Posted by Claire on March 10, 2008, 2:13 pm
Allied Counties League Premier Division Tuesday 4th March 2008
Reading Town (1)2
Oxford City (2)3 (Denton 7, Holmes 11, Forbes 47)
City picked up an excellent three points away to Reading Town.
Town had won at City in January but, like City, found themselves at the wrong end of a table which is so tight (5 points between second top and second bottom) that one postponed game is enough to see a side tumble into the relegation zone.
City, as they have often done this season, started at a high tempo and, after an early scare when Town hit the outside of he post, went two goals up early on. First Rhys Denton smashed in a rebound from the edge of the penalty area after Corey Forbes’s free-kick had been blocked; then Tom Holmes scored a candidate for goal of the season, picking up a loose clearance from the goalkeeper and, seeing him still off his line, lobbing the ball into the net from over 40 yards out.
The first half featured some excellent football from both sides, who were both passing the ball crisply and accurately and looking to attack at every opportunity. Both sides had chances, but it was Town who pulled a goal back in the 37th minute when City failed to clear a corner.
The second period began with one of these 60-second periods which can decide games. Town attacked and should probably have equalised, but Alex Williams made an excellent save. The ball broke upfield and Denton flicked the ball on intelligently for Forbes, who outpaced the defender from halfway, rounded the keeper and slotted home coolly.
Town refused to give up and pulled a goal back once again in the 55th minute when a right-wing cross was turned in from close range.
The second half was more frantic than the first, if no less exciting, with only the ever-impressive Luke Carnell looking like he had any time on the ball. City might have had a penalty when Forbes appeared to have been brought down in the area after another excellent run, but the referee waved play on. Town proceeded to throw everything at City in the search for an equaliser, but Simon Reeves and Mitchell Meredith held firm in defence and Alex Williams made two tremendous saves.
City held out for the win to the obvious delight of the players. This was a real team effort in a game played in a marvellous spirit by both teams.
Team: Alex Williams (capt) – Kieran Collins (sub James Harris 65 min), Simon Reeves, Mitchell Meredith, Craig Duncan – Tom Holmes, Laurence El Kassir, Luke Connell, Richard Norris - Rhys Denton, Corey Forbes. Unused sub: Aaron Davies.
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