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2 "Inno" For Inno • 24th March
Despite only playing with one forward and having a player less than the opposition, Ardley came out all guns blazing and asserted their control on the game effortlessly passing from player to player. Ardley looked to have grabbed their first goal early on when young Chesterton graduate Innocent Dzviti tapped home only to see the goal ruled out for offside. However Ardley continued to dominate and their dominance paid off when skipper Jason Mara was fouled in the box and midfielder turned defender Ziad Omar stepped up to hammer the ball past the keeper and into the back of the net to put Ardley ahead going into half time. Ardley came out in the second half looking to secure the three points and started very well when Chesterton pair Damon Chandler and Innocent Dzviti combined beautifully to send Jason Mara through to grab his seventh goal of the season. Chandler and Dzviti have been highlights for Ardley this year as they have shown numerous times that youth pays as they have impressed in their debut season in mens football. United could relax now they had got a second goal and stroked the ball from player to player across the pitch. In a move that spanned more than forty passes the ball found its way to Dzviti who slid the ball home to grab his first of the afternoon, Ardleys’ third and score a superb goal for the sky blues. With the points now more comfortable than ever, Ardley could attack without resent and found themselves four goals up when impressive midfielder Dzviti found the ball on the edge of the area and his curling shot was deflected in by a Cirencester defender as he grabbed his double. Ardley wrapped things up late on when striker Rory Whitrows’ effort was missed by the keeper and crept in to wrap up an impressive score line of ten man Ardley 5-0 Cirencester. Ardley Men Of The Match: All ten that showed up. Report by Ben Davies. |
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Ardley United Reserves 3 Cricklade Town Reserves 0 • 15th March Newly adapted striker Jason Mara and fellow striker Andy Prescott both scored fine goals as United put three past Cricklade to move into second place in the table and close the gap on first placed Highworth. The home side commenced with a changed line up of three first teamers, including defender Ian Trott and striker Andy Prescott slotting in, whilst skipper Jason Mara moved up the field to start in attack.
Ardley controlled the game and could have gone in with a bigger lead but they couldn’t find the final finish to grab a second before a half time. Half Time: Ardley United 1 Cricklade Town 0 A half time tactics change saw Henry Glendinning, substituted after playing his part, being replaced by Matt Gregor as United changed to a 4-4-2. The changes paid off as Mara scored a superb goal as he beat two players before firing in from 25 yards to put Ardley firmly in control of the game. Ardley looked solid in midfield as they created chances in attack but kept it tight in defence and they wrapped up a solid win near the end when Sekou Bangoura superbly beat two players and slid the ball into Andy Prescott who hammered home to put the result beyond any doubt. League leaders Highworth Town are 15 points in front of Ardley, having played three more games. They have four games left with the possibility of achieving a maximum of 58 points from the campaign, Ardley could achieve a maximum of 52 points from the seven remaining fixtures. It's looks as if Highworth will take the title, but United could close the gap on Highworth if they can produce a good result as when they travel to Shrivenham on 22nd March, before hosting Cirencester who are currently bottom of Reserve Division Two West on 24th March. Report by Ben Davies. |
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Ardley United Res. 1 Hungerford Town Res. 2 (AET) • 1st March Ardley Crash Out Of Chairmans Cup Ardley Reserves crashed out of the Chairmans Reserve Challenge Cup at the quarter final stage on Saturday, dominating play but still losing out 2-1 to Hungerford Town, of Reserve Division One. Impressing in the early stages and taking the lead early on when midfielder Henry Glendinning’s fluke curled corner looped past two defenders and into the near corner. United began to dominate and clever work from midfielder Paul Kerridge almost set up a second as he beat two players but his dipping shot smashed off the crossbar and striker Damon Chandler couldn’t get his head on the rebound. The home side went into half time a goal up but frustrated that they couldn’t make their dominance into goals. Half Time Ardley United 1 Hungerford Town 2 Ardley came out for the second half in an attacking mood and with a fresh face on the pitch as Innocent Dzviti replaced Sekou Bangoura. United did well but neither Damon Chandler nor Rob Carrick could convert good chances. United were made to pay for their failure to convert chances, with thirty minutes remaining Ardley failed to clear the ball and the resulting corner was looped over the head of the United keeper to level the scores and give the game its second goal direct from a corner. With minutes left on the clock, Rob Carrick worked his way past defenders and set up Chesterton graduate Damon Chandler inside the box but he poked his effort straight at the Hungerford keeper. With the scores level at 1-1 after 90 minutes the game found itself in extra time and a mix up in communication saw Hungerford take advantage and slot home to grab an extra time winner. Despite the introduction of veteran midfielder Steve Latty, Ardley couldn’t find the equaliser and United crashed out at the quarter final stage. After the game United coach Andy Thompson said: ” Today it wasn’t the fact we lost the game it was the fact we failed to win. We had good chances but we failed to convert. We’ve got to concentrate on Tuesday now and get the boys focused.” The Reserves host Headington Amateurs at The Rec on Tuesday in the semi-finals of the Intermediate Cup. Report by Ben Davies. |
| Ardley United Res. 5 Old Woodstock Town Res. 3 • 23rd February
Chesterton graduates Damon Chandler and Innocent Dzviti stole the show for Ardley as United knocked Old Woodstock Town Reserves for five and sent out a warning signal to Highworth that the league isn’t over yet. Though impressing early on and creating chances Ardley let the dominance slip and were pushed back by Woodstock, who took the lead when Jayson Mara handled in the area and the resulting penalty was duly dispatched by Woodstock. Inspite of the early set back, United seemed to be revitalised by the Woodstock goal and straight from the kick off midfielder Rob Carrick found himself inside the box after a clever passing move and calmly slotted the ball home to put Ardley back on level terms. Ardley then began to show their dominance and Chesterton graduate Chandler slotted home after good work from the Ardley midfield to put United 2-1 up after being a goal down. However the game wasn’t over yet and Woodstock pulled themselves level thanks to a controversial goal. Poor defending let Woodstock in on the left wing and no one could be sure whether the effort from the resulting cross was on the inside or the outside of the post. The goal was eventually given and evened up the scores to two a piece. Due to the brilliance of the play, the referee wanted in on the game but couldn’t compete with United midfielder Rob Carrick for the aerial ball and was flattened by United goal scorer. After his brief foray into the match the referee got back into the game and rightly pointed to the spot when Ardley were upended in the box. Ardley midfielder Pizza (Innocent) Dzviti smashed home the spot kick to put Ardley back into the lead.Young striker Chandler then in effect sealed the win when he slid the ball under the keeper to set the score at 4-2 and despite Woodstock grabbing a late third, Chandler sealed his second hat-trick in three games with a cool finish and killed off Woodstock. The win takes Ardley up to second in Reserve Division Two West and leaves them still in touch with top of the table Highworth with United having two games in hand over Highworth. Men Of The Match: Paul Kerridge, Damon Chandler and Sekou Bangoura. Ardley United Reserves Reporter Ben Davies. |
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United Make Hard Work Of Win But Claim Three Points • 16th February
Ardley United Reserves made hard work of their 2-1 win at home to a spirited Launton Sports Reserves, but eventually killed the game off and claimed all three points. The win sees them keep in touching distance of Shrivenham in second with Ardley sitting just two points behind Shrivenham with a game in hand and a superior goal difference. United manager Banjo Malcolm changed the line up around from Thursday’s 6-1 defeat of Oxford City with Sekou Bangoura moving to the left of midfield, Yannick Nkwanyouo coming into the team up front and Matt Gregor moving into defence among the changes. Ardley started brightly creating the early running thanks to the good work of wide men Fred Kamaley and Damon Chandler. Ardley found the goal they were looking for early on when Sekou Bangoura found the back of the net for his third goal in two games to send United a goal up. However Ardley’s goal seemed to send them to sleep as a defensive lapse saw Launton break through the back line and grab an equaliser to make the score 1-1 going into half time. In the second half Ardley came out fired up and looking for goals with Rob Carri Despite Launton having the best of the efforts, Ardley stole the three points when Sekou Bangoura produced a blinding run down the left hand side to go past three players and cross the ball into the six yard box for Rob Carrick who calmly placed the ball in the back of the net to give United a late lead. Despite a late barrage of attacks by Launton including several corners which there goalkeeper had come forward for in the last minutes, Ardley hung on to claim three points. After the game United manager Banjo Malcolm commented: “It certainly wasn’t the best game we’ve played this season and you could tell we weren’t focused enough. Prior to this game we’d played Launton twice and scored eighteen goals past them and I think that blinded the team’s focus on this game.” He continued: “ You’ve got to say Launton have improved vastly since we last faced them but at the end of the day, we put the ball in the back of the net more than them and that is all that matters.” Man Of The Match: Sekou Bangoura Ardley United Reserves Reporter Ben Davies. |
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Ardley United 6 Oxford City Nomads 1 • 14th February
Wonderkid Chandler Sends United On To Semi’s
The home team went into the game with four players ruled out due to eligibility issues and started with a previously untested strike force of Sekou Bangoura and Damon Chandler. United started off brightly controlling the early running and Ardley found the goal they were looking for inside ten minutes when pressure from Ardley striker Bangoura saw the Nomads keeper lose the ball and Bangoura tapped home to give Ardley an early lead and take his first goal of the season. Just a short time later Ardley scored again when young striker Damon Chandler raced onto a defence splitting through ball from Paul Kerridge and calmly stroked the ball past the City keeper to send United 2-0 up inside 35 minutes. Chandler added his second just before the break to send United in 3-0 up at half time and effectively securing their place in the semi-finals. Ardley continued where they left off in the second half with Chandler grabbing his hat-trick, with a cool finish past the City keeper. At just sixteen years of age, Chandler’s hat-trick points to the potential that can only improve and is the proof that Ardley’s partnership with Chesterton Boys Fc has been a bonus. Oxford City grabbed one back, via an own goal from Henry Glendinning, to make the score 4-1. But Bangoura calmed all nerves of a fight back when he ran onto a superb through ball, rounded the keeper and smashed the ball home past two players on the line to grab a superb double. With the result almost confirmed, United manager Banjo Malcolm decided to make a cameo appearance in place of Innocent Dzviti. However Malcolm’s ‘Pele’ like drag back forced a Titus Bramble like situation on the defence as Malcolm’s long pass back was dealt with well by an under pressure defence. United wrapped things up in the closing stages when midfielder Rob Carrick rightly chose to ignore his screaming player-manager on the edge of the six yard box and coolly slid the ball under the keeper to make the final score 6-1. United’s superb performance sees them confirm their place in the semi-finals of the Oxfordshire Intermediate Cup where they face Headington Amateurs at home on a tentative date of Saturday 8th March. After the game Reserves manager Banjo Malcolm commented: “The whole squad was superb. Despite missing four players we pulled together and produced a performance 100 times better than the performance on Saturday at Highworth.” He added: “ Hopefully this can send a message out to the other teams at the top of the league that it’s not over yet and we are right back in the running for the cup and the league.” Joint Man of the Match: Damon Chandler and Sekou Bangoura. Report by Ardley United Reserves Reporter Ben Davies. |
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Lucky Highworth Ressies Take All Three From Dominant Ardley • 9th February Highworth Town Res 2-1 Ardley United Res A dominant Ardley side were very unfortunate to come away defeated as a fortunate Highworth took all three points in a top of the table clash in Reserve Division Two West. Ardley slotted in new signing, Matt Gregor from recently folded Bicester Town Res straight into the starting line up and Rob Carrick both slotting in to cover the loss of Luke Phillips and Majic Winiarski. Ardley started brightly with Chris Plumbe finding the head of Carrick just outside the six yard box who smashed a header onto the post. However neither side could create many opportunities in the first half both being restricted to tight defensive games. The visitors found a break through midway through the first half when they were given the opportunity to go ahead from the penalty spot. Jason Mara stepped up and smashed home the spot kick to score his second in two games and his sixth of the season over all. Although being a goal up, Ardley went in at half time knowing they could do better. Half Time: Highworth Town 0 Ardley United 1 Ardley came roaring out in the second half and battered their opponents in attack with the Highworth back line constantly being bombarded and trapped inside their own half. Though they let themselves down midway through the second half when the Ardley keeper, Richard Odonkor, came out to make a routine catch, missed the ball, and let Highworth in to equalise. The visitors continued to dominate the run of play and Carrick had a decent effort well saved as did his strike partner Yannick Nkwanyouo. Despite Ardley’s dominance they could not find a way into the back of the net, and Highworth took advantage of a defensive lapse from United to steal in and score their second. United manager Banjo Malcolm used all the throws of the dice to turn the game around bringing on a mixture of youth and experience with young midfielder Damon Chandeler (18) and “Experienced veteran” Steve Latty (???) both coming on but despite both impressing, Ardley could not find a goal and Highworth grabbed a very fortunate three points after being restricted to just three attacks in the second half. After the game Ardley manager Banjo Malcolm said: “I can’t believe how we lost that game. I’m speechless. We controlled at least 80% of that game and probably more and still failed to win.” Ardley United Reserves Reporter – Ben Davies |
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Cirencester United 1 v Ardley United 4 • 26th January It was definitely a day for flying kites rather than playing football on Saturday as the Reserves travelled to Cirencester United. And the high winds took its toll, more so, early in the first half when both team struggled to play any sort of football. It was also a day for new signings for Ardley. It took Ardley’s new signing, Yannick Nkwanyouo, to score the first goal of the game after 25 minutes. Nkwanyouo received the ball just inside 18 yard area and skipped passed the defenders then buried the ball into the back of the net. Nkwanyouo’s first goal for his new club was the only goal scored in the wind swept first half. HT 0 – 1 With the high winds dying down considerably for the second half, Cirencester came out with more determination and was rewarded with a goal within 5 minutes of the restart. As Cirencester pushed forward, a cross from the right created a mix up between the Ardley defence and Richard Odonkor, the Ardley keeper. The Cirencester striker seized the opportunity and was the quickest to react by picking the loose ball and slotting the ball into a empty net. 1 – 1. This was the wake up call for Ardley. Straight from the kick off Ardley regained control to totally dominate the second half. With man of the match, Jason Mara, terrorising the opposition, is wasn’t long before Ardley got their second. Chris Plumbe scored the second when he bent the ball round a stranded Cirencester keeper. 1 – 2. Another new signing, Andrew Hoderin, made his mark by grabbing the third and deservingly so after some hard work and some good passing. A low driven cross by Henry Glendinning found Hoderin at the edge of the 6 yard box, who spun round to poke the ball into the net. 1 – 3. Ardley’s forth goal was created by yet another new signing. Ardley ’s former player, Steve Latty, returning to the club after a 5 year absence, showed that there is still life in the ‘old dog’. Latty beat two players and a gave a perfect pass to young Damon Chandler who coolly slipped the ball beyond the Cirencester keeper. 1- 4. Manager, Banjo Malcolm, said ‘I’m dead chuffed with the result. We didn’t play well at all to start with, but Cirencester’s equaliser was a kick up the backside to which we needed. Credit to Cirencester who kept on battling’. Malcolm also added ‘I’m also pleased with the new signings as they all blended in well with the rest of the team. The new signings have come in to replace Luke Phillips who is now out for the rest of the season due to injury, and captain Jim Flack, who is also out for the rest of the season, due to personal reasons’. Final score: 1 – 4 Man of the Match – Jason Mara. |
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Chesterton U18 4 v AFC Henley 3 • 22/01/08
Chesterton under 18s joint managers Eoin Davies and Banjo Malcolm berated thier side's shambolic defending after they let a 2-0 lead slip at home to AFC Henley on Sunday, but gathered themselves together to produce a 4-3 win and secure themselves a place in the semi finals of the Under 18s Knockout Cup. Chesterton went 2-0 up in the first twenty five minutes of the Quarter Final tie, but two own goals and awful defending saw them go in 3-2 down at half time. Two goals in the second half saw them take the tie but Davies said: "At the end of the day although we won we can't ignore the fact that we were awful at the back during the majority of the first half. We got our two goals and then we just fell apart. We scored two albeit cracking own goals and let them get an easy third. If we want to progress we will need to tighten up." He continued: "It was good to have Andy Smith back in the net and he did well as did Josh Duggan who played well." Eoin declared himself pleased with the win but said the league was his and Chesterton's main priority. He said: "Obviously it's important to get a win in the first game back after the Christmas break to shake off the nerves and get back into the swing of things. However although we are in the semi finals now, which is good, we are second in the league and that's got to be our main priority. We wouldn't turn down a first ever cup final though!" Although he criticised his side's defensive instincts he praised their attacking ones after seeing his side score six in one game. Josh Duggan grabbed a brace for Chesterton, Jason Bauer converted and a Damon Chandeler wonder strike wrapped things up. He said:" We scored some good quality team goals out there and I'm happy with it. Not only did we score four good quality goals for ourselves we scored two great goals for Henley as well!" It's back to business for Chesterton this Sunday as they host Garden City at home with weather permitting. Speaking about the game he said: "It was nice to get a win in the cup but we have to get back to earth this week and it's going to be a hard game. City are a place below us and we are the only team that's beaten them in the league this year so we will be looking forward to it. The last time we played them there were five or six bookings so we have to get out there, show them they've got something to be afraid of and make this place a fortress." |
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Ardley United v Clanfield • 05/01/08 Ardley Utd Reserves had a flying start to the New Year with a resounding victory over Clanfield Reserves. Ten minutes into the game, Paul Kerridge unleashed a stunning 25 yard scorcher which left the Clanfield keeper routed to the goal line. 1-0. Ardley continued to press for the second. Ziad Omar on one of his surging runs into the Clanfield penalty area was unceremoniously fouled and Ardley was awarded a penalty. Luke Phillips, who has just returned from injury, stepped up and took the penalty which was well saved by the keeper. As the ball bounced of the keeper, Alex feaver was the quickest to react and smashed the ball into the net.2-0. Ardley’s dominance was continuing to show and was awarded with another penalty 5 minutes before half time. Maciej Winiarski took the penalty and scored. HT 3-0 With Kerridge and Omar controlling the mid-field, it wasn’t long before Ardley got their forth. Deep in the Ardley half, Jason Mara dribbled past four players and gave Kerridge, a perfect pass who coolly slotted the ball into the net. 4-0. A lapse of concentration by the Ardley defence allowed Clanfield to score from a corner. 4-1. Kerridge was determined to get his hat-trick to which he did when again he collected the ball from Innocent Dziti at edge of the penalty area. Kerridge hit the ball, but not as hard as he had done before. The Clanfield keeper bent over to pick the ball up but the ball somehow managed to slip through the keeper’s hands and through his legs into the back of the net. 5-1. Feaver completed this fine performance with his second to make the final score 6-1. Man of the Match: Ziad Omar. |
ck and Sekou Bangoura coming close for Ardley. However Launton kept attacking and only fortunate defending from the back line and Ardley’s keeper Richard Odonkor’s (right) good saves which made up for bad positioning kept the scores level.