Widmer End (30/01/2005)
2004 - 2005 Season, Hithercroft Youth


This game was played at the Fryers Lane Recreation Ground as the Pedestal pitch was suffering from the recent wet weather. This pitch was in good condition and firm whilst the weather was dry but overcast, windy and cold. Hithercroft had 3 subs in Dewayne Dublin, Ben Steele and Jamaine Warner whilst Widmer End just had one. Kevin ran the line for Hithercroft and the referee was Mr Kieran Bailey.

The game kicked off at 2.01pm and throughout the half both sides had an equal amount of possession and territorial advantage with end-to-end play but neither side managed to make full use of the ball. Most moves ended when passes went astray and the few shots at goal ended up off-target or being easily collected by the goalkeepers. Widmer End’s Luke Walker came closest to scoring when, in the 36th minute his shot had Simon Mines, the Hithercroft keeper, diving to try to get to the ball but it ended up just passing the outside of the left-hand post.

The second half began at 2.53pm and the game continued in a similar manner to the first half. Hithercroft made a substitution in the 12th minute of the half, replacing Ralph Kheir with Dewayne Dublin and 14 minutes later sent Ben Steele on to replace Dan Birch. Hithercroft were beginning to string more passes together but each attack still broke down before they had the opportunity to take a shot on goal. At 3.28pm the home team made their final substitution, taking off Paul Morgan and putting Jamaine Warner on in his place. Rhydian Grange then overstretched when trying to reach the ball and pulled a leg muscle which gave him a few problems during the remainder of the game. At 3.30pm the visitors took the lead when Matthew Bailey, from about 18-yards out pushed the ball to his left and Dean Oxlade ran in to guide the ball over the goal-line just inside the left-hand post. Six minutes later Matthew chased the ball in from the left wing and Simon Mines raced just outside his 18-yard box in an attempt to clear the ball. However, Matthew got to the ball first and as he struck the ball Simon brought his arms in front of, and close to, his body for protection, the ball hitting his arms as he did so. The referee adjudged this to be a deliberate handball by the last man that denied a goal-scoring chance and so produced a red card, ending Simon’s further participation in the game. Mark Sadler then donned the goalkeeper’s jersey as Hithercroft were reduced to ten players. The resulting free-kick, taken by Richard Medlicott, sailed harmlessly over the crossbar. The final whistle went at 3.40pm and Widmer End had secured their second league win of the season.

Hithercroft had not been playing to their usual standard and it seems that they can raise their game when playing strong opponents but fall short when playing opponents that are currently not doing so well. The game was very close with both teams failing to make the most of their opportunities for which both defences can take the credit. Mr Bailey had controlled the game well (in spite of sending off the Hithercroft keeper) and we would be pleased to see him take charge of any future games that we are engaged in.


Hithercroft team:-
Simon Mines, Richard Vere, David Blackman, Mark Sadler, Rhydian Grange, Paul & Peter Morgan, Tyrone Francis (captain), Baz David, Ralph Kheir and Dan Birch.
The subs were Dewayne Dublin, Ben Steele and Jamaine Warner.


Widmer End team:-
Thomas Collins, Matthew Bailey, James Bayford, Jack Dell, Jamie Legg, Richard Medlicott, Dean Oxlade, Graham Potts, Thomas Wilkinson, Phillip Wingfield and Luke Walker.
The sub was James Bailey.

Widmer End Scorer:-
Dean Oxlade (82nd minute)


The following few lines were published in the Bucks Free Press Midweek edition following information provided by Widmer End:-

Oxlade on target as Widmer End notch up a rare win
Dean Oxlade fired Widmer End to their second win of the season when he scored the only goal of the game against Hithercroft Youth. Oxlade struck 15 minutes from time in the second division clash, converting Matt Bailey’s cross from the right. Widmer End clung on until the final minute to register three points against the sixth-placed side.