April

APRIL 2005 - NEWS ARCHIVES

Fri 28 Apr 2006

	The Reserves beat Milton Utd 4-0 last night thanks to a hat-trick from Matt Bianchini and another from Eddie Gilkes.
	The First Team finish their League campaign at Slimbridge tomorrow - any positive result would set a new points record for the Hellenic League. Bradley Ward returns although Andy Parrott and Paul Bedwell are doubtful.
	THERE WILL BE NO NEW UPDATES ON HERE UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK. ANY LATEST MESSAGES AND NEWS WILL BE POSTED ON THE OFFICIAL MESSAGEBOARD.

Thu 27 Apr 2006

	Didcot claimed the Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy for the 3rd time in 6 years with a 4-2 win last night at Thatcham against Sandhurst Town. Full Report:
	Didcot claimed their second major trophy of the season when they beat Sandhurst Town 4-2 on Wednesday evening in the Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy Final at Thatcham. It was a thoroughly entertaining game, played in good spirit, but Didcot will probably reflect that they should have won by a far bigger margin. Didcot started the game at a high tempo and created chance after chance in the first half. Andy Parrott failed by a whisker to get on the end of Paul Powell’s deep cross. A fine through-ball from Powell to Stuart Beavon left the striker in acres of space but his shot flew agonizingly wide. The opening goal arrived in the 8th minute when keeper Andy Ewan’s goal-kick fell straight to Beavon and after breaking forward he made no mistake from 15 yards. A terrific move involving Beavon and Powell gave Ian Concannon a chance but Ewan made the first of a string of fine saves to deny him. Moments later Beavon looked as though he had added a second but his goal-bound volley was deflected away for a corner. Ewan then pulled off a top-class save to turn aside Concannon’s dipping volley and within a minute Sandhurst had levelled. Sandhurst’s main threat was coming from set-pieces and when Didcot failed to clear a high free-kick into the box Pete Mulvaney showed great technique to shoot left-footed past Chris Webb to make it 1-1. Didcot continued to dominate and both Parrott and Beavon saw long-range efforts saved by Ewan. Webb did well to deny Nick Rowe in a rare attack at the other end before Ewan made the save of the game to deny Beavon when he was clean-through in the 29th minute. Beavon then fired a shot into the side netting and Powell curled another effort inches wide of the post. Sandhurst then shocked everyone by taking the lead in the 37th minute. Webb handled the ball outside his penalty box and Rowe scored the goal of the game when he thundered the resulting free-kick in off the far post. Didcot forced a succession of corners the last of which ended with Sandhurst scrambling the ball off the goal-line. But Didcot’s pressure eventually paid off when Grant Goodall’s high cross forced Colin Bland to head past his own keeper to make it 2-2 at the break. The pace had been so fast that inevitably the teams tired in the second half and as a result there were fewer chances. However, Concannon should have done better with a great opportunity in the 48th minute which he put just wide. Jack King’s volley was well stopped by Ewan before Beavon gave Didcot a 3-2 lead midway through the second half. Sandhurst were guilty of not clearing their lines and Beavon’s volley made it’s way into the net despite the desperate efforts of two defenders on the line to keep it out. A minute later Parrott missed an open goal from 2 yards but it didn’t prove costly because King scored with a brilliant volley on the turn to give Didcot a deserved 4-2 lead. Powell had been superb throughout and he was unlucky not to get on the score-sheet with a shot that grazed the upright in the closing stages. A solo run from Beavon almost led to another Didcot goal but Ewan was equal to it and in the last minute Concannon, who had worked his socks-off all game, missed a sitter from 8 yards. The final whistle came shortly after and the large Didcot support celebrated in some style as skipper Jamie Heapy lifted his side’s second trophy in two weeks. Didcot: Webb, Goodall (Wallbridge 77), Bedwell (Jack 83), Campbell, Green, Parrott (Beckett 83), Heapy, King, Concannon, Beavon, Powell
	Congratulations to Stuart, Noz, Spicey and the players for another great achievement and a thoroughly deserved win.

Tue 25 Apr 2006

	Didcot travel to Thatcham Town tomorrow evening for the Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy Final against Combined Counties side Sandhurst Town.
	Our main injury doubt is Bradley Ward who has a groin strain but Andy Parrott and Stuart Beavon are available after missing Saturday's game against Henley. Other wise we are at full strength and will be going with 16 man squad.
	Not surprisingly I know little about Sandhurst (the Fizzers). They are on a terrific run, however, and are likely to finish in the top four of the Combined Counties. They have beaten Shrivenham, Milton Utd and Aylesbury Vale to get to the Final and the match looks likely to be a real cracker. Mark Anderson, with more than 30 goals this season, is their player to watch.
	Didcot supporters are reminded that we play in yellow & blue tomorrow and kick-off is 7.45pm.

Tue 18 Apr 2006

	Didcot beat Henley Town 4-0 yesterday to finish the home fixtures for the season:
	Didcot eased to a comfortable 4-0 win against relegation candidates Henley Town at the Loop Meadow on Saturday. It was Didcot’s last home game of the season and the win meant they became the first club in the history of the Hellenic League to reach 100 points. The home side dominated from the start. In the first minute Paul Bedwell almost forced the ball home following Jack King’s floated free-kick. Paul Powell was then narrowly off-target with a 25 yard free-kick and King was only denied by a superb clearance off the line by Tim Cook as Henley were put under severe pressure. The opening goal came after Glyn Jones found Ian Concannon in the box and he made no mistake with a left foot shot from 10 yards. Jones then headed onto the crossbar following good work from Powell and Grant Goodall missed a sitter from 3 yards as he looked to score his first goal in Didcot colours in over 125 appearances. And Goodall was to have an even better chance in the second half. Keeper Jack Chapman was in inspired form in the Henley goal and he made the first on a string of great saves midway through the half to deny Concannon. Henley’s first chance was created by Shane Small-King and he brought a decent stop from Chris Webb in the 36th minute. Concannon really should have scored after another moment of Powell magic but again Chapman pulled off a stunning save to keep the score at 1-0 at the break. Three minutes into the second half Concannon missed another clear opportunity when King threaded a pinpoint pass to him in the box but Chapman again thwarted him. It was 2-0 however shortly afterwards when Powell scored with a long range effort from fully 30 yards. Chances were coming thick and fast and Bedwell, King and Jamie Heapy all missed opportunites when it looked easier to score. King then produced a stunning long-range volley which Chapman managed to turn away for a corner. Didcot eventually made it 3-0 when a defensive mix-up let-in Concannon and he scored with typical ease past Chapman. Paul Noble, the veteran of more than 500 games for the Railwaymen, came on as substitute with quarter of an hour remaining and he could have immediately got himself on the score-sheet. Noble had just Chapman to beat but his shot was too feeble and Cook cleared the danger. Didcot were awarded a penalty when Jamie Jones brought down Powell in the box and Goodall accepted the chance to grab his elusive goal. Unfortunately he missed his second penalty of the season when his spot-kick thumped the upright. Noble then missed from close-range, as did Bedwell, before King made it 4-0 after beating Chapman to a Powell through-ball. Powell should have added another in the dying seconds but Didcot had to settle for what they had. Didcot: Webb, Goodall, Bedwell, Campbell (Wallbridge 46), Green (Jack 46), Beckett, Heapy, King, Concannon (Noble 76), Jones, Powell
	The Reserves received their Division One trophy before the match from League secretary Brian King. Congratulations to all.

Mon 17 Apr 2006

	Didcot will be presented with the Premier Division trophy at this afternoon's big derby match against Abingdon Utd.
	United are in top form and now look favourites to take third place and a promotion berth to the Southern League. Didcot only have pride to play for but we will need little motivation to perform in front of what is sure to be our biggest home League gate for some time
	Bradley Ward is our only injury doubt and he is unlikely to have shrugged off the groin problem that kept him out of the squad at Cleeve.
	We now know that we face Pete Foley's Ardley Utd in the final of the Challenge Cup on the 6th May. The match will be played at Carterton and is our last competitive fixture of the season.

Sun 16 Apr 2006

	It may not have been a classic performance but nobody was bothered as Didcot's 1-1 draw at Bishops Cleeve landed us the Hellenic Premier Division trophy for the first time since 1953-54.
	The game will best be remembered for the 200 travelling support from South Oxfordshire plus the terrific opening goal from Stuart Beavon in the 10th minute. Controlling the ball 25 yards out he turned and shot low into the corner of the net giving the Cleeve keeper no chance. Full Report:
	Didcot claimed the Hellenic Premier Division title for the first time in over 50 years after a hard fought draw at Bishops Cleeve. Some excellent defending by Didcot, with centre-back Danny Campbell in outstanding form, and a goal of real quality from Stuart Beavon ensured that the trophy would be heading for South Oxfordshire. It was Cleeve who started strongly and they took the game to Didcot. On 4 minutes Kacey Johnstone met Richard Mansell’s free kick but saw his shot from 20 yards go wide. A few minutes later Nick Williams found James Verecsi on the edge of the Didcot penalty area but he fired wide of the right hand post. In the 10th minute however it was the visitors who went in-front. Keeper Chris Webb claimed the ball under pressure from a corner and he swiftly released it to Stuart Beavon inside the Cleeve half. Despite being closely marked Beavon turned Mike Rhodes and hit a stunning shot from 25 yards that went low into the far corner of the net with Cleeve keeper Dan Logan rooted to the spot. Despite being a goal down Cleeve continued to press for an equaliser but found the visitor’s defence in no mood to give anything away. On 21 minutes Richard Mansell dispossessed Beavon inside the Didcot half and hit a firm shot from 25 yards that flew just inches over the Didcot goal. After half an hours play James Bayliffe set up Kacey Johnstone for a strike that flew straight at Chris Webb. Dan Avery would feel he could have done better a minute later as he met Andy Tucker’s corner but the defender failed to get enough contact with his header and the ball went harmlessly wide of the far post. Then Cleeve thought they had got an equaliser when Tucker hit a firm shot past Chris Webb only to see it hit the post and go out for a goal kick. Didcot went close to grabbing a second six minutes from the interval. Paul Powell and Jack King combined and it was King that found Beavon down the right. Beavon then rolled the ball back into the path of King who sent a well struck shot from 30 yards that went inches over Logan’s goal. Half Time 0-1 Cleeve started the second half with more attacking strategy as Kevin Slack came off the bench to join Johnstone and Verecsi up-front. Cleeve should have had their equaliser just four minutes from the restart when Matt Collins found space behind the Didcot defence and hit a shot from the left of goal that Webb did well to block. Collins then picked somehow hit the rebound over the bar when it looked easier to score. Didcot enjoyed a good period of possession. Ian Concannon’s corner was only half cleared by Cleeve with the ball falling to Jack King on the edge of the penalty area. The midfielder hit a firm volley that took a deflection and out for another corner. Didcot forced two further corners with the second ending with Danny Campbell setting up King. Again Cleeve managed to block his effort and clear the danger. Just after the hour-mark Beavon and Concannon combined well on the edge of the Cleeve penalty area. To release Powell who hit a curling shot that grazed the upright. Ten minutes later a mistake by Johnstone gave Andy Parrott a chance to shoot from long range but the effort failed to trouble Dan Logan. In the next attack Beavon crossed from the left but Jamie Heapy’s header was off-target. Cleeve replied with a Slack left foot shot that flew inches over Webb’s crossbar. Andy Wallbridge and Danny Campbell were terrific in the heart of Didcot’s defence but with 5 minutres remaining Cleeve set-up a nail-biting finish with an equalizer. Andy Tucker’s right wing cross was only half cleared by Grant Goodall and Rhodes deflected shot went underneath Webb and into the net. In fairness Didcot managed to see out the remaining minutes with little problem and at the final whistle the 200 strong travelling support were jubilant. Full Time 1-1 Didcot Team: 1. Webb; 2. Goodall; 3 Heapy; 4 Campbell; 5 Wallbridge; 6 Parrott; 7 Jack; 8; King: 9 Concannon; (15 Green – 68 mins) 10 Beavon: 11 Powell: Subs not used: 12 Bedwell; 14 Beckett
	The First team will now receive the trophy on Monday when we host Abingdon Utd in the Premier League. Abingdon need the points to help them gain promotion so there is plenty at stake - BE THERE.
	The Reserves won 4-0 against Hungerford to lift the Reserves Division One trophy and make it a very special Saturday evening celebration. Congratulations to Mark, Rodders, Beechy, Sat Nav, Geoff and the lads for a brilliant campaign.

Fri 14 Apr 2006

	Tomorrow is a red letter day for the club with both our senior sides able to win their Leagues should they get positive results.
	The First Team have a very tough match at second placed Bishops Cleeve knowing a draw will bring the Premier Division trophy to the Loop for the first time in more than 50 years.
	Recent matches indicate a draw may well be on the cards - the last 3 League matches between the clubs have finished even the last one a 1-1 draw at the Loop in January. Cleeve's manager has written some very complimentary things about us in tomorrow's programme but we know that Cleeve will be gunning 100% to keep the title race alive.
	On the player front Dave Green and Bradley Ward have been struggling with injury but both are in contention, Andy Parrott should return after missing two matches with a groin strain.
	Off the pitch we are taking a dedicated supporters coach tomorrow with fancy dress thrown-in (Supporters coach leaves at 12.30, players coach 20 minutes earlier) so win lose or draw it should be a memorable day. Full Report here on Sunday morning.
	The Reserves suffered a small hiccup in the week with their first League defeat since October - a 2-1 home defeat to Abingdon United. Incredibly we had a crowd of over a 100 for the game but the focus now is beating Hungerford Reserves tomorrow at the Loop - the win would guarantee the Reserves Div One trophy. Good luck to Mark and the lads.

Thu 13 Apr 2006

Our Reserves lost 2-1 at home to Abingdon Utd last night which means they still have more work to do before they can claim the Reserve Division One title. A win on Saturday at home to Hungerford would be good enough. Thanks to the 100 or so spectators who came along to support. It was a decent game and Abingdon deserved the points - our first League defeat since October.

Tue 11 Apr 2006

	Tonight's 3-0 victory over Hungerford means a draw at Cleeve would now be enough to see us claim the Premier League Trophy. match Report:
	Didcot moved tantalizingly close to claiming the Hellenic Premier League trophy thanks to a comfortable 3-0 win against Hungerford Town at the Loop Meadow on Tuesday evening. The three points puts Town 13 points ahead of Bishops Cleeve, the only side who could catch Didcot, and with the clubs set to play eachother at the weekend a draw in that game would be enough to give Didcot the title. Didcot took a little while to get going against a spirited Hungerford side but once the home side took the lead there only looked like one winner. The opening goal arrived midway through the first half and it was a fantastic move. Danny Campbell broke up a Campbell was on hand to thump the resulting cross low into the corner of the net. A flowing move almost ended with Concannon firing home but from the resulting corner Didcot went 2-0 up thanks to a rare headed goal from Andy Wallbridge. Stuart Beavon set-up Concannon with a great chance in the 36th minute but Didcot’s normally reliable striker sidefooted the ball over the bar. Grant Goodall almost sent the Didcot crowd wild with a clear opportunity to score his first goal in 135 appearances for the club but with only keeper Dave Leno to beat he shot tamely and Leno pushed the ball wide of the post. On the stroke of half-time Jack King showed superb technique with a 25 yard volley that Leno acrobatically turned aside. There were fewer chances after the break although Didcot managed to add to their lead in the 62nd minute. Jamie Heapy’s long run forward ended with a ball to Paul Powell and his high cross was bravely headed home by Beavon from 12 yards. Leno then pulled off another terrific save to deny Concannon, Beavon volleyed narrowly over the bar and the last chance of the game saw Wallbridge shoot over from close range. Didcot: Webb, Goodall (Jones 65), Heapy, Campbell (Green 72), Wallbridge, Jack, King, Ward (Beckett 30), Concannon, Beavon, Powell
	There will be an extensive match preview for Cleeve later in the week.
	Meanwhile: Don't forget the Reserves are in action at the Loop tomorrow when a win will clinch the Reserve Div One trophy against Abingdon Utd. Kick-off 7.45pm.

Mon 10 Apr 2006

	Tomorrow the First Team entertain Hungerford still needing 5 points from the remaining 5 matches to all but guarantee that the Premier Division Trophy is on its way to South Oxfordshire.
	Hungerford have a good record at the Loop but we are on a tremendous run and are looking for our 12th consecutive League victory on Tuesday.
	Team News is there are no new injury worries from Saturday but Andy Parrott is still a doubt with a groin problem that ruled him out from the squad at Pegasus. First News here by Wednesday morning.
	Don't forget the Reserves are in action at the Loop on Wednesday when a win will clinch the Reserve Div One trophy against Abingdon Utd. Kick-off 7.45pm.

Sun 9 Apr 2006

	Results went our way yesterday with the First Team winning and our neighbours at Wantage doing us a favour by holding our title challengers, Bishops Cleeve, to a draw.
	Didcot’s winning run in the League was stretched to eleven matches with a hard fought 3-2 win at Pegasus Juniors on Saturday. Didcot were far from at their best but a determined performance ensured maximum points on the day that their rivals for the title, Bishops Cleeve, dropped points at Wantage Town. The pitch was extremely hard and both sides struggled to maintain possession. It took more than 10 minutes before either side created a chance of note and that was blasted high and wide by Didcot’s Paul Powell. Tony Robbins forced a good save from Didcot keeper Chris Webb before Didcot took the lead midway through the first half. Powell’s run down the left created panic in the Pegasus defence and Paul Brown inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net past keeper Bryn Watkins. It was a lead that lasted barely a minute. Pegasus forced a corner straight from the re-start and Chris Mortlock thumped a header high into the roof of the net from 12 yards. Pegasus could have then taken the lead but Jamie Cuss missed a sitter with the gaol at his mercy. Shortly before the interval Didcot went 2-1 in front. Stuart Beavon crossed from the right and Bradley Ward bravely headed home despite a strong challenge from Watkins. Didcot had the wind at their backs in the second half but they struggled to put the game beyond Pegasus despite creating some decent chances. Beavon volleyed wide from 25 yards and Jack King also shot over from distance. Powell was controversially denied a goal when his run and shot found the bottom corner of the net but Ian Concannon was flagged offside despite not featuring in the build-up. Powell was then denied by the save of the game from Watkins after a pin-point pass from Beavon had sent the Didcot winger clear. With 15 minutes remaining Beavon scored to put Didcot 3-1 up and seemingly cruising to victory. However, Pegasus again went straight downfield from the re-start and substitute Ben Price fired a volley past Webb to cause a few nerves in the large Didcot travelling support. Concannon should have made the game safe but he shot over when it looked easier to score. Didcot then had strong claims for a penalty waived away when Beavon was brought down in the box but with the final whistle coming moments later it didn’t prove a costly decision. Didcot: Webb; Heapy; Goodall; Campbell; Green; Beckett (Jack 70); King (Jones 70); Ward; Concannon; Beavon (Wallbridge 90); Powell.
	We now play at home to Hungerford on Tuesday needing 5 points from our remaining 5 matches to win the League (because of our superior goal difference). Irrespective of any other results a win at Bishops Cleeve next weekend would guarantee us the title - BUT PLENTY OF WORK STILL TO DO.
	A match against former boss Pete Foley came a step closer when his Ardley Utd side beat Tytherington 2-0 yesterday in the first leg of the Challenge Cup semi-final.

Thu 6 Apr 2006

	With Cleeve's win last night Didcot take the road on Saturday looking to preserve an 8 point lead at the top of the Premier Division.
	Cleeve have done fantastically well to cut the lead from 20 points just 2 weeks ago and the pressure is back on us to finish the job over the next 3 weeks. The trip on Saturday is our longest of the season, to Hereford based Pegasus Juniors. The excellent new is Didcot are at full strength and with 2 games a week until the end of the season that's important. The 3 players who missed out and started on the bench at Slimbridge (Ian Concannon, Grant Goodall and Darren Beckett) will all be vying for a starting place this time round.
	First news and reaction from both our game and also Cleeve's at Wantage can be found here on-line Sunday morning.

Tue 4 Apr 2006

	*<<<<<<BREAKING NEWS>>>>>*
	Didcot are through to the Final of the Hellenic League Challenge Cup after a dramatic match at Slimbridge tonight. A poor journey on the M4 saw Diddy arrive just 30 minutes before kick-off and within 6 minutes of the match Slimbridge had made the tie all square through Robbie Colwell. The match looked certain to go to extra time before Stuart Beavon settled things with a last minute equalizer on the night and a 3-2 victory on aggregate. Final to be played on 6th May at Carterton - our opponents are yet to be decided.
	*To round things off goals from Glyn Jones and Billy Warner gave the Reserves a 2-1 win against Wootton Bassett and they are now on the verge of the League title.*
	It's a big night for the club this evening with the Firsts and Reserves in action.
	The First Team travel to Slimbridge to decide who will appear in the Challenge Cup Final in May. Diddy have a 2-1 lead and things are very tight. Slimbridge have an excellent home record and this will be a very difficult proposition.
	The good news is we are back to full strength with Webby having completed his 7 day suspension. News and brief report on the match online on Wednesday morning.
	The Reserves need just 2 wins to secure the Reserve Division One title and they are at home tonight against Wootton Bassett Town. Kick-off 7.45pm.

Sat 1 Apr 2006

Didcot's title challenge continued this afternoon thanks to a comprehensive 5-1 win against local rivals Wantage Town. Star of the show was undoubtedly Bradley Ward who notched his first hat-trick for the club, but everyone did well in an enjoyable match to watch.
Didcot manager Stuart Peace finally got a League win against his old club as Didcot comfortably beat Wantage 5-1 at the Loop Meadow on Saturday.
It was a match full of incident and even the heavy showers failed to dampen the spirits of a crowd in excess of 300.
The home side were without the suspended Chris Webb, who was replaced by Reserve keeper Adam Spurrett in goal, and striker Stuart Beavon through injury.
The Railwaymen began on the offensive and should have probably settled the outcome within the first quarter of an hour. Ian Concannon volleyed the first chance of the game wide before Didcot were awarded a penalty in the 7th minute. Wantage defender Lee Davies was unfortunate to handle Concannon's cross when the ball spun awkwardly in the box but the referee awarded the spot-kick without hesitation. Keeper Shaun Purcell saved the first effort from Concannon but was penalised for moving too early off his line. It was harsh on Purcell and justice was done when he made an even better stop from Concannon's retaken spot-kick.
It was all Didcot and Paul Powell's superb run and cross thumped onto the top of the crossbar and Purcell did well to block Bradley Ward's follow-up shot.
Andy Parrott flicked Matty Jack's cross inches over the bar as Didcot continued to make most of the running.
However Wantage's first chance nearly resulted in them taking the lead. A long corner was headed into the 6 yard box by Adam Giles and Sam Belcher's deft flick cannoned back off the bar and away to safety.
The home side's endeavour finally paid off in the 32nd minute and Powell was the provider. His trickery left two defenders in his wake and Parrott met the resulting cross first time with a left foot shot that easily beat Purcell.
Concannon missed two further opportunities and then Parrott skied the ball miles over from close-range before Didcot doubled the lead just before the interval. Jamie Heapy's cross found the hand of another Wantage player and referee Norris again had no doubts about the awarding of a penalty. Bizarrely there was to be more drama surrounding the game’s second penalty. It was left to Ward who this time stepped up and made no mistake but this time it was Didcot who were penalised for encroachment. At the second attempt Ward thumped the retake high into the roof of the net and it was 2-0.
Powell almost got the home side off to a flyer in the second half but fired high over the bar from 12 yards.
Spurrett was forced into his first save at the other end when he easily held-on to a low Giles shot.
Concannon missed a clear chance after Davies had misjudged a header back to his keeper but it was 3-0 anyway within a minute. This time Parrott laid the ball back to Ward who fired low past Purcell.
Wantage showed plenty of spirit and this was rewarded when Bryn Ingram headed home from Tom Austen's free-kick on the hour mark.
Jack nearly restored Didcot's three goal cushion with a deflected effort and Powell was desperately unlucky to drag his shot narrowly wide after another classy dribble into the penalty box.
Didcot created several good chances before scoring two late goals in the closing stages. Ward completed his hat-trick with a clinical lob over Purcell from 20 yards but was then booked for taking his shirt off in celebration.
Substitute Jack King then rounded off the scoring with a swerving drive which eluded Purcell to make it 5-1.
Didcot: Spurrett, Wallbridge (Goodall 54), Jack, Campbell, Green, Beckett, Heapy, Ward, Concannon (King 54), Parrott, Powell

The Reserves got back to winning ways with a 2-1 win at Wantage Town.