Football: Heapy keeps Didcot bubbling

Didcot maintained their 100 per cent record in 2004 and stayed four points clear at the top of the Premier Division after Saturday's hard-earned win.

On a heavy pitch, Didcot should have taken the lead in the first minute when skipper Mike Ford's corner was met by Paul Bedwell, but somehow keeper Stephen Bizley deflected his shot over the bar.

Consistent Didcot pressure finally paid off a minute before the break. Paul Powell beat two players on the left and crossed into the box where Jamie Heapy was on hand to score from six yards.

On the stroke of half-time Didcot were controversially denied a second by a linesman's flag as Andy Marriott swept the ball past Bizley.

Powell, Heapy and Jody McKay all had chances to increase the lead after the break, and keeper Richard Knight was rarely called upon.

Henley Tn 0,

Abingdon Utd 2

Abingdon continued their improved form with a convincing win at Henley.

The home team started brightly, but United gradually got on top, Henley keeper Gosby foiling Richard Peirson and Chris Hooper.

United went ahead early in the second half when striker Anaclet Odhiambo smashed home from ten yards.

Despite have the majority of possession, United missed a string of chances before sealing the match in the dying minutes when Chris Hooper stabbed home from three yards.

Bicester Tn 1,

Slimbridge 2

After a goalless first half in which Bicester held the initiative, Steve Ayris put them ahead from a tight angle in the 58th minute after good work by Dean Smith and Lee Blossom.

However, sloppy defensive errors allowed the visitors to score in the 70th and 80th minutes to clinch the three points.

Fairford Tn 1,

Chipping Norton Tn 1

Chippy were denied all three points at Cinder Lane when Fairford equalised in injury time.

Chippy, who were without the injured Robbie Wyatt and Mark Odom, started brightly, but struggled to carve out clear-cut chances.

Five minutes into the second half, the visitors took the lead. The impressive Mark Dennis was fouled by Lee Kilfoyle in the box, and Jason Court coolly scored from the spot.

Fairford came back strongly, with Phil Corcoran's shot brilliantly saved by Richard Barrett. Moments later, Lee Clarke's effort hit one post and then rolled across the line to hit the other before Chippy scrambled the ball clear.

It seemed they had done enough for victory, but in the 93rd minute, a hopeful ball into the box caused havoc and Ryan Lovegrove snatched the equaliser.

Brackley Tn 5, Shortwood Utd 0

Recent signing Kevin Slinn bagged a hat-trick as Brackley maintained their title push.

Visiting keeper Ewan Prentice made some fine saves, including one from Jason Burnham's penalty, before Slinn put Brackley ahead with a fine header.

In the second half, Russell Dunkley scored No 2 with a neat flick after a corner, which was followed by two more Slinn goals.

His strike partner, Ben Milner, got in on the act with No 5.

Highworth Tn 2, Carterton Tn 2

Carterton had to settle for a draw after being 2-0 up at the break.

Capitalising on a mistake by home keeper Elliot Jackson, who failed to clear a backpass, Mark Threlfell slotted home Carterton's first on 25 minutes.

Gary Smailes made it 2-0 with left-foot drive just before the interval.

Highworth pulled one back through Macklin's ferocious shot, and ten minutes from the end, a hotly disputed free-kick on the edge of the box saw Sean Terry level the scores.

Carterton had Allen yellow-carded for dissent, while substitute Cook was sent off from the bench.

Hook Norton 0, Almondsbury Tn 2

Hooky failed to follow up their midweek win over champions North Leigh as they went down to a disappointing defeat on a heavy pitch.

Chris Davidge put the Almonds ahead from just outside the penalty area on the half-hour.

Rhydian Purnell produced Hooky's best effort which was tipped over the bar by keeper Chris Gibson.

Hooky had more chances after the break, but they were killed off in the 65th minutes when keeper Guy Smith's clearance hit Dan Joseph and rebounded into the net.