TWO goals from the effervescent Tommy Castle helped Kidlington beat hosts Ardley United 2-1 on Saturday and strengthen their hold on second place in the Premier Division.

Kidlington were also happy to have exacted rapid revenge on their derby rivals, who had dumped them out of the Oxfordshire Senior Cup with a 4-0 win ten days earlier.

Playing up the slope, Kid-lington went in front in the eighth minute when a slide-rule pass from Lewis Coyle sent Castle free down the middle .

Home keeper Jack Harding tried to narrow the angle, but Castle finished with a quality strike.

Latest Sport news

Shortly afterwards, Ardley, who were already without the suspended Callum Convey, were deprived of the services of his central midfield partner Ollie Stanbridge, who was forced off with a calf injury.

Despite lots of chances at either end, there were no more goals before the break.

Ardley were reduced to ten men in the 65th minute when left back Adam Beckett was sent off for a second yellow card, following a foul on Coyle.

Three minutes later, Castle made it 2-0 from Jack Quainton’s pass.

A great save by Harding prevented Ryan Curtin adding a third for Kidlington.

Ricky Johnson pulled late goal back for Ardley, but Kidlington held on comfortably to keep the pressure on leaders Highmoor Ibis.

Milton United came from two goals down to draw 2-2 away to derby rivals Abingdon United.

The depleted hosts should have taken the lead in the first half when debutant Frank Haines was brought down in the box, but Milton keeper Craig Griffiths saved the resultant penalty, taken by Anaclet Odhiambo.

Haines put Abingdon ahead in the 51st minute after Kieran Cochrane’s original shot had been blocked.

Five minutes later, they doubled the lead when Jimmy Deabill headed into the top corner.

It looked comfortable for the visitors, but Richie Claydon’s superb 20-yard free-kick over the wall in the 70th minute, brought Milton back into the game.

The visitors roared forward and equalised five minutes later through Daniel Cox-Rodgers.

Both sides hunted a winner, but the defences held firm.

A goal in each half gave third-placed Thame United a 2-0 victory over visitors Oxford City Nomads.

Adam Morris scored in the first half and Dan West added the second after the break.

In Division 1 East, a superb penalty save by keeper Harry Jenkins helped Headington Amateurs secure a 2-1 victory away to Old Woodstock Town.

The stop came early in the second half, with Headington already leading through Jamie McCuaig’s 20-yard strike in the eighth minute.

Woodstock pressed for an equaliser after the break and were awarded a penalty in the 48th minute.

It was a good strike from Rob Keylock, but Jenkins dived full-stretch to his right to keep out the spot-kick.

Just after the hour Headington made it 2-0 when Ben Green slalomed between two defenders before netting with a left-foot strike.

Jenkins was eventually beaten when Keylock this time scored from the spot, but it came too late.

Hosts Easington Sports held leaders Brackley Town Development to a 1-1 draw.

Andrew Stidder put Easington ahead from the penalty spot after 20 minutes, only for Matt Johnson to equalise on the hour.

Hook Norton overcame visitors North Leigh United 5-1, with goals from Marcus Green, Harry Smith, Charlie Hill, Dan Watkin and Simon Hall. The only reply came from Jacob Hughes Letcombe came from behind to draw 1-1 at home to Wantage Town Res in Division 1 West.

The visitors, fielding several first-teamers, who had played the previous day in the Evo-Stik Southern League, took the lead after six minutes through Jordan Davies.

Letcombe equalised through Elliott Harper’s half-volley.

Sean McKeon scored a brace as Carterton trounced hosts Clanfield 5-1.

 

  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.