Shortwood United 4 – 2 Ardley United

Ardley United the holders of the Supplementary Cup were playing their second cup final of the season having lost in the final of the Floodlit Cup to Kidlington. Their opponents, Shortwood United, who finished 5th in the Premier Division were looking to end the season on a high.

The game opened with a bang, in the 1st minute Shortwood Luke Bennyworth pushed Ryan Wiffin and Danny Mason (left) converted the penalty.

Four minutes later Shortwood leveled when Will Steadman headed against a defender from a corner for the equaliser. Both teams found it difficult to break down defences on just before the half time break Shortwood took the lead when Andy Hoskins put a through ball to Chris Davis to beat the Ardley keeper.

Half Time: Shortwood United 2 - 1 Ardley United

Half way through an even second half James Coates increased Shortwood’s lead when he hammered in a 25 yard drive from an Ardley clearance.

This caused Ardley to throw more players forward and they pulled a goal back seven minutes from time when Leon Gordon (right) headed in a cross.

With Ardley now in the ascendency and going for broke Three Shortwood players were left to run clear and it was Matt Green who hit Shortwood’s 4th from a Jody Beavon pass in the last minute.

League Vice President Hugh Arnold presented the match mementos to the teams and Match Officials.

Ardley United 1 - 3 Hook Norton • 26th April

With the managers of both teams in control for the last time in the League season, as far as Hook Norton was concerned, the script could not have been written any better.

Hooky player manager Ben Spiero completed his reign by scoring the final goal of the match in which his successor.

In a very evenly balanced first half, with Hooky having the greater amount of possession with the slope and wind in their favour, Davies began to make his presence felt on the right hand side and it was the 19 years’ old player who opened the scoring on 31 minutes when he fired the ball through a sea of legs into the left hand corner of the Ardley net after controlling a headed flick from Harris, following a free kick from Shaun Lambourne on the left hand side of the field.

Shortly afterwards, the same player was unlucky not to double the Hooky score line. Once more, he shot from about 20 yards out on the right side of the pitch, only to see his superb curling shot deflect off the crossbar.

Then, on the stroke of half time, a free kick by Davies was touched into the Ardley net after a goal line melee, only to be disallowed by referee Kevin Norris for an infringement

Half Time: Ardley United 0 Hook Norton 1

With the slope and wind now in the home sides favour, Ardley were expected to put the pressure on Hooky and got on equal terms after just 47 minutes, the signs began to look ominous for the visitors.

The equalizing goal came when visiting keeper Richard Meadows failed to intercept a through ball, allowing Andy Prescott to nip in and lob the ball over his head into the empty Hooky net.

Far from becoming demoralised, Hooky then injected more steel into their game, with captain Chris Jackson being a consistent tower of strength at centre half.

On the hour mark, tough tackling Griffin replaced Daniel Szczukiewicz, after which Howkins replaced Carl Standen and Spiero replaced Crognale.

In the final 10 minutes of the match, things turned decisively in the visitors favour .  On 81 minutes, a Davies corner from the left was headed in at the near post by Howkins (his first goal for Hooky) and then, on 85 minutes, a high ball from Harris over the Ardley defence found Spiero in the clear with just the home ‘keeper to beat.

Perhaps not the completion to the League season that Ardley would have wanted, but the football for Ardley is not over yet with the SoccerKits Plus Supplementary Final to be played at Fairford Town on Saturday May 3rd. The team will be up for making it a final day of Ardley management for Dan Still to remember.

Main Context of Report Courtesy of Hook Norton FC

In an extremely entertaining and fast paced game, Wantage typified their season, when they contrived to recover the two goal deficit from the first leg by applying immense effort, only to have a moment’s defensive lapse that enabled Ardley to reclaim the advantage by nicking a single goal.

In a frenetic first half, Wantage took the game to Ardley from the start, creating several chances that, in a calmer mood, Tom Austin and Ellis Langford in particular, would normally have put away. Bustling Wantage striker Gary Hartley had the ball in the net on the half hour, cleanly getting to an Austin cross and forcing the ball past Matt Dixon in the Ardley goal, only to be penalised for a foul on the keeper. As Wantage pressed they were vulnerable to Ardley breakaways, and several times the Wantage defence had to recover quickly to keep Ardley at bay.

Half Time: 0 - 0

The pace stepped up from frenetic to frantic in the second half. The Wantage fight back began in the 52nd minute when Captain Gary Swann firmly connected with a Tom Austin corner to give the home side and their loyal support some hope. Those hopes were further raised when Wantage squared the semi-final, Ellis Langford, with his back to goal, cleverly taking control of the ball only yards from Matt Dixon’s line, chested the ball down and turning to drive high into the Ardley net. Wantage kept up the charge and should have gone ahead overall when Danny Keen slipped his marker and broke away, only to drive the ball the wrong side of Dixon’s post.

But applied consistency has not been Wantage’s strong suit this season, and in the 70th minute, a defensive lapse gave space and time to Ardley substitute Steve Garbutt to drive past Luke Alford to dash the hopes and ambitions that, up to that moment, the Wantage performance had inspired. Wantage huffed and puffed up to the final whistle, but to their credit, Ardley defended firmly from a position of strength.

Report Courtesy of Wantage Town FC & Hellenic League Web Site

Ardley came from behind to take three points and go some way to avenge the defeat by opponents Kidlington in the HPL Floodlit Cup Final last week.

Ardley were brimming with confidence after beating promotion contenders Hungerford at the weekend, but Dan Still was forced into more changes in personnel as keeper Matt Dixon (swollen knee), Tom Green (work), Jason Costella (work) and Greg Gardner (travelling) were all missing from the line up who achieved the win at the weekend. Also still without Chris Hill, Andy Prescott and Darren Beckett, the squad was stretched to the limit.

It looked to be a long evening as Ardley failed to create any real chances of note in the first half. Kidlington were much brighter with Jordan Parker, making his debut for the Kidlington first team, scoring in the 13th and 23rd minutes, establishing a comfortable lead.

Half Time: Ardley United 0 Kidlington 2

At half time Ardley replaced Danny Mason with Chris Johnson, which altered the shape of the team. Johnson who had been left out of the squad at the weekend returned with a point to prove, and he began to gain a strangle hold on the midfield from the start of the second half. Ardley reduced the arrears in the 46th minute when Phil Martin's excellent corner was headed home by Ian Trott.

Ardley failed to build on the goal, the game was starting to get scrappy, until Adam Richmonds' clipped pass was headed down by Ryan Wiffen for Adam Beckett to fire home the equaliser.

Looking to grab the deciding advantage, Johnson then forced Kidlington keeper Steve Benbow into a smart save, to deny Johnson the chance.

The deciding strike came in 85th minute, Adam Richmond's penetrating run led to a scramble in the box, Chris Johnson demonstrated sublime close control to steal the ball and slide it under the Benbow. Johnson got the goal he had been seeking, to give the home side their second league win in three days.

The match was fairly even early on with neither side able to break out of midfield. It came as a surprise after 15 minutes when a miss punch under pressure by town keeper, Paul Thompson, went straight to Leon Gordon whose angled shot went into the net to give the visitor’s the lead.

This opened up the game somewhat but no real chances materialised. Jamie Gosling tried a long shot from the halfway line from a miss kick by Ardley ‘keeper Matt Dixon but his shot drifted wide.

The last fifteen minutes saw Hungerford up the pressure but the nearest they came to an equaliser was a diving header by Nick Macrae who couldn’t quite make full contact and the ball went wide.

Half Time: 0 – 1

Hungerford came out after the break in a determined mood and pushed players forward from the kick off. This allowed Ardley more space up front and produced an exciting 45 minutes with chances at both ends.

But it took Hungerford almost thirty minutes to breakdown the Ardley defence to level, a free kick into the penalty area found Sean Terry who turned and struck the ball into the net.

The last ten minutes erupted as tension and frustration overwhelmed Hungerford, first Luke Brewer was dismissed for abusive language and he was followed two minutes later by Paul Bedwell for a late and violent tackle that caught the Ardley player high on the shin.

The nine men of Hungerford pressed forward searching for the winner and had several half chances but in the second minute of added time Steve Garbutt broke away from the lone Hungerford defender and ran from the halfway line to draw and beat the home keeper and net the winner. 

The result moved United to 13th place in the league table, on 51 points with three games remaining in this seasons League campaign.

AFC Wallingford 0 Ardley United 11

Ryan Wiffen returned to Ardley United hitting five goals in his inaugural match. Ardley ran riot in South Oxfordshire beating AFC Wallingford 11 - 0.

Wiffen was part of last years Ardley squad which achieved much recognition in the Sport Italia Hellenic League , however he left in search of guaranteed football. Wiffen went back to his old club Winslow, in the The Molten Spartan South Midlands Football League Division One, with whom he has notched 26 goals this season in just 17 League and League Cup games for the club. He returned to Ardley just before the March 31st deadline and marked his 2008 debut, played at Wallingford Sports Park, with a first half hat-trick, before logging two more goals in the second half.

The other six goals in the fixture came from, Ian Trott and Tom Smith getting a brace each, plus Leon Gordon and Danny Mason.

Manager Dan Still was delighted with Ryan's contribution, commenting: "I haven't had the best of luck with strikers this year, it has definitely been a revolving door "up top". I think in hindsight I should of brought Ryan back a bit sooner as he compliments the style of play, but I am just pleased he has agreed to help out until the end of the season and I hope he hasn't used all the goals up in one go".

Ardley fell to a single goal scored at the end of the first half against table topping North Leigh. However promotion candidates North Leigh were lucky to escape with 3 points after a game of two very different halves.

The Ardley team were without Adam Richmond, Skipper Tom Green, Andy Prescott, Darren Beckett and Rob Carrick. Adam Beckett sat on the bench but was really unable to take any part also due to injury.

With so many players missing and only one fit striker Manager Dan Still deployed a 4-5-1 system, with North Leigh playing 3-5-2 the midfield soon became very congested.

Ardley defended for the majority of the half restricting the visitors to long range efforts, but Simms did get through after 20 minutes, but keeper Matt Dixon saved well with his feet.

North Leigh's pressure grew and grew, though it looked as if Ardley would see out the half when a lob from the edge of the box beat Dixon, to put North Leigh ahead on 43 minutes.

Ardley almost responded within a minute when Phil Martin's cross was headed onto the bar by Leon Gordon.

Half Time: Ardley United 0 - North Leigh 1

In the second period Ardley grew in confidence, passing the ball better than the opposition, Steve Garbutt linked well with Gordon before firing wide from the edge of the box.

Chris Hill, Gordon and Martin all had half chances before Ardley's big chance went begging. Martin crossed for Garbutt who was six yards out, with the goal at his mercy he blazed the ball over the bar.

In the final minute Ardley even had keeper Matt Dixon in the opposition box for a corner in an attempt to grab a point, but were not able to force the ball home.

Ardley made it through to the semi final of the SoccerKits Plus Supplementary cup after a bizarre first half that saw five goals and a sending off.

Marlow opened the scoring in the first minute when Danny Mason failed to take control of a situation and a poor kick by keeper Matt Dixon saw Coul lob the ball into an empty net.

Ardley responded well, both Mason and Phil Martin missed glorious chances before Carrick combined with Adam Richmond, who provided the cross for Chris Hill to tap in from close range.

The Marlow keeper was incensed feeling that Carrick was offside and ran to the assistant using a string of foul language, leaving the referee little option but to administer a red card.

Ardley took advantage as Marlow tried to settle. Adam Gordon latched on to a poor clearance, lobbing home from 25 yards to get his sixth goal in as many games. However Marlow got on level terms again catching Richmond sleeping with a long ball in to the left hand channel, which Flint finished well for 2-2.

Directly from the re-start kick off Ardley hit back winning a corner, from which Mason poked home Hill's downward header.

Half Time: Ardley United 3 Marlow United 2

The second half was one way traffic as Ardley used the man advantage to keep the ball. Adam Feaver added to his tally with a smart finish flicking the ball over his shoulder before passing the ball into the net.

Ardley had more chances but the game fizzled out to seal Ardley's passage into the semi final and keep the holders dream alive of defending the trophy in another final appearance.

Winterbourne 0 - Ardley United 0 (AET - Ardley go through 4-3 on penalties)

Ardley made the long trip to Bristol to face Winterbourne a side competing at the top of Division One West, who were looking for a second Premier League scalp after knocking out Lydney Town in the previous round.

Sadly the weather was the unexpected factor in the game as the open pitch was subject to gale force winds preventing either side from playing any football. With the wind at their backs, the home side started brighter and Winterbourne's leading marksman, Jimmy Potts, forced Ardley keeper Matt Dixon into a fine save.

Several excellent free kicks from Adam Richmond were the only other incidents of note during a stale first period.

Half Time Winterboune 0 – Ardley United 0

The second half was little better. Ardley went in search of the winner, with only moments normal time left Danny Mason forced a brilliant save from the home keeper, who tipped the ball over the bar.

Extra time again found the home goal custodian at his best when he did well to stop an Alex Feaver header and the block the rebound. He again thwarted Ardley when he made his best stop in the 2nd period of extra time making a one handed save to deny an Adam Beckett 25 yard free kick.  Then the final whistle started the lottery, that is a penalty shoot out. 

Danny Mason, Adam Richmond scored, before Adam Beckett had his kick saved. But Matt Dixon's fine save kept Ardley in the game, Chris Hill gave Ardley the advantage and Tom Green had the chance to win the tie but blazed over the bar.

In sudden death Winterbourne missed their kick allowing Alex Feaver to score from the spot, keeping the holders in the Supplementary Cup. 

Fairford Town 0 Ardley United 1 - 24th February

Last Gasp Penalty Points Reward

Ardley were made to wait until the final minutes to secure the win after enduring long periods dominating the game but without creating real opportunities. Danny Mason's conversion won the points.

The first half was a real non event as Fairford started the brighter of the two sides before Ardley began to get back into the game.

Adam Beckett supplied several crosses but failed to beat the first man and even with a succession of corners the delivery was dissapointing.

Half Time 0-0

Ardley started the second period, showing some desire to get the much needed goal.

With only two minutes on the watch a penetrating run from Adam Richmond into the box saw him shoved from behind, but despite Ardley's vocal appeal for a penalty the referee waived claims away.

The Ardley management looked to freshen up and introduced new signing Jason Costella into attack, Steve Garbutt into midfield, along with Darren Beckett who returned from injury.

All had a positive imapact on the game. Costella went on a weaving run, he attempted to round the keeper was thwarted by a last ditch challenge. Adam Beckett broke through the Fairford back line and lifted the ball over the advancing keeper only to see his effort strike the post. The home keeper also made a smart save from a subsequent Adam Beckett's free kick.

With time running out and a 0-0 draw looking the only outcome Ardley mounted another attack, the ball slid into the box towards Adam Beckett. A Fairford defender stuck out a hand to prevent the attack, presenting Ardley an 88th minute penalty opportunity. Danny Mason made no mistake from the spot to gain another valuable three points.

Ardley posted a huge score against faltering Flackwell Heath, making it three wins on the bounce in the Sport Italia Hellenic League Premier Division for the resurgent Oxfordshire team.

Without first team regulars Ian Trott, Tom Willment and Darren Beckett , manager Dan Still was forced again to shuffle the back.

Tom Smith returned from injury to partner Danny Mason at the heart of the defence, with Massimo Lagioia making his first appearance of the season for the senior team at right back.

Ardley were out of the blocks early, taking advantage of Flackwell’s 3-5-2 system by getting their full backs out to join in the play. It was that pattern of play that lead to the first goal on 9 minutes when Phil Martin did well to roll in Adam Richmond on the left flank and his wonderful first time cross was fired home by Chris Hill ( right).

Flackwell continued to play a short passing game but Ardley’s high tempo kept them at bay. With 18 minutes played Chris Hill and Alex Feaver pressured the Flackwell keeper after a back pass. The ball rebounded to Leon Gordon whose shot was clearly handled on the line giving Ardley a spot kick, plus reducing Flackwell to 10 men for the duration of the game. Danny Mason duly dispatched the penalty.

Chris Johnson (left) then got his first goal for the club since signing from Witney just after Christmas, when he collected a Phil Martin cross , firing the ball home from 12 yards.

With only 35 minutes on the clock Ardley then effectively killed the game as a contest when Chris Hill collected the ball in the right hand channel and steered into the box. Taking on and beating a defender, before cutting in to unleash a fierce left foot drive. The Heathens keeper did well to the shot but Hill would not be denied, pouncing on the rebound to fire in his second and Ardley’s fourth goal of the game.

HT 4-0

It took the home side only five minutes of the second half to register another goal when Chris Johnson’s diving header from a Phil Martin cross made it five.

Nine minutes later skipper Tom Green got in the act, driving home a shot from 20 yards after Flackwell failed to clear their lines. Tom Green was instrumental in all of Ardley’s play and both Lagioia and Richmond were providing crosses for the strikers on a regular basis.

Minutes later Leon Gordon (right) scored a contender for goal of the season. Flackwell's defence headed clear another cross, as the ball was dropping from the air Leon Gordon attacked the ball from fully 30 yards, striking a dipping volley on the outside of his right foot which flew into the top corner.

Chris Hill then completed his hat-trick by collecting the ball on the shoulder of the last defender, accelerating away he rounded the keeper with aplomb before stroking the ball into the unguarded net.

The ninth and final goal for Ardley came when substitute Adam Beckett collected a pass from Steve Garbutt in the box, he did well to dig the ball out from under his feet to guide it into the bottom corner.

Flackwell did manage a consolation when on 86 minutes some lacklustre work in the mid field allowed Ricardo Cannon the chance to run into the right had channel where he finished well stroking the ball into the bottom corner.

After the match Dan Still commented “Whist I am obviously pleased with the result, Flackwell did play 80 minutes with ten men. However my players used that advantage by finding space to play, though regardless of many goals you score it is still only three points and we must now continue to find greater consistency in our displays”.

Ardley battled to gain 3 points, in a game where they really didn't find any rhythm.

Missing full backs Tom Smith and Adam Richmond, manager Dan Still changed the line up to play Tom Willment at right back and give a first start to Andy Holderin from the reserves at left back.

Pegasus started much the brighter and Ardley were forced to defend their 18 yard box for long periods, but Ian Trott and Danny Mason held firm.

Just before the half hour Ardley had a rare attack with Adam Beckett forcing a corner, from the resulting kick the ball seemed to bounce around the 6 yard box before Ian Trott (left) hooked the ball over his shoulder and into the net to open the scoring.

Two minutes later Chris Hill chased a long ball forward, the home sides keeper appeared to have just won the race collecting the ball, only to make the most bizarre decision by following through with a kung fu kick on Hill leaving the referee little choice but to award Ardley a penalty which Danny Mason converted.

Half Time 0-2

Again it was the home side who started much the brighter in the second period but with only five minutes on the clock Phil Martin's cross field ball found Leon Gordon coming in from the right, though his effort only found the side netting.

That should have killed the game, but on 55 minutes Pegasus were back in it when Martin failed to stop a ball being played into the box and Mortlock beat Trott to the ball from the cross to poke home.

Ardley were forced into a change when Chris Hill could not continue and hot-shot Alex Feaver was given a chance to add to his tally.

With 66 minutes played, Ardley killed the game when Phil Martin's shot at the near post was blocked. Both Adam Beckett and Alex Feaver scrapped for the rebound, the ball looped in the air for skipper Tom Green (right) to bravely head the ball into the top corner. That was Green's final contribution as he was left bloodied and slightly dazed.

Ardley's makeshift back four held firm well supported by Steve Garbutt and Chris Johnson in midfield who were broke up offensive play well, leaving Matt Dixon little to do in goal as Ardley collected three points.

Two games in five days producing a much needed six points. Another chance to consolidate league position on Tuesday night at The Rec when Flackwell Heath visit for Ardley's 30th league game of the season Kick Off 7.30pm.

Ardley gave a performance more reminiscent to the form of last season, as they tore apart near neighbours Hook Norton.

One of the stars of the show was returning hero Chris Hill (right). Chris had taken a self imposed break from football over the last three weeks in an attempt to shake off a persistent ankle injury and the decision looks to have been an inspiration as he returned with a brace and a man of the match performance.

Ardley were quickly into their stride and the movement of Adam Beckett was causing the Hook Norton back line problems and on 10 minutes it was his bending run that saw him break free in the right hand channel before crossing for Hill to fire home from 6 yards out. Ardley continued to attack and on 25 minutes a Phil Martin corner was poked home by Hill for his second goal as Hook Norton keeper Richard Meadows got caught in no mans land.

With Ardley in the ascendancy Beckett and Hill combined for Hill to race clear on goal, as he was about to pull the trigger he was crudely fouled by Craig Dore. With Dore being the last line of defence the outcome seemed inevitable but to the amazement of everyone (including Dore) the referee only produced a yellow card.

Within minutes of feeling hard done by, Phil Martin slotted home the third by collecting a free kick from Adam Richmond before beating two players to fire home.

Hook Norton looked to respond by making an instant substitution swapping Joe Davies for Andrew Stridder and going with 3 strikers, however before they had chance to settle Mark Griffin reacted to a late challenge from Tom Green by chasing him several yards before shoving him in the face. This time the referee took the appropriate course of action and issued a straight red card while Green was cautioned for the tackle.

Half Time 3-0

The momentum stayed with Ardley in the second half and it within minutes a Phil Martin cross was fired just over the bar by Adam Beckett.

Then on 55 minutes Hill protected the ball before rolling it to Leon Gordon, his diagonal ball split the Hook Norton defence as Martin ran in off the shoulder of Craig Dore to lob the advancing Richard Meadows and score his 2nd and Ardley’s 4th.

Further chances went begging before Chris Johnson chipped a delightful ball to Leon Gordon in the right hand channel and his powerful cross left sub Andy Prescott (left) with the easiest of chances from 2 yards out to score the 5th goal on 86 minutes that sealed an emphatic win.

Abingdon continued their good start to the season with a 1-1 draw at Ardley United. Despite taking an early lead and dominating the first half, Town were forced onto the back foot in the second half and eventually conceded an equaliser with 8 minutes to go.
Centre back Christian Perkins is now recovering from a knee operation, so Town utility man Luke Beauchamp moved back into defence, with Mark Flanagan returning to the side on the left flank, and with Danny Wise unavailable due to his forthcoming marriage, Tom Larman tonight partnered Carl Bloomfield up front.

Playing down the slope in the first half Abingdon immediately settled and began to take control of the game, they were playing some good football and soon created an opening for Bloomfield to run past the defence and unleash a shot, only for it to drift wide on the strong wind. Ardley posed some solid threats too, and after 10 minutes Luke Holden managed to connect with a header that needed a good point blank block from Town keeper Gareth Walker to keep out. Abingdon were then rewarded for their efforts as they took the lead after 15 minutes, Walker launched the ball forward and the first bounce evaded everyone before running on to Tom Larman who finished in typical Larman style, nipping in to fire low past Ardley keeper Rob White and put Town 1-0 up. Five minutes later and it was almost 2-0 as full back Tony Njogu unleashed a cross-shot from the right that looked destined to nestle in the top corner of the net before White just pushed it around the post. At this stage Abingdon were playing neat, controlled football and they went close again on the half hour when a corner was only half cleared as far as Jason Thomas, who slammed a shot back in, only to see it narrowly go over the bar. Two minutes later Town yet again went close as Bloomfield got on to the end of another Town break but also shot narrowly wide but at half-time they only had the one goal to show for their endeavours.
Half Time: 0 – 1
The second half then saw a reversal of fortunes as Ardley came out looking fired up and almost from the first whistle pressed Abingdon back, though Town did go close when Bloomfield saw a good header saved after 51 minutes. Following this though the Ardley pressure started to build and Walker did well to save at the feet of Holden on the hour, then with 75 minutes gone another Ardley attack resulted in a shot into the side netting before the deserved equaliser arrived after 82 minutes when Town failed to clear their lines and Leon Gordon lobbed in an effort from wide on the left which sailed over Walker's head into the corner of the net. Two minutes later and the home side almost snatched a winner as Holden suddenly had the ball in space and from close range smacked a shot against the crossbar. After this both sides survived a couple of late scares during the 6 minutes of stoppage time before eventually settling for a 1-1 draw.
Interestingly the two sides meet again on Saturday at Culham Road in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round.