Match reports season 2009-10
tue 9th march FTL futbol hellenic premier att 72
witney united 2 (Wickens 12, Odihambo 69)
flackwell heath 4 (Woodward 15pen, Cannon 46,68 Thompson 70)
United slipped to a first home defeat since early October as they went down 4-2 to a lively Flackwell Heath side at The Polythene Uk Stadium last night.
Resources were further stretched and with no available goalkeepers it was down to defender Vinny Byfield to don the gloves.
The early stages were very quiet until the game sprang into life in the 12th minute when Chris Harper beat his marker and crossed for Gary Wickens to plant home his header.
Flackwell however were handed a lifeline back into the match three minutes later with a contentious penalty decision. A cross by Ben Sturgess drifted behind Lee Thompson and as the play continued the referee suddenly awarded a penalty despite no appeals from the visiting players and no obvious foul. Mitchell Woodward held his nerve after the protests and slotted the spot kick home.
Harper was looking very dangerous for United and he created another opening when his cross was nodded down by Wickens into the path of Lee Henderson but he rashly blazed the shot over the bar.
United were then thankful to Stuart Cattell and Dean Smith who between them charged down a powerful volley by Sturgess which looked to be heading goalwards.
Henderson then provided a sublime pass which sent Ani Odihambo into the clear and his cleverly lifted lob beat Warren Carter but dropped the wrong side of the post.
Half-Time Witney United 1 Flackwell Heath 1
The second half started with a bang of the wrong sorts as the visitors took the lead when the dangerous Ricardo Cannon was sent clear and he raced away and calmly slotted past Byfield.
The striker was to grab his second of the night midway through the half. A long ball over the top saw Cannon race clear despite looking well offside and firing home at the near post.
United struck back immediately though when Wickens provided a delicate cross which landed at the feet of Harper who watched his shot strike the post but Odihambo reacted quickest and fired home the rebound.
The joy was short lived though as within a minute the two goal advantage was restored when Thompson brilliantly controlled a Sturgess pass before firing home.
United huffed and puffed as they tried to force the game and although Wickens headed wide and John McMahon saw a 30 yard effort fly just past the post they couldnt find a third goal to set up an interesting finish.
Website Review and MOM
An evening of frustration for United as we just couldnt get ourselves in a position to win the game. Too many players had an off night on the same night and as a result the visitors enjoyed their victory. MOM goes for the third game running to Chris Harper who tormented the Flackwell defence for most of the evening.
United: 1. Vinny Byfield 2. Dean Smith 3. Tom Butler 4. Jack Smith 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Lee Henderson 7. John McMahon 8. Andrew Styles 9. Gary Wickens 10. Ani Odihambo 11. Chris Harper
12. Ricky Bridges (on for Styles 74) 14. Dan Walker (NU) 15. Conor Allmond (NU) 16. Will Bridgewater (NU)
Flackwell: 1. Warren Carter 2. Jack Harding 3. Jean-Pierre Jamil 4. Mark Weedon 5. Paul Shone 6. Adam Durrent 7. Mitchell Woodward 8. Ben Sturgess 9. Lee Thompson 10. Ricardo Cannon 11. Callum Coull
12. James Pritchard (NU) 14. Gavin Murnagh (on for Sturgess 75) 15. Matt Flint (NU) 16. Adam Davis (on for Thompson 75)
sat 6th march FTL futbol hellenic premier att 95
carterton 1 (Lewis 37)
witney united 2 (Odihambo 66, D Smith 71)
A 25 yard screamer by Dean Smith saw United complete an excellent fightback as they sealed a 2-1 win in the West Oxfordshire derby at Kilkenny Lane.
United had youth team keeper Eddie Dale between the sticks for his league debut as Paul Tassell was ruled out through injury.
Going against the wind before the break United almost grabbed a fortunate opening goal when a Dean Smith corner was missed by everyone and hit Gary Wickens on the knee but Chris Blakely was perfectly positioned to clear off the line.
The possession stats would have been heavily weighted in United's favour but chances were at a premium and James Domm had to be quick to react to a mishit cross by Ricky Bridges which almost dropped in at the back post.
The opening goal came eight minutes before the interval and it was the home side who grabbed it against the run of play. United had a corner which was cleared and a swift break still seemed under control but Andrew Styles was robbed by former United favourite Kevin Lewis who calmly rounded Dale and fired into the net.
Half-Time Carterton 1 WITNEY UNITED 0
United came out after the break looking to up the tempo and Dean Smith gave a warning of what was to come later when he shot from 30 yards and Domm did well to turn over the bar.
They thought the chance had come when Chris Harper showed some neat skills to work his way into the box and appeared to be bundled over by Jamie Butt but the referee waved away the United protests.
Carterton themselves were left kicking themselves when Michael Duerden saw his low shot saved smartly by Dale.
Andy Lyne used his managerial experience to bring on Lee Henderson into midfield in place of Ricky Bridges and there was an instant impact. Dean Smith swung in a free-kick which was helped on by Henderson and Ani Odihambo controlled smartly and fired into the net giving Domm no chance.
Five minutes later and the fightback was complete as United hit the front. Dean Smith charged down a clearance with his chest and looked up before firing an unstoppable effort past Domm and into the net from 25 yards.
This settled United down and they actually came close to extending the lead when Harper dug out a cross which was powered goalwards by the head of Henderson but he watched as it came back off the bar but there was little time left and United had clinched a second successive away victory.
Website Review and MOM
Substitutions can sometimes change matches and today was one of those days when Lyner got it spot on. The decision to put Henderson in midfield raised eyebrows but his power and aerial presence gave United a stronger foothold and also helped create the opening goal. MOM though goes to Chris Harper who put in a tremendous shift for the team.
United: 1. Eddie Dale 2. Dean Smith 3. Tom Butler 4. Jack Smith 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Ricky Bridges 7. Andrew Younie 8. Andrew Styles 9. Gary Wickens 10. Ani Odihambo 11. Chris Harper
12. Vinny Byfield (on for Styles 74) 14. Chris Zoldan (on for Wickens 85) 15. Dan Walker (NU) 16. Lee Henderson (on for Bridges 63)
Carterton: 1. James Domm 2. Jamie Butt 3. Jamie Stalker 4. Zain Sharif 5. Danny King 6. Chris Blakely 7. Jon Fletcher 8. Mark Threlfall 9. Mark Odom 10. Mike Duerden 11. Kevin Lewis
12. Tom Fletcher (on for Odom 75) 14. Jamie MacDonagh (NU) 15. Ryan Pratley (NU) 16. Wayne Moscrop (on for Stalker 80)
wed 3rd March FTL futbol hellenic premier att 39
ascot united 0
witney united 1 (Harper 46)
United made their first ever visit to Ascot United’s neat ground on the edge of the famous Racecourse on a freezing evening with a seriously weakened side that included Andy Younie who had already played a full 90 minutes for his University team the same afternoon!
A strong breeze, as well as the freezing temperatures, played a part in a fairly low-key match with neither keeper being overly exerted although both dealt well with the threats their goals did face.
The first clear chance of the match fell to Chris Harper who used all his pace to get onto an Andy Younie through ball but keeper Neil Griffiths did well to turn his shot away for a corner. Just after the half-hour mark Andy Styles played a neat ball into Ani Odihambo but he dragged his shot wide from the corner of the penalty area.
As half-time was about to arrive it was Andy Younie who was the provider again as he fed in Ani Odihambo who just beat the keeper to the ball on the edge of the box but his shot went wide.
Half-time: Ascot United 0 UNITED 0
Almost straight from the kick-off Chris Harper was played in on goal and he calmly slotted the ball home giving Neil Griffiths in the home goal no chance. United nearly lost their lead immediately when, from the restart, Richard Mills had a sharp effort saved by Paul Tassell at the foot of the post.
The game continued without many direct threats on goal although Witney’s front two of Harper and Odihambo were giving the home defence a torrid time with their pace and unstinting work both on and off the ball. At the other end the central defensive paring of Jack Smith and skipper Stuart Cattell were comfortably dealing with the sporadic attacks from the home side.
As Ascot pushed for the equaliser towards the end of the game United threatened to take advantage of the extra space to increase their lead when Gary Wickens made a brilliant individual run on 80 minutes but his clipped cross from the bye-line was headed wide by Ani Odihambo. Five minutes later Dan Walker fed Odihambo on the left wing and, after driving into the box, his reverse ball found Chris Harper who rounded the keeper but the resultant angle was too tight and his shot went across the goal and away to safety.
Website Review and MOM
A very composed and confident performance from a Witney side lacking a host of first-teamers brought a deserved win on a freezing night.
The whole side played well and gave their all including Chris Harper who is MoM as his pace and work-rate kept the home team on their toes all night.
United: 1. Paul Tassell 2. Dean Smith 3. Tom Butler 4. Jack Smith 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Ricky Bridges 7. Andrew Younie 8. Andrew Styles 9. Gary Wickens 10. Ani Odihambo 11. Chris Harper
12. Dan Walker (on for Younie 65) 14. Chris Zoldan (NU) 15. Will Bridgewater (NU) 16. Conor Allmond (NU)
Ascot: 1. Neil Griffiths 2. Nick Brennan-Carter 3. Mel Corbett 4. Rob Gier 5. Jeff Lamb 6. Chris Page 7. Chris Farrely 8. Simon Knight 9. Jon Bennett 10. Richard Mills 11. Garth Brant
12. Ross Miller (on for Knight 75) 14. Tom Semadini (on for Bennett H/T) 15. Zak Spencer (on for Mills 77) 16. Andy Gavin (NU)
sat 27th february FTL futbol hellenic premier att 89
reading town 1 (Hughes 32)
witney united 0
United endured a luckless afternoon as they went down to a defeat at current league leaders Reading Town but will still be wondering how.
Missing a whole host of first team regulars United started with Dan Walker on the bench who was plucked from Witney & District side Ducklington just three weeks ago.
The opening twenty minutes were very cagey as both sides struggled on a very heavy pitch and both defences were well on top.
It was the home side who had the first effort when a neat cutback from Gianluca Riccio picked out former United man Aaron Parfitt but he shot weakly and Paul Tassell held easily.
Just after the half hour and it was the home side who broke the deadlock when Parfitt delivered a corner which picked out the head of Mark Hughes who powered home a header despite the best efforts of both Tassell and Tom Butler on the line.
United kicking against the wind almost equalised just before the break when Chris Harper saw his shot deflected away but quick thinking by Ani Odihambo saw him fire in a acrobatic volley which was blocked by Danny Williamson.
Half-Time Reading Town 1 Witney United 0
With the wind at their backs United took the game to their hosts right from the off and a poor piece of defending saw the ball break to Odihambo who hit a stunning volley which beat Chris Grace but bounced away to safety off the post.
It was one way traffic in the second half as United kept the home side camped in their own half and some clever skills by Odihambo saw him create a glorious opening for Andrew Younie but he didnt get enough on his shot and Will Bratt hacked the ball to safety off the line.
It seemed a matter of time before United scored but the chances kept going begging and none better than when Harper swung in a free-kick which broke to Andrew Styles whose clever chipped pass picked out the head of Jack Smith but from close range he headed over.
The home side were content to hold on to what they had and in injury time a heroic piece of defending by Graeme Smith saw him throw himself in the path of a Styles thunderbolt and the ball broke to safety and with it went United's last chance of a deserved share of the spoils.
Website Review and MOM
To be honest we would have felt hard done by had we drawn 1-1. To have lost 1-0 took some swallowing after dominating the entire second half and restricting chances to a bare minimum. MOM goes to Vinny Byfield who slotted into the back four like he had never been away.
United: 1. Paul Tassell 2. Dean Smith 3. Tom Butler 4. Vinny Byfield 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Jack Smith 7. Chris Harper 8. Andrew Styles 9. Andrew Younie 10. Ani Odihambo 11. Ricky Bridges
12. Dan Walker (on for Bridges 66) 14. Chris Zoldan (on for Younie 76) 15. Sam McNally (NU)
Reading: 1. Chris Grace 2. Danny Williamson 3. Will Bratt 4. Michael Buck 5. Mike Hancock 6. Mark Hughes 7. Scott Rees 8. Gianluca Riccio 9. Aaron Parfitt 10. Dean Thomas 11. James Clark
12. Graeme Smith (on for Hancock 55) 14. Ian Harvey (on for Thomas 88) 15. Dave Mills (on for Parfitt 78) 16. Ian Brooks (NU) 17. Tristam Dennis (NU)
sat 20th february FTL futbol hellenic premier att 137
witney united 0
ascot united 0
United were left frustrated as they failed to score for the first time since October in being held to a goalless draw by Ascot United at The Polythene UK Stadium.
In search of a ninth successive league victory at home United started sluggishly but still had the first effort on goal when Andrew Styles shot was too powerful for David Lyons to hold but he recovered to grab the ball with Ani Odihambo waiting to pounce.
Styles was involved in most bright things United were producing and his half volley after some neat link up with Dean Smith saw Lyons kept on his toes.
Smith was having some joy down the right flank and he swung in a cross which picked out Chris Harper but his effort had too much height and went over the bar.
It was Harper again who went closest to breaking the deadlock when he met a Tom Butler corner but he got too much on the header and the ball went wide.
Half-Time Witney United 0 Ascot United 0
United started the second half at a quicker pace and almost had an instant reward when Jack Smith released Odihambo who raced clear but his effort was tipped wide at the near post by Lyons.
The best chance of the game fell just moments later when Styles produced a sublime chipped pass which caught out the defence and with the goal gaping Andrew Younie stood on the ball as he prepared to shoot and Lyons gathered safely.
Younie then turned creator of a chance just past the hour when he read a clearance and fed the ball to Gary Wickens but his shot was straight at Lyons as United began to get frustrated.
Butler produced another dangerous corner which was met by the glancing head of Stuart Cattell but the ball flew across the area and wide of the far post.
As the game ticked into the last two minutes the visitors had their first effort on goal of the match when a deep corner by Rob Saunders was met by the head of Chris Page and Paul Tassell produced a stunning one handed save.
Still though United had time for one more chance and what a chance it was. A clever pass by Styles sent Harper free and he dug out a cross which took the keeper out of the game but from close range Odihambo somehow headed the ball over the bar and with it the chance of maximum points had gone.
Website Review and MOM
It says something when your opponents have their first effort either on or off target in the 89th minute of the game. Ascot came with a game plan and try as we might we just couldnt get that opening goal. Had we done so the outcome I am sure would have been very different. MOM goes to Andrew Styles who was at the heart of everything good that United offered in an attacking sense.
United: 1. Paul Tassell 2. Dean Smith 3. Tom Butler 4. Lee Henderson 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Jack Smith 7. Chris Harper 8. Andrew Styles 9. Gary Wickens 10. Ani Odihambo 11. Andrew Younie
12. Vinny Byfield (NU) 14. Chris Zoldan (on for Wickens 81) 15. Ricky Bridges (NU) 16. Sam McNally (NU)
Ascot: 1. David Lyons 2. Rob Gier 3. Neil Corbett 4. Mick Curtis 5. Jeff Lamb 6. Andy Lunn 7. Steve Curtis 8. Rob Saunders 9. Jon Bennett 10. Richard Mills 11. Chris Farrelly
12. Chris Page (on for Mills 65) 14. Nick Brennan-Carter (NU) 15. Tom Semadini (on for Bennett 65)
sat 6th february FTL futbol hellenic premier att 67
bicester town 0
witney united 4 (Odihambo 6,23 Wickens 38, Bridges 88)
United brought Bicester's recent mini-revival to a halt with a comprehensive victory this afternoon at Oxford Road.
Having collected four points from the last two matches the home side were full of confidence but almost found themselves a goal down in 20 seconds when Chris Harper's run and low cross was deflected towards his own goal by Ross Atkins but Jeff Simmonds got down well to save at his post.
It did take just six minutes for the opening goal to arrive though when the industrious Harper done well to win the ball and release Anaclet Odihambo who ran through and clipped the ball over Simmonds and into the net.
The Foxhunters had their best chance of the game just moments later when Aaron Andrews sprung the offside trap and crossed to Lewis Brown who headed over from close range.
From the goal kick they were almost made to pay when Paul Tassell's long kick saw Ben Thompson shrug off his marker and shoot past Simmonds but the ball went wide.
Midway through the half and United did double their advantage when Stuart Cattell won a challenge and the ball fell to Jack Smith whose cleverly lofted pass saw a straight race between Odihambo and Simmonds and the striker got their first to prod the ball into the net.
After having a goal from Andrew Younie disallowed for offside United killed the game off as a contest seven minutes before the break. A free kick from Tom Butler was met with a looping header from Gary Wickens which gave Simmonds no chance in the Bicester goal.
Half-Time Bicester Town 0 Witney United 3
The home side were determind not to cave in and they flew into the challenges to make sure United knew they were going to have to work very hard for any further goals.
It was almost a hat-trick for Odihambo just after the break when the industrious Jack Smith won yet another tackle before riding two challenges and feeding the ball to Odihambo whose lob beat Simmonds but landed on the roof of the net.
United stopper Tassell had been a virtual spectator for the majority of the game but he pulled off the save of the match just after the hour when a free-kick by Michael Spaull was only partially cleared by Dean Smith and it broke to Kyle McCoy whose fizzing effort was finger tipped over the bar by Tassell.
There were huge shouts for a United penalty when Thompson was tripped inside the area but although the referee gave the foul he astonishingly awarded a free-kick five yards away from where the foul took place.
Subtitute Ricky Bridges then almost had a stunning first touch after coming on when the ball was played out wide to Odihambo whose cross found the youngster but he snatched at his shot and it went into the side netting.
However he was not to be denied and two minutes from time he was to get his goal. An excellent tackle by Andrew Styles on the edge of the area saw him roll the ball out to Bridges who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the net to round off a comprehensive victory for United.
Website Review and MOM
A professional display from the off from United and one that merited the final scoreline. Even in the second half with the game won United went about their business in an excellent manner. MOM was close call with another good display by Jack Smith and Chris Harper but Ani Odihambo was a constant threat for the whole afternoon and deserved to grab his two goals as reward.
United: 1. Paul Tassell 2. Dean Smith 3. Tom Butler 4. Lee Henderson 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Jack Smith 7. Chris Harper 8. Andrew Younie 9. Gary Wickens 10. Ben Thompson 11. Ani Odihambo
12. Andrew Styles (on for Younie 83) 14. Dan Szczuckiewicz (on for Henderson 75) 15. Ricky Bridges (on for Thompson 81) 16. Vinny Byfield (NU)
Bicester: 1. Jeff Simmonds 2. Nathan Hunt 3. Ross Atkins 4. Nathan Hallam 5. Steve Andrews 6. Chris Johnson 7. Aaron Andrews 8. Dan Green 9. Kyle McCoy 10. Lewis Brown 11. Michael Spaull
12. Rob Johnson (on for Spaull 79) 14. Jason Bauer (on for Brown 56) 15. Pete Lamont (on for Green 85) 16. John Umney (NU)
tue 2nd february FTL futbol Hellenic Premier att 107
witney united 3 (Wickens 22, Odihambo 28, Thompson 60)
abingdon town 1 (Jones 11)
United extended their run of consecutive league victories at The Polythene UK Stadium to eight as they fought back from a goal down to see off Abingdon Town.
It was the visitors who started the sharpest of the two sides and a clever spin by Graham Edney saw him fashion a chance for himself but Paul Tassell got down well to block.
In the space of 60 seconds the game saw an opening goal which could so easily have been at the other end. Andrew Younie slid a slide rule pass into Ben Thompson whose cross was missed by inches by Anaclet Odihambo.
The Abbotts went down the other end of the field and although the ball went out for a goal kick a poor strike by Tassell saw the ball played through for former United man Dwight Jones to run through totally unchallenged and slot the ball home.
This seemed to spark United into life though and midway through the half they were back on level terms. Tom Butler swung in a delightful inswinging free-kick which saw Gary Wickens rise and thump home a powerful header.
Six minutes later and the game had turned on its head as a clearance by Stuart Cattell was flicked on by Wickens and Odihambo chased down the ball and got his reward when Gareth Walker watched in horror as his clearance bounced off the United front man and into the empty net.
Odihambo was inches away from grabbing a second with an audacious flick from Butler's corner which went into the side netting.
Walker redeemed himself for his earlier faux pas when done brilliantly well to save from Thompson at the foot of the post after good work by Younie and Chris Harper.
It was another former United man who had the final chance of the half when Stuart Douglas won the ball in midfield before curling a shot from 20 yards but Tassell had the situation under control and held the ball easily.
Half-Time Witney United 2 Abingdon Town 1
The visitors almost started the second half with a bang within 15 seconds when substitute Alex Mott was sent clear and it took an excellent save from Tassell to deny the youngster a stunning entry into the match.
United continued to press though and Thompson perhaps should have done better when he fired over after Harper had produced a low fizzing cross.
Moments later though and that miss was all forgotten as United's top scorer gave us the two goal advantage we sought. Again it was the lively Harper who won the ball and got away from his marker and his deep cross was prodded home at the back post by Thompson.
Harper was by now beginning to enjoy himself on the flank and he produced a "Nani" moment as he skipped between two defenders but he couldnt keep his shot down denying him what would have been a stunning goal.
The visitors kept pushing to try and get back in the game and it was Jones again who managed to get a shot away but the ball drifted wide and with it went their last chance of getting back into the game and it was United who had sealed the points.
Website Review and MOM
Although the opening twenty saw a sluggish start after that there was no doubting the better side on the night won. Abingdon looked lively in that opening spell and deserved their lead but we gained a foothold and played some excellent stuff. MOM goes to Jack Smith who produced a display that belied his years in that defensive midfield role.
United: 1. Paul Tassell 2. Dean Smith 3. Tom Butler 4. Lee Henderson 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Jack Smith 7. Chris Harper 8. Andrew Younie 9. Gary Wickens 10. Ben Thompson 11. Ani Odihambo
12. Andrew Styles (on for Wickens 69) 14. Dan Szczuckiewicz (on for Henderson 50) 15. Ricky Bridges (on for Younie 90) 16. Vinny Byfield (NU)
Abingdon: 1. Gareth Walker 2. Daniel Warne 3. Danny Thomas 4. Paul Alder 5.Christian Perkins 6. Scott Davis 7. Liam Barson 8. Stuart Douglas 9. Graham Edney 10. Dwight Jones 11. Drew Fowler
12. Piers McGlynn (on for Warne 73) 14. Alex Mott (on for Fowler H/T) 15. Dean Moss (NU) 16. Mark Simms (on for Davis 66) 17. Colin Fleet (NU)
sat 30th January FTL futbol hellenic premier att 124
wantage town 1 (Keen 74)
witney united 1 (Thompson 47 pen)
After a difficult week for United the players did themselves proud with a battling display at Alfredian Park this afternoon as they drew 1-1 with 2nd placed Wantage Town.
On a crispy surface both sides were struggling to find their feet early on and chances were at a premium as neither side could grab a foothold on the pitch let alone the match.
It was however the home side who had a great chance with twenty minutes on the clock when a series of ricochet's saw the ball break to Matthew Biddle but he couldnt decide which foot to shoot with and took too long before screwing his effort wide.
United were beginning to have some joy down the left flank and some clever footwork by Andrew Younie saw him pick out Ben Thompson whose dipping shot went just wide of the post.
Moments later and it was Younie again who beat his man with ease and his cross-cum-shot beat Rob Durrant in the Wantage goal but watched on in anguish as his effort came back off the crossbar.
The Alfredians were creating nothing of note until a clearance by Tom Butler hit Lee Henderson and broke to Tom Austin who didnt show enough composure and dragged his shot wide of the far post.
Half-Time Wantage Town 0 Witney United 0
Whilst the first half had brought little of real note it was United who started the second half with a bang as they took the lead within 120 seconds of the restart.
Thompson muscled Chris Copp off the ball and burst into the area and Copp clearly aggrieved that he hadnt been awarded the foul bundled Thompson over in the area and a spot kick was awarded. Thompson picked himself up and fired home giving Durrant no chance.
This lifted Witney and Thompson had another great chance when Jon-Paul Mills sent him clear but his attempted lob went horribly wrong and dropped into the hands of Durrant.
The home side thought they had levelled when substitute Richard Guy ran through and slotted the ball into the net but the United defence had already stopped as the flag had long been up for offside.
However five minutes later and they did have the ball in the net for an equaliser. A free-kick was headed goalwards and brilliantly turned away by Paul Tassell but it landed to Danny Keen who made no mistake.
Suddenly the Aldredians had their tails up and Guy tried his luck from 35 yards but Tassell comfortably watched the ball over the bar.
Andrew Styles was left with his head in his hands as he failed to connect properly with a low shot which Durrant held easily but in the last minute United almost grabbed the win.
A chipped pass by Butler was expertly controlled by Thompson who bought himself a yard before lifting the ball over Durrant but onto the crossbar and away to safety leaving both sides to settle for a share of the spoils.
Website Review and MOM
In the midst of a difficult week the players produced a battling display which was probably worthy of the victory but bearing in mind the season Wantage have been having no disgrace in just the one. The second half we looked very dangerous going forward and hitting the woodwork twice said it all. MOM goes to Andrew Younie who was a constant thorn in the home defence all afternoon.
United: 1. Paul Tassell 2. Dean Smith 3. Tom Butler 4. Lee Henderson 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Jack Smith 7. Andrew Younie 8. Jon-Paul Mills 9. Gary Wickens 10. Ben Thompson 11. Ani Odihambo
12. Chris Harper (on for Odihambo 83) 14. Andrew Styles (on for Wickens 65) 15. Vinny Byfield (on for Henderson 87) 16. Ricky Bridges (NU)
Wantage: 1. Rob Durrant 2. Tom Rowe 3. Sam Belcher 4. Chris Copp 5. Tom Molton 6. Matthew Biddle 7. Tom Austin 8. Ellis Langford 9. Danny Keen 10. Sean McKeon 11. Gavin Jones
12. Matty Horsell (on for Jones 62) 14. Liam Illsley (on for Langford 75) 15. Richard Guy (on for McKeon 55) 16. Andy Wallbridge (NU)
sat 23rd january FA VAse 4th round att 260
new mills 2 (Turner 61,64)
witney united 1 (Thompson 24)
Match Report Supplied Courtesy of the Oxford Mail
Witney United fell out of the competition at the fourth round stage for the second season in a row, despite a brave performance in the Peak District on Saturday.
Witney led at the break, but, the strong and physical home side dominated in the second half, and two goals in five minutes proved enough to send Witney packing.
Kicking up the slope in the first half, Witney more than matched their opponents.
After Dean Smith bravely charged down a first minute effort from Nathan Wharton, New Mills's prolific former Altrincham striker Carlos Meakin headed inches wide from a Mark Innes free-kick.
But Witney were to keep 25-goal Meakin quiet throughout the first half, and slowly they gained a foothold in the game.
Their first good chance came just after the quarter-hour when Tom Butler teed up JP Mills, standing in as captain for the suspended John McMahon.
Unfortunately for Witney, Mills's effort sailed wide from the edge of the box.
Mills was again involved in Witney's next move, which saw the visitors have a goal ruled out.
Mills won a ball in midfield in a strong challenge, and combined well with Ben Thompson. With the ball falling to Andy Styles, he had the simplest of tasks of firing into the net.
However, referee Ben Toner chalked the goal out, apparantly spotting a foul on aNew Mills defender in the build-up.
At the other end, the dangerous Meakin dragged a shot across goal, before Witney went in front in a fine move.
Andrew Younie's pace saw him outstrip Peter Band, before setting up Ben Thompson, who cut inside and drilled in a low effort off the far upright.
New Mills had the ball in the net in the 25th minute, but the assistant's flag had long-since been raised and it was ruled out for offside.
Paul Tassell, who had very little to do in the opening 25 minutes, then fumbled a speculative long ball from Syd Pickford, but Stuart Cattell was on hand to hack the ball behind for a corner, while Wharton went close with an effort that was deflected behind.
From that corner, Tassell produced a fine save, diving to his right to beat away Pickford's snapshot.
Six minutes before the break, Witney should have double their lead.
A swift counter-attack up the slope saw Ben Thompson's initial effort parried by keeper Dominic Ingram-Hughes, and in the melee that followed, Younie's effort was blocked, while Anaclet Odhiambo stumbled on the ball as he shaped to shoot.
It was to prove a costly miss as the home side dominated the second period.
Witney huffed and puffed, but could not re-create their attacking play from the first half, and it seemed only a matter of time before the home side equalised.
In the 50th minute, Pickford drilled an effort narrowly wide from 30 yards, and moments later, Meakin's powerful run through the middle set up Pickford again, who dragged another shot past a post.
The impressive Pickford tried his luck again from distance but saw his vicious drive fly just over, but the home side were soon, deservedly, level.
The industrious Tommy Turner, who had been fairly quiet in the first half, ploughed his way past several half-challenges, before rounding Tassell to plant the ball into the opposite corner.
New Mills were certainly looking the stronger by this point.
Meakin and substitute Steve Hall combined well, only for Lee Henderson to block Meakins' chance, and from the resulting corner, Meakin's header hit the bar and was hooked behind again.
It came as no surprise when New Mills gained the lead, Turner again using his strength to muscle his way into the box and finish at the far post.
Witney gave it everything they had to get back into the game, but by now, they were exhausted, and in fact the home side could have made it
3-1 before the end with Hall being denied by a last-ditch Tom Butler challenge when clean through and Turner missing a chance of a hat- trick when he blasted over from a Bobby Lloyd lay-off.
As the fog descended, so did the gloom for Witney, who fell at the fourth-round stage for the second successive season.
Website Review and MOM
It was just not to be for us this year. We could have had the game won by half-time with a little more luck with the disallowed goal and the excellent double save keeping the score at 1-0.
After the break they were strong and we couldnt repeat our efforts. MOM saw a number of contenders with Ben Thompson, Stuart Cattell and Lee Henderson all magnificent but Jon-Paul Mills worked his socks off in both defence and attack all afternoon.
United: 1. Paul Tassell 2. Dean Smith 3. Tom Butler 4. Lee Henderson 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Andrew Styles 7. Ani Odihambo 8. Jon-Paul Mills 9. Gary Wickens 10. Ben Thompson 11. Andrew Younie
12. Dan Szczuckiewicz (on for Styles 61) 14. Chris Harper (on for Wickens 72) 15. Vinny Byfield (on for Younie 81) 16. Ricky Bridges (NU) 17. Jon Okole (NU)
New Mills 1. Ingram-Hughes 2. Bowler 3. Innes 4. Jackson 5. Band 6. Pickford 7. Meakin 8. Lloyd 9. Kharas 10. Turner 11. Wharton
Subs : Hall (Kharas 60), Mather (Wharton 63)
tue 19th january FTL futbol hellenic premier att 92
witney united 5 (Odihambo 23,83 Wickens 38,59,73pen)
highworth town 1 (Crocker 7)
United returned to action in style last night as they swept aside the challenge of Highworth Town at The Polythene UK Stadium despite falling behind to an early goal.
With John Okole and Paul Tassell both unavailable there was a surprise return for Chris Webb and his first sign of any action ended with him picking the ball out of the net.
Matty Bennett got away from Tom Butler and swung in a cross which was headed by Ritchie Crocker but Webb saved well but the ball looped back to Crocker who made no mistake the second time.
With United showing signs of rustiness the visitors appeared lifted but were struggling to create any chances of note and midway through the half they were punished as United equalised.
The ball broke to Andrew Younie who slid a perfect ball through to Ani Odihambo whose pace took him clear of the defence before he calmly rounded Paul Haines and slotted home.
This visibly lifted United and Andrew Styles went close with a header after some good work on the right flank between Odihambo and Dean Smith.
With seven minutes until the break United took the lead from as direct a route as you are likely to see. After Ben Thompson was hauled down on the edge of the area up stepped Gary Wickens who powered his free-kick through the wall and past Haines into the net.
Highworth werent rolling over though and Webb came to United's rescue when he rushed out to save with his feet from Crocker after he had been sent away by Danny Hilder.
Half-Time Witney United 2 Highworth Town 1
United came out after the break and had two glorious chances within a couple of minutes to extend the lead. Dean Smith found the surging run of Styles who got away from the defence but his lofted effort dropped the wrong side of the crossbar.
Then Butler and Thompson combined well before the latter's cross found Odihambo but he couldnt direct his effort goalwards.
As the clock ticked towards the hour United extended their advantage with a perfectly executed free-kick. Butler swung in the delivery and it was glanced home by the head of Wickens giving Haines no chance.
This settled United further and they pushed looking for more goals and they were rewarded with seventeen minutes left on the clock when Butler's corner was headed towards the top corner by Stuart Cattell but it was punched onto the bar by Dan Bishop leaving the referee no option but to award a penalty and send the full-back off. Wickens compounded the misery further when he blasted home from the penalty spot.
The scoring was rounded off seven minutes from time when Cattell picked out Odihambo who ran on and calmly lifted the ball over the advancing Haines and into the net to lift United into 5th place.
Website Review and MOM
A bit wobbly for the opening quarter of an hour but then the play clicked and United looked hugely impressive for a team that hadnt played for over 4 weeks. MOM almost went to Gary Wickens for his impressive return to the first team but Ani Odihambo produced an excellent display.
United: 1. Chris Webb 2. Dean Smith 3. Tom Butler 4. Lee Henderson 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Andrew Styles 7. Andrew Younie 8. Jon-Paul Mills 9. Gary Wickens 10. Ben Thompson 11. Ani Odihambo
12. Jack Smith (NU) 14. Dan Szczukiewicz (on for Styles 69) 15. Vinny Byfield (NU) 16. Ricky Bridges (on for Wickens 79)
Highworth: 1. Paul Haines 2. Kevin Tate 3. Dan Bishop 4. Craig Curtis 5. Tom Cole 6. Dave Stroud 7. Tony Joyce 8. Ben Snook 9. Ritchie Crocker 10. Matty Bennett 11. Danny Hilder
12. Terry Bohane (on for Bennett H/T) 14. Steve Robertson (on for Stroud 69) 15. Dan Thompson (on for Joyce 69)
tue 15th december FTL Futbol hellenic premier att 135
witney united 2 (Thompson 44,85)
almondsbury town 1 (Stearn 84)
United won another close encounter with Almondsbury to inflict their first League defeat of the season upon the Bristolians
As usual in encounters between the two sides it was a hard fought, physical game but never dirty and well refereed. Both teams were clearly going for the win and the play moved from end to end constantly although in the early encounters neither could break down two resolute defences to create any significant threat directly on goal.
The first clear scoring chance fell to United on 23 minutes when an Almondsbury attack was broken up and a quick ball out of defence by Tom Butler saw Anaclet Odihambo get in behind the visitor’s defence but his chip was just low enough for Stuart Jones to get his finger tips to the ball and slow it down enough for him to scramble back and collect it before it could cross the line. Five minutes later a John McMahon corner was prevented from going straight in by a defender heading off the line at the near post.
On 38 minutes an excellent build up on the right involving Dean Smith, Anaclet Odihambo and Ben Thompson saw the latter’s deep cross nodded back across goal by Andy Younie for the onrushing John McMahon get off a shot which was well saved by Stuart Jones. Five minutes later, in the last minute of the half, it was skipper McMahon involved again as he ran at the defence and fed Odihambo whose shot was parried by the keeper but Ben Thompson reacted fastest in the box to slot home the rebound.
Half time: UNITED 1 Almondsbury Town 0
The style of the game continued in the second half with Almondsbury pushing hard for the equaliser and United going for the second to give them a margin of comfort. However, both defences were holding firm with teenagers Jack Smith and Lee Henderson putting in a great show in the middle of the United defence.
On the hour Almondsbury sent in a deep cross which cleared everyone except Jason Wood who arrived late from deep but hit his shot from a good position too high. Almost immediately United broke to the other end and Dean Smith and Anaclet Odihambo combined for the latter to slide the ball across the goal where this time it was Andy Younie arriving late who couldn’t keep his shot down. On 65 minutes Almondsbury broke down their right and when the ball was played into the box a scramble involving several shots and brave blocks ended with a shot over the bar.
Just two minutes later Anaclet Odihambo deflected a John McMahon 25 yarder but Stuart Jones adjusted well and made a good save. The next attack saw a Dean Smith throw moved by John McMahon and Anaclet Odihambo to create a shooting chance for Ben Thompson but he dragged his effort from 15 yards wide.
On 84 minutes United hearts were broken, albeit it would prove to be only temporarily, when a good build up on the right saw the resultant cross headed clear by the United defence but the always dangerous Ross Stearn reacted well and volleyed home from the edge of the box.
United showed their character, as they have done so many times in the past, when they when straight up the other end and Chris Harper’s quick thinking saw him feed Anaclet Odihambo who slid in Ben Thompson who finished immaculately from 10 yards.
Web Review and MOM
This was an excellent game of football between two sides who know each other well and who both went for the win from the kick-off. A hard game, it was never dirty, and both teams should take credit for a very entertaining spectacle. United, as a whole, played very well with everyone playing their part from Paul Tassell, who looks like he’s never been away, through Dan Szczukiewicz who filled in with a holding midfield role following the late illness of J-P Mills to skipper John McMahon who, as always led by example. However, the central defensive pairing of Lee Henderson and Jack Smith were outstanding even amongst such a strong team performance and the MoM just goes to Jack Smith.
United: 1. Paul Tassell 2. Dean Smith 3. Dan Szczukiewicz 4. Lee Henderson 5. Jack Smith 6. Andrew Younie 7. John McMahon 8. Chris Harper 9. Anaclet Odihambo 10. Ben Thompson 11. Tom Butler
12. Gary Wickens (NU) 14. Andrew Styles (NU) 15. Vinny Byfield (NU) 16. Ricky Bridges (NU)
Almondsbury: 1. Stuart Jones 2. Tony Davis 3. Danny Haines 4. Chris Williams 5. Marcus Mapstone 6. Nick Dunn 7. Ross Stearn 8. Paul Chenoweth 9. Dean Griffiths 10. Mike Whittington 11. Jason Wood
12. Sahr Kabba (on for Whittington 56) 14. Matt Williams (on for Davis 83) 15. Ali Gibb (NU) 16. Simon Gilbert (on for Chenoweth 53) 17. Lee Matthews (NU)
sat 12th december FTL futbol hellenic premier att 78
witney united 4 (Thompson 2, J Smith, Styles)
hook norton 0
United returned to League action on Saturday in a match against an improving Hook Norton side which featured Paul Tassell in goal for the injured John Okole following his transfer form Cinderford Town.
The game started brightly with Tassell’s long kick clearing the visitor’s defence on five minutes for Ben Thompson to run onto but keeper Joe White was out smartly to block the striker’s attempted lob. Almost immediately play shifted to the other end and James Robbins got onto a ball in the angle of the penalty box but his lofted shot drifted wide of the far post. Two minutes later United posed the next threat when some great build up play involving Dean Smith, Chris Harper and Ben Thompson saw Harper float in a cross which Andy Younie got on the end of but Joe White reacted smartly to smother his header.
On 27 minutes Witney opened the scoring when Tom Butler’s free kick found it’s way to Ben Thompson who cut inside his man on the edge of the box before firing in a shot that Joe White couldn’t prevent from crossing the line. Five minutes later Jack Smith met John McMahon’s corner at the far post to power home a header for the second of the afternoon.
Half time: UNITED 2 Hook Norton 0
The second half started slowly with United looking comfortable and the hard-working Hook Norton side struggling to pose a goal threat. On the hour mark the lead was increased when Anaclet Odihambo was set free on the right and his pull back found Ben Thompson who struck home his second of the afternoon from the edge of the box. The compliment was returned six minutes later when Thompson pulled down a long ball and, having drawn the defence, slid the ball to Odihambo but his shot was dragged wide of the far post.
As the game moved into the last ten minutes more space began to appear and United nearly took advantage when a cross was cleared as far as John McMahon who fired in a shot from 20 yards which went through a crowd of players before Joe White stuck out a foot to deflect the ball away to safety. Hook Norton came very close to pulling one back within minutes when a great Pete Moulder shot from 35 yards struck the top of the bar with Paul Tassell beaten.
On 84 minutes after a great piece of individual play by Ricky Bridges he cut the ball back to Ben Thompson but the ball seemed to get under his feet and he poked his shot wide. Four minutes later a Dean Smith free kick cleared everyone in the visitor’s box except the lurking Gary Wickens who hit a fine shot only for it to be matched by the save from Joe White, whilst from the next attack Andy Styles’ header from Ricky Bridges cross struck the post and bounced to safety
In stoppage time Chris Harper got free down the right and slid a ball across the edge of the box for the onrushing Ben Thompson but keeper Joe White, together with the help of a defender, blocked his effort. Witney were not to be denied a fourth goal however and in the last minute Chris Harper again broke down the right and although he was well tackled he regained his feet and played the ball back into the path of the supporting Andy Styles who hit an excellent first time effort past the despairing White.
Website Review and MOM
This was a very good, composed performance against a vastly-improved Hook Norton side who worked very hard for each other all afternoon and could have nicked a goal for their efforts. A good all round team performance with no-one having a bad game but MoM goes to Jon-Paul Mills for his usual unstinting effort in central midfield where he won endless balls and started so many of United’s attacks.
United: 1. Paul Tassell 2. Dean Smith 3. Tom Butler 4. Lee Henderson 5. Jack Smith 6. Jon-Paul Mills 7. John McMahon 8. Andrew Younie 9. Anaclet Odihambo 10. Ben Thompson 11. Chris Harper
12. Gary Wickens (on for Odihambo 70) 14. Andrew Styles (on for Mills 82) 15. Dan Szczukiewicz (NU) 16. Vinny Byfield (NU) 17. Ricky Bridges (on for Younie 75)
Hook Norton: 1. Joe White 2. Lewis Edwards 3. Dave Buckwell 4. Anton Sambrook 5. Eric Laborieux 6. Danny Poole 7. Gary Wilson 8. Jason Smith 9. Pete Moulder 10. Ash Prentice 11. James Robbins
14. Ollie Brotherston (on for Poole 25) 15. Danny Greaves (on for Sambrook 85)
sat 5th december FA vase 3rd round att 142
witney united 4 (Odihambo 12,85 Thompson 22, Butler 83)
almondsbury town 0
United produced a pacey performance to overcome much fancied Almondsbury Town in the FA Vase Third Round with two goals in each half.
Witney started like a steam train and opened the scoring on 12 minutes when a Tom Butler corner found Anni Odhiambo totally unmarked and he glanced home a perfect header giving the visiting keeper no chance.
Just 4 minutes later and Almondsbury should have been back in the game but John Okole saved brilliantly when Matt Williams was put through one on one.
It was a miss they would definitely regret when United doubled their lead on 22 minutes. John MacMahon brilliantly intercepting the ball in midfield before sliding a perfectly weighted pass to Ben Thompson who made no mistake from just inside the box.
Witney then nearly extended their lead when a long Okole goal-kick fell to Odhiambo but he shot wide with just the keeper to beat.
The game then had a big turning point when Almondsbury were awarded a penalty after a rash challenge, but the linesman's flag was raised for offside and much to the relief of the United fans a free-kick was instead awarded.
This seemed to galvanise Witney and before half-time another long Okole kick found Thompson through with just the keeper to beat but his shot was directly at the Almonds stopper who kept his side in the tie.
If Witney were expecting a barrage in the second half it just didn't materialise and again the pace of Thompson, Odhiambo and Harper caused big problems with the visitors defence.
They did have a great chance to get back in the game but Williams blasted over from 8 yards after a testing cross from the right wing.
Just a minute later both Odhiambo and Harper had point-blank shots saved before John MacMahon header was cleared off the line from a Butler corner.
Again Thompson's pace was causing problems up front and he nearly made it three when he rounded the keeper but went too wide and the chance was gone.
Despite the 2 goal lead the United fans were understandably nervous before an early Christmas Cracker from Tom Butler put the result beyond doubt - the United winger picking the ball up deep on the right flank before unleasing a rasping drive from 25 yards which gave the Almondsbury keeper no chance.
With a 3 goal lead Witney began to relax and they scored a deserved fourth with 5 minutes remaining when a Thompson cross from the right resulted in an easy tap-in at the far post for Odhiambo to send the United fans delirious and into the Fourth round for the second season running.
Web Review and MOM
Simply awesome! Almondsbury came to The Polythene UK Stadium as hot favourites for the tie and were simply blown away by the pace of the United front men. When the visitors did attack the defence was top notch and the movement and tackling in midfield was of the highest calibre. The bookies were offering a very generous 5/2 on the Witney win and the boys didn't disappoint when it mattered.
Man of the Match is tough with a performance like today's, and Okole, Mills, Butler and Odhiambo really stood out, but for sheer 'sticking to the task' in hand this week it goes to Dan Szczukiewicz who gave the Almondsbury attack no change all afternoon and thoroughly derserves the plaudits for an excellent performance.
United: 1. John Okole 2. Dean Smith 3. Dan Szczukiewicz 4. Lee Henderson 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Jon-Paul Mills 7. John McMahon 8. Chris Harper 9. Ani Odihambo 10. Ben Thompson 11. Tom Butler
12. Andrew Younie (on for Harper 77) 14. Gary Wickens (on for Mills 90) 15. Andrew Styles (NU) 16. Vinny Byfield (NU) 17. Ricky Bridges (on for Odihambo 90)
Wed 2nd december A & M Print & Copy Floodlit Cup Q-Final Att 41
old woodstock town 0
witney united 3 (Harper 14, Cattell 20, Bridges 78)
United progressed to the semi-finals of the Floodlit Cup with a resounding victory over a yound Old Wodstock side.
Andy Lyne shuffled the pack and included Gary Wickens for his first start of the season, along with youngsters Sam McNally, Conor allmond and Chris Zoldan on the bench.
The hosts were put under pressure right from the start and John MacMahon was unlucky to see his swerving effort fly just over the bar on 6 minutes.
Just 14 minutes in and United opened the scoring with a goal of the highest calibre, Ricky Bridges brilliantly intercepting the ball in midfield and playing a slide rule pass to Chris Harper who stroked the ball past Smith in the hosts goal.
Five minutes later and the lead was doubled, this time Harper with the assist when his deep ball from the left wing was met by the head of Cattell and the ball trickled over the line despite the attention of a Woodstock defender who looked favourite for an easy clearance.
Still United continued to press and there were 3 good chances to extend their lead, first Harper forced a good save from the Woodstock keeper after another quality pass from Bridges, then an Andrew Styles rasping shot was well saved by Smith, who then kept his side in the tie with another good save from Wickens.
The second half was a tigher affair with chances more limited for both sides, but Harper did see a strog penalty appeal waved away early on after being floored by a clumbsy challenge as he shaped to shoot.
On 68 minutes substitue Tom Butler's storming run produced a good cross and was met by the head of Wickens but the effort was saved. Two minutes later a Chris Zoldan cross was perfect for Harper but his point-blank reaction shot from 6 yards was parried by the Woodstock stopper.
The Blanketmen finally killed the game off with 10 minutes remaining, and again good work by Zoldan saw him lay off the ball to Bridges whose low but firm shot beat Smith at his near post to make it 3-0.
Web Review and MOM
A job well done and not a bad performance from a single yellow player. Bridges and Byfield never put a foot wrong and deserve a mention, but today's MoM goes to Chris Harper who covered every blade of grass and other another night could have claimed a hat-trick.
United: 1 John Okole 2 Dean Smith 3. Vinny Byfield 4. Lee Henderson 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Jack Smith 7. John McMahon 8. Andrew Styles 9. Gary Wickens 10. Chris Harper 11. Ricky Bridges
12. Jon-Paul Mills 14. Tom Butler (on for Styles 63) 15. Sam McNally (NU) 16. Conor Allmond (NU) 17. Chris Zoldan (on for Wickens 70)
Old Woodstock: 1. Dan Smith 2. Tony Booker 3. Lewis Colwell 4. Jayson Mara 5. Mark Wilson 6. Adam Doyle 7. Dan Delahunt 8. Jon Da Silva 9. Andrew Smith 10. Jack Dunmall 11. Nick Thorne
12. Sisko Bangoura 14. Danny Roberts 15. Steve Bonner 16. Rhys Denton
sat 28th november bluefin insurance challenge cup 1st round att 93
witney united 8 (Byfield 39, Harper 40, Thompson 47, Cattell 50,62,72, Odihambo 73, Younie 82)
letcombe 1 (Horswell 80)
United rattled up a record victory with centre-back Stuart Cattell grabbing a hat-trick as Division One West side Letcombe were thumped in the Bluefin Insurance Challenge Cup.
The home side were on the front foot from the off looking to build on the impressive performance at Almondsbury and Ben Thompson saw his curling shot tipped wide by Simon Byrne.
Anaclet Odihambo has quickly become a crowd favourite at Witney and twice he went close to getting his name on the scoresheet as he flicked a low shot by Andrew Styles over the crossbar and then his header from Chris Harper's cross trickled wide of the post.
Byrne was having an impressive afternoon in the Letcombe goal and he denied both Harper and Thompson as United looked for the breakthrough goal.
As it looked like United were to be left frustrated at the break two goals came along in 60 seconds to give the half a scoreline that mirrored what had happened on the pitch.
The first was a stunning effort from an unlikely source as John McMahon and Thompson worked the ball to Vinny Byfield who from 20 yards calmly curled the ball into the top corner of the net.
With the ground still buzzing from the quality of the goal the second came as Stuart Cattell's crossfield pass was knocked back into the danger area by McMahon and met by Harper who tucked the ball home from close range.
Half-Time Witney United 2 Letcombe 0
If the first half had been impressive the second was quite simply a goal fest as United were ruthless in front of goal.
The clock had ticked past two minutes for the half when a loose ball in the area dropped at the feet of Thompson who took a touch and drilled the ball into the corner of the net.
Moments later and it was 4-0 as a corner by McMahon was bouncing around in the area and Cattell got his leg to the ball and poked into the net.
It was Cattell who grabbed his second of the afternoon just after the hour when another corner was not dealt with and the centre-half showed striker like reactions to prod it into the net.
Byrne done well to deny McMahon's curling strike from 25 yards and substitute Gary Wickens done well to tee up Odihambo but his shot was dragged past the post.
The sixth wasnt long in coming though and it was another McMahon corner fizzed in with pace which was helped in by Odihambo and there was Cattell for the most unlikeliest of hat-tricks.
Again as the celebrations died down United struck again when John Okole delivered a long ball perfectly into the path of Odihambo who lofted the ball over the advancing Byrne and into the net.
The visitors kept trying to their credit and never resorted to kicking out in frustration and got their reward when former United youngster Peter Horswell capitalised on a mix up in the United defence before rounding Okole and finishing well.
United were to have the last word though and it was Andrew Younie who latched on to a flick on by Wickens before twisting and turning in the box and firing the ball through the legs of Byrne to seal a clash with Woodley Town in the second round.
Website Review and MOM
Quite simply a breathtaking display! To be honest we should have been out of sight before we even got the first and as soon as we did the goals kept coming at good intervals. Some of the play was excellent as the ball was passed around on the superb surface. MOM would be easy to give to Stuart Cattell for his hat-trick as a centre-half but will have to go with Jon-Paul Mills who was superb for the 74 minutes he graced the pitch.
United: 1. John Okole 2. Tom Butler 3. Dan Szczukiewicz 4. Vinny Byfield 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Jon-Paul Mills 7. John McMahon 8. Anaclet Odihambo 9. Chris Harper 10. Ben Thompson 11. Andrew Styles
12. Andrew Younie (on for Odihambo 74) 14. Dean Smith (NU) 15. Sam McNally (on for Mills 74) 16. Ricky Bridges (NU) 17. Gary Wickens (on for Thompson 65)
Letcombe: 1. Simon Byrne 2. Luke Faircloth 3. Tom Broad 4. David Richardson 5. Joe Kent 6. Liam Bint 7. Adam Pendell 8. Scott Hooper 9. Peter Horswell 10. Lyle Gifford 11. Harry Trethowan
12. Josh Cottrell (on for Trethowan 62) 14. Jamie Macdonagh (on for Kent 55) 15. Alan Gifford (NU)
wed 25th november FTL futbol hellenic premier att 54
almondsbury town 1 (Stern 75)
witney united 1 (Styles 77)
Witney gained a fine point away at unbeaten Almondsbury Town after an excellent game of football.
Both teams were intent on winning and the game moved from end to end with plenty of good quality football on show. After a cagey opening Witney appeared to be gaining the upper hand but it was Almondsbury who created the first clear scoring chance on 15 minutes when a corner was dummied at the near post leading to a scramble in the six-yard box before John Okole bravely dived amongst the flying boots to claim the ball.
Almondsbury continued to threaten on the break although United were enjoying more possession and it was one of those breaks that saw the ever dangerous Ross Stearn latch onto a long ball over the top and although clear inside the area he couldn’t keep his shot down. Just after the half-hour Stuart Cattell intercepted a ball in defence and quickly fed John McMahon who played a ball over the top of the defence, which Ben Thompson latched onto, but he couldn’t get any direction on his lob over the onrushing keeper.
Just before half-time it was Thompson who turned provider when he read a pass out of defence and played in Anaclet Odihambo but Lee Matthews in the home goal was quickly out to save.
Half-time: Almondsbury Town 0 UNITED 0
The second half started brightly with both sides having chances in the first ten minutes, First of these came when Ross Stearn was put clear on gaol but John Okole saved well, and bravely, at his feet. Five minutes later United should have had the perfect opportunity to take the lead when Andy Styles burst forward and passed to John McMahon who cut inside his man and shot from 18 yards. Lee Matthews got down at his post to save the effort but couldn’t hold the ball and Ben Thompson pounced onto the loose ball only for the keeper to grab his legs and pull him to the ground for one of the easiest penalty decisions we are ever likely to see – the referee waved play-on.
On the hour United almost grabbed the lead their play deserved when Chris Harper held the ball up for Tom Butler to hit a cross in which was too close to the keeper but Lee Matthews dropped the ball on the goaline and as Anaclet Odihambo followed up the United players claimed the ball had crossed the line but the linesman disagreed.
On 74 minutes Almondsbury took the lead when a free kick saw John Okole challenged for the ball in the air and when the ball broke loose it was worked to Ross Stearn who had a simple tap in. United responded well to the setback and only 3 minutes later equalised after Lee Matthews had initially got a good punch to John McMahon’s corner. Andy Styles picked up the loose ball out wide and hooked it back into the danger area where it dropped under the bar with Matthews unable to keep it out.
With 10 minutes to go United almost got the winner when a corner was flicked on by John McMahon at the near post and Stuart Cattell’s second header came back off the post. Both sides continued to look for the elusive winner but it was not to be.
Website View and MOM:
This was an excellent performance from a Witney side missing several players (Lee Henderson, Gary Wickens, Dean Smith, Vinny Byfield to name a few) against a good Almondsbury side who always posed a threat with their pace up front. The whole team played well and a particular mention must be made of Andy Styles who hasn’t started many games this season but did a great job tonight when called upon, but MoM goes to Stuart Cattell who was immense at the back all night and who nearly grabbed the winner in the last ten minutes.
United: 1. John Okole 2. Dan Szczukiewicz 3. Tom Butler 4. Jack Smith 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Jon-Paul Mills 7. John McMahon 8. Anaclet Odihambo 9. Chris Harper 10. Ben Thompson 11. Andrew Styles
12. Conor Allmond (NU) 14. Sam McNally (NU) 15. Chris Zoldan (NU)
Almondsbury: 1. Lee Matthews 2. Chris Williams 3. Danny Haines 4. Marcus Mapstone 5. Dale Peckham 6. Simon Gilbert 7. Ross Stearn 8. Paul Chenoweth 9. Dean Griffiths 10. Matt Williams 11. Jason Wood
12. Sahr Kabba (on for Williams 79) 14. Michael Whittington (NU) 15. David Ansinyah (NU) 16. Nick Dunn (NU) 17. Tony Davis (NU)
sat 21st November FTL futbol hellenic premier att 33
pegasus juniors 2 (Symonds 31, Price 37)
witney united 1 (Odihambo 88)
United went down to a first defeat since early October in driving rain and howling wind in deepest Herefordshire as they failed to overturn a two goal deficit.
Playing against the wind in the first half and into the driving rain United not surprisingly struggled to get the ball down and play although they did create the games first chance when a John McMahon corner was met by the glancing head of Chris Harper but dropped just wide of goal.
The home side first tested John Okole midway through the half when Bobby Aldrich struck a 30 yard free-kick straight into his body.
Just after the half hour the home side took the lead when Ben Price got clear with United looking for an offside flag and his cross found it's way to Mike Symonds who clipped home at the back post.
Six minutes later and the pain was doubled as Lee Henderson allowed a ball to run towards the byeline but Jamie Cuss reacted quickest and kept it in and crossed to Price who made no mistake.
Half-Time Pegasus Juniors 2 Witney United 0
United came out after the break looking for an early goal to get them right back in the game and within 60 seconds the home keeper held well from Ani Odihambo after Harper had cut the ball back to him.
The home side had a glorious chance to kill the game just a minute later when a through ball released Cuss who ran on with the ball but Okole showed great anticipation to come out and save.
Vinny Byfield came on and went up front as United chased a route back into the game and the big defender alomst brought instant dividends when his flick on found Odihambo but he headed over from close range.
Five minutes from time and United thought they had found the route back into the game as Tom Butler struck a free-kick which hit the crossbar and the ball broke to Stuart Cattell whose header was held by Stuart Turpin but appeared to be over the line as all the United players celebrated the goal but the referee adjudged the ball hadnt crossed the line.
Two minutes from time and the goal did come as Dean Smith slung in a cross which was helped on by Byfield to Odihambo who blasted the ball home.
Despite some late pressure another chance didnt come and the long journey on an awful day was to end with no reward for their efforts.
Website Review and MOM
A terrible day for football with not only the strong wind but the driving rain to contend with. For the first half hour we never looked in any trouble but two goals in a short space of time left us chasing the game and open as we pressed. MOM goes to Jack Smith who was without doubt the most composed footballer on the pitch all day long.
United: 1. John Okole 2. Dean Smith 3. Dan Szczukiewicz 4. Lee Henderson 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Jack Smith 7. John McMahon 8. Andrew Younie 9. Chris Harper 10. Ani Odihambo 11. Tom Butler
12. Andrew Styles (on for J Smith 85) 14. Vinny Byfield (on for Younie 67) 15. Conor Allmond (NU)
Pegasus: 1. Stuart Turpin 2. Richard Harrison 3. Mike Symonds 4. Dan Price 5. Bobby Aldrich 6. Andy Mowen 7. Ben Price 8. Jamie Cuss 9. Simon Gwynne 10. Gary Randle 11. Lee Ferneyhough
12. Keith Holmans (on for Ferneyhough 70) 14. Sam Preece (NU) 15. Chris Hyde (NU)
wed 18th november Jim newman cup final att 65
witney united 3 (J smith 46, Styles 52, Bridges 67)
letcombe 2
Match played at Clanfield Football Club
A very youthful Witney United team ran out winners in the Jim Newnam Cup Final last night and ended the clubs wait for a trophy since forming.
The game, played in blustery conditions, took a while to come to life but the better of the early chances fell to Letcombe who were looking to play early balls through to their quick forwards but they found John Okole in good form.
Witney’s chances in the first half were mainly limited to shots from outside of the penalty area with both John McMahon and Frank Harrison shooting high.
Half-Time Witney United 0 Letcombe 0
The first goal came early in the second period when a well delivered corner from the right was not cleared by Letcombe and Jack Smith was quickest to the ball to score.
Six minutes later a slick three pass move saw Andrew Styles run through on goal and slot in a fine goal to the Letcombe keepers left.
Letcombe were looking to get back into the game and Okole had to make a smart save to his left from the to keep the Blanketmen two up.
But on 67 minutes a fine right wing cross was met by Ricky Bridges who had perfectly timed his run into the box to fire a beautiful half volley into the net.
Although Witney now looked in charge Letcombe, on 86mins, were given a late lifeline when the referee gave a debatable free kick slightly to the left of the Witney box. The ball was launched high towards the far post where Okole looked to take the ball but the wind caught it and took it into the top corner of the net.
A minute later Okole had to be at his best to save a point blank shot at his near post but as the clock went well passed the 90 minute mark Letcombe got a second goal.
Okole dropped the ball as he looked to make a regulation clearance from his hands. He picked the ball up and, correctly, an indirect free kick was awarded. The ball was smashed into the wall and took a deflection that left Okole no chance but moments later the final whistle blew and United were victorious.
Website Review and MOM
This was a game that was played on an excellent surface but in blustery conditions that made the game a little scrappy especially in the first half but three goals gave United a cushion that would clinch them the trophy. MOM goes to Andrew Styles whose hard work was rewarded with a well taken goal.
United: 1. John Okole 2. Dean Smith 3. Dan Szczukiewicz 4. Jack Smith 5. Sam McNally 6. Andrew Styles 7. John McMahon 8. Conor Allmond 9. Frank Harrison 10. Chris Zoldan 11. Ricky Bridges
14. Will Bridgewater (on for Allmond 61) 15. Mark Hague (NU)
sat 14th november FA vase 2nd round att 121
witney united 5 (Harper 29, Odihambo 41,42,70, McMahon 51)
erith & Belvedere 1 (Tipple 59)
Match Sponsored by Eden Springs
There are times when there is nothing you can write that will describe a teams performance and this is one of those occassions as United produced a stunning display to brush aside high-flying Kent League side Erith & Belvedere at The Polythene Uk Stadium this afternoon in the FA Vase.
The pitch was in amazing condition following the rain that had battered West Oxfordshire but the wind blowing from the Golf Course End was always going to make life difficult for both sides.
United started the game with the wind at their backs but both sides were cagey in the opening with the visitors clearly content to see the game through to the interval and then use the wind to their advantage.
However just before the half hour mark United got the breakthrough from a brilliantly delivered free-kick. Tom Butler hit an inswinging cross with pace and the faintest of touches by the head of Chris Harper made sure the ball flew into the net giving Matt Bromby no chance.
This clearly lifted United and suddenly the chances started coming and Butler went close with a long range effort and Anaclet Odihambo was inches away with a curling shot.
There was almost a freak goal from the half way line when Dan Szczukiewicz hit a long ball which skipped off the wet pitch and landed on the roof of the net with Bromby beaten.
With four minutes until the break United doubled their advantage when Harper combined well with Odihambo before the latter drove the ball into the net.
With the United fans still chanting his name the lively striker found the net again less than 60 seconds later. Erith took the kick off but Jon-Paul Mills won the ball back and five passes later Harper delivered a cross along the floor which Odihambo turned into the net to spark wild scenes of delight.
Half-Time Witney United 3 Erith & Belvedere 0
The Deres were expected to come out after the break and throw the kitchen sink at United but it was the Blanketmen who kept up their patient passing play.
Harper and Butler both went close as the onslaught couldnt come because United had them on the back foot and they were rewarded six minutes into the second half when the fourth goal came.
United were awarded a free-kick on the left flank and skipper John McMahon produced a stunning piece of opportunism when he curled his effort in at the near post as the defence waited to defend a cross.
For the first time in the game United were forced to defend and Danny Tipple hit a long range swerving effort which brought a world class save from the previously spectating John Okole.
A minute later though and the same two players had the reverse fortunes as Tipple struck another long range strike which skidded off the wet pitch and Okole couldnt hold the shot and it rolled over the line.
It was to be no more than a consolation goal though and twenty minutes from time the home side added a fifth goal to kill the game off.
Again Butler collected a loose ball and he worked the percentages with a low drilled cross which the defence didnt deal with and Odihambo pounced to complete his hat-trick.
As if the United fans hadnt had enough to celebrate with just thirteen minutes from time Gary Wickens came off the bench for his first appearance following injury.
The final whistle blew and the United fans roared their team from the field safe in the knowledge that they were in the hat for the third round draw on Monday.
Website Review and MOM
What a display and how the fans loved it! We were lively, creative, hard working and best of all the Vase buzz was back!! MOM was so tough as so many players produced a good display but Ani Odihambo produced a sensational performance with the goals as a personal reward. Quick word also to groundsman Pete Bridgewater who produced such an excellent surface to play on.
United: 1. John Okole 2. Dean Smith 3. Dan Szczukiewicz 4. Lee Henderson 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Jon-Paul Mills 7. John McMahon 8. Andrew Younie 9. Chris Harper 10. Anaclet Odihambo 11. Tom Butler
12. Vinny Byfield (on for Henderson 70) 14. Andrew Styles (NU) 15. Ricky Bridges (NU) 16. Chris Zoldan (on for Odihambo 84) 17. Gary Wickens (on for Harper 77)
Erith & Belvedere: 1. Matt Bromby 2. Matt Bedford 3. Joe Penny 4. Michael Dodsworth 5. Casey Scotter 6. John Maloney 7. Jon-Paul Collier 8. David Conway 9. Ross Cable 10. Jon Neal 11. Danny Tipple
12. Huseyin Budak (on for Penny 53) 14. Louis Collins (on for Neal 61) 15. Harbingi Grant (NU) 16. Nathan Bell (on for Conway 77) 17. Alex Hyde (NU)
Mon 9th november A & M Print & Copy Floodlit Cup 2nd Round att 63
milton united 0
witney united 3 (Thompson 47, Bridges 68, Zoldan 70)
United progressed to the Quarter Finals of the Floodlit Cup on a night when victory may have come at a cost as striker Ben Thompson hobbled off with an injury.
Traffic problems and the upcoming FA Vase came saw Andy Lyne make a number of changes with full debuts for both Conor Allmond and Chris Zoldan with Ricky Bridges also starting the match against a Milton United side unbeaten in all competitions at home this season.
There was controversy in the opening ten minutes of the game when a long ball saw Allmond race clear and as he went to lob Steve Howe the keeper blocked with his hands outside the area. The free-kick was awarded but the keeper was handed just a caution for his actions and Tom Butler blazed the free-kick over the bar.
Butler created United's next opening when his inswinging free-kick was met with the faintest of touches by Jack Smith but the ball dropped the wrong side of the post.
The home side were very pacey up front and twice John Okole had to rush from his line to deny both Anthony Alleyne and Adam Bailey.
Bridges has a wicked shot on him and he wasnt far away with a strike from 25 yards that had Howe scrambling in his area.
Dean Smith was back to his best on a cold night and his inch perfect cross was met by Zoldan but again the ball dropped the wrong side of the post.
Half-Time Milton United 0 Witney United 0
With United up to full compliment with all their players arriving Andy Lyne made a double switch at the break with Ben Thompson and Andrew Styles replacing Jon-Paul Mills and Conor Allmond and the change paid immdiate dividends. Butler and Zoldan played two clever passes which found Thompson who drilled the ball into the bottom corner of the net giving Howe no chance with his first touch after coming on.
The joy of the goal was short lived though as Thompson hobbled off with what looked like an ankle injury after getting his studs trapped in the turf chasing down a clearance.
United were beginning to press a lot more and Styles went very close with a clever effort from 22 yards before he was involved in the second goal midway through the half.
He won the ball in midfield and drove at the heart of the Milton defence before producing a powerful effort which Howe couldnt hold and Bridges reacted quickest to blast the ball back into the net.
Two minutes later and the game was over as a contest as Styles pressured the home defence into an error before finding Zoldan who calmly looked up and chipped the ball over the head of Howe and into the net for a debut goal.
The young striker's confidence was up now and when Butler played a clever pass into him he calmly rolled a shot past Howe but the ball struck the foot of the post.
Milton started to throw a bit of caution to the wind and Johnny Summers saw his powerful effort well held by John Okole before a mass scramble ended with Bridges kicking the ball off the line to safety.
Both sides had a goal disallowed in the final minute with Milton breaking quickly but being caught offside before Butler's dainty chip was poked home by Zoldan but he was denied by the flag. The final whistle saw United the first team to book their place in the final eight of the competition.
Website Review and MOM
A place safely secured in the last eight of the cup with a good second half display as United fought off plucky opponents who never gave in all night. MOM was close with both Vinny Byfield and Chris Zoldan giving good displays but Dean Smith was right back to his best both defensively and also creating attacks from his customary right-back position.
United: 1. John Okole 2. Dean Smith 3. Dan Szczukiewicz 4. Jack Smith 5. Vinny Byfield 6. Stuart Cattell 7. Jon-Paul Mills 8. Ricky Bridges 9. Chris Zoldan 10. Conor Allmond 11. Tom Butler
12. Ben Thompson (on for Mills H/T) 14. Lee Henderson (NU) 15. Andrew Styles (on for Allmond H/T) 16. John McMahon (on for Thompson 62) 17. Frank Harrison (NU)
Milton: 1. Steve Howe 2. Ben Taylor 3. Jamie Jones 4. Kirk Willmoth 5. Liam Thorne 6. Adam Drake 7. Tom Gooding 8. Ryan Williams 9. Anthony Alleyne 10. Adam Bailey 11. Matthew Drake
12. Ben Ashby (on for A Drake 64) 14. Warren McCabe (on for Alleyne 74) 15. Johnny Summers (on for M Drake 70) 16. Bobby Wilkinson (NU)
sat 7th november FTL futbol hellenic premier att 129
witney united 2 (Thompson 32, J Smith 76)
shortwood united 1 (Casey 50)
United continued their recent fine run as they made it six games unbeaten and in the process beat promotion favourites Shortwood United in a thrilling encounter at The Polythene UK Stadium.
Lee Henderson failed his pre-match fitness test so there was a recall at the heart of the United defence for Jack Smith with United looking to avenge the opening day defeat.
It was the visitors who started the sharper in the opening stages and John Okole had to be at his sharpest to tip over a header by Matt Bennett.
Bennett was denied again by Okole when the keeper held his powerful shot after a corner wasnt dealt with by the United defence.
Shortwood then had a huge appeal for a penalty when Dean Smith handled the ball in the area under pressure from Andy Hoskins but the referee waved away all the protests.
This seemed to inspire United though and from then on they pressed forward and Andrew Younie caused havoc with a run from deep which then saw him release Ani Odihambo who rounded Rich Thomas but shot wide of the goal.
It was United's turn to feel aggrieved moments later when a short backpass saw Thomas take out his own defender and Odihambo laid the ball back to Ben Thompson who slotted home but the referee adjudged that Odihambo had committed the foul even though it was the visitors keeper who had flattened his own defender.
Three minutes later and United did have the lead and the goal was as excellent as it was simple. Odihambo collected the ball in front of the home dug out and rolled a pass into the feet of Thompson who span Ashley Thomas and drilled the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
United then went agonisingly close to doubling the advantage when Odihambo chased Jon-Paul Mills through ball and lobbed Thomas but the ball hit the bar and bounced to safety.
Half-Time Witney United 1 Shortwood United 0
Shortwood were keen to get on level terms as soon as possible and after Okole denied Ross Casey the same man popped up five minutes after the interval with the equaliser.
A long throw by Luke Bennyworth caused confusion and Okole palmed away a snap shot it broke to Casey who poked home from close range.
All this did though was give United a further incentive to drive forward and John McMahon's cross was flicked goalwards by Thompson but Thomas did well to save.
As the clock ticked past the quarter of an hour remaining United grabbed what would turn out to be the winning goal and from the unlikeliest of sources.
Odihambo chased what seemed a lost cause but managed to nick the ball away from Thomas and although his cross was headed away it broke to Jack Smith who smashed the ball home from ten yards out.
It was almost United who grabbed another goal in the dying seconds when Thompson picked out Odihambo with a cross but his header was deflected over by the back of Bennyworth's head but that was to be the final action of a pulsating encounter that saw the United fans roar their heroes from the field.
Website Review and MOM
A very good performance by the whole team who other than about 25 minutes of the whole match were without doubt the better side. The workrate was sensational right across the pitch and some of the football at times sublime. The MOM was going to be a tie between Stuart Cattell and Jack Smith but when the young man struck home the winner he just stole it!!
United: 1. John Okole 2. Dean Smith 3. Dan Szczukiewicz 4. Jack Smith 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Tom Butler 7. John McMahon 8. Jon-Paul Mills 9. Ani Odihambo 10. Ben Thompson 11. Andrew Younie
12. Andrew Styles (NU) 14. Ricky Bridges (NU) 15. Lee Henderson (NU)
Shortwood: 1. Rich Thomas 2. Luke Bennyworth 3. Alton Axton 4. Joe Macklin 5. Ashley Thomas 6. Ross Casey 7. James Singh 8. Mike Green 9. Matt Bennett 10. Andy Hoskins 11. Matt Collins
12. Alex Allard (on for Collins 72) 14. Rich Evans (on for Macklin 84) 15. Chris Greenough (NU) 16. Harry Etheridge (on for Singh 64) 17. Jake Parrott (NU)
tue 3rd november FTL futbol hellenic premier att 100
highworth town 1 (Crocker 65)
witney united 1 (Younie 38)
Witney maintained their unbeaten run in the league with a hard fought, but deserved, draw at Highworth Town.
John Okole made the first of several good saves as early as the tenth minute when a free kick was cleared out to Tony Joyce who, from 30 yards, went for goal but Okole got up to tip the ball onto the cross bar and over. Six minutes later and United almost took the lead when Jon McMahon let fly from 20 yards but Ian Gill in the home goal made a great full-length save to deny him.
As both teams continued to press for the opener the game flowed from end to end but United where indebted to Okole again on 19 minutes when a free kick saw Tom Cole with a free header which the keeper did well to save and Okole performed heroically to save two follow-up shots. In keeping with the game the next chance fell to United when a good build up involving J-P Mills and Ben Thompson freed Tom Butler to fire in a near post cross which Andy Younie got on the end of but could only divert the ball into the side netting.
On 32 minutes Ricky Johnson flicked a Dean Smith throw on and Ben Thompson turned brilliantly to fire in a shot but Ian Gill reacted equally brilliantly to turn it away. Just six minutes later and United took a lead that their play was starting to deserve as they enjoyed more and more possession. A good build up down the left wing saw Ricky Johnson put Andy Younie in on goal and his cool lob over the onrushing Gill found the net. As half time approached United almost doubled their lead when Anaclet Odihambo beat his man to get in a cross which Ricky Johnson headed goalwards past the keeper but a covering defender got back to clear off the line.
Half-time: Highworth Town 0 UNITED 1
Highworth came out strongly at the start of the second half and almost equalised in the first minute when Matty Bennett got onto a long ball over the defence but his shot across goal beat the far post. On 53 minutes it was Bennett again who posed a threat when Richie Crocker found him unmarked on the penalty spot but John Okole made a brilliant, and brave, save at his feet.
On 63 minutes John McMahon got to the bye line and his deep cross was met at the back post by Ricky Johnson but his header flew just wide. Within two minutes Highworth had equalised when Richie Crocker tapped in a loose ball after John Okole had made another fine save from Dan Hilder following his fine run into the left channel.
The game continued to flow from end to end as both sides sought the winner but in a good physical, but fair, game neither could produce the extra bit of craft needed to brae down two dogged defences.
Website Review and MOM
This was a very good game between two sides that were evenly matched on the night and a draw was a fair outcome. Although United weren’t at their best they always posed a threat and the work rate from everyone was superb. J-P Mills had a storming match in centre midfield which would normally have seen him collect the MoM but John Okole’s performance was outstanding and some of his saves stunning, especially the triple save in the first half, so he picks up the award for tonight.
United: 1. John Okole 2. Dean Smith 3. Tom Butler 4. Dan Szczukiewicz 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Andrew Younie 7. John McMahon 8. Jon-Paul Mills 9. Ricky Johnson 10. Ben Thompson 11. Anaclet Odihambo
12. Jack Smith (on for Johnson 65) 14. Andrew Styles (on for Younie 85) 15. Vinny Byfield (NU) 16. Ricky Bridges (NU) 17. Sam McNally (NU)
Highworth: 1. Ian Gill 2. Dan Wallington 3. Dan Bishop 4. Stuart Pearson 5. Tom Cole 6. Steve Yeardley 7. Tony Joyce 8. Paul Cooper 9. Matty Bennett 10. Ritchie Crocker 11. Dan Hilder
12. Ben Snook (NU) 14. Terry Bohane (on for Hilder 75) 15. Matty Bown (on for Joyce 75) 16. Kevin Tate (NU) 17. Ben Goodey (NU)
fri 30th october FTL futbol hellenic premier att 198
witney united 6 (Younie 11,34,Johnson 19,43,Henderson 59,Butler 76)
bicester town 0
United celebrated Fabulous Friday with a fourth successive victory and clean sheet in front of their biggest league crowd of the season at The Polythene UK Stadium.
It was an unchanged starting line-up that began the historic Friday night fixture and it was clear from the first whistle that United were well and truly up for the match.
However United fans had hearts in mouths when a long ball saw John Okole slip outside his box and handle the ball but with covering defenders and the ball to the left side of the box the referee chose a yellow card as punishment.
Ricky Johnson had suffered a frustrating evening on Tuesday in front of goal and he must have wondered if he was in for another one when Andrew Younie created some excellent space before teeing up Johnson who saw his goalbound shot blocked by Richard Wells.
The same two players combined for United's opener with just eleven minutes on the clock as Johnson cleverly found Younie and he calmly clipped the ball past Jeff Simmonds and into the net.
Kicking towards the covered end United were well on top and Anaclet Odihambo was next to go close as his spin and shot after John McMahon had nodded down Tom Butler's corner went just over the bar.
It was Odihambo who was at the end of the next chance as well as a flowing passing move involving five passes and three players resulted in a cross by Younie being fired over with an overhead kick from the lively striker.
Bicester had their first real opening of the night moments later when John Umney won the ball from Dean Smith before drilling a low cross but Alex Feaver couldnt connect with it.
They were made to pay in the harshest fashion as United doubled their advantage 60 seconds later. Jon-Paul Mills found himself on the wing from where he delivered an inch perfect cross to Johnson who sent his header back into the corner of the net from where the cross had come giving Simmonds no chance.
It was one-way traffic now and just after the half-hour the third of the night came when Younie raced on to a through ball and lifted the perfect lob over Simmonds and into the net.
Johnson was then denied by an offside flag as he turned McMahon's low effort into the net but he was smiling moments later as he grabbed his second of the night. Butler played a perfectly weighted pass into the big striker's path and he ran on and smashed the ball past Simmonds and into the net.
Half-Time Witney United 4 Bicester Town 0
The opening stages of the second half saw both sides hit the woodwork as first Odihambo's instinctive effort came back off the post and on the break Nathan Hunt hit a great strike which beat Okole but hit the top of the crossbar and went over.
That effort was a small respite though as just before the hour the fifth goal came. Butler delivered a corner which was met perfectly by the head of former Bicester defender Lee Henderson and flew into the net.
McMahon and Odihambo both went agonisingly close to extending the lead as the both had shots that beat Simmonds but could only watch as they drifted the wrong side of the post and crossbar respectively.
The sixth goal arrived with quarter of an hour remaining when Johnson muscled former United man Chris Johnson off the ball before laying it into the path of Butler who drove a low shot into the bottom corner of the net.
United continued to press looking for more goals but as the final whistle blew they had gained a fourth straight win and lifted themselves up to 5th in the league in front of a delighted home support.
Website Review and MOM
Many times in front of decent sized crowds United havent performed as they would have liked, last night the opposite was the case. Some of the football was a joy to watch in a ruthless display that punished Bicester. MOM goes to Andrew Younie who was scorer, creator and worked himself into the ground in an excellent display that was rewarded with a standing ovation when substituted.
United: 1. John Okole 2. Dean Smith 3. Dan Szczukiewicz 4. Lee Henderson 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Andrew Younie 7. John McMahon 8. Jon-Paul Mills 9. Ricky Johnson 10. Anaclet Odihambo 11. Tom Butler
12. Andrew Styles (on for Younie 77) 14. Ricky Bridges (on for Henderson 65) 15. Sam McNally (on for McMahon 68) 16. Chris Zoldan (NU) 17. Conor Allmond (NU)
Bicester: 1. Jeff Simmonds 2. Richard Wells 3. Louis George 4. Steve Andrews 5. Chris Johnson 6. Pete Lamont 7. Aaron Andrews 8. Danny Green 9. Alex Feaver 10. John Umney 11. Nathan Hunt
12. Danny Philips (NU) 14. Danny Phipps (on for S Andrews 51) 15. Louis Brown (on for George H/T) 16. Nathan Hallam (on for Green H/T) 17. Jason Baver (NU)
tue 27th october FTL futbol hellenic premier att 106
witney united 4 (Odihambo 12,52 OG 31, McMahon 45)
malmesbury victoria 0
United racked up a third straight win and a third successive clean sheet as their return to form continued with an excellent display at The Polythene UK Stadium last night.
There were two changes to Saturday's line-up with both Ben Thompson and Jack Smith ruled out through injury who were replaced with Ricky Johnson and new signing Anaclet Odihambo.
The Blanketmen started the game on the front foot as they looked to put the visitors under early pressure and John McMahon went close from distance after his clever spin got him away from his marker but his shot was just too high
The pace of Odihambo was starting to cause problems for The Vics and his vicious strike almost led to a goal but Adrian Roper managed to deflect it over with his head.
Moments later though and Odihambo did have his debut goal, a quick throw-in by Dean Smith found McMahon who swung in a cross to the back post where it was met by the head of the striker whose downward header bounced up into the roof of the net.
Any hopes that Malmesbury had that United would ease off were more hope than anything else and Tom Butler's dipping free-kick was the paint width away from being a second goal.
The delivery of Butler was to be the making of the second goal as his free-kick had to be defended but all Roper could do was head the ball into the top corner of the net.
It was one way traffic as United continued to swarm forward and the visitors frustration was being taken out in the means of some rather exuberant tackling one of which led to McMahon striking a free-kick which was heading for the top corner but Ant Brown clawed the ball away.
Right on the stroke of half-time the third goal that United's play deserved came and it was the skipper who got the goal. A chipped pass by Smith was flicked on by the tireless Ricky Johnson into the path of McMahon who ran on and calmly slotted the ball into the far corner of the net.
It was almost four right from kick off as United chased the ball down and Johnson charged down Brown's clearance but the ball trickled just wide of the goal.
Half-Time Witney United 3 Malmesbury Victoria 0
The second half began in the same vain as the first and the fourth goal was rippling the Malmesbury net just seven minutes into it.
Another reckless challenge produced a free-kick for United which McMahon cleverly picked out Andrew Younie whose cross was deflected up and over Brown in the goal and Odihambo reacted well to bundle the ball over the line for his second of the night.
It should have been five just seconds later when Butler delivered a great cross into the heart of the box and Johnson skied his effort over the bar denying him the goal his efforts deserved.
McMahon was inches away from his second of the night on two occasions as first his corner was clawed out by Brown and then the stopper got over to tip his shot wide.
With the game dead as a contest the visitors produced their first real effort on goal on 70 minutes when Phil Corcoran got away from his marker and his fierce shot was tipped over well by John Okole.
Substitute Andy Varnam almost grabbed a consolation goal as he raced onto a long ball and managed to lift over Okole but the ball dropped on the wrong side of the crossbar.
It was left to United to have the last significant effort on goal when Smith won a tackle and hit an early shot from 30 yards but Brown was equal to it and held well.
The final whistle went and the victory saw United up to 8th in the table and three days to prepare for the Fabulous Friday fixture against Bicester Town.
Website Review and MOM
An excellent display from United for the entire 90 minutes and in fairness the 4-0 scoreline was no more than we deserved. We passed the ball well, got in crosses and had efforts on goal whilst at the other end we were solid and on form when called upon. MOM goes to the man who had the dream debut, his work ethic proved him an irritation to the Malmesbury defence all evening and his two goals were a bonus for Anaclet Odihambo.
United: 1. John Okole 2. Dean Smith 3. Dan Szczukiewicz 4. Lee Henderson 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Andrew Younie 7. John McMahon 8. Jon-Paul Mills 9. Ricky Johnson 10. Anaclet Odihambo 11. Tom Butler
12. Andrew Styles (on for Johnson 80) 14. Vinny Byfield (NU) 15. Ricky Bridges (on for Odihambo 80) 16. Sam McNally (on for Younie 78)
Malmesbury: 1. Ant Brown 2. Matthew Dale 3. Gareth Davies 4. Adrian Roper 5. Mark Peters 6. Mike Solan 7. Adam Whitefield 8. Adam Smith 9. Phil Corcoran 10. Kevin Coles 11. Chris Oke
12. John Edmonds (on for Smith 60) 14. Andy Varnam (on for Coles 60) 15. Chris Green (NU) 16. Leigh Brown (on for Whitefield 78)
sat 24th october FTL futbol hellenic premier att 112
witney united 2 (Younie 5, Johnson 80)
Shrivenham 0
United gained their second win and clean sheet in a row with a solid win over Shrivenham at a windy Polythene UK Stadium this afternoon.
Andy Lyne stuck with the same starting line-up that won 3-0 at Fairford the previous week.
United opened the scoring after just 5 minutes after a calamity in the Shrivenham defence, a long Tom Butler corner was headed back towards goal by Ben Thompson and Luke Alford in the visitors goal decided it was safe and left it, only to see it rebound off the crossbar and fall to Lee Henderson whose shot from 6 yards also crashed back off the crossbar but luckily Andrew Younie was on hand to poke home the ball to give United the lead.
On 18 minutes the visitors had their first real chance of the afternoon, Jack Smith losing the ball in midfield allowing Blaine Fitzgerald to run and shoot from just inside the box but John Okole in the Witney goal was alert and palmed the ball away to safety.
Half-way through the first half Ben Thompson was denied when his point-blank header was pushed away by Alford from a testing Jon-Paul Mills corner.
Shrivenham then went close just before the break but Henderson was the hero clearing off the line after a good save by Okole.
Half-Time Witney United 1 Shrivenham 0
The second continued in similar vain to the first, and on 53 minutes terrific vision from Dan Szczukiewicz saw a slide-rule pass find John McMahon but Johnny Aitkenhead's last ditch tackle kept his side in the game just as the United captain was shaping to shoot.
United went close again with 15 minutes remaining when Szczukiewicz's curling free-kick was met by the head of substitute Ricky Johnson but his effort went just over.
Shrivenham were nearly gifted an equaliser a minute later when Henderson sliced a wicked cross goalwards but Okole made an excellent reaction save.
Johnson's aerial threat was troubling the visitor's defence and United finally killed them off on 80 minutes, the big talisman rising well from a McMahon corner and heading in giving Alford no chance.
United saw out the remaining 10 minutes with ease to pick up their sixth win of the season which moved them up to tenth place.
Website Review and MOM
A good victory and importantly a second clean sheet in a row makes our poor run of form seem a distant memory. The defence were solid, and although not under massive pressure, dealt well with the 2 or 3 serious threats from the visitors.
Man of the Match is a tough choice with John McMahon bossing the midfield well and Dan Szczukiewicz going from strength to strength, but Lee Henderson barely put a foot wrong all afternoon and picks up the award this week.
United: 1. John Okole 2. Dean Smith 3. Dan Szczukiewicz 4. Lee Henderson 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Jack Smith 7. John McMahon 8. Jon-Paul Mills 9. Andrew Younie 10. Ben Thompson 11. Tom Butler
12. Ricky Johnson (on for Butler 69) 14. Andrew Styles (on for Mills 82) 15. Ricky Bridges (on for Thompson 82) 16. Vinny Byfield (NU)
Shrivenham: 1. Luke Alford 2. Dan Martin 3. Johnny Aitkenhead 4. Andy Westall 5. Ritchie Carter 6. Ritchie Saunders 7. Taylor Gill 8. Gregg Hills 9. Glenn Armstrong 10. Blaine Fitzgerald 11. Fraser Joyce
12. Paul Sanders (on for Fitzgerald 82) 14. Andy Lynham (on for Aitkenhead 60) 15. Simon Lowe (NU)
sat 17th october FTL futbol hellenic premier att 60
fairford town 0
witney united 3 (McMahon 34,46 Younie 51)
United ended their recent poor run of form with a thoroughly professional performance from the opening whistle to the close as they grabbed a well deserved victory at Fairford Town.
Ben Thompson returned to the starting line-up in place of Chris Harper who had been recalled by Didcot Town as the management team kept faith with the side who performed so admirably at Ardley.
The opening stages saw United press as they tried to get their noses in front early on and Tom Butler was denied after John McMahon and Thompson had combined to find the wide man but Jamie Morse tipped over well.
Butler it was who had another opening when Andrew Younie and Thompson cleverly picked him out but the wide man hesitated and Ian Probert got in to clear but only as far as Jon-Paul Mills who found Thompson but his low cross flew through the corridor of uncertainty in the six yard box needing just the faintest of touches to surely produce the opening goal.
United were knocking the ball about nicely as the confidence appeared to be returning and Dean Smith's throw was switched to the opposite flank by the outside of McMahon's foot but Morse did well again to deny Butler.
With eleven minutes to go before the interval United got the goal their approach play had deserved but not how you would have expected. Having won a corner on the right McMahon trotted over and swung in a vicious corner which evaded everybody and went into the top corner of the net.
The home side were struggling to get any sort of foothold in the game although John Okole had to scramble across his goal quickly to push a Jac Tertios header away from the foot of the post.
Right on half-time and United were given a glorious chance to double the lead as they were awarded a penalty. Younie collected a bouncing ball and sent Thompson away and a challenge by Matt Boucher appeared clean but the assistant referee flagged an infringement and a penalty was awarded. Thompson himself stepped up but Morse saved well.
Half-Time Fairford Town 0 Witney United 1
With most people still supping their half-time cup of tea United grabbed a second goal only 45 seconds after the restart.
An early corner was won and swung in where the ball was cleared out to Thompson who hooked the ball back over his shoulder and it was McMahon who rose highest to head home United's second and his 50th goal for the club.
Five minutes later and the game was killed off as a contest. A piece of quick thinking by Dan Szczukiewicz saw him take a quick throw to release Butler whose low cross was completely miskicked by Matt Reynolds and Younie pounced at the back post to fire home.
The home side were clearly deflated and United were playing some excellent stuff as they looked to make Fairford suffer for the last few weeks of frustration.
McMahon went inches away from completing his hat-trick when his dipping and curling free-kick beat Morse but cleared the crossbar.
Normally it is Thompson who grabs all the glory with his goals but his hard work today was to go un-rewarded as he was denied by Morse from a thumping drive from 20 yards.
There was to be no treble for the skipper as McMahon was picked out by substitute Tommy Lewis but again Morse was equal to the task and pushed the effort away but the points were safe as United put the recent poor run of defeats behind them.
Website Review and MOM
To be fair to the players the effort on Tuesday was as high as this but today the cutting edge returned and the sharpness was back in the play as United produced as good a 90 minutes as they have for sometime. Plenty of candidates for MOM but John McMahon was a monster in the midfield bossing the game and chipping in with two goals.
United: 1. John Okole 2. Dean Smith 3. Dan Szczukiewicz 4. Lee Henderson 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Jack Smith 7. John McMahon 8. Jon-Paul Mills 9. Andrew Younie 10. Ben Thompson 11. Tom Butler
12. Ricky Johnson (on for Butler 85) 14. Tommy Lewis (on for Younie 79) 15. Andrew Styles (NU) 16. Ricky Bridges (NU) 17. Vinny Byfield (NU)
Fairford: 1. Jamie Morse 2. Ian Probert 3. Matt Reynolds 4. Matt Boucher 5. Sam Walker 6. John Hollis 7. Will King 8. Lee Clark 9. Jac Tertios 10. Dan Bailey 11. Martin Stratford
12. Darren Howell (on for Stratford 67) 14. John Magani (on for Tertios 74) 15. Pete Griffiths (on for Clark 85) 16. Steve Bennett (NU) 17. Jamie Skinner (NU)
tue 13th october fTL futbol hellenic premier att 82
ardley united 1 (Green 75)
witney united 0
United produced a much improved display in this local derby fixture but were left frustrated as their efforts had no rewards at the end.
There were a number of changes for United with Jon-Paul Mills, Dan Szczukiewicz and John Okole all in the starting line-up as United looked to stop the rot.
It was the home side who had the first real opening of the game though when a free-kick landed at the feet of Troy Bryan but he shot over the bar from close range.
Going down the slope United were gaining in confidence as they played some nice stuff and had the home side on the back foot. Stuart Cattell was inches away with a header which had Gareth Tucker beaten from a well flighted Tom Butler corner.
John McMahon was next to go close after some excellent reading of the game by Dean Smith as he cut out a pass and fed the skipper whose attempt to beat Tucker at his near post went the wrong side of the upright.
Chris Harper's pace up front was giving Ardley a tough time and his determination to win the ball in the corner ended up with Butler's stinging drive narrowly going over the crossbar.
Harper himself maybe should have scored after his pace saw him get away from his marker chasing down a long kick by Okole but he got the ball stuck between his feet and the shot lacked any real power.
Set-pieces were giving the home side trouble and McMahon's corner picked out Lee Henderson whose firm header again went the wrong side of the crossbar.
Three minutes before the break and the United fans thought the goal was about to arrive, Harper was sent clear by Jon-Paul Mills and as the striker prepared to shoot a superb challenge by Danny Bone ensured the scores remained level. From the resultant corner the ball was partly cleared to Mills whose low drive beat Tucker but not James Lambert on the line who kicked the ball to safety.
Half-Time Ardley United 0 Witney United 0
It was a game where the first goal was going to be all important and kicking towards the clubhouse it was United who went close again when Butler chipped the ball over the top but Tucker saved well from a snap shot by Harper.
Ardley were always going to have a spell of dominance and they got that off and running when a free-kick broke to Danny Mason whose powerful effort was pushed away well by Okole.
Okole came to United's rescue again just after the hour as he first pushed out Tom Green's long range effort but then showed great reflexes to block two efforts from Wayne Blossom.
With quarter of an hour remaining disaster struck as the home side took the lead when a cross ball dropped invitingly to Green who poked the ball home giving Okole no chance.
It was time for United to throw caution to the wind as they chased an equaliser and on three separate occasions they came agonisingly close.
Mills who had been instrumental in the midfield made himself some space and his clever pass saw McMahon break into the box and as you waited for the net to ripple somehow he fired wide.
With the game going into injury time United had Vinny Byfield on as an emergency striker and from the left flank he almost scored a stunning goal as Tucker had to claw the ball out from under the crossbar and from the rebound Dean Smith was left holding his head in his hands as his effort flew inches wide and with it went United's hopes of a positive result.
Website Review and MOM
You had to feel for the lads after this one, they gave everything on the night and were worthy of at the very least a point but you dont always get what you deserve in football and this was one of those occasions. Great team effort but MOM goes to Jon-Paul Mills who looked like he has never been away with an impressive display in midfield.
United: 1. John Okole 2. Dean Smith 3. Dan Szczukiewicz 4. Lee Henderson 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Jack Smith 7. John McMahon 8. Jon-Paul Mills 9. Andrew Younie 10. Chris Harper 11. Tom Butler
12. Andrew Styles (NU) 14. Vinny Byfield (on for J Smith 89) 15. Ricky Bridges (NU) 16. Tommy Lewis (on for Butler 81)
Ardley: 1. Gareth Tucker 2. Darren Beckett 3. Adam Richmond 4. Danny Bone 5. Adam Garner 6. Danny Mason 7. James Lambert 8. Tom Green 9. Troy Bryan 10. Wayne Blossom 11. Adam Beckett
12. Andrew Stidder (on for Blossom 85) 14. Ben Williams (NU) 15. Kevin Brock (NU)
sat 10th october FTL futbol hellenic premier att 128
witney united 1 (D smith 65)
wantage town 2 (Guy 89, Claydon 90)
Two goals in the final minute left United stunned as they slipped to a fourth league defeat of the season against Wantage Town at The Polythene UK Stadium.
Off the back of the late midweek win United were looking to gain another win and boost a fragile confidence against one of the most difficult sides in the league to beat.
It was the visitors who started the better and a diagonal free-kick found Gavin Jones who cut in and saw his shot saved by Richard Barrett who then got up and blocked Ellis Langford's effort on the rebound.
Former United defender Andy Wallbridge almost came back to haunt his old club when he got up to flick a header goalwards from Tom Austin's free-kick but the ball drifted wide.
United began to settle and John McMahon met Tom Butler's inswinging corner but he couldnt keep his header down and Daryll Simms watched it safely over the bar.
A minute later and things opened up for Andrew Younie from Dean Smith's through ball but as the United frontman pulled the trigger Matthew BIddle got his tackle in.
Barrett came to United's rescue moments later when Richard Claydon was left inexplicably unmarked but the United stopper got down well to save.
Then came the first major talking point of the day when Ben Thompson got into the box and as he cut in on goal was bundled over but to the amazement of the player and the whole ground alike the referee waved play on.
Thompson was then forced off with injury following a very poor late tackle by Tom Malton which was punished by a yellow card.
Half-Time Witney United 0 Wantage Town 0
Kicking towards the Golf Course end United almost scored one of the greatest goals ever seen at the stadium. McMahon won the ball on the edge of his own area and set off on a run leaving three defenders trailing in his wake before his shot was blocked by the feet of Simms.
Wantage were still looking dangerous and Richard Guy should have done better when he was picked out by Wallbridge but he horribly scuffed his shot.
With twenty five minutes left on the clock it was United who got the opening goal from an unlikely source. A quick free kick by Chris Harper to Dean Smith saw the full back drift a cross towards the back post which caught Simms out and dropped into the corner of the net.
United now had their tails up and Tommy Lewis and Younie combined to find Harper twelve yards from goal but the pacy frontman got the shot all wrong.
Dean Smith almost added to his earlier goal with a stinging drive from 30 yards which Simms got his fingertips too to turn it wide.
Younie was next to go close when his low shot seemed to be heading for the corner of the net but again Simms somehow got over to scramble the ball wide.
It was all to come back and bit United though as with just a minute of regulation time remaining it was Wantage who scored. As United attacked the play was broken up and a quick break ended with a cross to the back post where Guy got up to head home past Barrett.
As the game ticked into the third minute of stoppage time United were left stunned as The Alfredians came up with a winner. A through ball by Langford was spilled by Barrett and Claydon was on hand to turn into the net and spark wild celebrations amongst the visitors.
Website Review and MOM
Where do you start! We battled so much better than last week, after we took the lead we were well on top and probably should have scored again but credit to Wantage who never stopped. MOM will still go to the man who for 91 minutes was superb. Richard Barrett made some fine saves and although his error led to the second goal it would be wrong not to award it on the basis of that one error.
United: 1. Richard Barrett 2. Dean Smith 3. Tom Butler 4. Lee Henderson 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Jack Smith 7. John McMahon 8. Chris Harper 9. Andrew Younie 10. Ben Thompson 11. Tommy Lewis
12. Andrew Styles (on for Thompson 41) 14. Vinny Byfield (NU) 15. Ricky Bridges (NU) 16. Dan Szczukiewicz (NU)
Wantage: 1. Daryll Simms 2. Chris Copp 3. Sam Belcher 4. Andy Wallbridge 5. Matthew Biddle 6. Tom Malton 7. Tom Austin 8. Ellis Langford 9. Richard Claydon 10. Sean McKeon 11. Gavin Jones
12. Matty Horsell (on for Jones 60) 14. Liam Illsley (NU) 15. Liam McCullough (NU) 16. Richard Guy (on for McKeon 52) 17. Gary Swann (NU)
tue 6th october A & M Print & Copy Floodlit Cup 1st Round att 108
witney united 4 (McMahon 11, Johnson 40, Harper 85, Thompson 90)
carterton 3 (Lewis 2, Duerden 18, Mason 69)
On a night when the stars of the NBA produced a dramatic finish at the O2 Arena these two local rivals produced an evening of similar excitement with United the ones grabbing the last gasp winner.
If United were looking for a good start to boost confidence they got exactly the opposite as a Tom Butler clearance was charged down and broke to former United man Kevin Lewis who promptly struck the ball from 25 yards in off the underside of the crossbar giving Richard Barrett no chance.
It was clear this was a game United wanted to win to boost a fragile confidence and Ricky Johnson was unlucky to see a powerful header deflected over after a great run and cross by Chris Harper.
Stuart Cattell was then unfortunate to see his effort blocked on the line by Carl Evans but moments later the equaliser did come when the resulting clearance eventually found its way to John McMahon who fired in an unstoppable effort past James Domm.
The visitors however restored their advantage just seven minutes later when a through ball by Chris Blakely released Michael Duerden and although Barrett saved the first effort he had no chance with the rebound.
The game then hinged on a huge 60 seconds of play as first off Blakely was inches away from connecting with a Duerden cross which would have surely resulted in a goal. From the goal kick the ball was taken on by Ricky Bridges who crossed for Johnson who showed great desire to get above both defender and Harper to power his header into the net.
Half-Time Witney United 2 Carterton 2
United were looking for an improvement after the break and they certainly got it as they got in for chance after chance in a good second half display.
Harper was inches away from putting the Blanketmen in front when he slid in to try and get on the end of Dean Smith's cross but the slick surface saw the ball skid off it.
McMahon was next up to go close after Ben Thompson had done some great work to battle his way out of the corner and pull the ball back to the skipper but instead of power he tried to place and put his shot over the bar.
It was all United now and Domm had to be at his best as he rushed from his line to deny Thompson with his feet after a lovely pass by Johnson had sent him clear.
Wide man Harper was causing problems now and a turn of pace and cross picked out Johnson perfectly but the big striker couldn't guide his header into the net and the ball went wide.
Amazingly with their first effort of the second half it was Carterton who went back in front. Vinny Byfield played a slack pass in midfield which Lewis seized upon before finding Mason who slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
This was a signal for more United pressure as Thompson, Johnson and McMahon all went close before Dean Smith saw his effort bounce away to safety off the post.
It looked like the goal wouldn't come when for the second time in the night Evans blocked an effort on the line this time from McMahon as Witney searched for the equaliser.
Five minutes from time and it deservedly came when the defence failed to clear the ball properly and Harper powerfully drove the ball into the net.
United went to sleep direct from kick-off and were almost stunned when Duerden got away from the defence but his lob was too high and landed on the top of the net with Barrett beaten.
As the game seemed to be heading for extra-time United produced the final twist. Tommy Lewis won the ball in midfield before finding McMahon whose first time pass released Thompson who lifted the ball over Domm and into the net to send United into the second round of the competition.
Website Review and MOM
A thrilling night's entertainment and one where two United's turned up!! The first half was poor as we struggled to get anything going but the second half was much more like our old selves as we created a number of chances. MOM very close between Chris Harper who caused no end of problems but John McMahon was at the heart of this United fightback with a trademark display.
United: 1. Richard Barrett 2. Dean Smith 3. Tom Butler 4. Lee Henderson 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Vinny Byfield 7. John McMahon 8. Chris Harper 9. Ricky Johnson 10. Ben Thompson 11. Ricky Bridges
12. Andrew Styles (on for Byfield 75) 14. Craig Mays (NU) 15. Tommy Lewis (on for Bridges 61) 16. Conor Allmond (NU)
Carterton: 1. James Domm 2. Danny King 3. Craig Wood 4. Jamie Butt 5. Carl Evans 6. James Fleming 7. Chris Blakely 8. Miles Mason 9. Michael Duerden 10. Danny Dixon 11. Kevin Lewis
12. Carl Williams (on for Mason 78) 14. Peter Hutt (on for King 67) 15. Tim North (NU)
sat 3rd October FTL Futbol Hellenic premier att 101
binfield 2 (Gumbs 23, Suarez 63)
witney united 0
United produced a lacklustre display as they crashed to defat at Binfield this afternoon in their latest FTL Futbol Hellenic Premier League clash.
They were forced into one change from midweek as Ricky Johnson hadnt recovered from injury and he was replaced by Andrew Younie in the starting line-up.
With a strong wind blowing down the length of the pitch it was United who had the first chance of the match when Tom Butler's deep cross broke to John McMahon who in his 200th starting appearance for the club fired over from a difficult angle.
Ben Thompson was next to go close when his header from an inswinging corner by Jordan Tabor flew just over the bar as United looked like seizing the game by the scruff of the neck.
That was as good as it got though as the home side grabbed the lead midway through the half with their first effort on goal. A deep free-kick caught Dean Smith out who could only watch as the ball dropped over his head and Darren Moore got round him to cross to Jermaine Gumbs whose first effort was brilliantly saved by Richard Barrett but the striker was on to the rebound in a flash and poked the ball home.
The game became a very stop-start affair with neither side able to get the ball for any sustained length of possession as United went in at the interval behind.
Half-Time Binfield 1 Witney United 0
United pushed Wayne Blossom into a more attacking position as they looked to get back into the game but without the aerial presence of Johnson the ball was coming back far too easily from the Binfield back line.
The hill got even bigger to climb just after the hour as the home side doubled the lead after a moment of hesitation in the United defence. A cross from the right flank dropped between Barrett and Stuart Cattell who both left the ball to each other and James Suarez took advantage to head the ball into the net.
It was a case of throw a bit of caution to the wind now for United but still the moves were breaking down at the 18 yard box as goalkeeper Chris Adams remained untroubled for the majority of the half.
Hopes were raised when Tabor played a slide rule pass through for Younie but his effort deflected wide off Ryan Milward although it may have already been going wide.
Barrett more than made amends for his part in the second goal with a stunning save after a clearance saw Justin McClurg get in behind the defence.
Ricky Bridges came on late on and went close to repeating his midweek exploits after Andrew Styles won the ball and fed Thompson whose cross was met by the youngster with a crisp shot which went just wide.
It could have been worse for United in the last seconds chasing a goal as another quick break culminated in a save at the near post by Barrett.
That was the last meaningful action of the game as United left Berkshire with nothing to show for their efforts.
Website Review and MOM
For the opening twenty odd minutes we looked in control of the game and a goal then could have provided a totally different outcome. However after the first goal went in too many United heads went down and too many had off days and the end result was inevitable with that combination. Nobody really came out of the game with a lot of credit but Jordan Tabor at least tried in vain to get the ball down and play.
United: 1. Richard Barrett 2. Dean Smith 3. Vinny Byfield 4. Lee Henderson 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Wayne Blossom 7. John McMahon 8. Jordan Tabor 9. Andrew Younie 10. Ben Thompson 11. Tom Butler
12. Andrew Styles (on for Younie 76) 14. Ricky Bridges (on for Byfield 82) 15. Tommy Lewis (on for Butler 67)
Binfield: 1. Chris Adams 2. Gary Callaway 3. Dave Fenton 4. Steve Nebbett 5. Ryan Millward 6. James Suarez 7. James Partridge 8. Carl Withers 9. Jermaine Gumbs 10. Justin McClurg 11. Darren Moore
12. Danny Wing (NU) 14. Jason Day (NU) 15. Scott Hunter (NU) 16. Tom Williams (on for Nebbett 90) 17. Keith Pennicott-Bowen (NU)
wed 30th september FTL futbol hellenic premier att 51
hook Norton 0
witney united 5 (Thompson 2,6,80pen, Robbins OG 11, Bridges 88)
United bounced back from the weekend defeat in style as they saw off basement side Hook Norton helped by a blistering start that produced three goals in the opening eleven minutes.
United made a number of changes with Richard Barrett restored in goal and new signings Jordan Tabor and Wayne Blossom making up the centre of midfield.
Looking for an early goal United set about the home side and got the dream start with just two minutes gone. A cross by former Hook Norton player Ricky Johnson was spilled by Joe White and as Ben Thompson went to fire in the rebound he was held back and a penalty was awarded. Thompson himself took the kick but White saved but the front man's blushes were spared as he controlled the ball and fired in the rebound.
Four minutes further into the game and the lead was doubled when Johnson fed John McMahon on the flank whose cross found Thompson who brought the ball down well before firing into the roof of the net.
The game was killed as a contest with just eleven minutes gone as McMahon's cross was flicked on by Blossom and James Robbins watched in horror as his attempted clearance hit the back of the net.
United were looking crisp in their passing and Johnson was denied by White after Thompson had sent him clear of the defence.
From the resultant corner Johnson powered in a header but was left frustrated as White done well to tip the ball over the bar.
Half-Time Hook Norton 0 Witney United 3
The surface had gained a bit of slickness as the night rolled in and Jordan Tabo exploited that perfectly with a perfect pass to release Thompson but his effort was weak and White held easily.
Credit had to go to Hook Norton who stuck to their principles of trying to play and a counter attack almost resulted in a stunning goal as Callum Henry struck from 30 yards but the ball whistled just wide of the goal.
Moments later and they really should have scored as Steve Crognale got away from Vinny Byfield to cross the ball to the back post where Ben Spiero rose well but headed over the bar.
This only served to fire United up again and Johnson and Thompson combined excellently but Johnson couldn't quite find the target with his shot as the ball went over.
Johnson was having an excellent game but couldnt get the goal his performance merited even more so when he had the ball in the net only to see it disallowed. Blossom saw his shot deflected wide for a corner which was floated in but the clearance was crossed back by McMahon to Johnson who headed home but the ball was adjudged to have gone out before McMahon crossed the ball.
It was the big United striker who created the next goal for The Blanketmen as he raced on to a Blossom chip but as he entered the box he was caught by White and a second penalty was awarded. Thompson stepped up and made no mistake this time as he completed his treble.
Andy Lyne then chose to take off the front two and replace them with Craig Mays and Ricky Bridges and within three minutes the two combined for United's fifth of the night. A long kick by Barrett saw Mays chase the ball down into the corner before winning the ball and cutting it back to Bridges who smashed the ball past White from 12 yards for his first senior goal for the club.
There was still time for Barrett to produce a stunning double save to deny Pete Moulder and Spiero as United ensured they kept their first clean sheet of the season.
Website Review and MOM
A great start which effectively killed the game as a contest but credit to the lads who went about the job in a very professional manner to ensure their was to be no sniff of a fightback. Whilst Ben Thompson grabbed the glory of the hat-trick the MOM goes to Ricky Johnson who worked tirelessly all evening with only a goal missing from his performance.
United: 1. Richard Barrett 2. Dean Smith 3. Vinny Byfield 4. Lee Henderson 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Wayne Blossom 7. John McMahon 8. Jordan Tabor 9. Ricky Johnson 10. Ben Thompson 11. Tom Butler
12. Andrew Styles (on for Butler 79) 14. Ricky Bridges (on for Johnson 85) 15. Craig Mays (on for Thompson 85) 16. Sam McNally (NU) 17. Conor Allmond (NU)
Hook Norton: 1. Joe White 2. Ashley Prentice 3. Lewis Edwards 4. James Peppiat 5. David Buckwell 6. Callum Henry 12. Steve Crognale 8. James Robbins 9. Pete Moulder 10. Danny Poole 11. Ben Spiero
14. Conor Devereux (NU) 15. Thomas Jenkins (on for Edwards 70) 16. James Standen (NU) 17. Jack Goode (NU)
sat 26th september FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round att 245
witney united 1 (Thompson 40)
eastleigh 6 (Taylor 9,Gillespie 20,McAuley 21,Poate 27,37pen, Riviere 78)
WITNEY’S FA Cup dreams were comprehensively destroyed as they were outplayed by Blue Square South outfit Eastleigh at the Polythene UK Stadium on Saturday.
It was a burst of four goals in a crazy 20-minute spell in the first half that destroyed Witney’s hopes of an upset, despite a promising start from Andy Lyne’s men. If United harboured any hopes of causing a shock against a side three levels above them in the pyramid, they would have needed lady luck on their side, and as early as the second minute, it was clear she wasn’t going to be as Ricky Johnson’s flick-on from Tommy Lewis’ long throw eluded everyone in the six yard box, but drifted across goal and wide.
Soon after, Ben Thompson gambled on another long Tommy Lewis throw to muscle his way into the area, only to see his shot parried by Eastleigh keeper Jason Matthews and headed clear by ex-Oxford United player Warren Goodhind , but that was as good as it got for Witney as their powerful and physical visitors took control.
They went in front with a freakish goal on nine minutes, which saw James Taylor work hard to close down keeper John Okole who hit his clearance against the Eastleigh man and agonisingly saw the ball roll back into the net.
The lead was doubled eleven minutes later when Taylor’s header at the far post was parried by Okole and Richard Gillespie was on hand to bundle home the rebound. Almost straight from the restart, it was 3-0. Shaun McAuley shrugged off his marker to drill home a superb strike off the inside of the right-hand post.
The one-way traffic continued unabated as Conference side Eastleigh really settled to their task and palyed some exhilarating attacking football, and the fourth goal came from Brett Poate, who slammed a terrific strike past Okole from 20 yards on 27 minutes.
Witney were visibly shaken by this burst, but to their credit, they kept battling on led by captain John McMahon who skipped past several Eastleigh challenges, only to see a goalbound shot blocked by Trevor Challis. Almost immediately, Eastleigh stretched their lead further when Poate slotted home from the penalty spot after a Stuart Cattell handball after 37 minutes.
Witney pulled one back as Thompson shrugged off the attention of Tom Jordan to score from just inside the area past the onrushing goalkeeper.
Half time: UNITED 1 Eastleigh 5
John Okole was taken off by manager Andy Lyne at the break to be replaced by Richard Barrett, and Eastleigh managed just one further goal in the second half.
After all the action of the first half the second half was bound to be a quieter affair and it wasn’t until the 54th minute that Ben Thompson went close to reducing the arrears as he headed an Andy Younie cross just wide, while at the other end a neat move involving three Eastleigh players ended with Taylor nodding McAuley’s cross inches over.
On 78 minutes Eastleigh got the final goal of the day when substitute Anthony Riviere collected the ball some 30 yards from goal, before jinking past several flailing challenges and then slotting beyond Barrett into the far corner. It could easily have been 7-1 four minutes from time, but Barrett produced a superb one-handed save to deny Riviere, whose rasping drive was tipped over at full stretch.
Website Review and MOM
If United were to threaten Eastleigh they had to keep the game tight for as long as possible but two soft goals in the first twenty minutes gave them an impossible task and enabled their Conference South visitors to settle and show their class as they produced some excellent football. United stuck to the task, however, and held their own for the second half of the match driven on by MoM John McMahon who, as always, kept fighting and providing a threat despite the lost cause.
United: 1. John Okole 2. Dean Smith 3. Vinny Byfield 4. Lee Henderson 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Tommy Lewis 7. John McMahon 8. Jon-Paul Mills 9. Ricky Johnson 10. Ben Thompson 11. Andrew Younie
12. Andrew Styles (on for Lewis 67) 14. Craig Mays (on for Younie 84) 15. Ricky Bridges (NU) GK. Richard Barrett (on for Okole H/T)
Eastleigh: 1. Jason Matthews 2. Danny Smith 3. Brett Poate 4. Trevor Challis 5. Tom Jordan 6. Warren Goodhind 7. Ian Oliver 8. Tony Taggart 9. James Taylor 10. Richard Gillespie 11. Shaun McAuley
12. Peter Adeniyi (on for Taylor 77) 14. Anthony Riviere (on H/T) 15. Dan Loader (NU) 16. Ian Baird (NU) 17. Andy Cook (NU) 18. Steve Clark (NU) 19. Andrew Forbes (NU)
tue 22nd september FTL futbol hellenic premier att 109
witney united 1 (Johnson 89)
marlow united 2 (O Flint 15, L Mason 77pen)
United fell to their first defeat since the opening day of the season as they found themselves on the end of a surprise result at the hands of Marlow United at The Polythene UK Stadium last night.
Looking for a seventh straight home win United were sluggish from the off and the visitors had a big shout for a penalty in the opening stages when Jack Smith upended John Mason in the box but the referee waved play on despite the visitors protests.
Despite struggling to get any sort of pressure United still were inches away from opening the scoring when a Tommy Lewis throw in was diverted goalwards by the boot of John McMahon but the ball bounced off the foot of the post and into the arms of Carl Murray.
The opening goal came on the quarter of the hour mark and it was one which would have had the United management pulling their hair out. A free-kick was swung in by Mason and Ollie Flint was totally unmarked as he glanced a header into the far corner of the net.
This knocked United out of their stride even further and only a long range effort from Andrew Styles which went well wide of goal was anything like an effort on goal.
John Mason was causing United problems on the flank and the excellent hold up play of Andy Nicol saw United getting more and more frustrated as the evening wore on.
When they did get it down and play the chances came, a Stuart Cattell switch of play found Dean Smith who picked out Ben Thompson with his cross but his shot was held easily by Murray.
Right on the interval United had another scare when Lee Mason saw his effort excellently saved at his near post by John Okole.
Half-Time Witney United 0 Marlow United 1
Defender Jack Smith was forced off with an injury at the interval as United kicking into the wind looked to drag themselves back into the game.
A trademark run by McMahon ended with him firing narrowly over from 20 yards out as United pressed desperately for an equaliser.
Thompson was again denied by Murray but the chances being created were nothing more than half chances as the visitors defended stoutly.
Marlow's task was not made easier with twenty minutes remaining when Daniel Pedley had a complete rush of blood. Having come on as a substitute only three minutes earlier he was tackled by Vinny Byfield and having kicked out at the United man he was not content and proceeded to punch him in the face leaving the referee no option but to send him off.
Then came a minute's worth of action that sealed the points for Marlow. United had a corner which Lewis swung in and broke to Thompson but his shot was sliced wide of goal. From the goal kick the ball found its way to Lee Mason who got away from Dean Smith before he was pulled down in the box by Okole. He then dusted himself down and slotted the penalty into the bottom corner of the net.
There was still time for United to try and scramble something and they should have pulled a goal back when Byfield produced an inch perfect cross but substitute Ricky Bridges rushed his effort which was his first touch since coming on and ballooned the effort over the bar.
The ball did find the Marlow net in the last minute when Smith produced a delightful cross which found Ricky Johnson who made no mistake from six yards out but there was to be no dramatic end to the game as United tasted defeat.
Website Review and MOM
The first real poor one of the season and in fairness the visitors got the result their performance deserved. We looked sluggish and struggled to produce some of the exciting stuff we have produced this season. MOM goes to Vinny Byfield who despite playing only 45 minutes was the calmest and most creative head on the field in a yellow shirt.
United: 1. John Okole 2. Jack Smith 3. Dean Smith 4. Lee Henderson 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Andrew Styles 7. John McMahon 8. Tommy Lewis 9. Ricky Johnson 10. Ben Thompson 11. Andrew Younie
12. Jon-Paul Mills (NU) 14. Vinny Byfield (on for J Smith H/T) 15. Sam McNally (NU) 16. Ricky Bridges (on for Styles 81) 17. Richard Barrett (NU)
Marlow: 1. Carl Murray 2. Lee Ovens 3. Scott Webb 4. Nick Flint 5. Tristan Hayward 6. Greg Corbett 7. John Mason 8. Ben Fillmore 9. Andy Nicol 10. Ollie Flint 11. Lee Mason
12. Daniel Pedley (on for Corbett 67) 14. Ross Middleton (on for Fillmore 62) 15. Chris Paget (on for Nicol 76) 16. Sam Walters (NU)
sat 19th september FTL futbol hellenic premier att 126
witney united 3 (McMahon 7, Younie 45, Thompson 54)
oxford city nomads 1 (Lewis 49)
United ensured there was no After the Lord Mayors show performance as they saw off a plucky Oxford City Nomads this afternoon.
There was an urgency about United all afternoon and almost scored with just 44 seconds on the clock when a long throw by Jamie Mills was met by the head of John McMahon but Milan Barisic got across well to save and tip wide.
The pressure increased in the early stages as Stuart Cattell met an inswinging Tom Butler free-kick but the ball flew into the side netting.
With just seven minutes gone the deadlock was broken when Mills produced a sweet pass to release McMahon who brushed aside Brian Kerry and calmly placed the ball beyond Barisic and into the net.
United sniffed blood and Ben Thompson should have done better when he shot over after good work by McMahon on the right flank.
Nomads have scored a good number of goals this season and with lightening pace up top they were always going to get the odd chance and Ian Roper worked himself an opening but was left holding his head as McMahon cleared off the line calmly.
Barisic was almost left red faced when after clearing a ball and jogging back to his goal didnt notice that McMahon had taken a quick throw and Thompson tried a speculative effort from 35 yards but Barisic was spared as the ball bounced wide.
The giant keeper redeemed himself moments later when he tipped wide Thompson's shot after a great pass by Ricky Johnson. From the corner Johnson himself was left frustrated as he watched his header bounce back off the crossbar.
McMahon and Thompson were both denied again by Barisic as United began to wonder if a second goal would ever come.
Whilst their was only a one goal lead United were always in danger of being brought level and John Okole got down well to save from Roper.
Right on half-time though United did double their advantage when Jamie Mills calmly played the ball out to Andrew Younie who galloped off on a 70 yard run before beating James Knight and driving the ball into the bottom corner for his second superb goal of the week.
Half-Time Witney United 2 Oxford City Nomads 0
It was all about United starting the second half well and building on an excellent first half display but they were stung by a goal four minutes in.
A corner was not dealt with properly by the United defence and the ball broke to Keiron Lewis who prodded the ball past Okole and into the roof of the net.
There was to be long period of edginess though as United restored the two goal lead just five minutes later. Okole collected a cross and sent a great long kick downfield to Thompson who raced on and slotted past Barisic for his 50th goal for the club.
United won the ball straight back from kick off and Younie saw his cross somehow avoid the head of Andrew Styles and the far post and stay out of the net.
Nomads hit back instantly though as they broke away and were left dismayed that former United man Jermaine Ferreira saw his excellent lob come back off the post.
The game had lost some of the pace as the heat took its toll on the players and set pieces looked the best chance of any further goals as first Tommy Lewis dragged his shot from Jon-Paul Mills' free-kick wide of the goal before Ferreira was denied by Okole with a thumping 25 yard free-kick.
United almost had the final say when Dean Smith slung in a great cross which the impressive Johnson rose well to get his head to but couldnt get enough power on it and the ball went wide of goal.
Website Review and MOM
There was always a worry after Tuesday that we would get caught in this game so it was especially pleasing that in particularly the first half we produced such a good display. We were pacy, crisp and could and should have led by a lot more. Not as good in the second as we began to tire following the midweek exploits but still enough to secure the points. MOM goes to John McMahon who gave the Nomads defence a torrid afternoon running from deep.
United: 1. John Okole 2. Dean Smith 3. Tom Butler 4. Lee Henderson 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Jamie Mills 7. John McMahon 8. Andrew Styles 9. Ricky Johnson 10. Ben Thompson 11. Andrew Younie
12. Jon-Paul Mills (on for J Mills H/T) 14. Tommy Lewis (on for Styles 76) 15. Jack Smith (on for Butler 17) 16. Vinny Byfield (NU) 17. Richard Barrett (NU)
Ox City Nomads: 1. Milan Barisic 2. James Knight 3. Brian Kerry 4. Kieron Lewis 5. Joel Meade 6. Adam Morris 7. Jermaine Ferreira 8. Mark Jones 9. Ben Moses 10. Ian Roper 11. John Rixon
12. Pete Nagy (on for Kerry 56) 14. Daryl Harris (on for Jones 70) 15. Craig Pitson (on for Rixon 40)
tue 15th September fA Cup 1st qualifying Round replay att 151
witney united 2 (Henderson 37, Younie 77)
shortwood united 1 (Collins 65)
United clinched a mouth watering clash with Conference South side Eastleigh in the next round of the FA Cup as they overcame Shortwood United on a tense evening.
After Saturday's thriller it was unlikely those heights were to be reached again but this match was just as compelling coupled with a great atmosphere provided by both sets of fans.
It was United who had the first effort of note when Andrew Younie and Ben Thompson combined well but the latter saw his effort easily held by Rich Thomas.
Both midfields were cancelling each other out and there was very little in the way of goalmouth incident to talk about with only a Jon-Paul Mills 30 yarder curling wide worth noting.
Having created nothing the visitors suddenly carved out a great chance when Luke Bennyworth launched a trademark long throw which was miskicked by Jack Smith but Mike Green scooped the ball over from close range.
John McMahon was another to try his luck from long range with no joy but eight minutes before the break The Blanketmen grabbed the lead.
Tommy Lewis floated in a perfect corner which was powerfully met by the head of Lee Henderson who gave Thomas no chance.
This gave United fresh impetus and the chances began to come with McMahon firing an effort narrowly over the bar and Jon-Paul Mills inches away with an effort after good work by McMahon.
Half-Time Witney United 1 Shortwood United 0
With the wind at their backs it was Shortwood who were expected to press but United went close to extending the lead when Lewis and Thompson combined to set up McMahon but his effort went into the side netting.
Wood forced a series of corners and throws but the United defence was holding firm in dealing with it until a cross from Matt Collins was missed by everybody and the ball dropped in at the far post.
Suddenly the visitors tails were up and a great last ditch tackle by Stuart Cattell denied Andy Hoskins as he prepared to shoot and then Harry Etheridge wasnt that far away with an excellent volley from the edge of the area.
United had big appeals for a penalty as they tried to force a winner when Thompson saw his shot charged down by Ashley Thomas' hand but the quick break almost saw Wood score John Okole had to be alert to deny Mike Green.
These are the times when teams look for one moment of brilliance to win the game and thirteen minutes from time it arrived in the form of Andrew Younie.
There appeared no danger as he controlled a clearance by Jack Smith but he set off on a trademark run cutting inside two defenders and thumping a swerving shot past Thomas and into the net to send the home fans wild.
Shortwood threw the proverbial kitchen sink at United but Cattell and Henderson marshalled the troops brilliantly and kept the ball away from the danger zone.
United hearts were in mouths in the last seconds when a long ball saw Okole go down under severe pressure but the referee awarded a free-kick which incensed Hoskins so much he got himself a red card for dissent.
Moments later the final whistle blew and United had clinched a place in the next round to the delight of a noisy home support.
Website Review and MOM
What a night! Not the greatest spectacle but for sheer tension it was right up there! We battled, we dug in and when we needed to we had that bit of quality. MOM could have gone to so many but Stuart Cattell was like a man mountain in defence and just takes it.
United; 1. John Okole 2. Jack Smith 3. Dean Smith 4. Lee Henderson 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Jon-Paul Mills 7. John McMahon 8. Tommy Lewis 9. Ricky Johnson 10. Ben Thompson 11. Andrew Younie
12. Andy Styles (NU) 14. Tom Butler (NU) 15. Vinny Byfield (NU) 16. Jamie Mills (NU) 17. Craig Mays (NU) 18. Dan Szczukiewicz (NU) GK. Richard Barrett (NU)
Shortwood: 1. Rich Thomas 2. Luke Bennyworth 3. Matt Bennett 4. Joe Macklin 5. Ashley Thomas 6. Matt Collins 7. James Singh 8. Mike Green 9. Pete Macklin 10. Andy Hoskins 11. Matt Green
12. Alex Allard (on for P Macklin H/T) 14. Chris Greenough (NU) 15. Ross Casey (NU) 16. Harry Ethertidge (on for M Green 70) 17. Craig Barnfield (NU)
sat 12th september FA Cup 1st Qualifying round att 108
shortwood united 3 (Bennyworth 10, Matt Green 27,87)
witney united 3 (Thompson 44, Johnson 58, JP Mills 84)
United produced an excellent fightback from 2-0 down to earn a draw at fellow FTL Futbol Hellenic Premier League side Shortwood United in a thunderous cup-tie.
With the sun beating down it was the home side who created an early opening when James Singh worked the ball to the unmarked Matt Green but he blazed over the bar.
Tommy Lewis had United's first attempt on goal when he drove a free-kick from 20 yards straight into the arms of Rich Thomas.
Moments later the home side took the lead with a strike right out of the top drawer. A long throw by Luke Bennyworth wasnt cleared properly and the ball broke to the thrower who hit a first time volley over John Okole and into the net.
United were rocking although they were inches away from an equaliser when Ben Thompson dug out a cross which Andrew Styles got his head to but the ball dropped the wrong side of the post.
It got worse for The Blanketmen just before the half-hour as a huge gap was left at the back post and although Okole saved from Andy Hoskins nobody was more alert than Matt Green who bundled the ball home.
Styles went close again for United when he had Thomas scrambling across his goal to touch the ball wide of the post.
It was United now who grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck as Thompson and Jon-Paul Mills both went close before Thompson had his head in his hands as the ball came back off the foot of the post.
Then came a big 60 seconds in the game, a crossfield pass found Singh who took a touch and his shot whistled just inches wide of the post.
From the goal kick by Okole the ball was helped on by Thompson to Ricky Johnson who was then flattened by the keeper Thomas in the box. The assistant referee awarded the penalty with the only surprise being that he was only shown a yellow card and was allowed to remain on the pitch. Thompson stepped up and saw Thomas save with his feet but it was the United striker who got to the rebound first and fired home.
Half-Time Shortwood United 2 Witney United 1
If United had ended the first half strongly the second half saw them press forward and cause the home defence problems. Thompson and Johnson both went close as the equaliser seemed to be coming.
Just before the hour the deserved goal came when Andrew Younie broke down the right and worked himself a tiny opening to pull the ball back to Johnson who executed the perfect finish.
The tails were up now and United were not content with a draw as they pressed for a winning goal as the home side looked stunned by the fightback.
The challenges were thundering in as both sides produced an exciting cup tie that would have graced a round much further in the competition.
With just six minutes to play it was United who grabbed a goal which gave them the lead. Johnson was pulled down on the edge of the box and when the wall was set Jon-Paul Mills saw his effort clip the wall before nestling in the bottom corner.
Wood now threw caution to the wind needing a goal to keep them in the cup and they got one in controversial circumstances with three minutes to play. A free-kick was awarded after Dean Smith appeared to the fouled rather than the fouler and when the ball was floated in and knocked to the back post Matt Green standing on the goal line in an offside position tapped home and despite United protests the goal was allowed to stand.
There was almost one more dramatic twist when a Tom Butler corner was helped back in by Lewis and Ashley Thomas watched as his header came off his own bar and away to safety.
Website Review and MOM
For the neutral this game had everything, six goals, bundles of controversy, challenges galore and an excellent atmosphere to boot!! For the opening half hour we were not at our sharpest and the home side took advantage scoring twice. However we showed great spirit and deserved at least the replay we finally earned. MOM goes to Ben Thompson who gave a tremendous performance even when the chips were down.
United: 1. John Okole 2. Jack Smith 3. Lee Henderson 4. Andrew Styles 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Jon-Paul Mills 7. Dean Smith 8. Tommy Lewis 9. Ricky Johnson 10. Ben Thompson 11. Andrew Younie
12. Vinny Byfield (NU) 14. Tom Butler (on for Younie 85) 15. Richard Barrett (NU) 16. Craig Mays (NU) 17. Dan Szczukiewicz (NU)
Shortwood: 1. Rich Thomas 2. Alex Allard 3. Matt Bennett 4. Luke Bennyworth 5. Ashley Thomas 6. Matt Collins 7. James Singh 8. Mike Green 9. Peter Macklin 10. Andy Hoskins 11. Matt Green
12. Joe Macklin (on for Allard 72) 14. Ross Casey (NU) 15. Chris Greenough (NU) 16. Jake Parrott (NU) 17. Harry Etheridge (on for Macklin 66)
sat 5th september FTL futbol hellenic premier att 105
witney united 4 (Thompson 26,59,75 Johnson 53)
old woodstock town 1 (Mara 35)
A clinical second half performance from United ensure they earned all three points against their West Oxon rivals despite a below par first half performance.
United had an early warning in the second minute when Danny Wise tapped home from 6 yards but he was correctly ruled offside.
Immediately United broke to the other end where Ricky Johnson missed a glorious chance when he headed wide from close range.
United took the lead on 26 minutes when a long John Okole goal kick caused panic in the Woodstock defence and Ben Thompson was on hand to poke home from 10 yards.
The home side nearly extended their lead five minutes later but Andy Younie's was disallowed, with Ricky Johnson adjudged in an offside position despite not interfering with the play.
On 34 minutes Woodstock were nearly back on level terms but John Okole in the United goal did well to tip over the bar, and from the resultant corner he saved United again with another fine reaction save.
The early warnings were not heeded though and the visitor's deservedly pulled level ten minutes before the break when the United defence went missing and Jayson Mara slotted home from inside the six yard box.
Their were further chances for the visitors and United could count themselves lucky to go in level at the break.
Half-Time Witney United 1 Old Woodstock Town 1
Whatver was said in the WItney dressing room during the break certainly had an effect as United came out a different side after the break. As early as the 50 minute Ben Thompson had an excellent chance to give his side the lead but his shot was well saved by Daniel Smith in the Old Woodstock goal.
They didn't have to wait long though and it was soon 2-1 when John McMahon went on a mazy run through the heart of the visitors defence, before Ricky Johnson finished with aplomb giving the Woodstock stopper no chance.
It was soon 3-1 and it was Thompson again with a fantastic 20 yard effort which beat an out-stretched Smith on his far post.
Still United pushed and on 63 minutes they could have made it 4 but Thompson's effort cannoned back off the foot of the post to a very grateful Smith.
Thompson was not to be denied his hat-trick though, and it came on 75 minutes when good work by Tommy Lewis saw the Thompson run onto a fine through ball and finish from the edge of the box to make it 4-1.
There was nearly time for a fifth, when with 5 minutes left on the clock, Thompson found himself with just the keeper to beat but he didn't catch the shot right and it was an easy save for Smith.
Website Review and MOM
A Jekyll and Hyde performance from United - we were lucky to go in level at the break but what a transformation after it. With out title rivals either drawing or in FA Vase action it was a welcome 3 points which keeps us in touch with the pack.
Man of the Match is a tough one with some fine second half performances, and with Ben Thompson netting three it's always difficult not to give it to the hat-trick hero. But for a full 90 minute performance this week it goes to captain John McMahon who's creativity and drive kept United in the game in the first 45 minutes and then provided the opportinuties for the strike-force to win the game in the second.
United: 1. John Okole 2. Dean Smith 3. Tom Butler 4. Vinny Byfield 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Jon-Paul Mills 7. John McMahon 8. Tommy Lewis 9. Ricky Johnson 10. Ben Thompson 11. Andrew Younie
12. Jamie Mills (NU) 14. Andrew Styles (on for Lewis 80) 15. Dan Szczukiewicz 16. Craig Mays (on for Thompson 85) 17. Ricky Bridges (on for Younie 86)
Old Woodstock; 1. Dan Smith 2. Lewis Gabbidon 3. Mark Flanagan 4. Ben Thomas 5. Greg Gardner 6. Adam Doyle 7. Jayson Mara 8. Jack Dunmall 9. Rhys Denton 10. Danny Wise 11. Tom Roberts
12. John Da Silva 14. Dan Baylie 15. Lewis Colwell 16. Nick Thorne
mon 31st august fTL futbol hellenic premier att 95
abingdon town 1 (Williams 49pen)
witney united 1 (Thompson 75)
Fresh from their F.A.Cup win United travelled to near neighbours Abingdon Town on Bank Holiday Monday. With Jamie Mills carrying a knock Tommy Lewis came into the starting XI.
The game opened cautiously and evenly with neither side able to pose any early threat but United had their first sight of goal on 13 minutes when a JP Mills long throw fell amongst a group of players and Ricky Johnson was first to react but his shot from a narrow angle flew across the face of the goal. In their next attack United put together a good passing move to free Dean Smith on the right and when Ben Thompson and home keeper Matt Dixon challenged for the cross the ball fell to Andy Younie 15 yards out but Dixon did very well to smother his shot.
On 21 minutes Dean Smith won the ball well in his own half and quickly fed Andy Younie who set off on a great run before slipping in Ben Thompson but Dixon was up to the challenge again and saved well with his feet at the expense of a corner. A minute later another Dean Smith cross found Ricky Johnson at the back post but he couldn’t keep his header down. United rounded off a period of sustained pressure when John McMahon cut in from the right and, as the defence backed off, got off a 20 yard shot which Matt Dixon pushed around the post.
Having had most of the possession but not been able to produce a goal United nearly paid the price on 40 minutes when Jon Steedman thumped a long ball forward which totally beat the United defence leaving Alex Mott in behind and he lobbed the onrushing John Okole but saw the ball drift wide.
Half-time: Abingdon Town 0 UNITED 0
The second half started like the first with United enjoying plenty of possession but unable to create the clear goal-scoring opportunities they sought. On 49 minutes another attack down United’s right wing saw a ball into Ben Thompson but his shot on the turn sped across the face of the goal. Just two minutes later disaster struck when a searching cross-field ball from John Steedman led to Tom Butler being adjudged to have handled the ball and Lance Williams confidently stroked home the resulting penalty.
United continued to push forward but now in search of an equaliser and Tom Butler’s powerful free-kick from just outside the box went the wrong side of the post. On 67 minutes it was Butler’s corner that was knocked back to him that allowed him to curl in a shot that Matt Dixon did well to tip over from right under the bar.
With 15 minutes to go United finally got the breakthrough when a free-kick was cleared as far as Vinny Byfield whose overhead delivery back into the box found Stuart Cattell and his header forward was latched onto by Ben Thompson who touched it home. Whilst United never stopped pushing for the winner the only direct chance on goal came with a few minutes left after Craig Mays had worked a shooting position for himself and when his effort was blocked Dean Smith played the ball back into the box where Ricky Johnson got off a snapshot but it cleared the bar.
The final action saw Abingdon threaten to totally spoil United’s day when a swift breakout saw the ball worked to Ben Green but his shot from the edge of the box went wide.
Website Review and MOM
A game that United dominated in terms of possession and territory but without generating many chances in no small part due to the efforts of a very hardworking Abingdon team that constantly harried and pressured United. The MoM goes to Dean Smith who had an outstanding game most of which, tellingly, was spent in an attacking role.
United: 1. John Okole 2. Dean Smith 3. Tom Butler 4. Vinny Byfield 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Jon-Paul Mills 7. John McMahon 8. Andrew Younie 9. Ricky Johnson 10. Ben Thompson 11. Tommy Lewis
12. Andy Styles (on for Butler 70) 14. Ricky Bridges (on for Johnson 88) 15. Conor Allmond (NU) 16. Craig Mays (on for Younie 80) 17. Jamie Mills (NU)
Abingdon: 1. Matt Dixon 2. Dean Moss 3. Jon Steedman 4. Ian Lovegrove 5. Scott Davis 6. Lee Bolton 7. Ben Green 8. Jason Thomas 9. Alex Mott 10. Lance Williams 11. Paul Alder
12. Danny Thomas (on for Mott 61) 14. Marc Goss (on for Thomas 54) 15. Matty Whitehead (NU) 16. Paul Brewerton (NU)
sat 29th August FA Cup Preliminary Round att 124
witney united 3 (Thompson 11,35 McMahon 60)
New Milton Town 1 (Cox 49)
Matchball sponsored by "The Away Day Crew"
A double from Ben Thompson and a screamer by John McMahon saw off gutsy Wessex League side New Milton Town in the FA Cup at the Polythene UK Stadium this afternoon.
Andy Lyne plumped for John Okole to remain between the sticks and defender Lee Henderson was ruled out with injury and replaced by Vinny Byfield.
With the wind at their backs United set about their opponents who with only one point on the board this season had to be fragile with confidence and had a glorious chance to open the scoring within 180 seconds. Tom Butler swung in a corner to the back post where McMahon found himself unmarked but from close range headed wide.
The opening goal came however with just eleven minutes on the clock and settled any early nerves. A free-kick by Butler was flicked on by the head of Ricky Johnson before it looped over the head of Anderson and into the net.
Anderson made amends just moments later as he superbly denied McMahon after the skipper had produced a surging run followed by a strike from 25 yards.
The visitors hadnt come to make up the number and United were given a warning when a loose pass by Jon-Paul Mills fell at the feet of Ashley Booker and Okole had to be at his best to touch the ball past the post.
It was United who extended their advantage though ten minutes before the interval after some quick thinking. McMahon took a quick throw-in which Thompson was alert to and the striker ran on and hit a powerful drive which beat Anderson at the near post.
The game was almost over moments later when Butler dropped a delightful chip into the path of Johnson but his attempted lob dropped just wide of the right hand post.
Half-Time Witney United 2 New Milton Town 0
As with the Kidlington game last week United threw their opponents an early lifeline after the break as within four minutes of the restart the arrears were halved.
Simon Quirk won the ball in midfield and sent Dan Cox into the clear and the winger had an awful lot to do but his low drive nestled in the bottom corner of the net and it was game on.
Although this gave the visitors a lift it was United who were given a jolt and on the hour the two goal advantage was restored with a stunning goal.
Dean Smith roobed Cox of the ball before finding McMahon who helped the ball on to Thompson, the striker done well to make himself a yard before feeding McMahon who had continued his run and proceeded to thump a first time effort into the far corner of the net.
This settled any nerves and Johnson will feel he should have done better when Thompson picked him out with a cross but he failed to get any direction on his header.
Johnson had another header on goal which this time had the accuracy and the power but this time Anderson was well positioned and held the ball comfortably.
With New Milton trying to grab a lifeline United continued to try and kill the game off and a stunning piece of skill and then cross by Tommy Lewis picked out Johnson whose clever effort beat Anderson but dropped the wrong side of the post.
With the final whistle came a little piece of history as United won through to the 1st Qualifying Round in our short history and a trip to face fellow Hellenic League side Shortwood United.
Website Review and MOM
Whilst never at our most fluent, the cup is about one thing...getting through! That we did and in fairness other than a few crosses and corners John Okole had very little to do. MOM was a very close call but goes to Ricky Johnson who worked tirelessly for the team and deserved a goal for his efforts.
United: 1. John Okole 2. Dean Smith 3. Tom Butler 4. Vinny Byfield 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Jamie Mills 7. John McMahon 8. Jon-Paul Mills 9. Ricky Johnson 10. Ben Thompson 11. Andrew Younie
12. Andrew Styles (on for Younie 79) 14. Tommy Lewis (on for J Mills 72) 15. Ricky Bridges (NU) 16. Craig Mays (NU) 17. Conor Allmond (NU) 18. Richard Barrett (NU)
New Milton: 1. Rory Anderson 2. Luke Walker 3. James Embree 4. Warren Kenna 5. Gareth Byers 6. Paul White 7. Ashley Booker 8. Simon Quirk 9. Ryan Lock 10. Mark Lilley 11. Dan Cox
12. Lloyd Lock (on for Booker 79) 14. Jon Small (NU) 15. Marvin Forbes-Broomes (on for R Lock 66) 16. Charles Quinn (NU) 17. Ross Walliss (on for Embree H/T)
tue 25th august FTL futbol Hellenic Premier att 57
Flackwell Heath 1 (MacLellan 36pen)
witney united 1 (Cattell 51)
United battled their way to a point last night and ended the 100% record of the Heathens in the process when they came from behind to draw 1-1.
It was an unchanged line-up for The Blanketmen and it was almost the perfect start when Ricky Johnson cleverly found Andrew Younie but the shot from an angle lacked any real power and Sam Southerden was able to save with his feet.
The home side were buzzing around the field well and the ever dangerous Riccardo Cannon carved out a great chance when his quick feet found Paul Gilbert but he shot wildly over the bar when well placed.
United it was who had the next half chance though when Johnson produced a sublime pass to pick out Ben Thompson but the striker's effort was taken on the half volley and went safely over the top.
Nine minutes before the break though it was Flackwell who took the lead when they were awarded a penalty. A through ball by Mitch Woodward sent James Pritchard clear and John Okole rushed out and bundled the striker to the ground. Stuart MacLellan who took the responsibility on and calmly sent Okole the wrong way.
There was almost an instant response from United when Tom Butler linked well with Younie before the ball was deflected into the path of Jamie Mills who saw his effort well blocked by Southerden.
Half-Time Flackwell Heath 1 Witney United 0
United were keen to get back on level terms swiftly after the break as they came out with a renewed sense of purpose and within six minutes they had the goal they craved.
A brilliant inswinging corner by Butler saw Stuart Cattell rise to glance a header into the back of the net giving Southerden no chance.
The home side now knew they were up against it as United smelt blood and a long kick by Okole saw Johnson go close as he tried to lift the ball over Southerden but it bounced narrowly wide.
As we reached the midway point of the second half The Heathens were reduced to 10 men when Adam Paget showed dissent to the assistant referee and having already been booked earlier for dissent was shown a second yellow card and subsequently the red.
United pressed against the wall that Heath had now set up in front of goal but there was to be no way through although Thompson shot narrowly over in the dying seconds following good work by Younie.
Website Review and MOM
Well worth the point we got and our second half display pushed the home side back on the back foot for long periods. The central defensive pairing were superb all night but MOM goes to Andrew Younie who put in a great shift both in defence and attack.
United: 1. John Okole 2. Dean Smith 3. Tom Butler 4. Lee Henderson 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Jamie Mills 7. John McMahon 8. Jon-Paul Mills 9. Ricky Johnson 10. Ben Thompson 11. Andrew Younie
12. Andrew Styles (NU) 14. Tommy Lewis (on for Johnson 77) 15. Ricky Bridges (NU) 16. Vinny Byfield 17. Dan Szczukiewicz
Flackwell: 1. Sam Southerden 2. Adam Davis 3. Matt Wojtowicz 4. Jack Harding 5. Paul Shone 6. Adam Gilbert 7. Mitch Woodward 8. Stuart MacLellan 9. James Pritchard 10. Riccardo Cannon 11. Adam Paget
12. Kevin Franklin (on for Gilbert 82) 14. Adam Durrant (on for Shone 87) 15. Callum Coull (NU) 16. Chris Rowley (on for Pritchard 64) 17. Adam Morris (NU)
sat 22nd august FTL futbol hellenic premier att 127
witney united 3 (Younie 17, Thompson 30,82)
kidlington 1 (Leggett 50)
Witney gained their first league points of the season with a hard fought win against a resilient Kidlington side.
The match saw the debut in goal of John Okole but in the first half he was to have little to do as United dominated proceedings. As early as the sixth minute Witney had the ball in the net but Ben Thompson’s finish, after Tom Butler’s run from inside his own half and 1-2 with Andy Younie had set up the chance, was disallowed for offside.
On ten minutes Ben Thompson got a near post flick to a corner but it went right across the goal without a Witney player able to get a touch and from the resulting throw in after the ball had been cleared Stuart Cattell repeated the feat but, again, no-one was on hand to finish it. A few minutes later and Kidlington posed their first threat when John Okole spilled a right-wing cross but Lee Henderson reacted quickest to clear the danger.
On seventeen minutes Witney’s pressure paid off when a corner was headed clear only for John McMahon to hit a rasping shot from 25 yards which Tom McNamara in the Kidlington palmed away but Andy Younie was on hand to slam the loose ball into the roof of the net.
Almost immediately it was Younie who was involved again as he beat two defenders in a fine run to the goal line but when he pulled the ball back past the keeper into the six-yard box it was the Kidlington defence who cleared well. On 22 minutes Thompson and Younie combined well after Lee Henderson had fed the ball forward to tee up a shooting chance for Ricky Johnson and, fortunately for United, his mishit shot fell to the feet of Thompson who scored comfortably.
On 27 minutes a quick free kick by Kidlington saw Mark Baker show good skills to get the better of Stuart Cattell and John McMahon on the edge of the box but his shot went just wide. From John Okole’s goalkick Ben Thompson got a flick on to Andy Younie who beat his man but Tom McNamara made a sharp save at his near post. Three minutes later John McMahon went on a great run down the right wing and his pull back was diverted towards goal by a Kidlington defender but McNamara again made a good save and reacted well to get to the loose ball a fraction before Ben Thompson could knock it home.
On 42 minutes Andy Younie struck the bar with a far post volley after good interplay between Ricky Johnson and John McMahon had set up the chance for J-P Mills to float in a cross.
HALF-TIME: UNITED 2 – 0 Kidlington
If United thought they had the game sewn up they were to be put right by a dominant Kidlington side in the second half helped by a goal on 50 minutes when Danny Leggett rose at the far post to power home a header from a free-kick. On 62 minutes the ever lively Mark Baker beat Lee Henderson but John Okole was very quickly off is line to make a good save. On 73 minutes it was Baker again whose right wing run and cross saw Adam Lovegrove shoot over at the back post.
Despite Kidlington dominating possession they couldn’t really create a clear opening and they were hit with a sucker punch on 82 minutes when Tommy Lewis won the ball in midfield and quickly released Ben Thompson who finished from 18 yards in his, now customary, confident style.
The final action of the game saw the Kidlington manager dismissed to the stands for something he said to a linesman.
Website Review and MOM
A real game of two halves as United totally dominated the first and deserved to go in two up but Kidlington were equally dominant in the second but the difference was that United restricted their opponent’s scoring chances and still scored one of their own when Kidlington were on top. There were several strong performances but the man who drove the team on when things were not going so well as always was John McMahon.
United: 1. Jon Okole 2. Dean Smith 3.Tom Butler 4. Lee Henderson 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Jamie Mills 7. John McMahon 8. Jon-Paul Mills 9. Ricky Johnson 10. Ben Thompson 11. Andrew Younie
12. Andrew Styles (on for Younie 74) 14. Tommy Lewis (on for JP Mills 74) 15. Ricky Bridges (NU) 16. Vinny Byfield (on for Johnson 85) 17. Dan Szczukiewicz (NU)
Kidlington: 1. Tom McNamara 2. Jamie DeBanks 3. Chris Weedon 4. James Philpott 5. Danny Leggett 6. Darren McNamara 7. Kieran Sanders 8. Jack Quainton 9. James Deabill 10. Mark Baker 11. Adam Lovegrove
12. Brad Chalmers (on for DeBanks H/T) 14. Jack Johnson (on for D McNamara 81) 15. Lewis Coyle (on for Lovegrove 81) 16. Rob Hambling (NU)
tue 18th august fA cup extra preliminary round replay att 113
witney united 2 (Johnson 2, Thompson 78)
ardley united 1 (Stidder 38)
A pair of wonder goals from United's front men finally ended Ardley's resistence in the FA Cup at The Polythene UK Stadium last night.
United welcomed the Mills brothers back into the fold but they started on the bench as Andy Lyne showed faith in the team that drew 2-2 at Ardley on Saturday.
Like a pendulum the game was to swing wildly from one side to another, just as it did in the first game, and it was Witney who gained control as early as the second minute when good work by Younie down the left flank saw him release the ball to Tommy Lewis who swung in an excellent cross which Ricky Johnson expertly volleyed home for his first goal in United colours.
This led to some sustained pressure from United and they could have gone 2 or even 3 up, but the closest they were to come was when Younie again made room on the left before beating his marker and firing a low hard shot that Foster managed to palm away for a corner.
The balance of the match then swung back to the visitors and after a period of pressure they gained their rewards when Stidder found himself with time and space in the box and made no mistake slotting home from 10 yards at make it 1-1.
United were rocked by this and were lucky not go to further behind when Stidder tried his luck from 25 yards but Barrett was equal to it and held the effort well.
United looked to start the second half brighter but were getting no change from the Ardley midfield. Adam Richmond went close from the edge of the box but his effort flew wide before Stidder and Gordon missed half chances to put their side in the driving seat.
The pendulum again swung back in Witney's favour on 63 minutes with the introduction of JP and Jamie Mills. The changes saw United wrestle back control of the middle of the park and take the pressure off the home back four.
This paid dividends on 78 minutes when Ben Thompson finally delivered the killer blow after he finished with aplomb from 25 yards after a neat lay off from Johnson.
United had further chances to score when the game became stretched with Johnson in particular nearly putting the game out of reach but United held on for the final whistle and rapturous applause from the home faithful.
Website Review and MOM
Not an enjoyable game to watch for the partisan fan - both sides had chances to win the game early on and there was so little to separate them for the first hour that you just couldn't fully appreciate the intriguing battle that was unfolding. The double substituition was an inspired move and came at a time when one side needed to grab the game by the scruff of it's neck and shake things up.
United: 1. Richard Barrett 2. Dean Smith 3. Tom Butler 4. Lee Henderson 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Andrew Styles 7. John McMahon 8. Tommy Lewis 9. Ricky Johnson 10. Ben Thompson 11. Andrew Younie
12. Jamie Mills (on for Lewis 63) 14. Jon-Paul Mills (on for Styles 63) 15. Ricky Bridges (NU) 16. Vinny Byfield (NU) 17. Dan Szczukiewicz (NU)
Ardley: 1. Alan Foster 2. Darren Beckett 3. Adam Richmond 4. Alan Robinson 5. Adam Garner 6. Danny Mason 7. Danny Bone 8. Tom Green 9. Troy Bryan 10. Andrew Stidder 11. Leon Gordon
12. Adam Beckett (NU) 14. James Lambert (on for Robinson 74) 15. Daniel Clark (NU) 16. Jordan Ayris (on for Green 81) 17. Gareth Tucker (on for Foster 51)
Sat 15th August FA Cup extra preliminary round att 96
ardley united 2 (Garner 21, stidder 73)
witney united 2 (Styles 45, thompson 66 pen)
United started their F.A.Cup campaign is a very tough away tie at Hellenic rivals Ardley United. Jamie and JP Mills were both missing due to family commitments but Lee Henderson passed a fitness test to take his place in the side.
United should have had the perfect start when, on 6 minutes, Tom Butler delivered a teasing cross from the left after a good build up only to see Ben Thompson blatantly shoved two-handed in the back as he went for the ball, amazingly the penalty wasn’t given.
Just two minutes later and United nearly took the lead when Andy Younie drove forward but his ball into the box was over hit but Alan Foster in the Ardley goal seemed to react late and had to scramble to touch the ball onto the bar and over.
Ardley started to impose themselves after this in terms of possession but could not force a direct threat on Richard Barrett’s goal as United defended solidly. On 20 minutes a good break forward down the right channel saw Ricky Johnson get clear but a defender did brilliantly to get back and block his shot only for Johnson to pick up the loose ball and feed Ben Thompson whose first shot was also blocked before he rattled the bar with his follow-up.
Almost immediately Ardley moved forward and a corner from the right was met powerfully at the back post by Adam Garner to give the home side the lead.
The two sides then matched each other as the game settled down until the 45th minute when, after a good move out of defence down the right wing, Ben Thompson beat two defenders as he broke into the box only to see his shot hit the bar again, however Ricky Johnson was onto the rebound and when his shot was blocked Andy Styles was on hand to ram home the equaliser.
Half-time: Ardley 1 –1 UNITED
Witney started the second half in lively manner and on 48 minutes Ricky Johnson flicked a Richard Barrett kick on and Ben Thompson’s shot from 25 yards went just wide. It was Thompson again who shot just wide after John McMahon had intercepted a loose ball and fed him on the edge of the box.
Just after the hour mark McMahon got a header on to another Richard Barrett kick and Ben Thompson turned his defender inside out but Alan Foster made a smart block at his near post to avert the danger. On 66 minutes United took the lead after Andy Younie had picked the ball up on the halfway line and set off on a run which saw him beat two defenders before playing a 1-2 with Ben Thompson in the box only for a defender to trip Younie as to was about shoot. Thompson put away the resulting penalty with aplomb.
Ardley now started to chase the equaliser and a right corner saw Richard Barrett have to be alert to turn away a far post header. Within two minutes a right wing cross was missed by everyone and Danny Clarke beat Richard Barrett at the back post only for Stuart Cattell to appear from nowhere and clear the danger before Witney immediately broke up field and Andy Younie created a shooting chance for Ben Thompson but the shot was blocked at the expense of a corner.
On 73 minutes Ardley got the equaliser when a free kick was headed up in the air inside the United box and Andrew Stidder reacted quickest to shoot home giving Richard Barrett no chance.
Although both sides were searching for the winner neither was able to create a clear chance until the second minute of time added on when a tremendous thirty yard shot from Ardley cannoned back off the Witney cross bar but two minutes later the winner nearly came at the other end when Tom Butler struck a twenty yarder which whistled just wide.
Website Review and MOM
An entertaining game leaves United looking to finish the job in a replay at the Polythene UK Stadium on Tuesday night – probably a fair result but with a little luck it could have been won on the day. The whole team played well but MoM goes to Ricky Johnson who caused the Ardley problems all afternoon and they were never able to cope with his aerial power.
United: 1. Richard Barrett 2. Dean Smith 3. Tom Butler 4. Lee Henderson 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Andrew Styles 7 John McMahon 8. Tommy Lewis 9. Ricky Johnson 10. Ben Thompson 11. Andrew Younie
12. Dan Szczukiewicz (on for Younie 83) 14. Vinny Byfield (NU) 15. Dean Mays (NU) 16. Ricky Bridges (NU)
Ardley: 1. Alan Foster 2. Darren Beckett 3. Adam Richmond 4. Alan Robinson 5. Adam Garner 6. Danny Mason 7. James Lambert 8. Tom Green 9. Troy Bryan 10. Andy Stidder 11. Danny Clarke
12. Adam Beckett (on for Clarke 73) 14. Jordan Ayris (NU) 15. Danny Bone (on for Lambert 66) 16. Gareth Tucker (NU)
tue 11th august FTL futbol hellenic premier att 116
shortwood united 1 (Singh 90+2)
witney united 0
A goal deep into stoppage time by James Singh saw United leave Gloucestershire empty handed last night in the cruellest of fashions.
For long periods United were the better side on the evening but couldn't find a way past the home side's excellent defence.
The early stages were very tentative as neither side really wanted to commit to much and it took until the 10th minute for an effort on goal when a cross by Alex Allard deceived everybody except Richard Barrett who got down well to turn wide.
The home side were appealing for a penalty a short while after when Singh burst into the box and went down under the tackle of John McMahon but the referee waved away the protests.
The Blanketmen were beginning to gain the upper hand as the half wore on and Andrew Styles stung the hands of Richard Thomas when he struck a sweet shot from the edge of the area.
If the home side felt aggrieved about their non-penalty it was United who were furious on the half hour. A 
corner swung in by Tom Butler found its way to Styles who hit a thunderous drive towards goal and Joe Macklin blocked with his hands which were raised above the head at the time but the referee again was having none of it.
United were now looking sharp and incisive and Andrew Younie was next to have an effort on goal when he cut in from the wing but flashed his shot just wide.
There was a major worry as Lee Henderson collided with Andy Hoskins in a purely accidental challenge that saw the United defender bleeding from a head wound.
Half-Time Shortwood United 0 Witney United 0
Henderson wasn't feeling right at the break and was replaced by Vinny Byfield but it affected the rhythm very little as United continued where they had left off.
McMahon controlled a bobbling ball before playing a neat 1-2 with Ben Thompson and hitting a fierce drive but watched in anguish as it went just wide.
The United efforts were getting closer and McMahon was again involved with the next chance when his chipped pass was helped on by Thompson to Younie who hit the ball on the volley but Thomas watched it safely wide.
Thomas came to the home side's rescue as the clock ticked on when Younie broke away from his marker before laying an intelligent pass back to McMahon whose shot was well held by the keeper.
Andy Lyne then made two changes as Tommy Lewis replaced Andrew Styles and new signing Ricky Johnson came on for Andrew Younie to add a bit of height to the attack.
The home side started to take a few risks as they looked to snatch an unlikely win and Hoskins was left with his head in his hands as his effort was deflected wide by the leg of Butler. From the resultant corner it was substitute Pete Macklin who got his head to the ball but Byfield got in there as well and diverted the ball over the bar.
As the game entered the second minute of injury time United were hit by the sickening late goal that would leave them with nothing for their efforts. A long clearance saw Singh get round Butler and with the United defence appealing for offside the striker somehow got around Barrett before finishing from the acutest of angles into the bottom corner of the net.
To make matters worse as soon as United took the kick off the referee blew for full time and left the United players in despair with getting nothing for a match they had put so much in to.
Website Review and MOM
Football can be a very cruel game at times and none more so than last night. United put so much into this match and certainly had more efforts on goal than the home side and will feel rightly aggrieved that we didnt get at the least a point. We will definitely play worse than this during the course of the season and win. MOM was very difficult as great team effort but Stuart Cattell was an absolute rock at the heart of the defence all evening.
United; 1. Richard Barrett 2. Dean Smith 3. Tom Butler 4. Lee Henderson 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Jamie Mills 7. John McMahon 8. Jon-Paul Mills 9. Andrew Younie 10. Ben Thompson 11. Andrew Styles
12. Tommy Lewis (on for Styles 80) 14. Dan Szczukiewicz (NU) 15. Ricky Johnson (on for Younie 76) 16. Vinny Byfield (on for Henderson H/T) 17. Ricky Bridges (NU)
Shortwood: 1. Richard Thomas 2. Alex Allard 3. Alton Axton 4. Joe Macklin 5. Ashley Thomas 6. Chris Greenough 7. Luke Bennyworth 8. Ross Casey 9. James Singh 10. Andy Hoskins 11. Matt Bennett
12. Vic Webb (on for Bennett 74) 14. Pete Macklin (on for Greenough 69) 15. Matt Collins (NU) 16. Jamie Hammond (NU)
Wed 5th august pre-Season friendly att 57
Launton Sports 1 (Phillips 26)
witney united 5 (Thompson 17pen,20,24 Henderson 62, C Mays 64)
United kept their unbeaten pre-season run going with a thumping victory at Hellenic Division One West side Launton Sports.
There were big claims for a penalty with the first attack of the game when Andrew Styles was taken out by the goalkeeper but the referee waved play on.
The opening goal came with seventeen minutes on the clock and ironically it came from a spot kick. The home keeper done brilliantly to turn away a Ben Thompson strike but Dean Smith whipped a cross back in and as Paul Dyer rose to attempt to head home he was bundled over. Thompson kept up his 100% record from the spot this season as he fired home.
Three minutes later and the lead was doubled when Dyer won a challenge in midfield and Thompson did the rest as he raced away from the defence before clipping the ball over the keeper and into the net.
United's supporters didnt have to wait long for the next goal as Thompson sent Andrew Younie away and although the keeper made a good save Thompson had continued his run and tapped into the empty net for his hat-trick.
The home side hit back immediately though as the United defence switched off for a moment and a deep cross fell to Luke Phillips who hit a crisp strike into the bottom corner of the net.
The second half saw United dominate throughout and the only surprise was that it took over quarter of an hour for a goal to come but when it did it was perfectly executed. A vicious corner by Tommy Lewis was met powerfully by the head of Lee Henderson to restore the three goal advantage.
Things got even better a couple of minutes later when Dyer won a tackle and fed substitute Craig Mays who with his first touch created the opening and with his second fired the ball into the corner of the net.
Mays almost grabbed a second a moment later after some good work by Younie but former United keeper Danny Clifford was equal to it and held well.
As the clock ticked on United were awarded another penalty when Ricky Bridges was flattened in the area but John McMahon saw his spot kick saved by Clifford but it mattered little as United secured another pre-season victory on the road.
United; 1. Richard Barrett 2. Dean Smith 3. Tom Butler 4. Lee Henderson 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Andrew Styles 7. John McMahon 8. Tommy Lewis 9. Andrew Younie 10. Ben Thompson 11. Paul Dyer
12. Craig Mays (on for Thompson 63) 14. Dean Mays (on for Younie 71) 15. Ricky Bridges (on for Dyer 66)
Tue 4th August jim newman memorial trophy semi-Final att 67
clanfield 1 (Odom 36)
witney united 1 (C mays 69)
Witney united won 4-3 on penalties
A very young United side produced a battling display to see off local rivals Clanfield on penalties and clinch a place in Sunday's final.
With only Vinny Byfield, Jon-Paul Mills and Jamie Mills with any real first team experience United's young side fought well and were well worthy of at least the draw they secured.
Chances were at a premium in the first period with the only effort in the opening quarter of an hour when Dean Mays played a first time pass to his brother Craig Mays whose shot was well tipped over by Chris Brain.
The home side had created little of note but nine minutes before the interval they took the lead when a long kick saw a lack of communication at the back and when Will Bridgewater slipped it was left to former United striker Mark Odom to poke the ball past Jon Okole.
If the first half had been a slow affair it was United who upped the pace considerably as they pressed forward in the driving rain.
After Jon-Paul Mills was hauled down by Ollie Oswin a fierce free-kick by Ricky Bridges had Brain scrambling back but the ball dropped narrowly over the bar.
Twenty one minutes from time though United had their equaliser when Paul Dyer won the ball and fed Jon-Paul Mills who cleverly helped the ball on to Craig Mays who drilled the ball into the bottom corner of the net giving Brain no chance.
Still United pressed with both Mays brothers going close and Jon-Paul Mills seeing a free-kick well held but the game moved on to a penalty shoot out to find a winner.
The first four spot kicks were converted with Jon-Paul Mills and Ricky Bridges netting for United but the third one from Vinny Byfield went over the crossbar leaving the Robins in pole position as they scored to lead 3-2 after three penalties each.
Craig Mays made no mistake with his effort before Jon Okole saved the next kick to leave it all square with one penalty left each. Conor Allmond calmly slotted his home but ex United man Kevin Brooks saw his effort saved by Okole and it was United who progressed to Sunday's final.
United; 1. Jon Okole 2. Will Bridgewater 3. Dan Szczukiewicz 4. Sam McNally 5. Vinny Byfield 6. Jamie Mills 7. Dean Mays 8. Jon-Paul Mills 9. Craig Mays 10. Ricky Bridges 11. Paul Dyer
12. Conor Allmond (on for D Mays 84) 14. Frank Harrison (on for Szczukiewicz 69) 15. Dan Stanley (on for Dyer 80)
sat 1st august jim newman memorial trophy 1st round att 52
witney united 4 (McMahon 31, JP mills 50, Thompson pen 63, lewis 70)
faringdon town 1(Courtney 12)
United overcame a plucky Faringdon Town side this afternoon in torrential rain at Clanfield to secure a place in the Jim Newman Memorial Trophy semi-finals.
There was a huge shock with just twelve minutes on the clock when the North Berks League side took the lead when a long kick by former United keeper Chris Webb saw Stuart Cattell slip and Danny Courtney pounced on the opportunity and finished well.
Webb was to have an impressive afternoon against his former colleagues and he produced an excellent save to deny a first time effort from John McMahon after an excellent Andrew Styles cross.
However it was Faringdon who went close to extending their lead when Courtney slipped his marker again and Richard Barrett had to be alert to deny the striker with his feet.
Just after the half hour though United were on level terms when the ball broke in midfield to Jon-Paul Mills who calmly found McMahon who drove into the area before unleashing a powerful drive giving Webb no chance.
Courtney was to have another chance just before the interval when he perhaps should have done better with a header but it was Webb who was on hand twice to deny United as both McMahon and Jon-Paul Mills were denied.
Five minutes after the break though the stopper was beaten when Styles won a thundering tackle in midfield and when Tommy Lewis picked out Ben Thompson the front man calmly rolled the ball across the box where Jon-Paul Mills was waiting to sidefoot home.
It was now United who were passing the ball around well and creating chances and Webb produced his third top drawer save of the afternoon when he denied Styles.
Thompson was left frustrated when he appeared to be dragged down in the area but his protests were waved away but moments later he was challenged as he burst into the area and the penalty was this time awarded. It was Thompson himself who drove the spot kick into the bottom corner of the net.
The fourth goal came with twenty minutes left on the clock when new signing Tommy Lewis swung in a vicious corner which dipped in under the bar and although Vinny Byfield applied a touch the ball was well over the line.
Faringdon had run out of steam now and their performance merited some luck which they got in the remaining time as both Andrew Younie and Thompson were denied further goals by the post.
United: 1. Richard Barrett 2. Dean Smith 3. Tom Butler 4. Lee Henderson 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Jamie Mills 7. John McMahon 8. Andrew Styles 9. Jon-Paul Mills 10. Ben Thompson 11. Tommy Lewis
12. Andrew Younie (on for Styles 61) 14. Vinny Byfield (on for Henderson 63) 15. Ricky Bridges (on for Butler 71)
Wed 29th july pre-Season friendly att 323
witney united 4 (OG 36, Thompson 41, 59pen, Bridges 49)
oxford united XI 2 (Dyer 16, 48)
United continued their impressive build up to the new campaign with an excellent display in the pouring rain to see off a young Oxford United XI.
The visitors included Sam Deering in their line up as he continued his recovery from his broken leg and in the early stages the passing from the visitors was excellent and they went close when a free kick by Niall Hodgkins was headed narrowly over the bar by Henry Owen.
It was United though who then carved out an excellent chance with some neat play between Andrew Younie and John McMahon but Younie then dragged his shot wide of the goal.
The opening goal came just after the quarter of an hour mark and it was a poor goal from Witney's point of view. A loose pass put Lee Henderson under pressure and American triallist Paul Dyer stole the ball before rounding Richard Barrett and netting with ease.
Younie again went close after some good work by Ben Thompson before Thompson himself had the ball in the net only to see it harshly ruled out for offside.
Nine minutes before the break though United got their reward with an equalising goal. A corner from McMahon saw former United loanee Jack Smith crash the ball into his own net under pressure.
Only five minutes later and it was The Blanketmen who took the lead when Younie this time turned provider feeding Thompson who rounded Nathan Silver and tucked the ball into the net.
Straight after half-time the goals kept coming as Oxford levelled matters when a cross was allowed to travel a long way and there was that man Dyer again to turn the ball in at the far post.
No sooner had the pats on the backs finished though and United were back in front when a long ball was controlled superbly by Ricky Bridges who then made himself a yard before thumping an unstoppable shot into the net.
It was all United now and Thompson went close from 35 yards before Tommy Lewis and then McMahon could only watch in anguish as their efforts came back off the crossbar.
Just before the hour the lead was extended when Thompson and Younie combined well before Thompson was pulled down in the box by two Oxford defenders. Thompson himself put the ball on the spot and powered the ball past Silver and into the net.
As both sides made a host of changes chances became at a premium but when the final whistle blew all those watching could only be impressed at what a decent game of football had been served up in torrential rain.
United: 1. Richard Barrett 2. Dean Smith 3. Tom Butler 4. Lee Henderson 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Jamie Mills 7. John McMahon 8. Andrew Styles 9. Andrew Younie 10. Ben Thompson 11. Jon-Paul Mills
12. Tommy Lewis (on for J Mills HT) 14. Ricky Bridges (on for JP Mills HT) 15. Dean Mays (on for Butler 71) 16. Craig Mays (on for Younie 70) 17. Dan Szczukiewicz (on for Styles HT)
Sat 25th july Pre-Season friendly att 121
North Leigh 0
witney united 3 (Younie 10, Styles 61, Thompson 69 pen)
United produced a ruthless display that stunned their higher league opponents to score a thoroughly deserved 3-0 victory.
The opening stages were tight but the deadlock was broken on ten minutes with a goal of simple execution. John McMahon collected the ball in midfield before releasing Ben Thompson who left the square defence appealing for offside before he calmly laid the ball into the path of Andrew Younie who sidefooted home from six yards.
North Leigh were obviously stung but were struggling to impose themselves as United hustled and harried and gave not an inch. A curling effort from Aaron Posey which drifted narrowly wide was the closest they game all afternoon.
Thompson was to go close twice before the interval to doubling the advantage. He shot wide after being picked out by Ricky Bridges and then was unfortunate to see an effort deflected wide of the foot of Andrew Helby.
Ten minutes after the break and the North Leigh keeper produced a stunning fingertip save to deny Stuart Cattell but just six minutes later and the deserved second goal came.
A surging run by Dean Mays caused panic before he found Thompson who done well to get his shot away which was palmed out but Andrew Styles reacted quickest to fire home the rebound.
United's support didnt have to wait long to be celebrating again when Thompson was crudely tackled from behind by Stuart Huxley but he picked himself up and fired home the spot kick.
North Leigh were stunned and it was United who continued to probe and Dean Mays was very unlucky to see a late effort tipped just wide of the goal.
United; 1. Richard Barrett 2. Dean Smith 3. Vinny Byfield 4. Lee Henderson 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Andrew Styles 7. John McMahon 8. Ricky Bridges 9. Andrew Younie 10. Ben Thompson 11. Tommy Lewis
12. Craig Mays (on for Younie 60) 14. Conor Allmond (on for Thompson 80) 15. Dean Mays (on for Bridges HT) 16. Sam McNally (on for Lewis 65) 17. Frank Harrison (on for Henderson 73)
Sat 18th July Pre-Season Friendly att 57
Buckingham Athletic 0
witney united 4 (Thompson 17,45 Younie 65, McMahon 85)
United kicked off their pre-season campaign in comprehensive fashion with a thoroughly professional display that saw them win 4-0 at Buckingham Athletic.
The home side were full of running in the early stages but United settled into the game and took the lead on seventeen minutes when John McMahon won the ball and fed Ben Thompson who drilled the ball into the far corner of the net.
Right on the stroke of half-time and the lead was doubled following some excellent build up play that saw the ball end at the feet of Andrew Younie whose shot was blocked but it dropped to Thompson who made no mistake.
The second half saw United much more dominant as Younie had a goal disallowed for offside and the home goalkeeper produced a couple of excellent saves.
However some poor defending from a long throw allowing the ball to bounce ended with Thompson's shot being blocked but Younie reacted quickest to tuck home the rebound.
Five minutes from time the scoring was completed when Thompson produced a surging run and cutback to McMahon who drilled through a pack of bodies to find the net.
United: 1. Richard Barrett 2. Dean Smith 3. Vinny Byfield 4. Andrew Styles 5. Stuart Cattell 6. Jamie Mills 7. John McMahon 8. Jon-Paul Mills 9. Andrew Younie 10. Ben Thompson 11. Tommy Lewis
12. Dean Mays (on for Younie) 14. Ricky Bridges (on for Lewis) 15. Conor Allmond (on for JP Mills)
