NEAR neighbours Freeland and Long Hanborough meet for the first time in around a decade this week – and it comes in the Oxfordshire Charity Cup final.

There is excitement and interest in west Oxfordshire as the long-time derby rivals face each other at Oxford City’s Court Place Farm on Friday, with a 5.30 kick-off.

It’s a rare meeting, as Freeland now play in the Oxfordshire Senior League, while Hanborough still participate in the Witney & District FA.

Gates open at 4.30pm, with tickets priced at £4 (£2 for concessions).

Freeland warmed up for the final by extending their Senior League Premier Division unbeaten run to 14 games with a 6-1 win at home to Marston Saints.

The hosts opened the scoring early with wonderful overhead kick from Tom McCudden and made it 2-0 when Tom Parker’s corner was headed home by Stuart Hole.

Marston grabbed one back on the stroke of half-time through a great strike from Josh Carr.

Freeland added their third through Danny Taylor, after the striker rounded the keeper and tapped into an empty net.

The fourth followed quickly, after some good work by Eddie Parker, the ball fell to Jason Lonsdale who fired the ball into the roof of the net.

Hole grabbed his second when he was first to react in the penalty area from Conor Allmond’s corner.

Their sixth goal came from midfielder Eddie Parker, who eluded three defenders before rifling into the net.

A seventh nearly arrived at the death, but player/manager Matty Longford hit the post with the goal at his mercy.