Cup Final

Sunday 25 March 2007 Under 17's Knockout Cup Final
Oxford City 0 v Kennington 1

Well done to all the lads from City and Kennington who did their best. Unfortunately it wasn't to be City's day.

Kennington had most of the first half aided with the Ardley slope but City's defence held firm and went in at half time 0-0.

Shortly into the second half Kennington were given a very questionable free kick just outside City's box and Kennington made the most of this and took the lead 0-1.

Oxford City applied more pressure and tried in vain to reply but Kennington defended their one goal lead.

Again, well done to all the City lads, having knocked all the other 'A' league teams to get to the final. A big thanks for the support from the parents etc. including Claire, who I believe was chastised by the Referee for being too vocal at one end of the pitch! I wonder what the Referee would do if he had to referee a Premier game with 30,000 baying fans behind the goal - "Please be quiet you lot"!!

Graham Eadle
Under 17's Manager

Last two games...

14 January 2007 League Match Oxford City 1 v Milton 3
A disappointing performance and result from all involved, particularly after beating Milton in the Cup a few weeks earlier. I couldn't blame the result on any one person, probably due to poor defending, poor finishing up front, lack of training, lack of matches for some, too many games for others, who knows? That's football! It was partly the reason I hadn't reported on the game.

28 January 2007 Cup Quarter Final Bicester 1 v Oxford City 3
I thought we were in for a very hard day due to -
1)only having the bare 11 players
2)our last game against Bicester was very hard
3)a referee, who perhaps wouldn't have been my first choice!
4)lack of matches
etc. etc. etc.
But I can only praise every single player on the pitch (not JUST the strikers) for a tremendous performance and if I had to single any points out in the game then these would be several great saves from Alex Williams in goal. A man of the match performance from Bud Shepherd and Tom Burrows. Two good performances from Alex Eadle and Adam Wells who have had very few chances of full games this season. Some good finishing from AJ Lloyd and equally good finishing from Mark Bell who was so tired before the game asked if he could play in goal (due to several games played in the previous few days).
As I have already said this was a truly great TEAM performance from EVERY player - well done!!!!!

Bicester - Home

With an injury laden squad, Oxford City quickly went into the lead with some slick passing from Kyle Harris to Tom Burrows and finished off by a goal from Mark Bell. A penalty awarded to City shortly afterwards, also converted by Mark Bell, Oxford seemed well in command. However, they seemed to sit back and allowed Bicester to respond with three goals to take the lead at half time.

With much soul searching during the interval Oxford came out with a more positive attitude and having been awarded two further penalties, both converted again by Mark Bell, and a brilliant save by goal keeper Alex Williams in the dying minutes Oxford finally won 4-3.

Graham Eadle

Milton Cup Match

Oxford City Under 17s have finally played another game!!!!

Congratulations to both teams in a hard fought contest on an appalling cold and rainy December day. Milton took the lead with a fine solo effort from Jack Alder weaving his way past three Oxford City defenders before scoring. City responded with some neat passing before Mark Bell scored to make the game even at the break.

With the wind behind in the second half Oxford City applied more pressure and eventually got their rewards with goals from Simon Reeves, Lewis Colwell and Kyle Harris with a header!! Tom Burrows was also unlucky not be on the score sheet with two cracking shots only to see Milton's keeper, Matthew Simmonds, turn them both over the bar. Well done to all the lads for a great performance and best of luck in the next round.

Graham Eadle

Kennington 3-OCFC 3

Ajay Lloyd with two goals in the first half and Bud with a secound half penalty

City stormed into a 2 nil lead in the first half with two nice finished shots by ajay lloyd. City showed good character in the first half as Kennington proved to be a very strong side but did not look like scoring

The second half saw Kennington with a lot more possession and as the game went on it happened, they scored shortly afterwards. Kennington got a second and to their credit this looked like ending in a 2-2 draw until City were awarded a penalty, Bud stepped up and drilled the ball into the back of the net. By this time it looked a good result.

Time should have been up by this stage but the ref saw fit to play 45 mins in the first half and 52 in the second half, this brought a lot of anger by players and surpporters alike in all a very good result by the 17s well done lads

Reporter: Paul Lloyd