reserves match reports 2007-08
28-04-08 reserve division two west
witney united 1 shrivenham 1
United gained small revenge for their semi-final defeat at the hands of Shrivenham when they drew 1-1 last night at Marriotts Stadium to clinch the runners-up spot.
Needing to gain a result better than a three goal defeat United found themsleves 1-0 down and a little nervy knowing that a second goal would have made things interesting.
However on the hour came the goal that settled things down and ensured the runners-up position with Kevin Brooks equalising for United.
It almost got even better when United were awarded a penalty but Gary Wickens available again after his recent five game ban missed the penalty and the points were shared.
22-04-08 reserve division two west
witney united 8 Ardley United 0
United bounced back from their League Cup woes as they thumped second placed Ardley United 8-0 at Marriotts Stadium.
The visitors turned up with only nine men and United were to make their superiority count in style as they opened up a 2-0 lead at half-time thrugh Kevin Brooks and Jon-Paul Hannaway.
The second half only got better as Mike Wyatt went on a scoring spree netting four times along with further goals from Hannaway and John McMahon completed a good night for the Blanketmen.
19-04-08 reserve challenge cup semi-Final 2nd Leg
Shrivenham 7 Witney United 1 (10-2 on agg)
A disastrous opening to the second leg of the League Cup semi-final left United shellshocked and eventually succumb to a 7-1 thrashing at Shrivenham on Saturday.
After just three minutes United were 2-0 down and 5-1 on aggregate and although Kevin Brooks pulled a goal back on the quarter hour mark a further goal before half-time left United four goals down overall.
The second half saw United crumble and conced four further goals suffering by far their heaviest defeat of the season and going out 10-2 on aggregate.
08-04-08 reserve challenge cup semi-Final 1st leg
witney united 1 shrivenham 3
United went down in the first leg of this semi-final clash but will be left with a massive sense of injustice that the deficit isnt half of what it is.
The first half saw United performing knowhere near their best and on 22 minutes it was the visitors who struck first to take a half-time lead.
After the break it seemed like the game was heading for a 1-0 finish but suddenly United were stunned when the visitors scored twice in the space of two minutes to take a 3-0 lead.
Then came the moment that hurt United, the ball was hit some 25 yards from goal by Neil Lyford with pace and power and flew into the net past the keeper and bounced back out. As the visitors made their way back to the halfway line to restart the game the referee stunned everybody by awarding a goal-kick! Despite United's protest the referee was adamant he had got the decision right and the goal didnt stand.
This only served to fire United up and they began to play with a passion which had been lacking and with just eight minutes left on the clock Stefan Lang popped up to reduce the arrears and keep United just about in the tie.
24-03-08 reserve division two west
witney united 6 launton sports 0
United made it ten goals in three days as they overcame strugglers Launton Sports at a freezing Marriotts Stadium this afternoon.
Against the wind in the first half United had a solitary goal from Jon-Paul Hannaway to show for their efforts.
It was a different story in the second half as five unanaswered goals from Hannaway, Jed Riddy (2), Andy Caton and Stefan Lang was enough to give United the points.
08-03-08 reserve division two west
shrivenham 2 witney united 2
A double from Jon-Paul Hannaway was enough to secure United a point in their latest league fixture at Shrivenham this afternoon.
01-03-08 reserve division two west
highworth town 4 witney united 1
Highworth gained revenge for their thumping in the League Cup earlier in the season when they beat United 4-1 yesterday and effictively killed United's promotion hopes with Kevin Brooks getting the consolation goal.
12-02-08 reserve division two west
witney united 2 hook norton 2
United failed to win for the second match in succession for the first time this season as they were held to a draw by Hook Norton at Marriotts Stadium.
United started like a train and in the opening exchanges hit the woodwork an amazing four times before finally getting some reward when Kevin Brooks opened the scoring.
However the visitors equalised right on the stroke of the interval and to be fair from then on were very much the dominant side and it was no surprise when they took the lead after the break.
United dug in though and ten minutes from time grabbed a point when Jon-Paul Hannaway struck the ball home from the penalty spot.
09-02-08 reserve division two west
cricklade town 3 witney united 2
United suffered their first league defeat since the opening day of the season as they went down at Cricklade despite fighting back from 2-0 down.
The home side took the game to United and it was no surprise when United found themselves 2-0 down but a sudden improvement in performance saw goals from Kevin Brooks and Jon-Paul Hannaway level the scores.
With United sensing the three points were there to be won they pushed forward but were caught on the break and the home side grabbed a winner to put a dent in United's promotion hopes.
02-02-08 reserve division two west
witney united 3 easington sports 1
United chalked up another league victory, their ninth of the season but this one came at a cost as youngster Nathan Harris was stretchered off with a dislocated knee.
Only two minutes had gone when Harris suffered his injury following a 50/50 challenge it was clear he was hurt and following a 25 minute delay for treatment by physios and the ambulance crew he was taken off to hospital.
This seemed to affect United and they started slowly conceding a harsh penalty on 25 minutes but goalkeeper Paul Davis was equal to it keeping the effort out.
With the wake up call arriving United then took the lead on the half-hour when Stefan Lang won the ball in the area before beating a couple of players and drilling the ball into the bottom corner.
Easington hit back on the hour though with an equaliser but United dug deep and further goals from debutant Mike Wyatt and a third from Ricky King who later hit a post ensured victory.
26-01-08 reserves league cup quarter-Finals
witney united 3 wootton bassett town 1
United pulled off a shock yesterday afternoon as they overcame Division One opponents with an excellent display that saw them into the semi-finals.
They got off to a flying start with barely a minute on the clock when Shaun Brown fired home to settle any nerves the home side may have had.
Despite some excellent play United had to be patient and it took until the 65th minute for the second goal to come when defender Stefan Lang doubled the advantage.
It wasnt all plain sailing though and the visitors from Division One pulled a goal back with twelve minutes remaining and started to exert some pressure but with 90 minutes on the clock a superb volley by top scorer Jon-Paul Hannaway secured the victory and sent United into the last four.
05-01-08 reserve divsion two west
launton sports 1 witney united 8
A goal fest by United saw them bounce back to winning ways as they thumped basement side Launton Sports who still search for their first point of the season.
There was no sign of things to come as United led 2-1 at the interval with both goals from Lee Beer but after the break United ran riot.
Further goals from Nathan Harris (2), Shaun Brown, Jon-Paul Hannaway, Jed Riddy and an Own Goal secured United a comfortable three points.
29-12-07 reserve division two west
witney united 3 cricklade town 3
A last minute strike from the visitors stunned United and ended their tremendous run of seven straight league victories.
United actually got a flying start as Joe Edney followed up his hat-trick against Bicester by getting the opener but the visitors fought back as they contended better with the wind and before half an hour had gone found themselves 2-1 up.
However just after the 30 minute mark it was all square again as Kevin Brooks struck and sent the sides in on even terms at the break.
The second half saw United go in front on 65 minutes when top scorer Jon-Paul Hannaway struck again and as United looked to be heading for maximum points the visitors grabbed a deserved point in the last seconds.
22-12-07 reserve division two west
bicester town 0 witney united 7
United went goal crazy this afternoon at Bicester as they racked up a seventh straight league victory and climbed into third place.
The first half was an even affair and only a goal on the stroke of the interval by Jon-Paul Hannaway could seperate the sides.
However the game sung United's way after the home side saw their keeper dismissed on 55 minutes when he handled outside the area and was shown the red card.
United brought on Joe Edney as substitute and his arrival was dramatic as he racked up a hat-trick for himself along with a double from Ricky King and a solitary strike from Jed Riddy.
15-12-07 reserves challenge cup 2nd round
witney united 4 highworth town 1
United bounced back from last weeks disappointment to move into the 3rd Round of the Challenge Cup with an excellent victory over league leaders Highworth Town.
It was United who struck first on 23 minutes when Jon-Paul Hannaway fired home but the visitors were back on level terms on 36 minutes when they scored from a penalty.
A minute later and United were back in front when a tremendous run and finish from Lee Moseley gave them a 2-1 lead at the break.
Twelve minutes after the interval and it got better when Jonny Fletcher struck before Jed Riddy killed the tie with just six minutes left to send United through.
08-12-07 oxon intermediate Cup 3rd Round
headington amateurs 5 witney united 0
United's astonishing winning run came to an end yesterday as they went down 5-0 to Headington from Division One in the Oxon Intermediate Cup.
United started the game well and for the first 20 minutes looked bright as they oozed confidence but they were hit by an opening goal and this knocked the stuffing out of them and they found themselves 3-0 down at the break.
The second half brought little in the way of improvement and two more goals saw the Reserves fall to their first defeat since early September.
24-11-07 reserve league cup 1st round
witney united 5 bicester town 3
An eight goal thriller at Marriotts Stadium saw United bounce back from 2-0 down at the break to extend their winning run to 10 matches.
A poor first half by United looked to have gone unpunished until they conceded goals in the 44th and 45th minutes and found themselves 2-0 down at the break.
The second half was entirely different as United laid siege to the Bicester goal and it was no surprise on 62 minutes when Shaun Brown pulled a goal back.
Five minutes later and it was all square as Jon-Paul Hannaway equalised before on 70 minutes Ricky King put United in front for the first time in the day.
It became four goals in five minutes for United when King scored again but the visitors restored some hope when they scored with just five minutes left.
United werent to be denied though and with two minutes left on the clock King completed his hat-trick to send United through.
17-11-07 reserve division two west
witney united 2 cirencester united 0
A solid if not spectacular performance saw United collect another three points as they continued to battle it out for top spot.
It was almost a terrible start for Witney when the visitors were awarded a penalty after five minutes but they missed the opportunity and United built from there.
With thirteen minutes until the break it was Jed Riddy who broke the deadlock and settled Witney down as they took the lead.
As a contest it took just two minutes after the break to be killed off when Jez Hobbs netted to double the advantage.
United had the ball in the net with quarter of an hour remaining through Kevin Brooks but the goal was ruled out and United settled for a 2-0 win.
10-11-07 oxon intermediate cup 2nd round
Easington sports 2 witney united 3 aet 2-2 90 mins
A dramatic match saw United win through in extra-time and clinch a trip to Headington Amateurs as they overcame a stubborn Easington side.
Things went well in the first half for United and top scorer Jon-Paul Hannaway struck midway through the half to give United a lead at the interval.
However two goals in a five minute spell just before the hour suddenly saw the home side in front but as United appeared to be heading out of the competition Jonny Fletcher struck with just seven minutes remaining.
The game entered extra-time and with 105 minutes on the clock a strike from Lee Moseley was enough to clinch victory and send United through.
03-11-07 reserve division two west
ardley united 2 witney united 3
United continued their fine recent run of form as they grabbed a fifth straight league win and hauled themselves up to 2nd place in the league.
It took 21 minutes for the opening goal and it was Witney who grabbed it when the home side put through their own net and the score remained the same until the break.
Ten minutes after the interval and United doubled their lead when Nathan Harris was hauled down in the box and Jon-Paul Hannaway clamly slotted home the penalty.
Three minutes later and the home side clawed their way back into it but with quarter of an hour remaining the hosts put through their own goal again this time from a Hannaway cross.
United were given a scare when Ardley pulled a goal back five minutes from time but despite some heavy pressure Witney held on to collect the points.
27-10-07 reserve division two west
old woodstock town 0 witney united 5
A devastating opening twenty minute spell saw the Reserves clinch a fifth straight win yesterday when they crushed Old Woodstock Town.
They got a stunning start after just 10 seconds when from a Woodstcok kick off the ball went back to the keeper but a miskick saw Jed Riddy left to tap into the empty net for the opener.
On five minutes it got even better when Nathan Harris doubled the advantage before Riddy got his second of the afternoon on the quarter of an hour mark.
With twenty minutes gone United were in dreamland when Lee Moseley curled the ball directly in from the corner to make it 4-0.
Things got no better for the home side who then contrived to miss a penalty just eight minutes before the break.
With the game one the second half was a calmer affair but there was still time for Harris to notch his second of the game sixteen minutes from time.
20-10-07 reserve division Two west
hook norton 2 witney united 4
United's Reserves cliched a fifth staight victory as they scored four for the second successive league match on their travels.
It took half an hour for United to open the scoring and it was Shaun Brown who notched before Brown again scored four minutes before the interval to give United a two goal lead.
The second half saw United extend their lead with another double with Jon-Paul Hannaway scoring on 52 mins and 71 mins to give United an unassailable 4-0 lead.
The home side to their credit showed some spirit and pulled two goals back to give the scoreline a shade of respectability.
06-10-07 reserve divison two west
easington sports 0 witney united 4
United's second string won their third game on the trot yesterday to hoist themselves into the upper reaches of the table with an excellent performance at Easington Sports.
The first half saw United play well but they had to wait until right on half-time for Johnny Fletcher to give them the lead.
After the break saw United continue to press but the had to wait until 72 minutes before Nathan Harris added to the score and just a minute later the lead was extended further through Jed Riddy.
Things were rounded off superbly five minutes from time when Kevin Brooks added to his repertoire of excellent goals this season when he lobbed the keeper for the fourth.
29-09-07 league cup preliminary round
cricklade town 2 witney united 6
United's Reserves produced their finest performance of the season as they demolished previously unbeaten Cricklade Town in the Preliminary Round of the League Cup.
It was the home side who took the lead after only 9 minutes but Jed Riddy struck 10 minutes before the break to send the sides in level at the break.
After the interval though it was all about United as Riddy (53) extended the lead before Jon-Paul Hannaway (67 and 78 pen) put United 4-1 up.
Within a minute the home side pulled a goal back but Kevin Brooks (84) restored the three goal advantage before Hannaway (87) completed his hat-trick and set up a 1st round clash at home to Bicester Town.
24-09-07 friendly
witney united 2 witney royals 1
United returned to action last night with a hard fought friendly win over Witney & District side Witney Royals at Marriotts Stadium.
It was Witney who seized the initiative in the first half with a sweetly struck volley by Nathan Harris on twenty minutes opening the scoring.
Thirteen minutes later and United extended their lead with a left foot strike by Jed Riddy continuing the youngsters fine start to the season.
The visitors pulled one back after the break but United held out to leave them in good spirits ahead of their cup clash at Cricklade on Saturday.
08-09-07 hellenic reserve division two west
witney united 3 letcombe 2
A double from Dan Frizzell saw United home in a five goal thriller at Marriotts Stadium as the Reserves picked up their first points of the season.
It was United who broke the deadlock after 25 minutes when Frizzell opened the scoring but within five minutes the visitors but three minutes before half-time a superb 25 yard free-kick from Kevin Brooks restored United's advantage.
On 65 minutes United went further ahead when Frizzell notched his second of the afternoon but the visitors pulled a goal back with twelve minutes remaining.
There was a heart stopoping moment with five minutes left when Letcombe had the ball in the net but the goal was disallowed.
05-09-07 faringdon cup 2nd round
witney united 1 lambourn sports 3
United bowed out of the Faringdon Cup at the second round stage last night going down to a second successive 3-1 defeat.
Up against a strong Lambourn Sports side from the North Berks League the game was an even contest for long periods and it was until the 58th minute when the deadlock was broken.
However as on Saturday it was United who responded quickly and a goal seven minutes later from Jed Riddy brought things level.
Then came a disastrous minute in the game when United conceded two quickfire goals through sloppy defending and they found themselves out of the cup.
01-09-07 hellenic reserve division two west
witney united 1 highworth town 3
There was disappointment for United on the opening day of the season as they went down to a 3-1 defeat against Highworth Town.
The game was very even and it took until the half hour for the opening goal when the visitors made the breakthrough but just five minutes later United were level through Jed Riddy.
United dominated proceedings early in the second half but three fine saves by the Highworth keeper kept the scores level before two goals in two minutes quarter of an hour into the second half gave Highworth victory.
11-08-07 Friendly
Faringdon Town 4 Witney United 2
Two late goals for the second week running saw United go down to defeat as they continued their build up ahead of the new season.
Ironically it was United who took the lead six minutes before the break when Ryan Hunt struck home but two goals just after half-time saw the North Berks side edge in front.
On the hour though United were level when Tom West equalised but two late goals ensured that Faringdon claimed a victory ahead of United's 2nd round Faringdon Cup tie on Tuesday night.
06-08-07 faringdon cup 1st round
Childrey united 3 witney united 3 (Witney win 8-7 on penalties)
A dramatic evening saw United eventually squeak through on penalties having looked like they had won the tie at least twice throughout the evening but for their stubborn hosts.
Things appeared to be going to plan when an OG (27) and Lee Moseley (36) had put United 2-0 up but the home side pulled a goal back right on the stroke of half-time.
The second half remained the same until an amazing last four minutes. Childrey equalised with four minutes left but with a minute to go Pete Horswell struck to put United 3-2 up and seemingly through but Childrey hit back in injury time to force a penalty shootout.
It was turn of goalkeeper Ashton Hastie to perform heroics as he saved two spot kicks before player-manager Neil Lyford slotted home the winning penalty.
04-08-07 friendly
berinsfield 2 witney united res 1
United went down to their first friendly defeat of the season at the hands of Oxon Senior League side Berinsfield.
After only six minutes though it was United who had a flying start when Ryan Hunt fired them into an early lead.
The game seemed to be heading for a victory for United but two late goals for the home side saw them clinch victory,
26-07-07 friendly
chadlington 1 Witney United res 2
A United X1 travelled to Chadlington for the first action of the season last night and came away with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the Oxon Senior League side.
The home side included former Witney United players Robbie Wyatt and Shaun Gilbert, former Witney Town stalwart Gary Murphy and also ex North Leigh man Matty Ellis.
A good smattering of new signings made their first appearance in United colours and a tough opening period saw the sides go in goalless at half-time.
After the break though it was United who broke the deadlock when Lee Moseley opened the scoring on 67 minutes.
The home side hit back though with just thirteen minutes remaining to level the scores up at 1-1.
United were not to be outdone though and with 10 minutes remaining on the clock up popped Mark Simms to net the winner and get the season off to a winning start.
