Saturday 16th April 2011 Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division
Ardley United 1 Highworth Town 1
With so much at stake for both teams this was always going to be a battle, and with a dramatic ending it certainly did not disappoint.
The early exchanges belonged to the home side, and they should have been one up inside the third minute when a loose ball fell to Troy Bryan, with the goal gaping he could only slice his shot wide. Ardley took the advantage ten minutes later, when a diagonal ball from Darren Beckett across the park found Ryan Brooks he cut inside his defender and coolly flicked the ball over the advancing Adam Miller in the Highworth goal.
Highworth were getting more into the game and had a strong shout for a hand ball inside the area turned down by referee Woodley. Despite further pressure from both it remained 1-0 at the break.
The second half saw Ardley soaking up some constant pressure from a rampant Highworth and with 10 minutes of the half on the clock Matty Bennett got behind the defence, only to be denied by keeper Kurt Fox with a superb block.
Ardley were denied a penalty appeal of their own when Troy Bryan was fouled just outside the area, the ref waived play on and Bryan was again brought down inside the area, the whistle went and the home fans thought a spot kick had been awarded only for the ref to take play back to the first offence with a free kick just outside.
Ardley were now happy to try and run the clock down,with Highworth becoming frustrated at the tactics. Just 12 minutes remained when Terry Bohane was caught from behind by Ben Milner and this time referee Woodley pointed to the spot. Bohane picked up the ball and drove it hard left, but keeper Fox was a match for it and pushed his effort wide.
2 minutes into time added on a Highworth effort was being sheparded out for a goal kick by Adam Richmond, but Bohane had other ideas when he robbed the ball and flicked in a cross for Tom Cole to rise above his marker and head home to the delight of the travelling supporters. A draw was probably a fair result but Ardley were left a wounded animal after an afternoon of some tremendous defending only to be beaten by the last cruel twist of the match.
The title is still in the hands of Ardley, if they can win their last two games against Wantage and Slimbridge their superior goal difference could come into play to hand them the Championship, but I am sure there will be a few more twists to the tale in the last week of what has been a tremendous season of Hellenic Football.
Saturday 9th April 2011 Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division
Wokingham & Embrook 0 Ardley United 2.
Played on a rock hard pitch under glorious sunshine this was a must win game for the visitors if they were to stay in contention for the league title. With the ball bouncing about and hard to control it was a difficult start for both teams, but Ardley relieved the pressure after just 11 minutes when a Andrew Stidder crossed the ball from the right to find Ryan Brooks. Brooks took early control of the ball and side stepped his marker making an angle to slide it past the keeper.
Just a minute later it could and probably should have been 2-0 when Adam Garner headed what appeared an easy chance from a corner over the bar.
Controversy struck with 19 minutes on the clock from another Ardley corner when the ball appeared to cross the goal line hitting the hand of Alex Lewis on it’s way. After a consultation with his assistant, referee Simon Maynard awarded a penalty and dismissed Lewis for deliberate hand ball. He then had to deal with the Wokingham manager who was shouting a lot of verbal abuse at the three officials, and asked him to leave the dug out. Calm restored Murray Nicholls picked up the ball and drove it wide of the post from the spot.
With only minutes to go to the half time whistle Stuart Bridges fed Brooks from the mid field. Brooks took the ball to the bye line dribbled past two defenders widened his angle and shot past Stuart Harris in the home goal to make it a more comfortable 2-0
The second half saw Wokingham come more into the game. Sam Whiting intercepted an Ardley pass feeding the ball to Nick Bateman who was through on goal but a weak shot was easily dealt with by Kurt Fox in the visitors goal.
Both teams were tiring in the afternoon sun and the pace of the game dropped off, the only real chance coming from a free kick taken by Murray Nicholls which rattled the cross bar before rebounding to safety.
Relief at the final whistle Ardley move on to the last three games when they will host Highworth next Saturday.
Tuesday 5th April 2011 Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division Ardley United 1 Old Woodstock Town 3
Old Woodstock have always been a bit of a bogey side to Ardley, and it was no different in this encounter when they managed to put three goals past the league leaders and blow the whole title race wide open once again.
Ardley opened the stronger and early attempts saw Andrew Stidder,s goal ward bound effort take a deflection, followed by a Ryan Brook,s effort pushed around the post by the Woodstock keeper. Despite Ardley’s early possession the visitors always looked threatening on the break and were unlucky not to take the lead when the home defence failed to deal with a corner the ball fell to John Mills who scooped his shot over the bar from 3 yards.
With 38 minutes on the clock Mike Thorne dribbled into the area and was clipped from behind by Adam Richmond, Thorne picked up the ball and made no mistake from the spot. Woodstock’s second came within a minute of the penalty when Ardley were caught still debating the Pen decision Thorne saw his shot rebound of the post and it was Mills again who gratefully placed the ball wide of Fox in the Ardley goal to put Woodstock 2 up.
Ardley were given a life line just before half time a Murray Nicholls free kick was headed across the goal by Adam Garner for Troy Bryan to head home.
The home side started the second half the stronger, but in a breakaway Thorne picked up the ball wide right and scored a superb goal finding the far corner from a good 25 yards to make it three one.
Manager Kevin Brock decided to throw caution to the wind and brought on Gary Wickens, Adam Beckett and Carl Standen to try to retrieve the situation, but Woodstock held firm, ran the clock down to record a well deserved victory and leave Ardley to ponder on their title aspirations.
Saturday 2nd April 2011 Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division Ardley United 5 Reading Town 1
Reading arrived full of confidence in the belief that they could put right a 4-0 defeat imposed on them earlier in the season, but left the playing fields a well beaten side.
It took only 9 minutes for Ardley to settle, Ryan Brooks crossed to the far post for Murray Nicholls to make no mistake, The second came from a free kick with Nicholls driving the ball in, Troy Bryan managing to bundle it past Graham Simms in the Reading goal.
Reading pulled one back to give them a glimmer of belief, a long throw was only cleared to the edge of the area and a unmarked Danny Seaward was on hand to make it 2-1. Ardley increased the pace and released Adam Richmond down the right wing, his pin point cross to Danny Bone made it 3-1 at half time.
Further good work by Richmond in the second half, brought about number four when his cross this time found Jordan Ayris who headed home.
Reading were reduced to long distance efforts, but the Ardley Keeper was up to his job, pushing one such effort over the bar. On 78 minutes Ryan Brooks went on a run down the left, cut inside his man and finished a solo effort curling the ball inside the far post.
This put the home side on 99 goals scored for the season, but despite frantic efforts to find the 100th it ended Ardley 5 Reading 1 and left the home side 5points clear of Slimbridge at the top of the league table.
Saturday 26th March 2011 Bluefin Hellenic Challenge Cup Quarter Final Binfield 2 - 1 Ardley United
England under 18 school boy international and Ardley United midfielder Jordan Ayris had a busy weekend, when he scored for his Country at Yeovil giving them a 1-0 win over Wales on Friday, and put Ardley into the semi final of the Bluefin Hellenic Challenge cup also scoring the only goal of the afternoon on Saturday.
Jordan’s goal for his Country on Friday came when Welsh keeper, Luke Martin, struggled to get any distance on a goal kick, his clearance was picked up by Ayris. The lanky striker burst forward and produced a lovely chip over the stranded keeper.
This being the fourth game in eight days Kevin Brock was forced to shuffle the pack, once again utilising his whole squad of players.
The opening gambits were fairly even. The first real chance coming when Murray Nicholls let fly a 25 yard volley which crashed against the Slimbridge bar, minutes later Danny Bone found himself through on goal courtesy of a pass from Scott Nicholls only to be robbed of the ball in a somewhat dubious challenge. Slimbridge were far from out of the game and always looked dangerous from set pieces, one such corner saw Fox in the visitors goal make a good save from Tom Spears to keep the score level at half time.
Slimbridge had the ball in the net early in the second half only for Luke Finch to be given offside in what must have been a close decision.
The visitors substituted Adam Beckett for Jordan Ayris, and a tiring Scott Bridges made way for Gary Wickens in an attempt to freshen things up, and it did just that when Andrew Stidder crossed from the right and Ayris headed home to open the scoring. Ardley could have gone two up minutes later when Wickens pl;ayed in Stidder but his effort sailed over the bar.
With only minutes left on the clock the home side thought they had taken the tie into extra time, following a corner the ball appeared to cross the goal line but the ref and his assistant were having none of it, the final whistle blew amongst controversy from the home supporters and the Slimbridge bench, but it was Ardley who progress to await the draw for the semi final.
Thursday 24th March 2011 Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division Binfield 2 - 1 Ardley United
Ardley turned up at Binfield for their third game in six days knowing this was a crunch match as far as their title challenge was concerned.
Manager Kevin Brock had brought in a fresh pair of legs in Scott Bridges who is only available periodically due to work commitments, playing him wide right.
Binfield took the game to the visitors and dominated the early exchanges. Winning a corner after 17 minutes, the ball was played to the far post where it was headed back across the goal for Ian Davies to head home the opener.
Ardley were looking to hit on the break, but were forced to play the long ball to clear their lines which was not suited to their play. Binfield wide man Luke Williams was causing mega problems with his pace down the left, It was from one such foray that saw him cut inside playing the ball to Ian Davies, Ardley defenders all appealed for the offside, and making the school boy error of waiting for the flag, that was never to appear, Davies went through and made it 2 -0 with only 27 minutes on the clock.
The visitors were gradually getting into the game and started to create half chances, but Binfield were happy with their 2 goal advantage and went into the break looking confident
What ever happened at half time I do not know but Ardley came out a different side, it was they who were getting control in midfield and looking the better side. With only five minutes of the half gone a rasping shot from Danny Bone came back of the post, and Ryan Brooks was on hand to reduce the arrears. Minutes later Brooks was through again courtesy of a through ball from Stuart Bridges, but the Moles keeper denied him the equaliser.
Binfield were now on the back foot and the game had swung the other way, on the 68th minute Brooks was involved again when he took the ball to the byline, with Troy Bryan screaming for the pass Brooks failed to find him, and another chance went begging.
Following an Ardley corner the Binfield keeper tried to come through a melee of players and ended up with a cut eye, the stoppage was prolonged and eventually he left the field of play being substituted from the bench. Despite 6 minutes of added time for the injury Ardley were unable to find the equaliser, and were left wondering was the league title slipping away.
Saturday 19th March 2011 Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division
Ardley United 1 Abingdon Town 0
A resilient, hard working , and determined Abingdon Town turned up at Ardley to make life as difficult as they could for the league leaders. Matty Hutton between the sticks for the visitors, pulled of numerous fantastic saves causing Ardley to battle untill the final whistle.
In glorious sunshine the home side were slow to get into their stride and early exchanges were fairly equal, in fact it took until the stroke of half time for the deadlock to be broken. Jordan Ayris got the better of Lance Williams inside the visitors box and let fly with a thunderbolt of a shot, Hutton did well to get a hand on it, but the rebound fell to an advancing Ben Milner who placed the ball wide of the now prostrate keeper to give the home side the lead.
The second half saw Ardley firing on all cylinders, with Adam Garner hitting the bar, Milner heading wide of an open goal following A Murray Nicholls free kick , and Jordan Ayris being brought down by the Abingdon keeper in the box, but failing to get a decision from referee Ian Lowe.
Abingdon were determined to save something from the game and made the last ten minutes very uncomfortable for the home side, but hang on they did to increase their lead at the top of the division by 9 points from Binfield FC in second place.
Wednesday 16th March 2011 Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division
Shrivenham 1 Ardley United 6
Jordan Ayris proved why he has a place in the under 18 school boy England squad when he netted a hat trick against Shrivenham Wednesday evening.
Ardley received a wake up call when after just 8 minutes Kurt Fox the visiting keeper only managed to parry a cross, it fell to the feet of Steve Richardson who gratefully took the easiest of chances to put the home side in front, much to the delight of the home supporters.
10 Minutes later Ardley were on level terms when an Ayris tackle won the ball, feeding it Danny Bone who laid it back for Murray Nicholls to blast home. The visitors were now taking a grip of the game winning the midfield battle. The second came from a corner headed goal wards by Adam Garner and finished off by Jordan Ayris on the line. Ayris was now in a unstoppable vein, he latched onto a loose ball weaved his way past three defenders and rounded the keeper to make it 3 -1 at the interval.
The start of the second half saw Ardley struggling to get back into a flowing rhythm, it took 20 minutes before some neat passing around the edge of the penalty area saw Danny Bone put away the fourth and the game out of reach of Shrivy. It was now damage limitation for the home side, but it was Ayris again who intercepted the ball and fed Troy Bryan at the far post for a tap in.
With only three minutes left on the clock a free kick wide right was played in by Murray Nicholls to the far post where Ayris made no mistake of his hat trick. The Ardley goal difference was boosted even further by this convincing win over a very mediocre Shrivenham.
Tuesday 8th March 2011 Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division Ardley United 0 Kidlington 0 ( Home View)
This local derby was important to both sides if they were to stay in contention for the league title. Kidlington set their stall out to defend playing a four five one formation, leaving Jimmy Deabill their leading striker on the bench, a strange decision given the importance of three points.
The early exchanges were fairly even as was the rest of the match. Both sides created a few good chances, but the finishing was woeful with neither keeper being called upon more than once or twice to make a decent save.
Kidlington were always dangerous from set pieces and it was one such free kick that Jordan Parker blasted just wide of the post.
Danny Bone had the best chance for the home side in the first half when on 35 minutes he found himself in a one on one with the Kidlington keeper only see his shot drift wide.
The second half was much the same as the first with both sides cancelling each other out in mid field. Ryan Brooks had a speculative shot from distance with Tom MacNamara in the Kiddy goal beaten the ball was again wide of it’s target.
In a game were a lot of respect was shown by both sides a point each was a fair result, but must have suited the other league contenders more then the contestants.
Ardley 0-0 Kidlington (Away View)
This top of the table clash ended in stale mate after both sides respective sides defences came out on top. Although there were no goals neither side could be faulted for application or effort in this match which was played on a bitterly cold evening on Ardley’s Recreation Ground pitch.
The first half was all about winning midfield battles as this is where the majority of the action took place whilst the two sides sized each other up. Kiddy had already beaten Ardley twice already this season and I’m sure from the outset Kidlington Manager Gordon Geary wanted to make this one his own personal hat-rick. However on the night owing to Kidlington’s injury problems he had to change tack-tics form his normal 442 to a 451 formation. This, although not an attacking formation was certainly solid in the centre of the park. This left Anaclet Odhiambo as a lone striker up front and he certainly battled for all he was worth in the opening minutes.The game was devoid of any real chances until the 28th minute. Kiddy were awarded a free kick some 25 yards from goal. Jordan Parker took it and bent a shot in toward goal. Home keeper Kurt Fox was beaten but the ball ricochet away off the bottom of the near post and went behind. On 36 minutes a piece of slack play by Kidlington saw possession of the ball lost to Ardley’s Danny Bone. Bone saw a chance and sprinted for goal. Kiddy Skipper Danny Leggett chased him and keeper Tom McNamara raced from his goal, Bone at full pace tried to fire the ball inside the far post, but his shot although powerful was off target.Other than a few catches and pick ups there was little or no action for either of the keepers other than those I’ve mentioned above during the remainder of the first half and we went into the break level. HT 0-0
The second half saw Ardley kicking down their famous slop. This is well known to favour them as usually when they do so they get the all important win. However in the 51st minute the best chance of the game fell to Kidlington’s Odhiambo at the far post. Chris Weedon made a storming run down the right flank before delivering an excellent cross onto the box. The ball eluded Jack Quainton bet fell perfectly for Odhiambo who was unmarked. The little striker was caught in two minds if to control the ball or shoot, but in the end he did neither and much to his dismay from about 7 yards out he shinned the ball wide. Ardley were still showing plenty of endeavour and after the ball was only half cleared to the edge of the Kidlington box Troy Bryan hit a rasping drive back in which pole-axed Kidlington’s Leggett as he blocked the shot. On 69 minutes Ardley’s recent signing Ryan Brooks tried his luck from distance. Again he hit his effort with power and it had McNamara diving full length across his goal, but the ball went wide of the far post. On 80 minutes Kidlington forced a succession of corners. From the last of these taken by Mark Flanagan Chris Weedon rose well at the far post. From his leap he got plenty of power into a headed attempt but then saw the ball skim the outside of the post. Ardley’s Bryan and Brooks combined well in the 83rd minute, but the latter hurried his attempt from the left and the ball went high and wide as he miss-timed his shot.
In injury time Kidlington had a chance to win the game. The ball was played through to Jack Quainton. Quainton took it in his stride and pushed on into the area, Fox had seen the danger and came haring out from goal, Quainton looked up and shot but he seemed to have shinned his attempt and the chance was gone.This was the last action and both these title contenders had to settle for a point a piece in a game well refereed by Jason Richardson. All in all, the match was a good one with Kidlington certainly looking like they are getting back to somewhere near their best. The fact that neither side netted was in the main down to good defending but also some wayward finishing.
Simon Dickens Kidlington
5th March
Bluefin Insurance Hellenic League Challange Cup
Round 3
Chalfont Wasps 2 Ardley United 5
Ardley progressed to the quarterfinals of the Bluefin League Challenge cup, putting five past a young and possibly inexperienced Chalfont Wasps.
Ardley gifted the two goals against them. The first when Murray Nicholls left a back header woefully short of keeper Kurt Fox allowing Fred Tripp to nip in and secure the lead with only four minutes on the clock. Despite dominating the opening exchanges it took until the 18th minute for the Ardley equaliser. Troy Bryan received a clearance with his back to goal, turned and played in Danny Bone who put it away for his first of three. Minutes later the visitors were unlucky not to take the lead when from a corner Adam Garner saw his effort cleared off the line.
With the Wasps back four keeping a high line, the Ardley keeper kicked a long ball over the top of them, and it was Danny Bone who reacted the sharpest to net his second on 26 minutes.
Ardley were awarded a free kick on the half hour Murray Nicholls stepped up to make it 3-1 when his effort found the net with a direct strike. Chalfont managed to pull one back before the break when Carl Standen was adjudged to have brought down Simon Williams in the box. Captain Ross Crawford duly dispatched the spot kick to keep the Wasps in it at half time.
Seven minutes into the half after some hard work by Troy Bryan he managed to play the ball wide to Jordan Ayris who drove home the visitors fourth. With Tuesday’s game in mind Manager Brock played his substitutes, at 4-2 the game was theoretically won, but Danny Bone made sure and gained his hat trick when he netted from a corner.
A bit of a one sided affair but a game that needed to be won if Ardley are to retain the Challenge Cup.
Tuesday 1st March 2011 Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division
Ardley United 4 Wootton Bassett 0
It had been more than a month since Ardley last played at home, but they carried on where they had left off. On a bitter cold evening they proved too good for the visitors Wootton Bassett.
Bassett started lively enough and took the game to Ardley, but without creating a chance. The home side settled and started to dominate, winning a corner in the 8th minute. Murray Nicholls put the ball over and Adam Garner headed home despite a valiant effort by the visitors to clear it off the line. The half progressed with only half chances for either side, until the 41st minute when debutant Ryan Brooks, wide left, received a pass from Adam Richmond, he cut inside eased his way past the centre half and placed the ball wide of the keeper for a 2 goal lead at half time.
With only 2 minutes on the clock into the second half Danny Bone put in a long cross which eluded both defenders, but was met by Murray Nicholls who made 3 for the home side. The visitors were a spent force and never looked like getting back into the game, they could only limit further damage, but were undone once more in the dying minutes when Danny Bone powered home, to round off a workman like effort, and keep Ardley on top of the league.
Saturday 12th February 2011 Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division Bracknell 4 Ardley United 1
Ardley’s league title aspirations took a setback when lowly Bracknell Town proved they were not to be taken for granted.
Bracknell lined up with 5 across the back and were happy to let the visitors play there passing football in the other two thirds of the pitch. Troy Bryan tried a speculative shot from range in a bid to break down the defence but it was easily dealt with by Chris Adams in the home goal.
Carl Standen tried his luck but his effort sailed over the bar, and it wasn’t until the 44th minute that a serious chance of breaking the deadlock came, when Adam Beckett found himself unmarked, but headed wide of the Bracknell goal.
A frustrating half for the visitors, saw them leave the field with no score from either side.
The second half was a different story, Bracknell went straight on the attack from the kick off and Swabey beat the defence to open the scoring much to the delight of the crowd. This appeared to instil belief into the home side and only minutes later it was Swabey again who saw his effort drift wide of the Ardley post.
In an effort to get back into the game Ardley Manager Kevin Brock substituted centre half Ben Milner for Jordan Ayris and Carl Standen for Gary Wickens, this left just three across the back and although it increased the strike power it was to be a gamble that would not pay dividends. With 69 minutes on the clock Adam Crittenden received the ball with his back to goal and was allowed to play keepy up until he could turn and volley home. Ardley were now in turmoil and were loosing the ball all too easily. The third for Bracknell came just 4 minutes later when Dean Thomas set off on a run from inside his own half and was able to cross the ball to Swabey to put away his second. The visitors were pushing everyone up in an effort to get back into the game and it was following an Ardley corner, the ball was cleared upfield to Dean Thomas who drove it from distance into the far corner of the goal leaving the keeper Kirt Fox stranded and making it 4-0 to Bracknell
Deep into time added on Jordan Ayris scrambled a consolation goal from a corner but it was too little too late. A deserved win for Bracknell who set out to defend, but could not of dreamt it would end up the way it did.
Saturday 5th February 2011 Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division
Ardley United 6 Ascot 2
After losing and drawing the last two matches Kevin Brock shuffled the pack and It certainly paid dividends. A Carl Standen hat-trick put Ardley back on track for the Premiership title.
The Ascot back four kept a high line, and were easily beaten by a simple diagonal ball, after just 3 minutes one such move saw Troy Bryan advancing on the keeper, squaring the ball for Carl Standen to open his account.
Centre mid field man Stuart Bridges was distributing the ball well and causing problems for Ascot, a pin point pass to Adam Beckett wide right saw him beat his defender and whip in a cross for Troy Bryan to make it two inside 8 minutes. Still celebrating Ardley were caught napping when they allowed Phil Buddy to cross the ball and Cooper-Clark headed home to reduce the arrears.
The home side were on song and should have been out of sight by half time, but worryingly chance after chance was wasted and the score remained at 2-1 after 45 minutes.
8 minutes into the half it was again Bridges who found Beckett wide, his cross was picked up by Standen who wrong footed his marker and put away his second of the game. Standen’s hat trick came shortly after when Troy Bryan unselfishly squared the ball to him inside the box to make it 4-1
.
Lee Boon pulled one back to give Ascot a glimmer of hope, but when Danny Bone was upended in the box, he picked himself and the ball up to make it 5 from the spot.
Andrew Stidder rounded up the afternoon for the home side 5 minutes into added on time with a ferocious drive giving Tom Andrews no chance in the Ascot goal.
Tuesday 1st February 2011 Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division
Ardley United 1 Flackwell Heath1
This was the second time in a week that these two teams had met in the league, with Flackwell running out winners at home with a deflected free kick, and taking a share of the spoils at Ardley when they were awarded a 92 minute penalty which was well dispatched by Danny Jordan.
Much akin to the earlier game in the week Ardley controlled the ball well and Flackwell appeared happy to soak up the play in the last third, looking to use the pace of their front man Lee Thompson to hit on the break.
The home side could have taken a early lead when Troy Bryan hit a speculative shot after just 3 minutes watching it go just wide of the post. It was Bryan again who had the ball in the net only to be adjudged offside. The best chance for Flackwell came when Lee Thompson looked to race clear, with the Ardley defence pushed up Adam Garner tackled from behind and was lucky to get away with a yellow card.
With 82 minutes on the clock Flackwell failed to clear Ardley’s third corner in succession and after some pin ball shooting Garner found a path through giving the home side a deserved lead.
With the clock running down the Ardley were robbed of possession deep in the Flackwell half a long ball punted up field found Danny Jordan who cut in from the right, only to be brought down in the box leaving Adrian Mathews no option but to award the spot kick. Kurt Fox managed to get half a hand on the ball but the ferocity carried it into the net. Barely time for the restart it was a hard blow for players and supporters alike having lost 5 points in the space of a week.
Tuesday 25th January 2011 Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division
Flackwell Heath 1 Ardley United 0
Ardley's title aspirations took a knock when despite dominating the first half they failed to find the net, allowing Flackwell to steal all three points from a deflected free kick.
Adam Garner fired in a low hard shot from a corner early in the game, only to see it cleared off the line, and this was somewhat the pattern of the half. Garner repeated his attempt minutes later with the same outcome. Flackwell's first attack did give the visitors a wake up call when Harry Pritchard's speculative effort rattled the cross bar, but despite further chances the half ended with no score.
Flackwell started the second half with more belief, and for a while took the game to the visitors but the defence stood firm thwarting any attempt on goal.
Ardley were awarded a free kick wide left and a Murray Nicholls effort was tipped over by Sam Southedon in the Flackwell goal. It was Southedon who was to prove to be the saviour for Flackwell pulling of further stunning saves from Jordan Ayris, and again from Adam Garner. Danny Bone did have the ball in the net only to be judged offside much to the relief of the home side. With it beginning to look like a 0-0 draw Flackwell were awarded a free kick some 20 meters out Danny Jordan hit it low and it would appear that Fox in the Ardley goal had it covered but it deflected of the leg of Ben Milner and into the net.
With only 5 minutes remaining Manager Kevin Brock through caution to the wind in an attempt to salvage a point, substituting a centre half for a centre forward but to no avail.
Three vital points were gone allowing the chasing pack to move even closer.
Saturday 22nd January 2011
Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division
Reading Town 0 Ardley United 4
It was Christmas all over again for Ardley when Reading gifted them two goal’s in the first half without reply. The first came courtesy of a sloppy back pass from Darren Russell, Danny Bone intercepted the ball and slid it passed the advancing keeper after just 4 minutes. If that wasn’t enough Mike Hancock headed into his own net from a Murray Nicolls free kick to give the visitors a two goal lead at half time.
It could have been Oh so different, Marcus Richardson was causing the Ardley defence trouble with his size and strength, and in his role as lone striker he had more than one chance to open the scoring but Kurt Fox made some top draw saves denying the equaliser.
A minute before half time Reading had another chance to pull one back when Danny Seaward saw his shot rebound off the Ardley cross bar.
The second half Reading had a lot of possession but struggled to get a shot on target, the Ardley defence had tightened up and they were happy to soak up any attack and hit on the break. This is exactly what happened when Danny Bone played in Lewis Travers who found himself through on goal and his clinical finishing put the game beyond reach of the hosts.
Substitutions were made and it paid dividends when Carl Standen came off the bench and made no mistake from a Danny Bone cross 4 minutes into added on time.
Possibly a flattering score line for the visitors but it keeps them in top spot, with another difficult game ahead at Flackwell Heath on Tuesday.
18th January
Blue Fin Insurers Challenge Cup
Ardley United 6 Letcome 1
Challenge Cup holders Ardley were too strong for the division one outfit Letcome in this the second round of the Hellenic League Challenge cup sponsored by Blue Fin Insurance.
A hat trick by Danny Bone (pictured) and goals by Ben Milner Troy Bryan and Murray Nicholls gave the home side a comfortable win and progression to the third round where they face Chalfont Wasps.
It took only 8 minutes for Danny Bone to net his first when the ball rebounded off the post, a scramble on the line and a toe poke home gave the home side the early lead. Bone’s second was much more impressive, with centre midfielder Stuart Bridges playing the ball wide right to Dean Smith, who crossed the ball into the box for Bone to meet it with a flying header.
The writing was on the wall for Letcome who were starved of the ball by a slick passing Ardley. With half time approaching Ben Milner made it three when he headed home from a corner.
Ten minutes into the second half Troy Bryan made it onto the score sheet in spectacular style. A corner was only cleared to the edge of the penalty area Bryan met it on the volley hooking the ball home with his left peg.
With Ardley now in rampant mood Danny bone took his chance get his hat trick. Picking up the ball in mid field he beat three defenders before lashing it home from the edge of the area.
Letcome would not give up and when Mark Brind caught the Ardley defence lacking he made no mistake to bring the visitors some deserved joy.
Ardley wrapped up a good nights work three minutes before time when Dean Smith whipped in another cross for Murray Nicholls to head home number 6.
Tuesday 11th January 2011
Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division Kidlington 2 Ardley United 1
Kidlington emerged from Tuesday evenings top-of-the-table clash with all three points to keep themselves well in contention for Hellenic Premier League honours this season.
In a highly entertaining match, the performance of both teams was sadly overshadowed by a very poor display of refereeing, which incurred the wrath of both benches throughout. Fortunately, both sides were disadvantaged in differing ways meaning that the final result was probably unaffected.
Ardley began the stronger of the two sides and took the lead in the 3rd minute when Danny Bone was tripped in the area and picked himself up to score from the resulting penalty kick. Although the visitors were passing the ball with the greater conviction, Kidlington were looking dangerous on the break and they had chances to equalise through Anaclet Odihambo who was unable to get either of his chances on target. Ardley had more scoring opportunities in the half though, the best of which fell to Bone after good work on the right by the returning Jordan Ayris, but his shot went wide of the post when it looked like he must score.
The game continued in the same vein in the second period, with Ardley again having enough scoring chances to have put the game beyond Kidlington but time and again the finishing touch could not be applied as Lewis Travers, Bone, Ayris and others all squandered good opportunities. The visitors were eventually made to pay for not getting themselves further in front in the 81st minute as the ball was headed around the Ardley area and Mark Flanagan took advantage of some ball-watching by their defence to force the ball home. Four minutes later, Kidlington scored the winner as a free kick was cleared out to the right hand side of the Ardley are only to find the unmarked Mark Baker who fired the ball inside the near post to provoke wild celebrations and leave the visitors to reflect on the host of spurned chances earlier in the game.
8th January 2011
Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division Ardley United 2 Shortwood United 1
A late Murray Nicholls goal scored direct from a 30 yard free kick earned Ardley United a valuable 3 points against Shortwood at home.
In a first half dominated by the visitors, Shortwood pushed Ardley back into their own half for much of the period, and were unfortunate not to take the lead in the 19th minute when Jake Parrott’s right wing cross found Robbie Colwell but his shot hit the top of the crossbar. Despite their lack of decent possession, the home side did occasionally threaten and just before the half hour mark Martin Pearce in the Shortwood goal missed a cross but Ian Concannon could not get a shot away before the chance was cleared. Barely 10 minutes later, Kurt Fox in the Ardley goal did almost the same as his counterpart, but the ball was fired wide of the far post, the scoreline remaining 0-0 at half time.
The second half was just over a minute old when Shortwood went in front, the ball being played from left to right with three excellent passes the last of which found Chris Mortlock in space on the right side of the area and he made no mistake to put his side 1-0 up. The visitors continued to press Ardley hard, and in the 54th minute Alex Allard turned Dean Smith and surged into the penalty area but his shot was well stopped by Fox (left). Although Ardley were not playing their usual passing game, they began to make more progress into the opposition half, and with just over an hour gone Lewis Travers passed the ball in from the right for Troy Bryan, whose deft flick was met just ahead of a Shortwood defender by Danny Bone. Bone’s shot went under another defender and just inside the near post to put Ardley level. This unexpected goal energised the home side and the game became more even, but Shortwood had two good opportunities to re-take the lead but neither Colwell nor Allard could convert their chances, and Adam Beckett fired a shot past the far post for the home side. With Nicholls (pictured right) grabbing the winner in spectacular style with eight minutes remaining, Ardley will have breathed a huge sigh of relief that they were able to secure a win having been outplayed for much of the game.
3rd January 2011
Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division Thame United 1 Ardley United 3
Ardley United avenged one of only two defeats in the league this season by taking all three points from a highly entertaining game at the new ASM Stadium on New Year Bank Holiday Monday.
In a first half that was played at a high tempo, the home side enjoyed most of the possession but were unable to capitalise when clear chances came their way. Ardley had the greater number of scoring opportunities but Troy Bryan, Danny Bone and Ian Concannon were all unable to open their accounts. After 19 minutes, Thame created two great chances within a minute of each other when first Stuart Braun’s fierce drive was tipped around the post by Kurt Fox and then a header from Aaron Rogers from the resulting corner was again brilliantly saved by the keeper. At the other end, Murray Nicholls’ 25yard shot was just tipped over by Thame keeper Milan Barisic to leave the teams scoreless at the break.
Into the second period, Thame again had the early chances but neither Luke Ricketts nor Braun were able to find the net, which was to cost their side dearly as Ardley took control and scored three goals in a 10 minute spell. The first came when, from a corner, Ian Concannon was pushed over in the box to be awarded a penalty which he converted himself. Five minutes later a Stuart Bridges pass was allowed to run by Nicholls, reaching Dean Smith wide on the right who crossed powerfully for the onrushing Bryan to blast it past Barisic and into the net. Thame were still looking to get back into the game though and two minutes later Alex Stuart headed just wide from a corner. Again the home side’s profligacy was to cost them as Ardley went further in front just after this when a corner from the left was dropped by the keeper for Concannon to notch his second and his team’s third. With 73 minutes on the clock, Thame did finally get on the score sheet when Ben Connelly’s right wing cross was headed home by Stuart, but although both sides had opportunities to add to their tallies the game finished 3-1 in the visitors favour.
11th December
Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division Carterton 2 Ardley United 4
Two goals from substitute Adam Beckett (pictured) sealed a convincing away win at Carterton for Ardley United on Saturday.
Dominating play from the kick-off, Ardley went ahead in the 17th minute when good work by Troy Bryan on the right wing enabled him to shake off his marker and play the ball in to Murray Nicholls whose shot took a deflection before finding the back of the net. Despite falling behind, Carterton showed no lack of determination to get into the game and this was rewarded just 4 minutes later when the ball was played through for George Seacole to chase. Ardley keeper Kurt Fox rushed out to clear the danger, but lost the race to Seacole who nicked the ball past him and into the empty net. The goal lifted the home side, and shortly after scoring centre forward David Bostock, who was to prove a thorn in Ardley’s side all afternoon, went on a good run only to be denied by Fox. A strange uncertainty between goalkeeper and defence looked as though it would prove to be the visitors undoing, but they weathered several nervy moments unscathed and re-took the lead on 29 minutes. Bryan combined well with left back Adam Richmond near the corner flag, and Richmond’s cross found Gary Wickens who headed the ball against the crossbar, the rebound falling to Bryan who made no mistake. Further chances fell to both Nicholls and Bostock before half time, but the score remained 2-1 to Ardley at the break.
Both sides had half chances to score during the early exchanges in the second period, but the best opportunity fell to Andrew Stidder for the visitors, but the ball was blocked on the goal-line. With Gary Wickens unable to take the field after the break due to illness, sub Adam Beckett had a great chance to increase Ardley’s lead on the hour mark but headed the ball just over the bar. However, barely 10 minutes later he made amends as a great through ball from Stuart Bridges set him free through the middle of the pitch and he fired it between the legs of keeper James Domm and into the net. Carterton continued to press, and were rewarded in the 83rd minute when a free kick was saved well by Fox to his left but he was unable to hold on to the ball and Carl Williams followed up to reduce the arrears. Indeed, just a minute later, the same player was unfortunate not to equalise as his headed attempt hit the post and was cleared away by the Ardley defence. But the game was made safe by Ardley a minute later when Bryan held the ball up on the left edge of the Carterton penalty area before turning the defender and crossing for Beckett to score his second and keep his side clear at the top of the league.
20th November
Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division Oxford City Nomads 0 Ardley United 3
The leaders of the Hellenic Premier Division maintained top spot with a convincing 3-0 win at Oxford City Nomads on Saturday.
On the evidence of the first 10 minutes, this looked as if it would be a tightly fought affair with Nomads having slightly the better possession and looking the more likely to score. That was until Troy Bryan surged into the home penalty area only to be brought down from behind giving Ardley a penalty kick. Having had their last 3 penalties saved by opposition keeper, Ardley supporters were understandably not optimistic that their side would take the lead, however, but up stepped Ian Concannon to strike the ball firmly past keeper Joe White.
The goal was to signal a period of almost total domination of play by the visitors for the rest of the first half, and they were playing some of their best football of the season. Five minutes after the penalty, Concannon was foiled by White after some great work by Stuart Bridges in midfield, and shortly after Lewis Travers fired just over the bar after a good run. In the 26th minute Ben Milner’s interception fed Bridges and his beautifully weighted pass played in Murray Nicholls who placed the ball past the advancing White to put the visitors 2-0 up. Ten minutes before the break the scoreline increased, as a free kick just outside the penalty area was expertly despatched by Nicholls for his 11th league goal of the season, many of them coming from similar situations. Further chances fell to Ardley who were by now almost irresistible, but Concannon was denied the opportunity to add to his tally firstly by a good save and then by a post and it remained 3-0 at half time.
Having been so overwhelmed in the first half, many sides may have crumbled in the second, but to their credit Nomads came out and began to play some good football and were trying to take the game to Ardley. Adam Garner had to make a last ditch block to prevent a goal, and shortly after a good run from Jermaine Ferreira forced Ardley keeper Kurt Fox to make a brave save at this feet. Ardley were giving as good as they got, however, and Concannon was played through again in the 59th minute but fired just wide. There then followed another period of sustained Ardley pressure but the Nomads defence was just managing to repel all that the visitors could throw at them.
In the 71st minute Concannon was again played clear only to see his shot well saved by the advancing White. The striker was substituted a minute later, and must have left the pitch wondering how he didn’t score a double hat trick! Nomads were still pressing to reduce the arrears, Ferreira having a half chance when well placed but not making good contact, and then James Faulkner broke clear only to be hampered by Darren Beckett who did just enough to put him off a clear shot. At the other end, Nicholls had a good chance just before full time but again White made a good save to keep the score 3-0 to Ardley and give them another three points from what had been a highly entertaining encounter.
OFA Senior Cup – 2nd Round ( Report Courtesy Of Simon Dickens Kidlington FC) Kidlington 3 - 1 Ardley United Parker’s Perfect Pair
This Senior Cup meeting between two of the top three sides in the Hellenic League always promised to be a good match up and so it proved. The game was played on a wet slippery surface at Yarnton Road, not generally suited to Kidlington’s expansive style of play, but taking all things into consideration it was Kiddy who adapted better to the conditions on the night, and finally came through in fine style.
The match started cagily with neither side wanting to commit too many players to far forward. Ardley set their stall up to be as strong as possible down the middle of the pitch. This allowed Kiddy to play Tom Woodbridge and Lance Williams in wider positions and in a way this suited Kidlington. Kidlington had to make several changes because of unavailability with Ben Willoughby coming into a central defensive position with Danny Mason, Christian Perkins and Brad Chalmers all unavailable. There were also starts for the above mentioned Woodbridge and Jimmy Deabill, the latter returning from suspension.
There were few real attempts at goal before Kiddy keeper Tom McNamara was called into action to palm a rasping free kick over the bar in the 24th minute. Kidlington then took the lead in the 35th minute. Some good approach play saw a ball played into the area for Jordan Parker. Parker was quick to react to the situation, he controlled the ball and then did his defender like a kipper before slotting the ball across goal and into the net. Not long after taking the lead Tom Woodbridge sent Jack Quainton away on goal, but from the edge of the area Quainton’s shot was saved well by Ardley keeper Kurt Fox.
Neither keeper was unduly tested in the remaining minutes of the half, one which had been pretty even with Kidlington just getting their noses in front courtesy of that bit of magic from Parker. HT: 1 – 0
The half was only two minutes old when Kiddy went two up. Again, after some good constructive build up play the home side took their opportunity by way of a glorious goal from Jack Quainton, he received the ball in midfield about 40 yards from goal, he wasn’t being closed down and was given far too much time. Quainton advanced with the ball and then hit an unstoppable shot from about 25 yards out which Fox could only watch arrow into the roof of his net, despite his flailing attempt to save it. This certainly wasn’t the start to the half that Ardley had been expecting, but it was just the fillip that Geary’s boys would have wanted. Ardley now pressed on, trying to exert themselves into the match and get something on the score card. Kidlington’s defence seemed resolute until a calamitous error from keeper McNamara gifted the visitors a penalty kick. McNamara saved an initial shot but then raced after the ball which an Ardley attacker was in pursuit of, but going away from goal. In his haste to clear the danger the keeper clipped the Ardley players heels and he went to ground, Penalty!. Danny Bone placed the ball on the spot and took the kick. McNamara diving to his right saved it well, defiantly atoning for his earlier error. There were half chances at both ends now, but both defences were holding firm. As we entered the last 20 minutes Ardley had to gamble by introducing both attacking substitutes’ Concannon and Stidder. Ardley thought they had got a goal back in the 80th minute. A shot from the edge of the area took a deflection and McNamara got a hand to the ball but couldn’t keep it out. The linesman saw an infringement and flagged for off side from the original shot. After consultation the Referee agreed with the lino that a player had impeded McNamara’s view of the ball and the goal was denied. This was much to the frustration of an irate Ardley Manager ‘Kevin Brock’ who’s cussing could be heard all round Yarnton Road. Still Ardley kept the pressure on and were finally rewarded with a goal in the 84th minute. This time there was nothing controversial about it; Andy Stidder hit a good shot from inside the box which beat a diving McNamara low to his left. Ardley, now back in the match, threw everything at Kiddy forcing a series of corners. As is often the case though, when the ball’s finally cleared it broke for Kidlington. Tom Woodbridge ran powerfully up field with the ball before linked well with substitute Andy Styles. Then inside the area Styles shot come cross found its way to Jordan Parker who had sprinted up to support the attack and he turned it home for a decisive 3rd goal on 90 minutes. From somewhere Referee Declan Singh, who had an excellent match, found another 5 minutes of nervous added time, but the 3rd goal had done the damage and Kiddy were heading for the next round where they will face Thame United.
All in all it was a really good performance. Jimmy Deabill played a real centre forward roll, never giving the visitors defence a minutes rest. In defence Danny Leggett and Ben Willoughby were excellent as were the Weedon Brothers. In midfield Jordan Parker had in my opinion his best game for the club and was well supported by Mark Flanagan and the two wide men Woodbridge and Lance Williams. Overall though Jack Quainton was once again the leading light, his performance was absolutely phenomenal and second to none, he was everywhere all evening and to cap it all he scored that screaming second goal to boot. So alls left to say is - COYG!
13th November
Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division Pegasus Juniors 0 Ardley United 4
n a match that was dominated for the full 90 minutes by the visiting side, it was only some stout defending that kept the score line to a reasonable level.
In the opening exchanges Ardley passed the ball well, but were becoming frustrated at not being able to open the scoring. A Murray Nicholls free kick just outside the area looked like it could have done the trick, but a finger tip save by Liam Brewer in the home goal denied the attempt.
Minutes later a Nicholls corner was flicked on by Ben Milner for Gary Wickens to bundle it in the net and relieve the tension. This was all Ardley needed as they doubled the score line a minute later when Danny Bone made sure from a through ball from Stuart Bridges.
The second half was a continuation of missed chances, until Gary Wickens was substituted for Ian Concannon, who on 70 minutes received a pass from Troy Brian and coolly slotted it away for Ardley’s third
.
Pegasus were by now struggling with the pace of the game and after a series of corners it was Nicholls who was involved again when he laid the ball into the path of Stuart Bridges allowing him to send an unstoppable shot into the corner of the net, giving a comfortable three points to the league leaders.
6th November
Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division
Ardley United 3 Witney United 1
Ardley United completed a season’s league double over Witney United with a comfortable 3-1 victory at the Playing Fields on Saturday, having won away by the same score just a month previously.
The home side were slow to get their usual fluent passing game going, but settled into their game after the first quarter of an hour and took the lead with 18 minutes on the clock. A Murray Nicholls corner kick was headed home by Troy Bryan in similar fashion to his first goal at Slimbridge just three days earlier although the on-rushing Danny Bone had done his best to get to the ball first.
Bryan almost added to his tally just after the half hour mark but his shot across goal went just past the far post. Witney were being denied any clear shots on goal by a home midfield and defence which gave them little opportunity to settle, and four minutes before the break a super pass form Scott Bridges played in Nicholls whose turn wrong footed a defender putting him clear on goal and although Witney keeper Dwayne Whylly managed to parry his shot it still looped over his head and bounced into the net.
Almost on the half time whistle Bryan had a golden opportunity to double his score, but put the ball just the wrong side of the post to leave Ardley two goals to the good at the break.
Ardley ‘s dominance continued into the second period, and their lead should again have been extended in the 53rd minute when Lewis Travers was tripped in the penalty area but Adam Garner’s spot kick was well saved low to his left by Whylly.
Two minutes later Scott Bridges hit the post with a header which rebounded straight into the keeper’s arms, but Ardley only had to wait three more minutes to score again as Travers benefited from a defender’s slip before skipping past the keeper to tap the ball into the net.
Ardley then made a series of substitutions which allowed the visitors to retain a bit more possession, and they scored a consolation goal with a minute to play when Ardley keeper Kurt Fox bowled the ball out to Adam Richmond who couldn’t quite control it allowing Joe Tustain to fire into the far corner with a powerful shot.
3rd November
Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division
Slimbridge 1 Ardley United 2
A brace of goals from Troy Bryan sent Ardley United back to the top of the Hellenic Premier Division at Slimbridge on Wednesday evening.
Having played at Shortwood just five days previously with a makeshift midfield due to unavailability, Ardley were able to bring back Stuart Bridges and Danny Bone and add the services of Scott Bridges for good measure which gave the side a far more solid appearance. With Bone partnering Bryan up front, they were soon causing the home side problems, but the first serious goal attempt did not come until the 21st minute when an Adam Richmond cross was volleyed just wide by Murray Nicholls. Slimbridge were not seeing as much of the ball as the visitors, however they began to come more into the game in the 10 minutes before half time as two or three defensive errors by Ardley gave them chances to score, the best of which fell to Craig Cole but Ardley keeper Kurt Fox was equal to the challenge and the game remained goal-less at the break.
Ardley again dominated the game in the second half with the deadlock being broken 9 minutes in when Bryan headed home from a corner kick.Several opportunities to extend their lead were missed and Ardley were punished for this in the 72nd minute when a free kick on the Slimbridge left was not adequately cleared and Tom Speers shot into the far corner of the net to put his side level. Barely a minute later Bryan almost restored Ardley’s lead as his shot hit the crossbar, but they did not have to wait long as just 2 minutes later the same player broke clear of the home defence and although Slimbridge keeper Dave Evans managed to parry his shot, the ball bounced slowly towards the goal-line with Bryan the first to react, tapping the ball into an empty net to give his side the three points and top spot in the league.
30th October
Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division
Shortwood United 1 Ardley United 0
Ardley United lost only their second league game of the season at Shortwood’s Meadowbank ground on Saturday.
Denied the services of midfield duo Stuart Bridges and Danny Bone, the visitors were never able to retain possession and play their usual passing game against a good Shortwood side who dominated the match for the first hour. In a game in which both defences allowed few clear goal scoring opportunities it was Shortwood who had the early chances with a header from a corner just directed wide of the post in the 7th minute, a feat emulated by Ardley some 13 minutes later. Shortwood were looking the more likely to break the deadlock as the half progressed but Robbie Colwell was unable to connect properly when set free on the right and he also fired into the side netting when well placed shortly before half time.
The hosts took the lead they were never to lose 7 minutes into the second half when James Coates’ right wing cross was helped on by an attempted headed clearance only to fall at Colwell’s feet and he made no mistake from 12 yards. After this, Ardley came more into the game as players who were playing in unfamiliar positions started to adapt to their roles but still the midfield was unable to provide much in the way of ammunition for the front players and the Shortwood defence contained the visitors well. At the other end, Adam Garner and Ben Milner were outstanding for the away side with reserve centre half Jamie Prpa growing in confidence on his first full game as a right back.
Ardley travel to Slimbridge on Wednesday for their second top-of-the-table clash in five days.
26th October
Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division
Ardley United 1 Binfield 1
In a well contested game, the score line for a neutral observer was probably correct. With the hosts having the better of the first half, and Binfield finishing the stronger.
A cross from Danny Bone found Lewis Travers wide left, with 15 minutes on the clock this was the first real chance of the game, Lewis cut inside, and unleashed a powerful shot which was fractionally wide of the post. It was Ian Concannon who next gave the visitors a scare when he picked up on a long through ball, but his shot was pushed wide by Chris Adams in the visitors goal.
The first real chance for Binfield came on the half hour when Ardley defender Adam Richmond lost possession allowing Carl Withers to get his shot away, this was parried by the keeper to the feet of Ian Davies only to see his effort again saved Kurt Fox in the home goal.
Half time it was still no score, Troy Bryan had the ball in the visitors net after 5 minutes into the half when it appeared Adams spilt the ball, but it was adjudged to be a foul on the keeper, by referee Weston.
4 minutes later the referee played another big part in the game when he awarded a soft looking penalty to the visitors, Carl Davies stepped up and made no mistake.
Incensed Ardley raised the game, Lewis Travers crossed to the far post and Murray Nicholls made no mistake, to equal the scoreline.
A chance to wrap it up came when the home side was awarded a penalty in the 84th minute but Adam Garner’s spot kick was well saved . Binfield pushed on in the dying minutes but the clock denied either side the three points.
23rd October
Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division
Ardley United 4 Fairford Town 2
A brace of goals from Ian Concannon (pictured) on his home debut helped Ardley United to maintain top spot in the Hellenic Premier Division with a 4-2 victory over Fairford Town on Saturday.
Making all the early running, Ardley were unfortunate not to score in the eighth minute as Adam Garner’s downward header from a corner was cleared off the line, but they did go in front just two minutes later as, from another corner Danny Bone’s flying header found its way into the net off the underside of the crossbar.
Playing some lovely football, the home side were being denied only by the excellent form of Fairford keeper Lee Clatworthy but even he was beaten when Troy Bryan forced the ball home from yet another corner midway through the half. Ardley were running the show for the first half hour, but Fairford were given some heart when they were awarded a penalty for a trip in the 35th minute from which James Skinner reduced the arrears. The penalty seemed to encourage the visitors and they then had their best spell of the match and were unfortunate not to level when a goal was ruled out for handball, the score remaining 2-1 in the home side’s favour going into the break.
The match continued in much the same vein in the second period with Ardley going further in front in the 55th minute when Concannon scored his first with a shot which a defender could only deflect into the net and the score became 4-1 in the 71st minute when he was left with the simplest of chances to double his tally as a thunderbolt shot from Adam Richmond fell at his feet just two yards from goal. With just two minutes remaining Fairford pulled one back as Dan Bailey fired past Kurt Fox following some sloppy defending , but the hosts comfortably saw the game out to remain top of the pile.
16th October
Oxfordshire Senior Cup
Henley Town 0 Ardley United 2
This was a clash of the Hellenic League Division One East leaders against the Hellenic Premier Division Leaders and the difference certainly showed with Ardley running the show from start to finish.
It took the visitors a short time to adapt to the narrow pitch, but once in their stride they put continual pressure on the home side, with the Ardley wide man Lewis Travers causing havoc down the left flank. From one such cross that brought about the first goal after 14 minutes, when Gary Wickens was on hand to turn the ball into the net.
Despite further pressure it remained at 1 0 at the half time interval with Henley being limited to only a couple of shots that were off target.
Henley tried to rally at the start of the second half, but again found themselves with their back to the wall and had to defend in numbers to keep the visitors at bay.
Play was stopped for a long period when Dean Smith was caught late by Henley’s Chris Ovendun and eventually had to be stretchered off.
The game was eventually put to bed when substitute Andrew Stidder volleyed home a header from Adam Garner following a well executed free kick from Murray Nicholls.
A one sided affair that should have seen more goals, but fair play to the Henley defence who battled all afternoon.
13th October
Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division
Old Woodstock 0 Ardley United 0
The 0-0 score line was far from the snore draw it suggests. In fact it was a well contested contest with some superb passing movements and plenty of goal mouth action at both ends.
It was Ardley who dominated the opening gambits, and their first real chance came when Troy Bryan laid a ball back to Danny Bone who saw his shot go wide of the post from the edge of the area.
Woodstock were getting into the game and were unlucky when the Ardley reserve team keeper Ryan Watt came out of his area to head away a through ball, it was picked up by Rhys Denton, who lobbed the ball over Watt, only to see it drift wide of the post. On 42 minutes Ardley were awarded a corner, and again it was frustration for the visitors when Adam Garner headed over from close range.
Woodstock came out for the second half in a more determined mood and had a good 20 minute spell pinning the visitors in their half for most of the time, yet failing to get a shot on target until the 72nd minute when Jack Dunmall unleashed a fierce drive, which was pushed over by the visiting keeper. Watt was called into action again only minutes later when Alfie Saunders took a free kick on the edge of the area only to see the keeper making another superb denial.
Ardley’s latest signing Ian Concannon (pictured) had a chance to wrap it up late on, receiving a pass from Troy Bryan he found himself unmarked but his shot was saved low down by Barrett in the Woodstock goal.
In conclusion, a fair result and a great game for the neutral onlooker. The visitors would leave pondering was it 2 points dropped or a good away point in the bag.
9th October
Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division
Ardley United 3 Wokingham & Emmbrook 0
Ardley United retained top spot in the Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division with a determined performance at the Playing Fields on Saturday.
The first half began with Wokingham having the first real chances to score as Tom Williams benefited from a missed clearance to be left with a clear run on goal only to be denied by Ardley keeper Kurt Fox, and shortly after Sam Duffelen shot just past the post when well placed.
However, it was Ardley who took the lead after 20 minutes when Stuart Bridges forced the ball home after a corner, the ball finding its way into the net off a defender.
Shortly after, Jordan Ayris broke free in the inside right channel but placed his shot wide of the far post. Wokingham continued to look dangerous though and despite having no more possession than the home side were creating more scoring chances as first Duffelen had a shot well saved by Fox and then Shane Cooper-Clarke blazed the ball over the bar after some neat passing by Bellis and Duffelen. Wokingham’s inability to capitalise on their chances meant the home side took a slender lead into the half-time break.
Ardley manager Kevin Brock’s half-time talk worked some magic for them as they began the half in determined mood and cut out many of the first half errors that had threatened to be their undoing. Just two minutes into the half, Ayris fired the ball just beyond the far post and shortly after Danny Bone just failed to reach Lewis Travers’ cross from the left before Wokingham keeper Stuart Harris.
On 62 minutes Travers put his side 2-0 up as he beat a defender on the left before shooting an unstoppable shot into the top left corner of the net, giving the keeper no chance. Five minutes later Ayris forced a good save from Harris, and from the ensuing corner substitute Gary Wickens’ back header bounced back off the crossbar.
With just three minutes left on the clock, Bone ran across the pitch from the left and as the Wokingham defence stood off him expecting a pass, he lashed the a shot over the keeper from 20 yards to complete the scoring.
The visitors did not throw the towel in, however, and in time added on Cooper-Clarke hit the crossbar from a free kick and Fox was forced to make a good save to maintain a clean sheet but Ardley showed that when chances are created they must be taken if you are to get something from a game.
2nd October
Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division
Witney United 1 Ardley United 3
Having climbed to the top of the Hellenic Premier League on Monday following the ratification of the abandoned away win at Abingdon Town, Ardley United consolidated their position at the top of the table with a workmanlike performance at Witney United.
Despite enjoying all the early possession at the Marriot’s Stadium, Ardley fell behind in the 10th minute when Witney made their first foray into the visitors half, the ball being played out wide on the right for Jack Lonsdale to cut in and evade a challenge before sliding the ball past Kurt Fox and into the far corner of the net.
Seven minutes later Ardley were handed the perfect chance to equalise when Danny Bone was blocked off in the box and the referee pointed to the spot for what looked like a fairly soft penalty, although justice was served as Paul Tassell in the Witney goal read Murray Nicholls’ kick correctly to pull off a superb save and keep his side in front.
With the home side always looking dangerous on the break, Ardley continued to play the better football without producing any real shots on goal. However, things were to change in the 33rd minute when Nicholls’ passed to Stuart Bridges on the right side of the penalty area and his floated cross left Lewis Travers (above) with the simplest of tasks to head Ardley’s first goal and leave the match all square at half-time.
The match continued in much the same vein in the second half, with Ardley having the better possession but being continually thwarted by the Witney defence for whom the recently re-signed Vinny Byfield was having a magnificent game.
Ardley finally managed to make all their pressure tell in the 64th minute when Ben Milner (centre) turned and fired the ball home following a goal mouth scramble from a free kick wide on the right to deservedly put his side 2-1 up.
The visitors put the result beyond doubt three minutes from time when Troy Bryan (bottom) eluded a tackle in the middle of the pitch to break clear and fire the ball past the oncoming Tassell to ensure that Ardley would take all three points, although the spectators were still kept on edge as firstly Byfield, then Nicholls had goal-bound efforts cleared away leaving the final score 3-1 to Ardley.
25th September
Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division
Ardley United 3 Pegasus Juniors 0
Ardley United took their second three point haul in three days with a comfortable victory against Pegasus Juniors .
In a game in which they totally dominated their opponents, Ardley took the lead in the 9th minute when Murray Nicholls, who had placed a shot wide of the post just seconds before, latched on to a Lewis Travers squared pass to easily place the ball past Pegasus keeper Liam Brewer.
The home side then had a series of efforts either saved or blocked as they looked to add to their tally and in the 25th minute Lewis Travers was brought down in the area only for the referee to wave away Ardley’s appeals. Justice was served, however, barely a minute later as Troy Bryan raced through to beat a defender and just got to the ball before the keeper to lob it over his head and into the empty net to leave the home side 2-0 up at the break.
Ardley’s domination of the game continued into the second half, with Brewer performing well in the Pegasus goal to prevent Ardley from rattling up a far bigger score.
The visitors had their only serious scoring opportunity in the 56th minute as Kurt Fox in the Ardley goal had to make a good save from a Ross Powell free kick. The scoring was completed though in the 67th minute as Troy Bryan robbed a defender outside the area to slip the ball past the keeper and put the result beyond doubt.
22nd September
Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division
Ascot United 2 Ardley United 3
Ardley United put their FA Vase exit behind them with a much improved performance at Ascot United.
Ardley opened the scoring in the 11th minute when Stuart Bridges’ pass released Troy Bryan in the inside left channel and as he surged into the box and shaped to shoot he was tripped from behind by the last defender to be awarded a penalty. Curiously, the referee declined to caution the offending player which was to prove to be the first in a long line of baffling decisions on the night, but Adam Garner stepped up to convert the spot kick and put Ardley one goal up. The visitors only real scare of the half came ten minutes later when a misunderstanding between defender and goalkeeper almost allowed Ascot to equalise but the effort was cleared and Ardley continued to dictate proceedings. In the 37th minute, a Murray Nicholls free kick was headed on by Troy Bryan and tipped over the bar by Chris Grace and, from the resulting corner, Ben Milner’s shot was cleared off the line. Ardley went further in front five minutes before the break when Jordan Ayris crossed from the right and Bridges’ left foot volley from 20 yards gave Grace no chance, leaving Ardley 2-0 to the good at half time.
Ascot resumed the second half in more determined fashion, and the game became a much more even contest as Ian Brinks drove just over the bar in the 50th minute and two minutes later they pulled a goal back when a weak clearance from a set piece was driven back into the net by Tim Standing. Ardley were also creating their own chances though, and were unlucky not to be awarded a second penalty when Bryan was blatantly tripped from behind, but the visitors appeals were waved away much to the frustration of their bench. It was Ardley, however who scored the next goal, as Ayris broke down the right to feed Bryan and his squared ball was met by substitute Gary Wickens who hammered it into the far corner of the net. Ascot were not done, however, and with five minutes of normal time remaining reduced the arrears again when Nick Curtis jabbed the ball home following a goal mouth scramble but although they pressed hard for the rest of the game, and an inordinate amount of time added on, Ardley held on to deservedly take all three points.
FA Vase – 18th September
Cadbury Heath 3 Ardley United 0
Continuing their ‘Jekyll & Hyde’ start to the season, Ardley United were sent crashing out of the FA Vase at Cadbury Heath on Saturday.
In spite of long periods of possession an inability to convert numerous goal-scoring chances, coupled with some inept defending, left the visitors with little hope of progressing in this competition. By way of contrast, their hosts displayed qualities that were entirely lacking in Ardley’s game as they defended with passion and took their chances when scoring opportunities came their way.
Cadbury Heath went one-up in the 10th minute as William De Wet rode a challenge from Ben Milner outside the penalty area before wrong-footing Dean Smith and then placing his shot past the Ardley keeper. Barely a minute later, Ardley almost equalised, an Adam Garner header cleared off the line by George Boon. The Heathen’s skipper Chris Astley nearly increased his sides lead in the 19th minute only to be denied by Kurt Fox who closed him down brilliantly. The visitors then proceeded to create a string of chances for the rest of the half, but each one was either off target or well saved and Cadbury Heath remained a goal to the good at the break.
Ardley began the second period in determined mood but despite pinning the hosts back in their own half for almost half an hour they were not creating as many chances as they had in the first half, although the best fell to Garner whose header form a corner was turned onto the post by keeper Simon Crawford. Indeed, it wasn’t until the 72nd minute that the Heathens managed their first attack of the half but it was this that doubled their lead. A free kick saw Sacha Tong loose on the left and he surged into the box and fired past Fox into the far corner to thoroughly deflate the visitors. Still Ardley continued to waste chances, with Cadbury Heath always looking dangerous on the break. Barely seconds after Ardley changed to three at the back with centre-half Milner pushing up, they scored a third, as Nick Dyer burst through the Ardley back line to put his side firmly and deservedly into the next round where they will meet Wootton Bassett Town.
14th September
Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division
Ardley United 4 Bracknell Town 1
Ardley United completed a comfortable victory over Bracknell Town at the Playing Fields on Tuesday evening.
The opening ten minutes of this game was fairly even with both sides committing plenty of effort in their endeavour to control the game, but it was the home side who got their noses in front as Troy Bryan headed on a Dean Smith cross which was picked up on the left by Lewis Travers and his left foot shot was parried into the net by Bracknell keeper Dan Tilson.
This goal signalled the start of a long period of possession by Ardley with the visitors rarely threatening their keeper Ryan Watt who was standing in for the unavailable Kurt Fox. Ardley continued to create good scoring chances, particularly for Bryan and Jordan Ayris, but they had to wait until a minute before the break to add to their tally when a free kick wide on the left was dropped by Tilson with the ball falling to Ayris who converted the simplest of opportunities.
Bracknell began the second half with centre forward Callum Whitty in goal as Tilson had suffered double vision from a blow to the head as he attempted to take the cross for the second goal, and he was soon called into action as Ardley were awarded a penalty in the 49th minute when Stuart Bridges was brought down after he surged into the box.
Ardley skipper Adam Garner gave Whitty little chance with the spot kick though, hammering it expertly into the right corner to make it 3-0. Although Ardley continued to dominate the game, Bracknell did manage to pull a goal back in the 64th minute as Rob Yorke-Goldney’s looping header evaded Watts’ grasp to make it 3-1.
However, Ardley quickly restored their 3 goal lead just 4 minutes later as Dean Smith’s right wing cross was headed home by Ayris for his second of the night, and although further chances were created the score at the final whistle remained Ardley 4 Bracknell 1.
Match Abandoned After 31 Minutes- 12th September
Ardley made the short trip to Abingdon knowing that the home side had made a good start to the season under their new management team, and were expecting a difficult afternoon of football, yet after 31 minutes they had managed a three goal lead.
It was whilst Lewis Travis was scoring the third that Gareth Walker in the Abingdon goal turned to save the shot, and I can only assume that his studs stuck in the turf, but he sustained what appeared to be a broken ankle.
The referee Mr Richardson made it clear to both sides that the game would recommence once the player had been dealt with. It took over an hour for the Ambulance service to treat Gareth and dispatch him to hospital. Abingdon had left the field of play without the consent of the referee and refused to continue, leaving Referee Richardson with no alternative but to abandon the game.
Ardley’s first goal was an OG when Troy Bryan headed on a corner hitting a defender and going in. The second came about when again Troy Bryan pulled a ball back from the bye line to Danny Bone who made no mistake.
7th September
A M Print Floodlit Cup
Ardley United 1 Holyport 2
Holyport arrived at Ardley brimming with confidence, being unbeaten in their Division and relishing the chance to pit their skills against a Premier Division side in the AM Print and Copy Floodlit cup.
The game started with both sides feeling each other out.Play was switching from end to end and half chances being created by both teams . The opening goal from the host side came after 37 minutes when Murray Nicholls played the ball from midfield to the Ardley wide man on the left, Lewis Travers. Travers beat the defender and put in his cross finding Andrew Stidder at the far post , who headed home.
Holyport increased the pressure, but chances were spurned with some woeful finishing. With time added on at the end of the first half Holyport were awarded a corner, the resulting kick found an unmarked Jamie Hanscombe who made no mistake from 3 yards, leaving a bitter taste in the half time tea for the home side.
Ardley Manager Kevin Brock started the second half with a double substitution to ring the changes, but 3 minutes into the half the Ardley keeper Kurt Fox sliced his goal kick, with it barely going outside the penalty area it was swiftly picked up by Jamie Hanscombe who drew the keeper before squaring it to Lewis Driver for a tap in.
The home side played some attractive football, but the finishing touch was always denied them by a resolute Holyport defence, with some long clearances the visitors were now looking to hit on the break.
10 minutes was left on the clock when Jordan Ayris beat his man in the penalty area but was blocked from reaching the ball, despite a strong appeal for the spot kick referee Ray Solomn waived play on and with it Ardley,s chance to progress further in this competition.
4th September
The FA Carlsberg Vase Preliminary Round
Westbury United 0 Ardley United 3
Ardley United put Bank Holiday Monday’s poor performance behind them with an improved display as they defeated Westbury United 3-0 in the FA Vase on Saturday.
In a game that they dominated, Ardley scored in the 15th minute when Murray Nicholls hammered Lewis Travers’ left wing cross into the net to continue his recent scoring run. The home side were restricted to few scoring chances, but Ardley were almost their own worst enemy as they gifted Westbury a couple of opportunities late in the half and from the last of these Tom Berrington shot across goal and wide of the far post.
Ardley continued to dominate proceedings into the second half, but the referee became the biggest talking point of the game with a series of baffling decisions which included the award of a penalty for a handball off the line when a goal seemed certain, but declining to show the offender a card of any description for this offence. However, Ardley skipper Adam Garner stepped up and placed the spot kick into the far right corner to give his side a 2-0 lead.
The visitors continued to create chances, but it wasn’t until 9 minutes from time that they made the game safe as Travers was set free down the left wing and he cut in and volleyed home the goal of the game to set up a trip to Cadbury Heath on September 18th.
30th August
Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division
Ardley United 0 Thame United 2
Ardley United’s recent run of good home form came to a shuddering halt when they hosted Thame United on Bank Holiday Monday.
A goal-less first half was a fairly even contest for the first half-hour with the first real scoring opportunity falling to Thame when Aaron Rogers hit the post with a shot across goal. Shortly after, Ardley just managed to prevent a goal when the ball was cleared off the line following a corner and three minutes later Rogers fired wide from another corner kick to leave the game evenly poised at the break.
Thame continued to dominate proceedings into the second period as the home side appeared to be strangely lacklustre and seemed unable to impose themselves in any way. The first goal came in the 60th minute as a free kick taken on the left side was headed into the far corner of the net by the exceptionally tall Alex Stewart. Ardley almost hit back barely a minute later as Dean Smith’s fierce 25 yard drive was well saved by Milan Barisic in the Thame goal but the visitors extended their lead 5 minutes later when Ben Connelly broke down the right flank and his cross was turned into the net by Stewart for his, and Thame’s, second goal. Indeed, Stewart could have completed his hat-trick shortly after, but fired his shot woefully wide having broken clear of the Ardley back line. With the home side unable to muster any sort of challenge, Thame held on comfortably to deservedly take home all three points.
28th August
Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division
Ardley United 5 Shrivenham 0
For the second successive home game, Ardley United put 5 goals past their visitors without reply to take maximum points at the Playing Fields on Saturday.
Ardley took an early lead after Troy Bryan dispossessed a defender on the right-hand goal-line and his angled ball into the box allowed Murray Nicholls to slot it home with ease.
The home side continued to press Shrivenham, and almost doubled their lead when Steve Bunting nearly turned the ball into his own net.
Shortly after, a Nicholls free kick was fired dangerously across the goal but neither Bryan nor Ben Milner could apply the final touch and then Jordan Ayris headed a cross straight at the keeper.
Shrivenham then began to work their way back into the game and create chances for themselves as Anthony Packer’s header hit the top of the bar and Rory Sproule’s long range shot was tipped over by Ardley keeper Kurt Fox, but the home side extended their lead 6 minutes before the break when Lewis Travers broke down the left and his cross to the far post gave Jordan Ayris time to pick his spot and leave Ardley 2-0 up at half time.
Shrivenham had an early chance to reduce the arrears in the second period, but Sproule could only turn Chris Flanagan’s right-wing cross straight in to Fox’s arms, and they were made to rue this missed opportunity in the 56th minute when Travers and Bryan interchanged passes on the left side and the resulting cross left Ayris with time to dig the ball out from between his feet to score his second.
With the visitors now somewhat deflated, Ardley took almost total control and went further in front when Danny Bone turned in an Ayris diagonal ball and the scoring was completed in the 89th minute as Nicholls fired home direct from a free kick to enable his side to register a convincing win and move them up to third place in the table.
24th August
Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division
Fairford Town 2 Ardley United 2
Faiford Town picked up their first point of the season on Tuesday evening as they fought back from behind to hold Ardley United to a draw at Cinder Lane.
With Ardley not taking advantage of two early chances, the hosts took the lead in the 6th minute as Connor Thompson broke down the left and put in a perfect cross to the unmarked Martin Stratford who made no mistake from 10 yards. Ardley equalised 7 minutes later when Troy Bryan was fouled on the edge of the penalty area allowing Murray Nicholls to curl his free kick into the top left corner of the net.
In a fast paced and highly entertaining encounter, Ardley were creating the clearer chances but could not apply the finishing touch. In the 56th minute, Lewis Travers appeared to be fouled in the penalty area, but the referee waved play on only for Nicholls to cross from the left for Ben Milner to bundle the ball home. Opportunities were missed at both ends, the best of which saw Matthew Boucher skimming the bar for Fairford and Adam Garner’s header over the keeper being cleared off the line. Fairford levelled matters with 6 minutes to go as a free kick was cleared and played out to Will King who made space for himself on the left before hammering an unstoppable shot past Kurt Fox to give his side a share of the points.
21st August
Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division
Ardley United 5 Carterton Town 0
A first half Danny Bone hat-trick saw Ardley United on their way to a comfortable win at home to Carterton.
The visitors were given no time to settle as Ardley opened their account in the 2nd minute when Troy Bryan held off a challenge in midfield to feed Jordan Ayris on the right, and his low cross was turned into the net by Bone.
This feat was repeated 20 minutes later, Ayris this time fed by Murray Nicholls, but the outcome was the same with Bone firing into the roof of the net.
Barely 10 minutes later Nicholls defence-splitting pass was expertly placed past the despairing grasp of James Domm in the Carterton goal by a jubilant Bone to complete his hat-trick.
Things got worse for Carterton after 39 minutes as Bryan surged forward to out-pace the defence and put Ardley 4 up at the break.
The second half continued much as the first had finished, with Bone and Nicholls exchanging passes just 3 minutes in, to enable the latter to make it 5-0.
Despite their continued dominance, Ardley were unable to add to the score-line although substitutes Jason Castello and Andrew Stidder (twice) both hit the woodwork. At the other end, Kurt Fox in the Ardley goal enjoyed a quiet game for the second match in succession following the previous Tuesday’s similarly convincing performance at Highworth.
17th August
Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division
Highworth Town 0 Ardley United 3
Ardley United recorded their first victory of the new season on Tuesday evening with a comfortable 3-0 win at Highworth Town.
Creating all the early chances and dominating the play, Ardley began to repeat the follies of their previous game at Bristol Manor Farm by not taking the scoring opportunities that they were producing, and it took a penalty in the 24th minute to enable them to open their account.
Having been denied a spot-kick only two minutes earlier which appeared to be a certainty, a rather soft looking foul on Troy Bryan was given and Adam Garner converted the kick to put the visitors ahead. Highworth had their first shot on goal shortly after when the ball found the back of the net only to be ruled out for offside. Ten minutes later home keeper Kurtis Sharkey mis-handled a shot and in the following melee Danny Bone managed to force the ball home to give Ardley a 2-0 half time lead.
The second half continued in much the same vein as Ardley again dominated possession and rarely gave the home side a sight of goal. Troy Bryan was rather crudely brought down by two defenders on the left edge of the penalty area in the 54th minute and Murray Nicholls stepped up to curl a superb free kick inside the angle of the far post and crossbar to put his side further ahead.
Indeed, he almost repeated this feat later in the game,but this time fired the ball marginally too high. In the final ten minutes of the game Highworth began to come to life but it was too little, too late and the visitors were rarely troubled as they claimed their first three point haul of the season.
14th August
The FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
Bristol Manor Farm 5 Ardley United 3
For the third season running, Ardley United crashed out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle - this time to Bristol Manor Farm.
The hosts opened the scoring in only the third minute when Troy Simpson broke free of the Ardley defence on the right and his shot cannoned off the crossbar to the feet of Ben Hiscox who duly put the ball into the net.
Despite the early setback Ardley began to take control and enjoyed the lions share of possession but were unable to capitalise as a host of chances went begging, and they were made to pay for this profligacy in the 18th minute when Bristol broke away through the lively Simpson, who was to prove to be a handful all afternoon.
On this occasion he evaded several challenges before rifling the ball past Kurt Fox in the Ardley goal to put his side 2-0 up. Ardley continued to enjoy most of the possession and were rewarded for their efforts in the 40th minute as Adam Garner headed a free kick back across goal and Ben Milner was able fire a weak clearance into the goal to leave Ardley trailing 2-1 at the break.
The second period began as badly as the first when, inside the first minute, Simpson’s cross from the right was sliced into his own net by Milner.
Ardley continued to enjoy good possession but Bristol were always dangerous on the break and the speedy Simpson broke clear on goal on the hour only to be brought down by Adam Richmond who was shown the red card by the referee. From the resulting free kick 25 yards out, Bristol increased their advantage as Kye Thomas hammered the ball through the Ardley wall and into the far corner of the net.
Just 6 minutes later, the similarly named Kyle Thomas produced a mazy run down the right flank which took him past two challenges enabling him to fire the ball past Fox from an acute angle to put Bristol 5-1 up and seal his side’s passage through to the next round. Despite the score, and being reduced to 10 men, Ardley continued to press forward in search of goals and were rewarded with two- courtesy of Andrew Stidder and Troy Bryan- but it was not enough and Bristol Manor Farm duly saw out the game to book a visit to their near neighbours Hallen in the next round.
10th August
Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division
Ardley United 3 Wantage Town 3
The 2010/11 Uhlsport Hellenic League season started with an exciting match at the Playing Fields between two teams expected by many to be challenging for league honours this year.
With the first half played at a furious pace, both sides had opportunities to open the scoring with Ardley having the clearer chances through Lewis Travers and Jason Castello. Wantage’s chances came via a long range Graham Edney effort and another shot from distance that was spilled by home keeper Kurt Fox who bravely managed to claim the ball back before the on-rushing Richard Claydon could take advantage.
The visitors were fortunate not to fall behind shortly after when a goal mouth scramble following a corner saw several on-target shots blocked in succession. Wantage it was, though, who took the lead two minutes before half time when, following a clearance from a corner, the ball fell to Tom Malton some 25 yards out and he lashed an unstoppable shot into the net to give them the half time lead.
Chances continued to go begging early in the second half with Adam Bruce forcing Fox to pull off a good save to his left and the Troy Bryan had a great chance to put the home side level as he got on the end of a superb Jordan Ayris cross only to shoot against the on-rushing Steve Vaux in the Wantage goal.
Ardley did equalise just after the hour though as Adam Garner’s looping header from a corner sailed over everyone and into the net. Wantage were swift to reply when Matt Biddle restored their lead when he got on the end of a left wing cross, and there was worse to come for Ardley just 2 minutes later when Graham Edney finished off a lovely move at the far post to put his side 3-1 up.
These goals appeared to knock the stuffing out of the home side, as they began to play the ball longer in the hope reducing the arrears, but they weren’t posing the sort of threat to the goal that they had been earlier in the game. Ardley did, however, get themselves back in the game in bizarre fashion in the 85th minute as a Murray Nicholls free kick from 25 yards went between players from both sides and straight into the net past an unsighted keeper to give them a glimmer of hope.
Four minutes later they were level when Ben Milner, making his debut for Ardley, lashed the ball into the goal following a corner kick to give his new team a share of the points which had seemed unlikely just a few minutes earlier.
England under 18 school boy international and Ardley United midfielder Jordan Ayris had a busy weekend, when he scored for his Country at Yeovil giving them a 1-0 win over Wales on Friday, and put Ardley into the semi final of the Bluefin Hellenic Challenge cup also scoring the only goal of the afternoon on Saturday.
After losing and drawing the last two matches Kevin Brock shuffled the pack and It certainly paid dividends. A Carl Standen hat-trick put Ardley back on track for the Premiership title.
A hat trick by Danny Bone (pictured) and goals by Ben Milner Troy Bryan and Murray Nicholls gave the home side a comfortable win and progression to the third round where they face Chalfont Wasps.
A late Murray Nicholls goal scored direct from a 30 yard free kick earned Ardley United a valuable 3 points against Shortwood at home.
the chance was cleared. Barely 10 minutes later, Kurt Fox in the Ardley goal did almost the same as his counterpart, but the ball was fired wide of the far post, the scoreline remaining 0-0 at half time.
Two goals from substitute Adam Beckett (pictured) sealed a convincing away win at Carterton for Ardley United on Saturday.
On the evidence of the first 10 minutes, this looked as if it would be a tightly fought affair with Nomads having slightly the better possession and looking the more likely to score. That was until Troy Bryan surged into the home penalty area only to be brought down from behind giving Ardley a penalty kick. Having had their last 3 penalties saved by opposition keeper, Ardley supporters were understandably not optimistic that their side would take the lead, however, but up stepped Ian Concannon to strike the ball firmly past keeper Joe White. 
The home side were slow to get their usual fluent passing game going, but settled into their game after the first quarter of an hour and took the lead with 18 minutes on the clock. A Murray Nicholls corner kick was headed home by Troy Bryan in similar fashion to his first goal at Slimbridge just three days earlier although the on-rushing Danny Bone had done his best to get to the ball first. 
Two minutes later Scott Bridges hit the post with a header which rebounded straight into the keeper’s arms, but Ardley only had to wait three more minutes to score again as Travers benefited from a defender’s slip before skipping past the keeper to tap the ball into the net.
Ardley United retained top spot in the Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division with a determined performance at the Playing Fields on Saturday.
Seven minutes later Ardley were handed the perfect chance to equalise when Danny Bone was blocked off in the box and the referee pointed to the spot for what looked like a fairly soft penalty, although justice was served as Paul Tassell in the Witney goal read Murray Nicholls’ kick correctly to pull off a superb save and keep his side in front. 
4th September
The visitors were given no time to settle as Ardley opened their account in the 2nd minute when Troy Bryan held off a challenge in midfield to feed Jordan Ayris on the right, and his low cross was turned into the net by Bone.
The visitors were fortunate not to fall behind shortly after when a goal mouth scramble following a corner saw several on-target shots blocked in succession. Wantage it was, though, who took the lead two minutes before half time when, following a clearance from a corner, the ball fell to Tom Malton some 25 yards out and he lashed an unstoppable shot into the net to give them the half time lead.
