Vic’s View
Oxfordshire Senior League Presidents Cup First Round
Saturday 3rd October 2026. KO 1.30pm
Team: Bennington, Saunders, Robinson, Clarke, Smaldon, Jackson (H) (67m Gunaratnam-Bailey), Shayler, Gray, (60m Jesson), Olawuyi, Ghrab, Holloway, (60m Wimble)
Witney made the trip to Banbury for the 1st round cup tie. Hardwick play in Division One of the Senior League. A potential banana skin of a game saw the pre match preparation upset by an issue with the visitors’ kit, or more exactly the lack of it! A kit was borrowed from Banbury United and the visitor looked resplendent in pale blue. The game kicked off 15 minutes late at 1.45pm.
Early Witney pressured forced two corners, one of which resulted in an Adam Clarke header being saved. Inside 3 minutes they had the ball in the net, but it was ruled out for offside. A minute later and they had the ball in the home net again, but this time it counted as the impressive Moez Ghrab crossed for Adam Holloway to fire home from close range. Witney continued to push forward but were continually being caught offside. Just inside the 20-minute mark and Noah Gray went on a mazey dribble, his final effort whistling past the left hand upright. Witney goalkeeper Tom Bennington was first called into action in the 25th minute saving comfortably from a header. The visitors continued to push forward with Gray being at the centre of many of their good moves. On 38 minutes Witney doubled their lead as Gray finished past the Hardwick keeper after a piercing through ball from Harvey Jackson. Immediately after Witney had the ball in the back of the net, with this time Adam Holloway being ruled offside. Witney had further chances to extend the lead before the half time, but the half ended 0-2.
The second half started as the first half had ended with Witney in the ascendency. Gray went close forcing a good save, before blazing the rebound over the bar. Holloway had another good chance before being replaced by Billy Wimble on the hour mark. Harry Jesson also coming on Gray. Jesson extended the visitors lead with his first involvement firing in past the advancing goalkeeper. Hardwick managed their best attacking spell forcing three corners in quick succession. A defensive mix up in the Witney defence saw their lead reduced as Hardwicks Daniel Cockle netted for the home side. On the 78th minute the 3rd goal lead was restored when Jesson hit his second following good hold up play from Wimble. There was still time for the visitors to create a couple of half chances that they failed to convert. Final score a 4-1 win on the road for Witney.
#Up.The.Blanketmen.
Report by Ian Dibley