FOOTBALL: Freeland aces go ten points clear (From Witney Gazette)

FOOTBALL: Freeland aces go ten points clear

12:21pm Tuesday 14th March 2006 in Local Football

WITNEY & DISTRICT FA: Freeland took a huge stride towards their quest for the Premier Division title with an excellent 4-1 victory at nearest rivals Ducklington on Saturday.

The visitors raced into a two-goal lead at the break with goals from Lee Hyatt and Tom Mason, but Ducklington weren't about to give up on their own title aspirations without a fight.

They reduced the arrears when Gary Brooks's free-kick was palmed out by the keeper, and Stu Cutts thumped home the rebound.

This gave Ducklington heart, and they dominated the next 20 minutes and had a great chance to level, only for Mark Wright to see his shot blocked.

Freeland seemed happy to soak up the pressure and hit the home side on the break.

They scored two goals in the dying minutes from Simon Stapleton and Craig Simpson wrapping up victory to open up a ten-point lead at the top.

DIVISION 1: Spartan Rangers opened up an 11-point lead at the top as they edged out Eynsham A 1-0.

The game was always likely to be a tight affair, and was settled by Jason King's ninth goal of the campaign.

Carterton Res were held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Witney Royals.

Tom Fletcher put Carterton in front, but this was cancelled out by a Stephen Reynolds strike.

Draw specialists Ducklington Res had to settle for another point as they were held 4-4 by struggling Brize Norton Res.

Dave Tolley, Ian Peedle, Lee Beer and Ross Clarkson were on target for Ducklington, with Steve Coomey, Richard Waddoups, Steve Morgan and Ryan Healing replying.

Kingham AB remained rooted to the bottom of the table, despite picking up only their second win of the season, beating Hanborough Res 2-1.

Simon Barrett and Dave Lamb scored for Kingham, with Martin Keylock replying.

Witney Wanderers thumped FC Mills 7-2, with leading scorer Chris Bennell smashing a hat-trick.

Mev Gundem (2), Mark Saxel and Luke Finch were also on target, with Jack Bennett and Dan Harwood replying.

DIVISION 2: Leaders Bampton Town maintained their 100 per cent record as they beat Milton Res 5-2.

There was a brace for Steve Godfrey, with Nick Basson, Nathan Beckett and Jason Trinder scoring the others.

Jay Lodge and Jason Thomas were on target for Milton.

Ian Sparkes bagged a double as Carterton A thumped Minster Lovell Res 5-1.

Ian Crangle, Martin Woodford and Graham Dunn also netted, with Mark Davies replying.

AC Finstock climbed off the bottom with a 3-0 victory over Chippy Swifts.

Adam Hicks opened the scoring with a fine header, before Simon Williams doubled the lead after converting Will Graham's through ball.

Williams added his second after the break to secure the points.

Finstock were replaced at the bottom by Hailey Res, who slipped to the bottom as they lost 4-1 against Tackley.

Chris Betreen led the way with a double, with Greg Davis and Ian Finnemore also on target.

Mike Ryan scored Hailey's goal.

Burford United drew 2-2 at Cassington as they twice came from behind.

Lee Walton put Cassington in front, only for Dean Godfrey to level.

Rob Wheeler then restored the lead for the home side, but Chris Read came off the bench to earn a point.

Gary Lewis scored the only goal as FC Nomads Res beat Spartan Rangers Res, while Phil Stokes scored twice in Real Islip's 2-1 victory over Wootton Sports, Gary Hornsby replying.

DIVISION 3: Second-placed Ducklington A crashed to a 4-0 defeat at FC Mills Res to dent their promotion hopes.

Rob Debanks took his season's total to 15 with a brace, with Tim Pratley and Ben Woodruffe also on target.

Southrop put a dent in the promotion hopes of Charlbury Res with a 4-2 win.

Charlbury twice took the lead in the first half through Mark Dellar and Liam Kelly, but Southrop levelled through Jamie Leverton and Andy How, before Shane Imms's bullet head and a Tony Hicks strike secured the points.

Freeland Res were held 1-1 by Two Rivers.

Jason Footitt fired Freeland in front, but Leigh Butler levelled for Rivers.

Ian Hayes netted twice as Witney Royals beat Burford Res 4-1.

Andy Tyrell and Paul Stayte scored the others, with Nigel Jones replying.