off a good team move five minutes from the end.

November 23rd 2013 Oxon Senior League Div 2 - Home Middleton Cheney A 2 v 1 Eynsham Res St. Finch A. Jones L. Gascoigne S. O Brian M. Ward E. Somerton T. Owen J. Evans B. Hawkes S. White D. Fuller J. Brooker S. Twynham Goal scorers S. White S. Twynham

Division 2 Middleton Cheney Reserves 2 Eynsham Reserves 1 Saturday, 23 November 2013 MC: Steve Twynham, Stuart White Eynsham: NOT KNOWN Middleton came away with the three points from this match to put some headway between themselves and the chasing pack in the league table, but made hard work of the second half having dominated the early part of the game. Cheney took command early in the game and played some good football before opening the scoring through Stuart White mid-way through the first half. They created a number of scoring opportunities against a weak Eynsham defence and could have been four or five up at the break if they been more clinical. The visitors came out in the second half and looked more positive but once Cheney had extended their lead through Steve Twynham after about 15 minutes, there did not appear to be a way back in to the game. However a defensive mistake gifted them a goal and they could have grabbed a point late on in the game if they had been able to make the most of the possession they had, but Cheney held on to take all three points.

December 7th 2013 Oxon Senior League Div 2 - Away Mansfield Road Res 2 v 5 Middleton Cheney A J. Hart St. Finch A. Jones L. Gascoigne S. O Brian T. Owen J. Evans R. Lafferty M. Ramsdale S. White D. Fuller J. Brooker M. Berry Booked Goal scorers J. Hart S. O Brian M. Ramsdale R. Lafferty M. Berry

Division 2 Mansfield Rd Reserves 2 Middleton Cheney Reserves 5 Saturday, 07 December 2013 Mansfield: Shon Dinn MC: Richard Lafferty, Steve O'Brian, Josh Hart, Michael Ramsdale A lacklustre Mansfield Road were 4-1 down at HT thanks to goal from Richard Lafferty, Steve O'Brian, Josh Hart and Michael Ramsdale for the visitors, Middleton Cheney. Shon Dinn in reply for MRFC. An improved second half performance saw MRFC briefly cut the deficit to 4-2 thanks to a debut goal from Matt Zequiri. However, Max Berry put the game to bed with a late goal. Middleton Cheney fully deserved the 3 points on this occasion

January18th 2014 Oxon Senior League Div 2 - Away Freeland Res 0 v 5 Middleton Cheney A J. Hart St. Finch A. Jones L. Gascoigne S. O Brian E. Somerton L. Finch T. Owen C. Heritage B. Hawkes D. Fuller R. Gascoigne T. Mitchell J. Evans Booked Booked Booked Goal scorers J. Hart 2 S. O Brian L. Finch C. Heritage Booked

Division 2 Freeland Reserves 0 Middleton Cheney Reserves 5 Saturday, 18 January 2014 Cheney: Josh Hart (2), Steve O Brian, Luke Fingh, Chris Heritage. Middleton Cheney Reserves made the most of their chances as they beat Freeland Reserves 5-0 on Saturday. On a far from ideal pitch both sides struggled to play any free flowing football. Freeland started well but Cheney grabbed a goal on the break, and this was to become the theme of the game. Freeland started to get on top then Cheney put some pressure on the Freeland goal and their strikers did not disappoint, taking all of their goals very well.

February 8th 2014 Ivor Gubbins Cup 1st Rd - Away Bletchingdon Res 4 v 1 Middleton Cheney A J. Hart St. Finch A. Jones L. Gascoigne S. O Brian E. Somerton L. Finch T. Owen J. Evans C. Heritage J. Brooker R. Gascoigne P. Connelly P. Carter Goal scorers S. O Brian

Ivor Gubbins Cup Round 1 Bletchingdon Reserves 4 Middleton Cheney Reserves 1 Saturday, 08 February 2014 Bletch: Jordan Gray (2), Danny Evans, Ryan Curtin. M/Cheney: Steve O Brein. At a windswept Oxford Road making it difficult for both sides. Cheney took the lead against the run of play after 25 mins. After sustained pressure from Bletchindons Gray got the equaliser 10 mins later and just before the break Evans put the home side ahead.HT 2-1. After 70 mins. in Gray got his 2nd and despite heroics from Adam Jones in the Cheney goal. Bletchingdon dominated and Curtin made it four after 75 mins to secure a semi-final place. The game was well controlled by referee Chris Penny, officiating for the 1st time at Bletchingdon.

February 22nd 2014 Oxon Senior League Div 2 - Home Middleton Cheney A 3 v 0 Mansfield Road Res J. Hart St. Finch A. Jones L. Gascoigne S. O Brian M. Ward E. Somerton L. Finch R. Lafferty J. Brooker N. Bracey G. Fuller C. Clyne Goal scorers J. Hart S. O Brian 2 Booked

Division 2 Middleton Cheney Reserves 3 Mansfield Rd Reserves 0 Saturday, 22 February 2014 MC: Steve O Brien (2), Josh Hart Middleton started brightly, despite not having played much in recent weeks and, with the wind at their backs, pinned the visitors in their half for much of the early stages. However Mansfield Road created the first clear cut chance but a free header was put over the bar with a goal looking an easier option. Cheney took the lead through Josh Hart mid way through the half, after some great work by strike partner Steve O Brien who lashed a shot against the bar and as the rebound dropped down all Hart had to do was nod the ball in to an empty net. O Brien scored the second after a mistake by goalkeeper Simon Dickie, whose poor goal kick went straight to the unmarked striker, who hit the ball first time with his left foot in to the open goal. 2-0 at half time was probably a fair score, but it was the visitors who came out stronger and dominated play for the early parts of the second half. However O Brien settled the nerves with his second goal of the game and effectively secured the points for the home team which kept them firmly on top of the league table.

March 8th 2014 Archie Goddard Cup - Away Charlton Res 1 v 4 Middleton Cheney A J. Hart St. Finch A. Jones L. Gascoigne S. O Brian E. Somerton C. Heritage R. Lafferty S. White J. Jeacock E. Chevis Goal scorers J. Hart S. O Brian 2 J. Jeacock

Archie Goddard Cup - Group D Charlton Reserves 1 Middleton Cheney Reserves 4 Saturday, 08 March 2014 Charlton: Daniel Sweeney MC: Lee Gascoigne (2), Steve O'Brian (2) Cheney took the lead after a cross from the left set up Lee Gascoigne. They then doubled their lead when Gascoigne again slotted the ball past keeper Tidbury after the ball was played through past the two centre backs. Charlton then had a spell on top, creating several chances which resulted in numerous corners but to no avail. The home team scored through a Leon Sofroniou header after Cheney keeper spilt the ball from a cross but the referee awarded a free kick to the visitors. The away team went in 2 nil up but apart from the goals the teams were level in chances. Cheney scored soon after the break when Steve O'Brian scored from close range. The home side could've scored soon after through Chris Staker and Ritchie Knight but both shots were dragged wide. Charlton winger Sam Caple then had a free header at goal but hit it over. United then got one back through Daniel Sweeney, a great finish over the keeper from 18 yards out. Cheney could've got a 4th but for a double goal line clearance by Right back James McAdam, which kept Charltons hopes of a come back alive, but with 10 minutes left the visitors finished the game off when O'Brian got his second, a lucky deflection sending the ball into the net. F.T. 1-4

March 15th 2014 Oxon Senior League Div 2 - Home Middleton Cheney A 5 v 0 Marston Saints Res J. Hart St. Finch A. Jones L. Gascoigne S. O Brian M. Ward E. Somerton L. Finch C. Heritage B. Hawkes M. Ramsdale D. Fuller M. Berry J. Jeacock Booked Booked Goal scorers J. Hart S. O Brian 2 M. Ramsdale E. Somerton

Division 2 Middleton Cheney Reserves 5 Marston Saints Reserves 0 Saturday, 15 March 2014 MC: Steve O Brien (2), Josh Hart, Mike Ramsdale, Ed Somerton Middleton maintained their push for the League title, picking up another 3 points against visitors Marston Saints. The visitors played most of the game with 10 men as they waited for a player to arrive and this gave Cheney the chance to dominate the game and put it out of reach before he turned up. Ed Somerton gave Middleton the lead mid-way through the first half and a Mike Ramsdale free kick ten minutes before half time made sure they had a comfortable advantage going in to the break. Two goals from Steve O Brien and another from strike partner Josh Hart sealed a comfortable victory.

March 22nd 2014 Oxon Senior League Div 2 - Home Middleton Cheney A 4 v 1 Freeland Res J. Hart St. Finch A. Jones L. Gascoigne S. O Brian E. Somerton C. Heritage R. Lafferty T. Mitchell M. Berry J. Jeacock E. Chevis T. Salt N. Bracey Booked Booked Goal scorers J. Hart 2 S. O Brian 2

Division 2 Middleton Cheney Reserves 4 Freeland Reserves 1 Saturday, 22 March 2014 MC: Steve O Brien (2), Josh Hart (2) Freeland: Ashley Blackwell A brace of goals each from strikers Steve O Brien and Josh Hart saw Middleton clinch victory over visiting Freeland and with it the Division Two title with three games still remaining. O Brien opened the scoring mid-way through the half but Ashley Blackwell ensured the visitors stayed in the game by equalizing shortly afterwards. Hart put the home side ahead again 10 minutes before the break and ensured that Cheney went in at half time with their noses in front. The second half continued to be a tough battle, but with the wind at their backs, Cheney started to wear down the opposition and a second goal from Hart put them in a commanding position before O Brien scored again to secure the points and the title for Middleton.

March 29th 2014 Oxon Senior League Div 2 - Away Adderbury Res 1 v 3 Middleton Cheney A J. Hart St. Finch A. Jones L. Gascoigne S. O Brian M. Ward E. Somerton L. Finch C. Heritage S. White M. Berry K. Wynne J. Watts G. Richards Goal scorers J. Hart 2 J. Watts

Division 2 Adderbury Park Reserves 1 Middleton Cheney Reserves 3 Saturday, 29 March 2014 Adderbury: Mark Essex Middleton Cheney: Josh hart (2). Tommy Owen. Middleton Cheney came to the Lucy Pluckett as league winner again Adderbury Park who are fitting for a good league position. Adderbury name a experienced starting 11 with Steve Hiron, Mark Essex and James Gibbard. Sadly no goal keeper meant Player manager had to wear the Gloves. Adderbury started off the better team with quick attacking down the left Louis Winkworth and Neil Skidmore causing no end of trouble. Middleton Cheney made three great saves in the first 15 minute. Klye Forbes, Mark Essex and Louis Winkworth. A fantastic corner was whipped in by the impressive Josh Cohenny and clicked on by Essex only to see Kyle Forbes hit the cross bar from close range. Cheney had a chance to score as they re striker beat the off side trap and was one on one, David Seeney saved well with his legs. Middleton did take the lead after winning two 50-50 challenges and squaring the ball to the unmarked striker. Adderbury spent the rest of the half pushing for goal and defending well . HT 1-0 The tide seem to change in second half with Adderbury unable to keep the ball and hit down the wings. Middleton seemed to have more of the ball and was pushing for a goal. Middleton did double the lead when a ball over the top and left a foot race between a speedy striker and James (the slug) Gibbard who raced through to prod the ball passed the keeper. Captain Mark Farrow was injured and with no subs meant he had to go in goal and David Seeney replaces him. He couldn t do anything about the third gaol as a good cross was floated in and finished off perfectly. Adderbury did get on the score sheet when David Seeney got down the left and

April 19th 2014 Archie Goddard Cup - Home Middleton Cheney A 6 v 3 Adderbury Park Res J. Hart A. Jones S. O Brian M. Ward L. Finch C. Heritage S. White T. Mitchell T. Salt S. Ciballi N. Bracey S. Matthews N. Wright Booked Booked Goal scorers J. Hart 3 S. O Brian S. Ciballi T. Mitchell

Archie Goddard Cup - Group D Middleton Cheney Reserves 6 Adderbury Park Reserves 2 Saturday, 19 April 2014 Middleton Cheney Res 6 - 2 Adderbury Park Res Mid Cheney: Josh Hart (3), Steve O Brien, Tom Mitchell, Steve Cibali Addurbury: Kyle Forbes, Daniel Butler Middleton came back from being two goals down to record a comfortable 6-2 victory in their final Archie Goddard Group D game. Adderbury came flying out of the blocks and caught Cheney totally on the back foot, racing in to a two goal lead within the first 10 minutes thanks to goals from Kyle Forbes and Daniel Butler. The home side composed themselves and were level within 20 minutes through goals from Steve O Brien and Josh Hart. They continued to maintain the pressure and scored two more before the break through Tom Mitchell and Steve Cibali.

April 26th 2014 Oxon Senior League Div 2 - Away Bletcingdon Res 1 v 8 Middleton Cheney A J. Hart St. Finch A. Jones S. O Brian C. Heritage R. Lafferty M. Ramsdale S. White T. Mitchell J. Jeacock T. Salt M. Reynolds A. Boyles G. Richards Goal scorers J. Hart 2 S. O Brian 2 J. Jeacock C. Heritage T. Salt S. White

Division 2 Bletchingdon Reserves 1 Middleton Cheney Reserves 8 Saturday, 26 April 2014 Bletch: Tom Williams. M/Cheney: S.O Brien (2), J.Hart (2), C.Heritage, S.White,T.Salt, J.Brooker. Bletchingdon went 2 down before pulling 1 back but a defensive mix-up saw the visitors take a 3-1 lead at the break. The home side fell away badly in the 2nd half and the Div.2 winners overran Bletchingdon scoring with most of their attacks. It was a poor end to the season for the Division 2 holders for last year and it looked like some new blood will be required for 2014/15.

May 3rd 2014 Archie Goddard Cup Semi Final Middleton Cheney A 3 v 1 Freeland Res AET J. Hart St. Finch A. Jones M. Ward C. Heritage M. Ramsdale T. Mitchell J. Jeacock P. Connelly B. Andrews S. Matthews T. Jeacock N. Wright L. Cross Goal scorers J. Hart

Archie Goddard Cup - KO Phase Semi Final Freeland Reserves 1 Middleton Cheney Reserves 3 Saturday, 03 May 2014 Middleton Cheney Reserves beat Freeland Reserves after extra time to seal a place in the Archie Goddard Cup final. In an even game it was Cheney who struck the first blow when the impressive Josh Hart slotted home when he was left free in the Freeland box. In previous games against the league winners Freeland had crumbled, but they battled hard for the rest of the half and the score remained 1- 0. Freeland had a couple of half chances and Hemming had to make a fine save to deny Cheney from doubling their lead just before the break. The second half was again a tight affair, Freeland had the majority of the possession but failed to make any clear chances. They finally got one when Max Martini made himself some space before firing home to level the scores. Freeland then had a penalty appeal turned down, after Blackwell was tripped in the box, but the ref deemed it not to be a foul and booked Blackwell for diving. Middleton Cheney almost won it, but a wonderful last ditch tackle from Wagerfield ensured that the game went into extra time. The first half of extra time was again a close affair, Freeland were starting to tire though and Cheney were starting to get on top. Continued

The second half of extra time was somewhat spoilt, and the close encounter turned into a farce. Cheney went 2-1 up, before Blackwell was given a second booking for a foul. Moments later and Hare was also sent off for his second booking. The nine men of Freeland could not force an equaliser and Cheney made the most of their numerical advantage with Josh Hart sealing his hat trick. From the resulting kick off Freeland found themselves down to SEVEN when another Blackwell was sent off for what can only be described as a bit of banter. As Freeland eventually kicked off, Jones thought the whistle had gone and had a shot, only to be booked and also giving his marching orders. It was a terrible way to end the game, and the fact that there was so many cards was not a fair reflection on what had been a good, fair contest for 110 minutes between two good teams.

May 10th 2014 Archie Goddard Cup Final Middleton Cheney A 3 v 2 Oakley Res J. Hart St. Finch A. Jones S. O Brian M. Ward C. Heritage T. Mitchell M. Berry J. Jeacock P. Connelly B. Andrews S. Mattews A. Boyles H. Mitchell Goal scorers J. Hart T. Mitchell S. Mattews