Sunday 29th November - Crowmarsh v. Harwell & Hendred Crowmarsh knew they had to win this game because defeat would have given Harwell the chance to go above them, had they won their games in hand.

Crowmarsh began applying pressure from the kick-off, forcing 3 corners inside the first 2 minutes without being able to find a finishing touch, and then after 5 minutes a great through-ball from Hugh Streets put Sam Beaumont clear but he saw his shot go just over the bar.

Then came an incredible 4-minute spell which saw Crowmarsh ultimately put the game out of Harwell & Hendred’s reach. In the sixth minute a break down the left ended with the ball at the feet of Ed Seares who took a single touch to knock the ball past the defender, before letting leash an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net, 1-0 to Crowmarsh.

Two minutes later Crowmarsh were awarded a corner, which a quick-thinking Will Baker slid out to Sam Beaumont who was waiting just outside the 18-yard box. Again, one touch was all that was needed to tee himself up before hitting a great shot over a helpless goalie to make it 2-0 to Crowmarsh. Two great finishes in 3 minutes - but the best was yet to come!

In the ninth minute Ed Seares, playing one of his best games of the season, broke down the right wing before sending over a fantastic cross into the Harwell & Hendred penalty box. Waiting for the cross was Sam Beaumont who hit the ball perfectly on the half-volley into the back of the net, great team-work and a great finish making the score 3-0 to Crowmarsh.

Credit must go to Harwell & Hendred for not letting their heads drop and in the 14th minute they got their first real chance, putting the ball into the Crowmarsh box and creating a lot of confusion before the defence managed to scramble the ball clear. Further pressure led to them being through 1-on-1 with the Crowmarsh goalie but a great last-ditch tackle from Dylan Harrison ensured Crowmarsh’s 3-goal lead stayed intact.

Harwell & Hendred looked like they were going to get a reward for their efforts when, following a gentle push from a Crowmarsh defender during a throw-in, they were awarded a penalty. Unfortunately for them the well-struck penalty went just wide.

That was to be the final action of the first-half with Crowmarsh going into the break with a deserved lead.

Harwell & Hendred came out for the second-half determined to make Crowmarsh work hard to maintain their lead, putting on the pressure from the kick-off. This pressure almost paid off immediately when a long range shot seemed goal-bound, before the reliable handling of Lewis Ward stopped the ball in its tracks.

In the 39th minute Crowmarsh’s Ed Seares found himself on another of his great runs, gliding past the Harwell & Hendred defenders and into the box before knocking it past the goalkeeper, only to be bundled to the ground. The referee had a long hard look before waving play on, much to the surprise of the supporters who felt a penalty was imminent.

This seemed to spur on Harwell & Hendred who spent almost the rest of the game camped in the Crowmarsh half, creating plenty of chances and tense moments for the Crowmarsh supporters, but strong defending by Crowmarsh, and Hugh Streets and Kai Thomas in particular, meant they were unable to capitalise on their late dominance.

Crowmarsh had one last chance in the final minute when Matthew Stirling’s dogged determination saw him win the ball on the right and whip over a cross, but Harwell & Hendred managed to clear it for a corner.

This was the last action of an entertaining game which saw Crowmarsh go into an early 3 goal lead before understandably, but nonetheless frustratingly, easing off and letting Harwell & Hendred back into it.

Well done to both teams for playing exciting, entertaining football on a cold and windy day.