20 H Abingdon Utd 7.30
23 A Woodford Utd 7.30
27 H Daventry 7.30
31 A Launton Sports
August
3 H North Leigh
First Team
10 H Wantage Town
14 A Bristol Manor FAC
17 A Highworth Town
21 H Carterton
24 A Fairford Town
28 FA Cup Preliminary
30 H Thame United
September
4 A Westbury United FAV
Reserves
TBA
FTL Futbol Hellenic League Reserves Season 2008/9
Presidents Res Cup Group A - 18th April Ardley United Reserves 4 v 0 Ascot United Reserves
Ardley United Reserves went back into action on Saturday in the Reserve supplementary cup after a successful league campaign. Their opponents on the day were Ascot United Reserves, a team on a winning streak from the Eastern Hellenic division.
The first half was a tight affair, with both sides looking to play crisp, flowing football. With Ardley playing up the slope and the back four sitting a little deeper, much credit goes to the midfield graft put in by the Ardley quartet to not only stifle Ascot but also generate chances against them.
One moment of significant interest to Ardley was the unfortunate injury to Sam Oliviera, who was taken to hospital with a nasty knee injury after an innocuous incident. Everyone at the club wishes him a speedy recovery.
Despite this set back, Ardley did not rest on their laurels and went ahead through a bizarre goal created and finished by Michael Hicks. His unyielding work rate saw him close the Ascot keeper down and make him panic. The clearance smashed against Hicks’ heels, spat down into the ground and looped high over the retreating keeper into the net.
Despite being fortunate to have a goal advantage at half time, Ardley put the result beyond doubt with a strong second half performance that Ascot just couldn’t cope with.
The midfield quartet of Bland, Ewers and the Prpa brothers soon began to exert their football prowess as they exchanged neat interchanges between themselves and the strikers, making the Ascot midfield chase shadows.
The neat passing football soon resulted in Ardley’s second goal. The terrific work on the right flank by Joe Ewers allowed Ricky Auger to charge forward from right back and deliver a delightful low cross into the near post run of Mark Wickens who finished with aplomb.
Ardley were soon rampaging forward again through the run of Michael Hicks who was brought down in the Ascot box from an untidy and late challenge. The stand in captain Ryan Watts stepped up to the plate but hit a woeful penalty wide of the mark.
Fortunately, Ardley were not made to rue that miss as Mark Wickens doubled his personal tally after a powerful run through the Ascot defence saw him increase Ardley’s lead.
Ascot tried to redeem themselves and put Ardley under a sustained period of pressure but Ryan Watts pulled off a string of fantastic saves to deny the visitors a memento.
Despite this belated rally, Ardley were comfortable victors and added a fourth through Joe Ewers who stroked the ball into the net from all of five yards after meeting a square pass from Wickens, finishing off a good team performance and advancing Ardley into the next round of the cup.
The semi-final against the winners of Group B will be on Thursday 30th April, away at the Group B Winners ground.
FTL Futbol Hellenic League Reserve Division 2 West - 4th April Ardley United Reserves 2 - 0 Cirencester United Reserves
An air of expectation hung around Ardley on Saturday as the reserve side went into the game against Cirencester knowing one point would clinch the championship.
As the match got underway, Ardley quickly settled into a free flowing game that saw them exploiting both flanks and seamlessly switching play. Ardley’s pace through Liam Godin, Gary Lawton and Mark McGrogan forced the Cirencester side deep into their own half making it very difficult for them to carve any chances on the Ardley goal.
For all Ardley’s possession though no goals came in the first half. Gary Lawton went close on two occasions but the Cirencester goalkeeper was in inspired form as he threw himself at every Ardley attempt.
With the aid of the slope in the first half and the sheer number of chances being foiled, an element of frustration began to creep into Ardley’s game as they began to force the final ball.
With half time upon both sides, the management duo of John Prpa and Eddie Nix were able to steady the nerves and revitalise Ardley for the second half.
Once again, Ardley peppered the Cirencester goal and dominated possession. One five minute spell saw a series of four corners being cleared off the line by the plucky Cirencester back three.
The dam that was the Cirencester back three could not hold back the inexorable tide that was the Ardley attack forever though, as it gave way in the seventy fifth minute.
Solid work by Michael Hicks on the right flank saw a lofted cross travel into the Cirencester box. As the ball bobbled and spilled around eventually it was met by Mark Scanes’ right boot that thumped the ball into the top corner of the net sending the home side into delirious celebrations.
Cirencester after holding out for so long seemed deflated by the goal and it was swiftly followed by a second. Excellent work by the redoubtable Mark Wickens saw him unleash a diagonal ball into the path of the rampaging Liam Godin who slotted his strike past the despairing clutches of the Cirencester keeper.
With the game almost up, Cirencester threw another man upfront but it was to little avail as the result was now never in doubt.
As the final whistle came the roars of delight and relief were evident for all to see as Ardley Reserves had finally ended a long campaign with promotion and league victory.
FTL Futbol Hellenic League Reserve Division 2 West - 28th March Old Woodstock Town Reserves 0 v 2 Ardley United Reserves
Ardley bounced back from the disappointment of their mid week game in emphatic style on Saturday, taking a deserved 2-0 victory from tough opponents.
After the mid week defeat to Clanfield, Ardley needed to re-focus and put in a performance that warrants them being acclaimed champions elect. This was not going to be an easy task against a young, mobile and skilful Woodstock side, currently sitting second in the league.
Fortunately, Ardley weren’t fazed by the task ahead of them and started brightly, pressing Woodstock high up the pitch and putting their defence under pressure.
Ardley went close through Neil Tattersall and Gary Lawton but Woodstock grimly hung on. The Ardley back four defended resolutely but had Ryan Watts to thank for a stunning save at his near post when an error allowed the Woodstock striker to bear down on goal.
Despite this, Woodstock’s chances were fleeting and relied heavily on Ardley mistakes, due to the possession they were enjoying.
As the half time whistle came the deadlock had not been broken but both sides were looking to play attractive and high tempo football.
Woodstock started the second half revitalised and put Ardley under significant pressure, yet could only conjure up half chances as Ardley battled hard to reclaim their foothold on the game.
Sure enough, hard midfield graft from Jason Prpa and Lewis Bland enabled Ardley to enjoy possession higher up the pitch and as Woodstock indiscipline began to creep in, a number of free kicks in dangerous positions were awarded.
On the seventy fifth minute Joe Ewers whipped a delightful ball into the Woodstock box, which was met by the towering figure of Gary Lawton who slammed the ball past the Woodstock keeper, sending the visiting side into ecstatic rapture.
The goal seemed to take the wind out of Woodstock’s sails. With their conviction gone and Ardley’s tails in the air, Woodstock were soon struck another hammer blow.
The inventiveness of Michael Hicks and pace of Mark McGrogan soon resulted in another dangerous free kick being awarded. Once again, Joe Ewers delivered another fantastic ball into the Woodstock box, which Mark Wickens buried into the back of the net with a bullet header, sealing all three points in a vital victory.
FTL Futbol Hellenic League Reserve Division 2 West - 14th March Ardley United Reserves 3 v 2 Shrivenham Reserves
Ardley left it late again on Saturday scoring in the dying minutes of the game to take all three points against their closest rivals 3-2.
The drama unfolded to Ardley’s liking initially as Mark McGrogan opened the scoring, continuing his rich vein of form. A quick break caught Shrivenham out at the back and as McGrogan ghosted in off the left wing he slotted the loose ball past the despairing reach of the keeper.
The game was being contested by two good sides working terrifically hard in the hazy spring sunshine. Chances were at a premium but with the advantage of the slope Shrivenham failed to create any major opportunities in the first half, whilst Adam Beckett went close on a couple of occasions for Ardley.
In the second half, Shrivenham undid all of Ardley’s good work by scoring a terrific goal. Ryan Watts could only look on helplessly when the Shrivenham captain smashed a twenty five yard strike into his net.
Ardley’s response was notable and within a ten minute spell created three gilt edged chances. Unfortunately, Adam Beckett’s and Liam Godin’s radars had gone awry and the chances went begging.
To compound the disappointment, Shrivenham on a quick break managed to sneak between the stretched Ardley back four and stab the ball past the onrushing Ryan Watt.
Ardley were now facing their first loss of the season and such a prospect galvanised them into action.
Ardley began to get the ball forward quickly, putting the Shrivenham back four under immense pressure. Eventually, Liam Godin’s run caused consternation in the Shrivenham back four, and as he swung a left boot, he steered the ball past the keeper.
At 2-2 the momentum was firmly with Ardley but Shrivenham were proving stubborn opponents as they resisted attack after attack. However, Ardley’s perseverance paid off.
A late, lofted free kick from Gary Lawton found the leaping form of Mark Wickens, who beat the Shrivenham keeper to the punch as he nodded the ball past him. Ardley’s celebrations were wild and unrestrained as they knew they had managed to achieve a valuable three points over their nearest rivals, taking one step closer to the title.
FTL Futbol Hellenic League Reserve Division 2 West - 14th March
Hook Norton Reserves 1 v Ardley United Reserves 2
Ardley had Mark McGrogan to thank for taking all three points in a 2-1 victory at Hook Norton on Saturday, in a real smash and grab affair.
The game started brightly for Ardley who, after weathering a spell of Hook Norton pressure, broke quickly down the right flank. Good wing play by Michael Hicks and Ricky Auger saw a fine ball whipped into the Hook Norton box and the ensuing confusion found the ball fall to Mark McGrogan. Having ghosted into the box from the left flank, McGrogan unleashed a right foot drive that flew past the Hook Norton keeper.
The playing conditions throughout the game where made very difficult by the strong, gusting wind and a firm, bobbled pitch. Despite Hook Norton creating a couple of good chances and Ardley having a strong penalty shout turned down, the game turned into a midfield scrap. The endeavours of James Lambert and Lee Durrent were vital in keeping Ardley’s one goal advantage intact to the end of half time.
The second half then saw Hook Norton crank up the pressure and really put Ardley under pressure. Their direct style of play in getting the ball forward as quickly as possible, aided by the strong wind, ensured that Ardley were pinned back.
Sure enough, a stunning strike by Joe Davies from twenty five yards brought the game to a stalemate.
Hook Norton had their tails up and strove to find the winner. Sloppy finishing and brave goalkeeping from Ryan Watts kept Hook Norton at bay.
Despite being the metaphorical boxer on the ropes, Ardley had Mark McGrogan to thank for delivering the sucker-punch. In the ninetieth minute, a slick pass from Lambert found the galloping McGrogan who raced away from his marker and bore down on the Hook Norton goal. To the dismay of the vocal crowd, McGrogan smashed a left foot drive past the keeper sparking off wild celebrations and clinching three points for Ardley.
FTL Futbol Hellenic League Reserve Division 2 West - 28th February Launton Sports Reserves 0 Ardley United Reserves 4
Ardley made the short trip to Launton on Saturday and ran away comfortable winners in an emphatic 4-0 scoreline.
The game had a distinct derby feel to it as Ardley were determined to start brightly and impose themselves upon the game while Launton tried a physical approach in an attempt to unsettle their opponents.
Unfortunately for Launton, their gameplan didn’t pay off. Despite Ardley losing their captain, Mark Scanes, early on to an ankle injury; they shrugged off the tough tackles and passed the ball with pace and purpose.
Sure enough, Launton eventually succumbed to the pressure applied by Ardley and fell to a Michael Hicks goal. Good work up front by Gary Lawton and Liam Godin saw the ball spill into the path of the onrushing Hicks, who stabbed the ball past the keeper.
The first half was a real masterclass from Ardley who looked dangerous going forward and impregnable at the back. The second goal soon followed as Liam Godin grabbed the first of his brace, with a smart strike past the Launton keeper.
Ardley’s first half dominance was rubber stamped when they grabbed their third of the game. A whipped in corner saw the ball fall to Michael Hicks who drilled the ball back into the box to eventually be met by Mark McGrogan, who thumped the ball into the back of the net.
Despite going in 3-0 up at half time, Ardley could conceivably have been going in with a larger scoreline after Godin struck the bar and a host of other chances went begging.
To stifle any attempt by Launton to drag themselves back into the game, Ardley came out of the blocks quickly in the second half. A quick break by Ardley saw Joe Ewers play a delightful defence splitting pass that fell into the path of the rapid Liam Godin who fired the ball beyond the reaches of the Launton keeper.
With the game at 4-0 Ardley were guilty of taking their foot off the pedal and going through the proverbial motions. Despite this, Mark Wickens came close with a speculative long range drive that cannoned off the bar.
Ardley’s opening forty five minutes had clearly done all the damage and enabled the addition of three valuable points in the race for the league.
FTL Futbol Hellenic League Reserve Division 2 West - 21st February Letcombe Reserves 1 v Ardley United Reserves 9
Ardley United went back into league action after a month without a fixture. Any fears about match fitness or rustiness were dispelled emphatically, as Ardley romped home with a crushing 9-1 victory on Saturday.
Much of the hard work was done in the first fifteen minutes as Ardley quickly ran in four goals against a stunned Letcombe. The power and pace of the striking combination of Lawton and Scanes played a significant role. Their muscular approach unnerved the Letcombe back four and allowed Lawton to curl in his opener within an astonishing twenty six seconds.
Soon after, Lawton grabbed his second after chasing down a weak backpass and putting in a crunching tackle on the onrushing keeper who, quite frankly, had the good sense to get out of the way.
No sooner had the net finished rippling, when the Letcombe keeper was picking the ball back out of his net when a good break by the Ardley midfield saw Mark Scanes smash a lovely left footed drive in off the far post.
Joe Ewers soon grabbed the fourth in the fifteen minute blitz, when he lofted a delightful twenty five yard lob up and over the Letcombe keeper.
The shell shocked Letcombe tried desperately to salvage something from the game but struggled to make any impact against the solid Ardley back four.
Before half time, Ardley grabbed their fifth through Gary Lawton who completed his first half hat-trick.
The real danger for Ardley was becoming complacent but unfortunately for Letcombe, four weeks without a game had turned Ardley into caged tigers baying for blood. Sure enough, soon after the restart Lawton latched onto a fine pass and bullied himself into the box and unleashed a superb drive past the hapless keeper taking his tally to four for the day.
Letcombe soon received a reprieve when a poor back pass from Lawton allowed Burry to catch the Ardley back four unawares and dash any hopes of a clean sheet to the dismay of Ryan Watts in goal.
A tactical change from the bench saw Mark Wickens pushed forward into a more offensive position. The decision was duly rewarded when a slipped through ball found his pounding run and he slotted a delightful strike past the sprawling Letcombe keeper.
Ardley’s eighth goal came courtesy of Rory Whitrow, who latched onto a great cross and smashed a composed volley into the net.
The final goal to cement Ardley’s utter superiority was a penalty won and taken by the effervescent Liam Godin, which put Ardley back on top of the Reserve Division Two West League.
Oxfordshire Intermediate Cup Round 3 - 17th January 2009
Ardley United Reserves 4 Adderbury Park Reserves 0
After a break of two weeks Ardley United Reserves faced the tough prospect of a quarter final against Adderbury Park Reserves in the Oxfordshire Intermediate Cup. Cup games are notoriously fraught occasions but Ardley banished any fears by romping to a 4-0 victory.
A superb first half saw Ardley quickly blow the opposition out of the water and stifle any attempt of Adderbury forcing themselves into the game. The first goal came after good work by Mark Mcgrogan on the left flank, who tormented his opposite number all afternoon. His whipped in ball found Gary Lawton (left) who slammed a left footed drive past the Adderbury keeper.
Building on a solid back four of Bush, Auger, Wickens and Oliviera, Ardley felt free to stream forward to chase the second, vital goal. Shortly, their endeavours were rewarded as Liam Godin grabbed the first of his brace. Excellent link up play between Ricky Auger and Michael Hicks saw the ball delivered to Godin who smashed a twenty yard shot into the net.
Five minutes before the half time whistle, Godin completed his brace with a coolly slotted side foot finish.
Being 3-0 down at the start of the second half, Adderbury seemed more concerned at keeping Ardley at bay, rather than pushing for goals themselves. This allowed Ardley to comfortably control the second half and dominate possession of the ball.
In due course, Mark Scanes (right) grabbed the fourth goal after hitting a twenty five yard screamer beyond the outstretched fingers of the Adderbury keeper to seal a terrific victory for Ardley who continue their march in the intermediate cup.
Oxfordshire Intermediate Cup Round 2 - 20th December
Ardley United Reserves 2 Marston Saints Reserves 0
Ardley United eventually came out on top by two goals to nil, in this tough encounter on Saturday. The very fact that victory came after 120 minutes pays testament to that.
Ardley began by playing up the slope and despite the soft, slippery conditions of the pitch looked the more threatening of the two sides.
The conditions in the middle of the pitch were not conducive to a free flowing game but Ardley tried to get the ball out wide to Paul Davis and Mark McGrogan and get themselves into threatening areas. Marston were certainly sticking to a more direct and physical style of football, that did create a few chances for the away side when Ardley got caught streaming forward. Fortunately, Ryan Watts was proving unbeatable in goal as he produced a terrific save at the close of the first half.
The second half began with Ardley creating a delightful chance for Rory Whitlow, who produced a fine save from the Marston keeper. Ardley continued to push for the opening goal but perhaps a sense of frustration began to creep into their play as the gilt edged chance just wasn’t being produced. This continual commitment to chase the goal sometimes allowed Marston to catch Ardley out on the quick break and Ryan Watts pulled off another couple of fine saves, whilst Ricky Bridges cleared a speculative long range effort off from the line.
Extra time was now on the cards and Ardley’s superior fitness soon told. Shortly after the restart a corner created chaos in the Marston box and Rory Whitlow was quickest to react, pouncing on the bouncing ball and snatching the lead for Ardley.
This goal took the wind out of Marston’s sails and they were soon punished by Ardley’s second. A delightful run by Mark McGrogan saw him pick the ball up wide on the left flank and after cutting inside he whipped a terrific ball to the back post where Paul Davis was lurking. His composed touch took him away from his marker and he needed no further invitation to nestle the ball into the back of the net.
The remainder of extra time saw Marston huff and puff but have every attack snuffed out by the excellent Ardley back four as they booked their place in the next round of the cup.
Chairman’s Reserve Challenge Cup – 29th November
Ardley United Reserves 0 v Rayners Lane Reserves 2
Ardley succumbed to their first defeat of the season, against Rayners Lane in the Chairman’s Reserve Challenge Cup, in a tight contest on Saturday.
Both sides enjoyed spells of possession and created chances but it was Rayners Lane who had the clinical edge and enjoyed a certain level of fortuitous luck.
Mark Wickens went close with a delightful volley but saw his effort cleared off the line. Ardley, with the advantage of the slope, pushed hard for the opening goal but Rayners Lane counter attacked with power and pace. One such counter-attack caught Ardley light at the back and C. Arens capitalised by sending Rayners Lane 1-0 up.
The whistle for the end of the half came shortly after and both sets of players traipsed off knowing that they were in a full blooded encounter.
Ardley came out in the second half looking lively and eager to reduce the deficit. To this end, the Ardley back four, under the command of the towering presence of Ryan Bush, limited Rayners Lane to just a couple of efforts.
With the defence solid, Ardley pushed forward trying to grab the equaliser. Jason Prpa thought he had done enough when his looping effort from the edge of the box was just tipped over the bar. Ricky Bridges also made the Rayners Lane keeper produce another good save to deny Ardley.
However, despite the good work from Ardley, a long clearance found J.Shepherd, who instinctively struck the ball from all of thirty yards and saw the ball sail over Ryan Watts to the dismay of the Ardley side.
Ardley continued to push for the final ten minutes and despite a series of corners, Rayners Lane remained defiant.
Despite losing 2-0 to a good Rayners Lane side, they can be pleased with the effort and the style in which they played.
FTL Futbol Hellenic League Reserve Division 2 West - 22nd November Ardley United Reserves 0 v Old Woodstock Town Reserves 0
A tough combative game saw the points shared by Ardley and Old Woodstock Town on Saturday in a goalless draw.
The first half saw both teams work very hard but Ardley were edging the contest in terms of chances made.
Woodstock were certainly causing problems at set-pieces and corners but in open play were being held by a firm Ardley defence.
In contrast, Ardley were coming very close to opening the scoring. Mark Wickens hit the post with a strong header whilst Gary Lawton’s missed timed leap cost him a chance of getting onto the score sheet. Paul Davis also came close with a looping header that brought a good save out from the keeper.
As the first half came to a close both sides were confident of pushing on to take all three points in the second half.
In all honesty, such ambitions were only going to be realised by Ardley in the second half. Woodstock came close with one header but rarely troubled Ryan Watts after that.
The Woodstock keeper was kept a lot busier. Gary Lawton came close again with another header but the goalkeeper pulled off a spectacular fingertip save to deny him again. Further scrambles in the Woodstock box saw some backs to the wall defending but Ardley just couldn’t get the goal that would break the stalemate.
In the end both sides had to be content with having to share the spoils.
FTL Futbol Hellenic League Reserve Division 2 West - 15th November Ardley United Reserves 2 v Hook Norton 1
Ardley continued their rich vein of form with a 2-1 victory over a very decent Hook Norton side on Saturday.
Ardley, playing down the slope in the first half, started brightly; playing a quick tempo game that ensured a majority of the possession. Although Hook Norton was restricted to just a few attempts at goal, Ardley were unable to take their chances, with Mark Scanes going particularly close.
With the score level at half time, both sides looked at continuing to push for the victory in the second forty five.
Despite playing up the slope Ardley came out all guns blazing, forcing Hook Norton onto the back foot. This territorial dominance was soon converted into the opening goal of the game. Luke James, picked the ball up deep in the Hook Norton half, strode forward and unleashed a shot from twenty five yards. Luke James’ effort would, in all fairness, have been saved but it took a fortuitous deflection off a defender that wrong footed the keeper. This certainly did nothing to dampen the ensuing celebrations of the delighted Ardley side.
Ardley nearly doubled their lead through Paul Davis, a few minutes later but the effort came back off the bar.
Hook Norton though, was not going to go down without a fight. In the last ten minutes of the game, despite some resolute defending a whipped in ball found the outstretched foot of the Hook Norton striker who poked the ball past Ryan Watts in goal.
Ardley were facing their first dropped points of the season but showed their true mettle and grit. A late corner saw Bradley Franklin whip a terrific ball into the box to meet the head of the leaping Mark Wickens, who thumped the ball past the keeper sending the home team into ecstatic rapture.
Ardley can be delighted at achieving a hard fought three points against a very capable, young Hook Norton side.
Oxfordshire Intermediate Cup - Second Round - 8th November Ardley United Reserves 2 - Clanfield Reserves 1
Ardley progressed through to the third round of the Oxfordshire Intermediate Cup with a 2-1 victory over Clanfield Reserves. The scoreline certainly belies what was a dominating performance by Ardley, who wasted chance after chance. Clanfield can feel justifiably relieved that the margin of victory was not a much larger one.
Still, first blood went to the plucky visitors. After a host of early chances had gone begging in front of the Clanfield goal, a quick break saw Ardley stretched and a very debateable penalty awarded to the away side.
The penalty was coolly dispatched and the visitors took the lead with only there first effort on goal.
Ardley didn't allow this to rattle them and continued to make chances, playing a high tempo game that was brimming with delightful passing moves. Shortly, a clever move on the left flank by Ricky Bridges and the indomitable Liam Godin found the late midfield run of Jason Prpa who buried the ball past the Clanfield keeper.
Before the close of the half Ardley grabbed the lead through Joe Ewers, who latched onto a low cross and rifled the ball into the top corner.
After the interlude, Ardley continued to press for another goal to kill off the game but just could not take their chances. With the difference between the two sides remaining at just one goal, Ardley were nearly made to rue their wastefulness when a thirty yard looping strike struck the Ardley crossbar.
Fortunately, Clanfield chances were few and far between and Ardley comfortably made it through to the next round of the cup.
FTL Futbol Hellenic League Reserve Division 2 West - 25th October
Ardley United Reserves 3 v Letcombe Reserves 0
Ardley Reserves continued their rich vein of form with a comprehensive 3-0 victory against Letcombe on Saturday.
With Ardley playing up the slope in the first half and having the stiff breeze in their faces the game was a tight affair in the opening forty five minutes. Ardley came out with a high tempo and tried to impose their slick passing game upon a very tidy Letcombe side. The intent was certainly there but Ardley were arguably rushing themselves when they got into some very advanced positions.
Letcombe, to their credit, played some nice football and worked tirelessly to snuff out the attacking élan of Ardley. Both sides huffed and puffed but neither side could break the deadlock in the first half.
With the advantage of the slope and the wind Ardley really turned on the style and began to dominate proceedings. This dominance was soon translated into the opening goal of the game. Mark Wickens sprayed a delightful diagonal ball out to the right flank, where Liam Godin played a fantastic cross right into the path of Paul Davis, who finished in style.
Unfortunately for Ardley their impending victory was marred by the sending off of Andy Prescott, for foul and abusive language.
With Ardley down to ten men it would have been perceived that Letcombe would be galvanised to go for the equaliser, but with the Ardley back four remaining resolute Ardley actually stretched their lead through a blistering strike from Bradley Franklin.
With the game sewn up Ardley increased their lead still further, through a mazy Ricky Bridges solo effort that rubber stamped a good Ardley performance.
Oxfordshire Intermediate Cup - First Round - 18th October
Hook Norton Reserves 3 v Ardley United Reserves 6
Ardley Reserves ran out 6-3 winners in another goal bonanza at Hook Norton on Saturday, winning their first round Oxfordshire Intermediate cup game after extra time.
In typical fashion though, Ardley made hard work of the victory in a roller-coaster affair that swung both ways for either side.
Ardley started the better, playing a flowing passing game that soon pegged the opposition back into their half. Shortly, Mark Scaines rounded onto a loose ball and smashed a twenty five yard half volley into the net, providing the visitors with the perfect start.
The next thirty minutes saw Ardley continue to probe and threaten Hooky’s net and eventually they were awarded a fortuitous penalty. Mark McGrogan stepped up but was denied by a good save; fortunately though Mark Scaines reacted quickest and scrambled the ball into the back of the net.
Hook Norton, to their credit, continued to battle and their direct style of football did occasionally catch the Ardley defence square. At the close of the half Ardley kept the score line to 2-0 with a series of last gasp tackles and a great save by Ryan Watts.
The second half saw a complete change in this topsy-turvy game as Hook Norton piled on the pressure and exploited Ardley’s wastefulness in possession. Soon enough, sloppy play enabled Hook Norton to pull a goal back.
The game began to slide in Hooky’s favour and further errors at the back allowed the busy Hook Norton striker to calmly slide the ball past the onrushing Ryan Watts.
With the game at 2-2 and the partisan crowd fuelling the Hook Norton crowd they soon grabbed a third when a failed clearance allowed the Hooky striker to bear down on goal and fire the ball into the net.
Ardley showed their mettle and began to drag themselves back into the game. The final ten minutes of the game saw Ardley regain possession and exert an increasing level of pressure onto an increasingly tired Hooky team. A whipped in ball from the Ardley right saw Michael Hicks laying the ball off to Mark Scaines who smashed his hat trick goal into the net and taking the cup game into extra time, much to the rapturous joy of the Ardley players.
Extra time belonged to one side only as Ardley dominated the next thirty minutes. Ardley’s fourth goal was a bullet header from Mark Wickens who latched onto a superb Bradley Franklin corner.
The fifth goal came from Bradley Franklin who drilled a cross-cum shot that sailed in at the near post.
With Ardley now cruising and keeping the ball very tidily, the sixth was added by the indomitable Mark Scaines who added to his ever increasing goal tally and bagging his fourth of this game.
Many lessons would have to be learnt from this game after Ardley allowed Hooky to get back into the match but can take heart in the fact that they showed great spirit in eventually wrenching victory from the jaws of defeat.
FTL Futbol Hellenic League Reserve Division 2 West - 27th September
Cirencester United Reserves 1 v Ardley United Reserves 2
Ardley took all three points, courtesy of a Michael Hicks brace, in a scrappy encounter that was the definition of winning ugly.
Ardley started brightly though, looking to play quick, flowing football. Soon enough, they were rewarded with the opening goal after Michael Hicks collected the ball in the Cirencester box and coolly fired the ball into the top right hand corner.
However, Cirencester were galvanised by this goal and began to press Ardley, disrupting their football. As Ardley became a little more one dimensional in their play Cirencester began to catch them more and more with the quick break.
Shortly before the half Cirencester’s pressure paid off, as Ardley’s inability to clear the ball from a corner resulted in D. Parker firing past Ryan Watts.
The second half saw Ardley work much harder as a collective and although there normal passing game wasn’t occurring, the raised effort saw them create more chances.
Mid-way through the second half Ardley’s perseverance paid off when a freekick was won twenty five yards from goal. Whilst the Cirencester defence were deliberating on how they were going to set the wall, Hicks stepped up a cheekily took a quick freekick that sailed into the Cirencester net.
The remainder of the half saw Ardley defend stoically and continuously threaten the Cirencester goal with their quick breaks, but no more goals followed. Despite the performance Ardley will be delighted in taking another three points away from home in this 2-1 victory.
FTL Futbol Hellenic League Reserve Division 2 West - 20th September
Cricklade Town Reserves 1 v Ardley United Reserves 5
A fine Saturday afternoon saw Ardley run out 5 -1 winners at Cricklade, in an impressive dominant display.
However, first blood went to Cricklade. After a tentative start, a free kick was conceded 25 yards out on the edge of the box. A fantastic strike saw the ball cannon in off the bar much to the chagrin of the Ardley players.
Unfortunately for Cricklade, this only served to galvanise Ardley and they soon began to assert the dominance that became atypical for the remainder of the game. After a neat interchange of passes Bradley Franklin found himself in a dangerous position before he was bundled over, resulting in a deserved penalty that was confidently slotted home by Mark McGrogan. The remainder of the first half saw Ardley pressing for another goal but not quite finding that decisive ball in the final third.
The second half saw Ardley start in the same manner that they finished the first, imposing their flowing football on a hapless opposition. Soon enough the breakthrough occurred when a Bradley Franklin cross-cum shot whistled in at the Cricklade keeper’s near post.
Ten minutes later Ardley made certain of the three points when a quick breakout saw Jason Prpa slide a clever through ball to Michael Hicks, who squared it for Paul Davis to tap it in the net.
Ardley didn’t rest on their laurels and continued to test the Cricklade back four, who soon succumbed to another attack. The galloping run of Mark Wikens produced a parried save that debutant Michael Hicks was quickest to react to making the score 4-1.
The game was finally wrapped up when another Ardley breakaway saw Paul Davies coolly slot his second of the game past the despairing reaches of the Cricklade keeper.
