Bluefin Insurance Brokers Hellenic Challenge Cup Final - 3rd May 2010
Ardley United 2 – 0 Slimbridge

The new Division One West Champions, Slimbridge, took on Premier Division Ardley United in season’s Final played at Wantage Town’s Alfredian Park.

The first half was played at a fast pace and moved from end to end with neither side taking full control of the match. Both sides had early chances, first Ardley’s Andrew Stidder glanced a header wide with only the keeper to beat, then Slimbridge’s Lewis Wilton hooked a scrambled half chance over the bar.

The first goal came after 22 minutes, when a hard hit shot cum cross into the Slimbridge penalty area was adjudged to have been handled by the unfortunate joint manager Leon Sterling. Adam Garner put Ardley one up from the penalty spot.

Ardley went two up after 35 minutes, with the ball being worked across the Slimbridge penalty area it finally found Danny Bone who laid the ball to Adam Beckett to hammer into the net.

Half Time: 2 - 0

The second half was played at a more controlled pace and Slimbridge pressed hard to get back into the game. Ardley’s midfield dropped back and absorbed the efforts that Slimbridge made at trying to get a goal to get back into the match. As the game progressed the greater experience of the Premier side came to the fore and it was Ardley that created the only half chances in the second half as they took tight control and demonstrated the gap between Division One and a top eight side from the Premier.

That said the younger Slimbridge side look to have the ability to progress given time to attain the experience at the higher level. Ardley after many seasons of trying finally lifted the Challenge Cup for the first time, which was presented by League Chairman Bob Dalling.

Ardley United  1  Flackwell Heath  4 - 1st May
FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division

With one eye on Monday’s Bluefin Insurance Cup Final, a much changed Ardley side lost their final league game of the season at home to Flackwell Heath on Saturday.

The first half of this game was evenly contested, with the home side having plenty of the ball and creating chances which were not taken. The deadlock was broken somewhat against the run of play in the 26th minute when Riccardo Cannon was adjudged to have been fouled by Jamie Prpa as he surged into the box and Mitchell Woodward scored from the spot to give the visitors a half time lead.

The Heathens  began the second half much the better and only had to wait until the 53rd minute to increase their lead as Lee Thompson was put through and he made no mistake to score from six yards. Ardley’s players were still battling hard, but after 76 minutes two of their players tackled each other in midfield only to give the ball to the opposition who broke clear. Their initial shot rebounded off the crossbar but fell to Callum Coull who fired the ball past Ryan Watt into the far corner of the net. Things got worse for Ardley just two minutes later as the visitors broke away again to score through Ben Sturgess, and Ardley were lucky not to concede a fifth barely a minute later as Cannon saw his shot saved by Watt.

Ardley had a consolation goal just a minute from time when Liam Godin outpaced the Flackwell defence and just beat keeper Webb to the ball to score.

Carterton Town  0   Ardley United 1 - 24th April
FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division

An uninspiring game for the spectator saw Ardley emerge with the points at Kilkenny Lane on Saturday.  In a dour and unexciting first half, neither side managed to create any real goal-scoring opportunities and it was no surprise that the teams entered the break goal-less.

With the visitors enjoying slightly more possession in the second period, it took until the 74th minute for them to score. Terry Fitton’s throw in reached Jason Castello in the right hand corner of the penalty area, and his turn and low cross gave Jordan Ayris a golden chance to score from five yards. Far from settling this contest, however, the goal merely spurred Carterton on and they should have scored a few minutes later as first Wayne Moscrop and then Tom Fletcher had real chances which were put wide of the post and a minute later Ardley keeper Gareth Tucker pulled off a fantastic save to ensure that his side left with maximum points from the ninth game that they have played in just three weeks.

Marlow United  1   Ardley United   6 - 19th April
FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division

Ardley bounced back from Saturday’s home defeat in fine style on Monday night with a comprehensive 6-1 victory over Marlow United.

Barely three minutes into the game Ardley were in front when Troy Bryan’s deft footwork on the right enabled him to beat two defenders and send in a cross for Andrew Stidder to volley the ball past the home keeper.

With both sides looking to pass the ball it made for exciting viewing, but Ardley were posing the greater threat and from a quickly taken throw-in by Jordan Ayris, a run into the box by Jason Castello saw him squeeze the ball between keeper and near post from a tight angle.

Ardley stretched their advantage after 34 minutes when a corner was deflected into his own net by a Marlow defender, and things got worse for the home side just before the break when Adam Beckett and Stidder linked well on the left enabling Stidder to score his second.

Ardley continued to dominate the play in the second period, but it was Marlow who scored the next goal as Lee Mason won a header outside the box and his looping effort sailed over Gareth Tucker as well as beyond the reach of the covering run of Adam Garner.

However the visitors restored their 4-goal advantage just 2 minutes later as Ayris fed Castello on the right and he surged into the box and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the far corner of the net.

The scoring was complete in the 79th minute when substitute Ali Robinson won a header to feed Ayris whose knock-through enabled Bryan to score his 21st league goal of the season and send the visitors home with three points.

Ardley United 1  Shortwood United 2 - 17th April
FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division

Shortwood kept up their quest for league honours with a well deserved win at Ardley on Saturday.

The visitors quickly took control of this game penning Ardley back in their own half for much of the first period, but although they created some good opportunities Shortwood appeared to have left their shooting boots at home as they couldn’t hit the target. In the 35th minute and against the run of play, Ardley won a free kick on the left and Murray Nicholls re-taken shot found it’s way into the far corner of the net.

Despite further pressure Ardley maintained the lead until the break.

Although Ardley started the second half somewhat the brighter, Shortwood equalised in the 56th minute when a cross from a set piece was missed by defender and keeper giving Matt Collins the simplest of tap-ins at the far post. Just four minutes later Shortwood took a lead they were not to lose when Collins burst down the right wing and sent in the perfect cross for Alton Axton to head the ball home and keep his side in the title chase.

Ardley United  2  Abingdon Town  0 - 15th April
Bluefin Insurers Challenge Cup - Semi Final

In a contest which was as closely fought as the two teams previous meetings would have suggested, Ardley United won through to the final of the Bluefin Insurance Challenge Cup with a 2-0 extra-time victory over Abingdon Town on Thursday night.

This game offered both teams their only prospect of silverware this season and it was Abingdon Town who looked the more likely to prevail in an exciting first half. Chances were created at both ends but it was the visitors who enjoyed the lions share of possession although they were unable to convert any of the many opportunities that they created. The second period was a mirror image of the first, with Ardley assuming control and creating most of the goalmouth incidents without being able to open their account and at the end of ninety minutes a draw was a fair reflection of the game.

Extra time, however, was a different matter as Ardley continued to enjoy greater possession and Abingdon seemed to tire, indeed both sets of players have played a great deal of football in recent days and it was a credit to all of them that they were able to produce a match of such quality. The game swung Ardley’s way in the 10th minute of  extra time when Andrew Stidder scored at the far post and was settled early in the second half as Murray Nicholls free kick saw both Danny Bone and Troy Bryan attempting to head the ball home and although the players congratulated Bone it later transpired that it was in fact Bryan who had got to the ball first.

Shrivenham 1  Ardley United 5 - 10th April
FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division

Shrivenham succumbed to their second 5-1 defeat of the season at the hands of Ardley United at the Shrivenham Recreation Ground on Saturday.

Ardley made the perfect start as Jason Castello headed home his first goal since rejoining the club in March, after Jordan Ayris had cleverly won the ball near the corner flag and sent in the perfect cross.

The home side had the better possession for the next quarter of an hour but the visitors had the clearer chances to extend their lead through Ayris, Castello and Adam Richmond, with Rory Sprowle and Andy Goodchild also failing to convert good chances for Shrivenham.

Ardley did score again in the33rd minute, however,  when Danny Mason’s header rebounded off the crossbar and cannoned into the net via Adam Garner’s knee to give Ardley a two-goal half time lead.

Despite a poor playing surface Ardley continued to pass the ball well in the second period, but 10 minutes into the half it was Shrivvy who almost pulled a goal back when the lively Alex Green’s shot was brilliantly saved by Gareth Tucker.

Two Ardley substitutes combined to make it 3-0 when Alex Feaver weaved his way into the box enabling Andrew Stidder, who had been on the pitch barely 30 seconds, to score.

Shrivenham opened their account just three minutes later as Green burst through to bury his shot, although the referee appeared to be the only person in the ground not to spot a blatant handball in the lead-up to the goal.

Ten minutes later Ardley’s three goal advantage was restored when Troy Bryan was wrestled to the ground by goalkeeper Kurtis Sharkey and Adam Garner scored his second goal from the penalty spot.

The scoring was completed in time added-on as Stidder surged into the box and saw his shot saved by Sharkey, but the rebound fell to Bryan who in turn fed the ball to the onrushing Murray Nicholls, this player netting with his second attempt to seal three points for the visitors.

Ardley United 1  Hook Norton 0 - 5th April
FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division

Ardley made sure of a maximum 6 points from their two Easter matches with a 1-0 victory against Hook Norton at the Playing Fields on Bank Holiday Monday.

The score-line did not reflect the home side’s dominance of the game with their goalkeeper Gareth Tucker having little to do for the second match in succession. The winning goal came as early as the 6th minute when a Stuart Bridges pass was played on by Adam Garner to ex-Hooky player Alex Feaver and he made no mistake by burying his shot into the far corner of the net.

The home side were then denied any further goals either by the woodwork which was hit twice, or by some excellent goalkeeping by Joe White in the Hook Norton goal. The second half of the game was most notable for the sending off of Murray Nicholls for a rash challenge on the visitors skipper which earned him a second yellow card. Although reduced to ten men the home side continued to dominate the play but were unable to add to the score which read 1-0 at full time.

Ardley United 6  Pegasus Juniors 0 - 3rd April
FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division

Ardley United bounced back from a below par performance against Ascot United just two days earlier to prevail against Pegasus Juniors at the Playing Fields on Saturday.

With the visitors fielding a depleted team, the home side began to dominate the early exchanges but it took until the 20th minute for the first goal when good work on the right flank by Jason Castello resulted in a fine pass to Jordan Ayris who burst into the penalty area and fired the ball into the top left corner of the net.

Ardley’s lead was doubled ten minutes later as a Murray Nicholls free kick beat the Pegasus keeper and barely a minute later the score became 3-0 when Troy Bryan was played through by Nicholls and he made no mistake by lashing the ball into the far corner to send the home side into the break comfortably in the lead.

The second half began much as the first had finished, with Ardley dominating play and the visitors struggling to find any rhythm and Ardley increased their advantage in the 63rd minute when from a long throw-in the ball was not cleared resulting in a goal mouth scramble in which Ayris managed to score his second.

Although the game was effectively over, the home side had to wait until the 85th minute to add to the score-line when substitute Andrew Stidder was sent clear by Adam Garner enabling him lob the keeper for Ardley’s fifth.

And the score was complete two minutes from time when Bryan scored his 20th league goal of the season to give Ardley an emphatic home victory.

Ascot United 4  Ardley United 2 - 1st April
FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division

Binfield 1  Ardley United 4 - 27th March
FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division

Binfield’s 10 match unbeaten run in the league came to a shuddering halt at Stubbs Lane courtesy of a fine team effort from Ardley United which was capped by a virtuoso performance from Troy Bryan who scored all four of the visitors goals.

The second half began in similar fashion to the first, as Binfield spurned an early chance to open their account when Callum Whitty’s shot went just wide of the far post. However, just before the hour Jordan Ayris passed the ball in to Bryan who, with just one man to beat, turned him one way then the other before firing home with his left foot. Both sides were contributing to a good game, and the hosts pulled a goal back in the 76th minute when Tim Walsh fired home after Ardley failed to clear a corner kick. Ardley restored their two goal advantage barely three minutes later as a Murray Nicholls free kick was headed into the area by Adam Garner and swept into the net by Bryan. The game continued to produce chances at both ends, but it was not until time added that Ardley got their fourth with Bryan almost repeating the second goal by teasing the defender before firing into the net, this time right-footed, to score both his and Ardley’s fourth.

Bicester Town 2  Ardley United 1 - 23rd March
FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division

Ardley United took the honours and points in their local derby at Bicester on Tuesday evening.

The home side had the best of the early exchanges with leading scorer Kyle McCoy showing that he would be a constant threat to the visitors defence, but it was Ardley who had the first real goalscoring opportunity when Ally Robinson’s header from a Danny Bone cross was well saved by Bicester keeper Jeff Simmonds. From the resulting corner though, Troy Bryan headed Ardley’s opener at the near post as Simmonds could only parry the ball into his own net. Heavy rain was making it difficult for either side to gain real control of the game but Bicester scored the next goal on 41 minutes when the Ardley defence backed away from McCoy allowing him to lash the ball past Gareth Tucker to equalise. Ardley were quick to retake the lead on the stroke of half time, however, when Alex Feaver latched on to a pass from Bryan to shoot under the on-coming keeper.

The visitors began the second period in determined mood and should have extended their lead in the first minute when Bryan went a touch too wide after rounding the goalkeeper and shot into the side netting. Just on the hour Ardley made it 3-1 when Bryan was tripped from behind and Feaver made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Bicester refused to give in though and were playing some excellent football with McCoy in particular always looking dangerous, and it was no surprise when he burst through the visitors defence to make it 3-2 and set up an exciting last quarter of an hour. Bicester almost equalised 2 minutes later when Spaull’s shot from the edge of the area hit the post and bounced across Tucker’s goal before being cleared. The result was decided in the 90th minute when substitute Andrew Stidder outpaced the Bicester defence and fired an unstoppable shot past Simmonds to seal the points for the visitors.

Witney United 5 Ardley United 1 - 20th March
FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division

Ardley stumbled to the heaviest defeat of the season at Witney United on Saturday.

The visitors were behind after only 6 minutes when Jason Castello’s attempted header back to keeper Gareth Tucker was directed too heavily past him into the corner of the net. The home side went further in front just 7 minutes later as Stuart Cattell glanced home a header from a corner kick. Despite these early setbacks, Ardley began to enjoy more possession although were unable to turn this into goals, and were punished again just before half time as Anaclet Odihambo outpaced the visitors defence to fire home a long kick from Witney keeper Paul Tassell.

Ardley began the second half in positive mood, and pulled a goal back on 54 minutes when Adam Richmond’s free kick from the right eluded everyone to find the far corner of the net. The visitors were rocked shortly after though, as playmaker Stuart Bridges was forced to withdraw with a hamstring injury. Witney went further in front on 64 minutes when Tucker dived to take a right wing cross only for the ball to squirm under his body to the feet of Odihambo who made no mistake from 3 yards, and their misery was complete shortly before the final whistle when debutant Tom Aldworth powerfully headed home the goal of the game.

In a dour encounter at Oxford Road, Ardley United managed to secure three points against local rivals Kidlington for the first time in almost two years.

A game which saw little in terms of goal-mouth action was won by the hosts in the first half, when, following misses by Stuart Bridges and Harry Brock, centre-half Danny Mason’s (left) flicked header from a long throw-in by Adam Beckett found the far corner of the net.

Ardley’s lead was doubled after 39 minutes when the Kidlington defence failed to attack an Adam Richmond free kick allowing Troy Bryan (right) to head the second goal.

The second half of this game was poor fare for spectators, with neither side testing the others goalkeeper. The only incident of note being the dismissal of the visitors’ Jack Johnson for a second bookable offence.

Hook Norton 0 Ardley 3 - 9th March
FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division

This match was by no stretch of the imagination a classic. Indeed, the bumpy surface of the pitch together with a blustery and cold northerly wind all contributed to make good football difficult.

The visitors, with a number of players used to operating at a higher level of football, were that much more skilful than the young Hooky team whose lack of experience was exposed at often crucial times in the match. As a consequence, United created a greater number of scoring opportunities and exploited them on three separate occasions to deservedly win the match.

Just as the first half looked like ending in stalemate, with Hooky’s Conor Devereux missing a good scoring opportunity in the first 5 minutes of the match, Ardley struck twice within the space of 5 minutes with just 10 minutes of the half remaining. First of all, on 35 minutes, Terry Fitton was left to advance down the visitors’ right wing before crossing to the feet of Harry Brock who shot low past Joe White in the Hooky goal. Then, on 40 minutes, Danny Poole was ruled to have committed a foul in the penalty area, as a result of which Adam Garner scored from the spot.

Half Time: 0 – 2

With the wind and slope in their favour, Hooky expected to take the game to their opponents but they generally failed to take advantage of the few opportunities that fell their way, chief of which was a high ball which substitute Ben Spiero ran onto but just missed beating the away ‘keeper to it. At the other end of the pitch, with United being better with their passing, they always looked likely to add to their score which they did on 66 minutes when Troy Bryan scored at the near post following a corner on the right.

Match report courtesy of Hook Norton FC

Reading Town 0 Ardley United 1- 13th February
FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division

In a tough battle at Scours Lane Ardley United managed to inflict Reading Town's first home defeat since March 2009 with a goal from debutant Neil Lazarus late in the game.

The first half saw a determined fight from both sides but with precious few shots on target, the best of these falling to the home side who failed to convert two good opportunities. Ardley were not helped by an injury to Alex Feaver whose nose was broken by a kick to the face while lying on the ground, an offence which went unspotted by either the referee or his assistant. The player was able to continue after treatment.

The deadlock continued into the second half, but the visitors were reduced to ten men when Danny Bone was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

Although Reading continued to press forward the Ardley defenders were resolute in their task and threatened on the counter attack, and it was just such a break that led to the goal when Troy Bryan broke free and cleverly played the ball to Lazarus on the left side of the penalty area and he shot past the keeper to score off the far post. The home side continued to enjoy most of the possession but were unable to seriously mount any real threats to the visitors goal and despite the referee finding nearly seven minutes of injury time Ardley retained their lead until the final whistle.

Launton 1 Ardley United 5 - 21st November
Oxfordshire Senior Cup

Ardley United progressed to the next round of the County Cup with a comfortable 5-1 win at Launton Sports on Saturday.

New Launton boss Roger Wise fielded a side showing no fewer than nine changes of personnel to that listed in the programme, but it was the visitors who predictably took control of the game. With a strong wind at their backs however, Ardley were guilty of over-hitting the ball on a number of occasions and when they did break through either hit the woodwork or shot wide.

Launton had two good chances to open the scoring midway through the half when the lively lone front man Steve Mulcock had his shot saved by Gareth Tucker and then hit the bar barely a minute later. Ardley replied two minutes later when Danny Bone crossed for Wayne Blossom (left) to open the scoring, although this was to be the only goal of the half.

Ardley continued to dominate in the second period, going three up via a Blossom header and then Stuart Bridges (right) rounded the keeper to score his first goal since joining the club.

Launton hit back two minutes later, however, when Luke Phillips cut in from the left and unleashed a shot which Tucker could only palm into the net.

That was as good as it would get for the home side though, as further goals from Danny Bone (b left) and the completion of Blossom’s hat trick saw the visitors through to the next round.

Ardley United 3  Oxford City Nomads 0 - 14th November
FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division

Ardley United continued their recent run of good form in the league with a 3- 0 win over Oxford City Nomads at the Playing Fields on Saturday.

With a strong wind at their backs, the home side dominated the first half but were guilty of spurning a host of good chances to take the lead, and when the ball did find the back of the net from Wayne Blossom the goal was ruled out for offside. Despite their dominance, Nomads looked dangerous on the counter attack and had opportunities to score, but found Gareth Tucker in good form in the Ardley goal.

Ardley supporters were concerned that their side had not taken advantage of the conditions in the first half, but the team continued their domination into the wind and took the lead after 59 minutes when a high, hanging corner from Danny Clarke seemed to hold up in the breeze before dropping onto the head of a poorly marked Blossom (above) who headed powerfully home.

Two minutes later, Blossom returned the compliment when he swept a superb pass out to the left for Clarke (right) to surge into the box and bury his shot for Ardley’s second.

With conditions having severely deteriorated, both sides were still playing attractive football, but it was the home side who added to their tally in the 88th minute when Danny Mason (left) scored with an outrageous goal from fully 60 yards. A huge punt forward took one bounce before sailing over the reach of keeper Barsic in the visitors goal to give the home side a 3-0 victory.

Ardley United 3  Carterton Town 2 - 7th November
FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division

A highly entertaining game at the Playing Fields saw Ardley United overcome Carterton by the odd goal in five.

The home side were boosted by the addition to the squad of Wayne Blossom  and Stuart Bridges, both signing from Zamaretto League Premier Division clubs ( Blossom (left) from Leamington and Bridges (right) from Didcot Town). As well as the return of Danny Clarke from a lengthy spell out with injury, and it was Clarke who provided the first of a number of good chances for the home side when he provided  a good cross for Tom Green whose shot brought a good save from the Carterton keeper.

Several chances were spurned by the home side before Troy Bryan put them in front with a header from a Darren Beckett right wing cross.

Carterton began to relieve the pressure and were unlucky when a corner resulted in a goal line clearance but they equalised 5 minutes later when Miles Mason turned a defender in the box and volleyed home. Ardley responded quickly with Bryan hitting the bar a minute later, the rebound just too high for Blossom to get his head to. Two free kicks in as many minutes saw a good save from Bridges and then Clarke hit the bar again.

Play then switched to the other end and Carterton won a penalty when Mason pulled his namesake down, which Jamie Butt converted to give the visitors the lead. Two minutes later Mark Odom hit the post and when played switched to the other end Ardley won a penalty from a corner which Danny Mason slotted home to leave the half time score 2-2.

The home side continued to press after the break, and in the 55th minute Blossom scored his first for Ardley when he followed up a Bridges shot which the keeper could only parry out.

The game continued to see-saw from end to end with Clarke hitting the bar from a free kick and Kevin Lewis striking the underside of the bar for the visitors. Blossom and Bridges both had shots well saved, and in the last minute Blossom was denied by the keepers feet when it looked like he must score, but the game finished Ardley 3 Carterton 2.

Almondsbury Town 5 Ardley United - 31st October
FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division

Almondsbury Town continued their bid to win the Hellenic Premier Division title with a 5-3 victory over an injury-ravaged Ardley side.

With the visitors struggling with an unfamiliar line-up, Almondsbury could have scored three times in the opening five minutes had it not been for Gareth Tucker in the Ardley goal. The home side didn’t have to wait long to open the scoring as Marcus Mapstone put the ball into the visitors net from a corner in the 6th minute. Ardley were quick to reply when Adam Beckett won the ball on the left side and crossed  for Leon Gordon (right) to score at the far post.

Ardley were gradually having more of the play, and were unlucky not to take the lead when Troy Bryan pounced on a rebound but shot just wide of the far post. It was the home side which took the lead again, though, when Ross Stearn was scored from close range from a left wing cross. Almondsbury extended their lead three minutes later when Brad Andrews volleyed home from 15 yards after Stearne had made a good run into the penalty area and evaded several attempts to dispossess him. On the stroke of half time an Adam Beckett free kick was saved by the keeper, the same player striking the rebound just wide of the post.

The early part of the second half saw the Ardley keeper produce a fine save, but again the visitors came back into the game with plenty of possession. However, in the 66th minute Almondsbury substitute Sahr Kabba made a fine run into the box and put the home side 4-1 up with a fine goal. Ardley continued to press forward and were unlucky not to pull a goal back when Bryan headed just over from a Stidder cross. They were made to pay for this miss in the 85th minute when Stearne scored his second and Almondsbury’s fifth  following a cross from the left, but barely a minute later it was 5-2 when a quickly taken free kick resulted in an Adam Beckett cross from the left which Leon Gordon headed home.

Two minutes later this became 5-3 when Troy Bryan (left) headed home a Tom Green corner, but despite plenty of late pressure Ardley failed to add to the score and prevent the home side completing a seasons double.

Malmesbury Victoria 2  Ardley United 5 - 24th October
FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division

A five time second half goal spree enabled Ardley United to claim three points at Malmesbury Victoria having trailed the hosts by two goals at the break.

Malmesbury began the brighter of the two teams with Adam Smith breaking down the left and firing just past the far post inside the first minute.

The visitors failed to take heed of the danger, and three minutes later Smith repeated the move but this time found the far corner of the net.

Despite this early setback Ardley took control of the game and constantly threatened the home goal, with Leon Gordon in particular looking dangerous and being denied by the keeper on several occasions. However, Malmesbury soaked up the pressure and against the run of play added a second when the Ardley defence failed to clear a corner and Adam Whitefield turned and shot past Ardley keeper Ryan Watt.

Kevin Brock’s half time talk clearly had the desired effect on his side as they continued to outplay the home side in the second half.

On 57 minutes, Troy Bryan dispossessed the Malmesbury right back and made no mistake after sprinting into the area, and this was followed by his second barely a minute later when he sent a looping header into the net after a mix-up between the home keeper and centre half.

Having achieved parity, Ardley really took control of the game and Leon Gordon had two more chances in as many minutes but failed to convert them.

The visitors took the lead for the first time in the game when substitute Tom Foley scored in the 80th minute, and then went further ahead when Foley scored his second two minutes later after good work by Troy Bryan.

The game was won in the 90th minute when man of the match Bryan netted brilliantly from an acute angle to complete his hat trick.

Ardley Utd 3  Ascot Utd 1 - 17th October
FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division

After an early set-back, Ardley United claimed their second 3 point haul of the week with a win against newly promoted Ascot United.

Ardley were rocked in the third minute when Danny Mason missed a ball in the area allowing Jon Bennett to square for Steve Curtis at the back post to fire past Gareth Tucker in the Ardley goal.

Despite this, Ardley began to put pressure on the Ascot defence which was struggling to cope with the movement and pace of the opposition forwards. In the 13th minute, Leon Gordon crossed for Ben Williams to put the ball in for Troy Bryan who missed the ball when it seemed he must score.

Three minutes later Danny Bone hit the post following a free kick, but it was not until the 22nd minute that Bone levelled the score when he beat the offside trap from a Tom Green through  ball.

Half time 1-1

Ardley increased the pressure on the visitors at the start of the second half when Andrew Stidder shot straight at the keeper when played through. The home side took the lead on 65 minutes when Stidder (right) fired home after good work on the Ardley left.

Six minutes later Jordan Ayris (left) put the result beyond doubt when he skipped past two tackles to score after a superb pass from Danny Bone.

The home side were awarded a penalty in the 83rd  minute when Stidder was brought down in the area but Ascot keeper Dave Lyon was equal to Stidder's spot kick to prevent Ardley going further ahead.

Substitutes, Andy Lunn for Ascot and Ardley's Tom Foley, had opportunities to increase their respective side's scores in the final minutes, but the scoreline remained 3-1.

Ardley United 1 - 0 Witney United - 13th October
FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division
(Match report courtesy of WitneyUnited)

Witney 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 Witney 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 Witney 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 away 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: 0 - 0

It was a game where the first goal was going to be all important and kicking towards the clubhouse it was Witney 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 and he came to Witney'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 Tom Green who poked the ball home giving Okole no chance. It was time for the visitors 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 added time Witney 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 Witney's hopes of a positive result.

Shortwood United 1 Ardley United 0 - 10th October
FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division
(Match report courtesy of Shortwood United)

A solitary goal from Ross Casey was enough to give Shortwood the points over Ardley United at Meadowbank on Saturday. Ardley battled well but Rich Thomas was rarely threatened and Shortwood should have won by a much clearer margin. Still the three points takes Wood to within one point of league leaders Reading.
Wood welcomed back Ben Pugh – possibly only for a short time as Forest Green are looking to loan him out to a Conference North or South side – and his presence on the wing helped overcome the absence of the injured Matt Collins.
Shortwood almost took the lead in the first minute. James Singh crossed low into the box and Mish Green totally miss hit his shot which was going wide until it was deflected - almost past visiting keeper Tucker for a fluke own goal. Then Luke Bennyworth was allowed far too much room as he raced forward but hit his shot too close to Tucker. Ardley forced their best chance of the game after 7 minutes when slack defending allowed Beckett in one on one with Thomas but he shot too close to the advancing keeper who saved to his right. Wood played some free flowing football. Singh sent a header just wide from a Pugh cross. Casey headed an Allard cross straight at the keeper and twice Singh was denied by last ditch tackles as he ran through. Finally Wood scored the goal their play deserved after 34 minutes. Mike Green found Pugh wide on the left and his curling cross was headed back across goal and in at the far post by Ross Casey. Wood almost made it 2-0 three minutes later when a superb end to end move was finished by a low shot from Singh that Tucker did well to save.
The second half continued in much the same fashion with Wood attacking and Ardley relying on a long ball forward. Generally the impressive pairing of Joe Macklin and Ash Thomas dealt with any threat and what shots Ardley had were from distance.  Only once did Ardley have a real chance when, after 55 minutes, Ash Thomas slipped and Bryan crossed low but Bone blazed over the bar.
At the other end Tucker saved well from Singh and then produced an even better save to deny Ben Pugh. Wood had a reasonable shout for a penalty when a Casey shot was blocked by a hand and Allard had a goal bound shot deflected narrowly wide. Only desperate defending, good goalkeeping, and an inaccurate final ball kept the score down to one and the game finished with Casey heading narrowly wide from a Greenhough cross and Tucker again denying Pugh.

Afterwards John Evans said: “This was a tight game and Ardley battled well. A second goal would have killed them off but they made it difficult for us. Ross Casey was my man of the match today.”

Fairford Town 2 Ardley United 3 - 6th October
AM Print & Copy Hellenic League Floodlit Cup

The Floodlit Cup gave a chance for players to relax a little from the constant demands of league football, but in saying that the game started at a great pace, and was hotly contested by both sides.

The visitors first real chance came when the ball was squared across the goal to Adam Beckett who should have put it away .
With 20 minutes on the clock Ardley were gradually taking control of the midfield, a fierce drive from Adam Garner was well saved by Lee Clathortin. At the other end Gareth Tucker had to push a drive round the post for a corner.

Just before half time a mix up in the Ardley defence saw them fail to clear the ball, allowing Matt Boucher to give the home side a half time advantage.

Half Time: Fairford Town 1 Ardley United 0

It took only a minute of the second half for the equaliser, Danny Bone (left) crossed from the right, and to his delight the ball went over the keeper and into the far corner.

Ardley’s second was a well worked affair , a through ball found Beckett who got his shot away and was parried by the home keeper, the ball was played wide to Leon Gordon (right) who jinked the defender a cooly played it into the net.

Fairford were not to be denied and fought hard to get back on terms, a free kick on the hour found Jaques Tertois unmarked in the box, and a simple header levelled the scores at two apiece.

With 10 minutes left on the clock Manager Kevin Brock brought on Jordan Ayris for striker Andrew Stidder, pushing Leon Gordon into the attack to try for the winner. A perfect through ball behind the defence gave Danny Bone his second , his pace took him through and he shot wide of the keeper to keep Ardley in the Floodlit Cup.

A well contested game by both sides that could have gone either way, but a relief by all that it did not go into extra time on this Autumnal evening.

FA Vase First Round Prope - 3rd October

Ardley United  0   Moneyfields 1

Moneyfields progress in the FA Vase courtesy of a 37th minute penalty.

The game got off to a dramatic start, with only 4 minutes on the clock a collision of heads between Adam Garner and the visiting keeper Andy Smallpiece, saw Smallpiece leave the field of play with a nasty wound to his head and suffering concussion, his place taken by Tom Boyle. Garner was patched up and  able to play on with his head heavily bandaged.

The substituted keeper looked a little suspect, and when he dropped a ball from a cross Jordan Ayris was first to react but his shot went wide denying the home side an early advantage.

Ardley looked to take control of the game, but in the 37th minute a sloppy back pass to the home side keeper allowed Jason Prior to challenge for the ball. Gareth Tucker (left) came racing out of his goal  upended Prior leaving referee Aylott no option but to award a penalty, and dismiss Tucker to the dressing room. Jordan Ayris had to be sacrificed to make way for Ryan Watt to come off the bench and take his place between the sticks. Owen Alias put away the spot kick and left a 10 man Ardley a uphill challenge.

Both sides had a couple of decent chances in the second half but the spoils were heading back down the A34 to Portsmouth.  

Hellenic League Premier Division - 29th September
Flackwell Heath 4 Ardley United 1

A three goal advantage possibly flatters Flackwell, but make no mistake they are a slick outfit that will upset many a side this season if they can go through the season playing like they did against Ardley.

The early exchanges were fairly even, with both sides looking to force their dominancy in the game. A defensive error, when a high ball was not dealt with, allowed Ricardo Cannon to use his pace to get behind and tap in from a metre out .

Seven minutes later Callum Coull made it two from a free kick, when he headed behind and found the corner of the net.
Ardley always looked dangerous from the set pieces and saw two chances cleared of the line.

Two down at half time the visitors came out determined to claw one back, Troy Bryan rattled the cross bar , but again it was Flackwell that found the net increasing their lead through Matt Glynn from a free kick outside the area that he reacted to first.

Three down Ardley were thrown a lifeline when Adam Garner (pictured) was unceremoniously upended and referee Paul O’Hare pointed to the spot. Garner dispatched the kick, and the visitors tried in vain to get back into the game, but it was all over when with 8 minutes left on the clock Robert Charles made it 4.   

Hellenic League Premier Division - 26th September
Ardley United 0 Old Woodstock1

A lacklustre Ardley allowed a resilient Woodstock to steal the 3 points in this local derby.

Ardley took the opening exchanges and forced a corner from which they should have gone ahead when a glancing header from Jordan Ayris went narrowly wide.
Minutes later a ball over the top of the defence allowed Ardleys’ Andrew Stidder a one on one with the keeper, the ball bounced awkwardly for him, and a grateful Dan Smith in the Woodstock goal smothered the ball.
With the visitors pinned back it was Ali Robinson who had a speculative shot, but again it was well covered by the keeper.
With 26 minutes on the clock a high ball dropped to Danny Wise who promptly lobbed it goal wards finding it’s way over the Ardley keeper to drop in the net.
Woodstock now took the game to the home side and they were unlucky not to score again before the half time break.
The second half was a non-event, with Woodstock happy to defend and hit on the break, Ardley never looked threatening inside the box. Despite substitution’s to try to get back in the game, the match petered out with a joyous Woodstock happy to take the points.

Hellenic League Premier Division - 15th September

Ardley United 1 Wantage Town 0

Wantage suffered their first defeat of the season when they came across a resilient and hard working Ardley.

It was the home side who opened lively, and some last ditch tackling by Wantage gave Ardley a free kick just outside the area. The resulting kick by Adam Garner was vicious and low testing the keeper early on.

Wantage playing the short game, managed to get behind the Ardley defence on a couple of occasions and a fierce shot by Richard Guy had the home keeper beaten only to see it drift wide of the post.

With 21 minutes gone Troy Bryan worked his way into the box , beating two defenders, turned and opened his account with a well finished move.

With play now switching from end to end Ardley looking to capitalise and Wantage anxious for the equaliser, it was a welcome half time whistle for both sides.

Wantage started the half strong and it took two good saves by Gareth Tucker in the home goal to keep them at bay. Ardley looked to hit on the break, and it was on one such occasion that a Header from Danny Bone struck the post to deny the much sought second goal.

With time ticking away Wantage pushed further on in an attempt to equalise,but were lucky not to concede at the other end, but come the final whistle a jubilant Ardley climbed to 5th place in the table, looking a real threat to those around them at this early stage.

A&M Print Floodlit Cup - 8th September

Ardley United 2 Wootton Bassett 1

First Division West Wootton Bassett made the long evening trek to Ardley,took the lead and returned empty handed.

The match started with the home side pressing hard. With four successive corners in the first two minutes Bassett were always going to find it difficult to suppress the Premier Division side, but they stuck at it with determination.

Chance after chance went begging, Ardley followers could only worry that it was going to be one of those nights when the ball would not find the net, or the visitors would nick one against the run of play. It was just the latter when Alan Blake received the ball out wide left, whipped in the cross and Gavin Thomas was unmarked to give Bassett the lead after 39 minutes.

Undetered, Ardley stuck to the passing game, but went in one down at half time.

Half Time: Ardley United 0 - Wootton Bassett Town 1

Ten minutes into the second half the reward came when a corner was only half cleared and Adam Garner (left) blasted home from the edge of the area, to level the score.

With the visitors tiring due to the fast pace of the game Ardley were awarded a corner. Tom Green drove it in, with Troy Bryan(right) heading it into the net, much to the relief of the home side. Ardley were happy to play keep ball  for the last five minutes and progress to the next round.  

FA Vase 1st Round Qualifying - 5th September

Calne Town 2 Ardley United 4 aet

It was Calne who nearly had the dream start when a early cross could have caught Ardley cold, but with everyone failing to get a touch on it, it went out for a goal kick allowing the visitors to regroup and put their house in order.

Ardley worked there way back into the game, and on 9 minutes it was Jordan Ayris who found himself through with just the keeper to beat, but his stinging shot was pushed over for a corner. It was from that resulting corner that the home side could only clear to the edge of the box , where Adam Garner was lurking to fire home, to open the scoring.

Calne did not take this lightly and had a period of sustained pressure, which paid dividends ten minutes later when Tom Green was robbed of the ball by Blaine Fitzgerald who shot from an acute angle to level the score. Play was now fairly even , but the visitors had a chance of a half time lead when Ayris again forced the keeper into a first class save.

Ten minutes into the second period Troy Bryan jinked his way into the box, forcing a rash tackle from Mat Ralph to leave referee Tim Wood no option than to point to the spot. Captain Adam Garner stepped up to dispatch the kick with venom.

Ardley were now in the ascendancy , yet against the run of play Calne were awarded a free kick wide right, which found it's way into the net from the outstretched leg of Dan King top level the score. Minutes later Ardley Keeper Gareth Tucker pulled of two great saves to keep the game alive, and when Striker Andrew Stidder was forced off with a groin strain things were not looking good for the visitors.

Into extra time and with 112 minutes on the clock a replay was looking good value for money, when a rerun of the first half penalty took place, again Troy Bryan was unceremoniously brought down with Adam Garner leaving the keeper little
chance.

Two minutes later it was all over when Jordan Ayris played a one two withTroy Bryan and put away his chance to seal thevictory.