A TEAM which went on an 11-game winning run to secure their league title has got their entire village talking about them.

Chalgrove Cavaliers soared from seventh in the Oxfordshire Senior League Division 1 all the way to the top, claiming the title with a 4-2 win at Woodstock Town Development.

A 12th victory then followed on the final day away against North Leigh United Development.

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Cavaliers skipper Ben Snellgrove, who is also the club secretary and goalkeeper, revealed the season hadn’t always been so plain sailing.

He told this newspaper: “It was a tough start and we lost our first two, and three from the first five.

“We had a few injuries and cup runs distracted us. I was more excited about the cup runs and didn’t really see what was happening in the league.

“At the start of the season, we had a huge crack in the pitch which delayed our start, and then with the snow and frost, it felt like it was never-ending.

“Those things came to our benefit though and we ended the season playing Wednesday-Saturday every week.

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“I remember five or six games into the run, we were so full of confidence.

“The strikers were firing, with Sam Drake and Josh Billingham scoring 36 of our 64 goals.

“Credit to the back three as well, with the joint-most clean sheets and least goals conceded.

“We started with a back three in pre-season, playing 3-5-2 as the manager wanted two up front.

“It’s certainly worked and it’s probably why we had the slow start, as we adjusted to the new system.”

On going to Woodstock to wrap up the title, Snellgrove said: “It was nervy and cagey, they were at the bottom and they’d been a bit of a bogey side for us.

“It rained and rained, but we took an early 2-0 lead and then it was 2-1 at the break.

“It went to 3-1 and then 3-2, and they deserved something from the game, but we got a fourth in stoppage time.

“I ran the length of the pitch to celebrate, it was an amazing occasion for those who came over as we had about 100 people come from the village.

“The home support has been amazing and when I walk in the pub now, I get my hand shaken and congratulated – it’s got the whole village talking about us.”

The last game of the season saw the Cavaliers win 4-0 at North Leigh.

Snellgrove said: “The message was to not go out on a sour note and it was the first game where there was less pressure.

“We changed things a bit, but the boys who stepped in showed it’s been a team game for us.”

He added: “Life in the Oxfordshire Senior Premier will not be easy, so preparation has to begin straight away.

“The aim will be to stay up but we have to go in full of confidence.”

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About the author

To sign up to Liam’s latest Oxford United newsletter for free, click here: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/newsletters/

Formerly the politics reporter for the Oxford Mail, Liam now covers all things Oxford United.

Liam attends the U’s home and away, as well as covering other big sports stories across the county.

His Oxford United newsletter is released every Saturday morning at 6am.