FOOTBALL: Cook's top treble leads Witney rout (From Witney Gazette)

FOOTBALL: Cook's top treble leads Witney rout

11:05am Wednesday 27th December 2006 in Local Football

Sport Italia Hellenic League

Witney Utd 6, Abingdon Tn 1

Former Oxford United star Jamie Cook smashed a hat-trick as Witney handed out a pre-Christmas stuffing to Oxfordshire rivals Abingdon in the Hellenic League Premier Division on Saturday.

A stunning opening 11 minutes saw Witney romp into a 3-0 lead and set them up for their fourth victory on the trot at a wintry Marriotts Stadium.

The visitors carved out the first opportunity when a low cross saw the Witney defence all at sea as it flew across goal, but Tom Larman scooped the ball over the bar.

Abingdon were made to pay moments later as Witney took the lead.

A long throw by Christian Perkins saw Ben Border rise unmarked to head over keeper Jon Beames.

The lead was doubled four minutes later when a raking pass from Perkins found Tom Butler. He cut the ball back to Jamie Cook, who took a touch before calmly placing the ball past Beames.

Some excellent skill on the edge of the box by Nando Perna saw him create space, but rather than shoot, he picked out debutant Mark Simms, who drilled home No 3.

As an attacking force, Witney were back to their best, and when Cook found Perna, it looked like the midfielder would crown his return debut with a goal, but Beames saved well.

On the stroke of half-time, Abingdon gave themselves a glimmer of hope when Paul Jezzard's cross found Jason Thomas, who fired across Tassell into the far corner.

After the break, Witney soon restored their three-goal lead when Simms beat his marker before crossing for Cook, who headed home his second.

On 55 minutes, Cook completed his hat-trick when Tom Butler beat Smith before squaring to Cook to fire home.

Sixteen-year-old Jed Riddy became Witney's youngest-ever Hellenic League starter, and he was involved in their final goal.

Kevin Brooks crossed to Riddy, who sent a header goalwards.

Although Beames palmed the ball away, it broke to Simms for his second of the day to complete the rout.

Highworth Tn 5, Chipping Norton Tn 2

Chippy lost out in a seven-goal thriller in Wiltshire.

They took the lead on 15 minutes, when, from a corner, Andy Varnam's cross fell to Steve Olcazk, who slammed the ball home.

The home side equalised after 35 minutes when Mike Davis netted, but Chippy were back in front on 40 minutes.

A superb pass from Steve Knight sent Dean Barker through, and he calmly slotted home from just inside the box.

Chippy's joy was short-lived, however.

Within 60 seconds, the home side were level again as Tony Joyce ran through Chippy's defence to fire home.

Highworth went in front on 52 minutes through Mike Davis, and it was soon 4-2 when Justin Miller headed home from a corner.

John Reeves completed the scoring for the home side when his cross-cum-shot flew into the top right-hand corner.

Pewsey Vale 1, Clanfield 1

Clanfield hit back to earn a useful point in Division 1 West.

Changes to personnel before the game disrupted Clanfield, who struggled to find their feet early on.

The home side went in front in the 70th minute following a fumble from Clanfield keeper Nick Heritage.

An astute change from joint-manager Peter Osborne saw the visitors draw level.

Defender Ashley Johnson was pushed forward, and within seconds, he netted Clanfield's equaliser with a bullet header from Jamie Montague's cross.