Hayes - Away

Allied Counties League Premier Division Monday 29th January 2007

Hayes (0) 0
Oxford City (0) 0

Oxford City are still in a challenging position towards the top of the table after a hard-fought draw in an absorbing game at leaders Hayes.

City’s only league defeat so far came at home to Hayes in December when there seemed to be little to choose between the teams. This game proved equally close.

A strong and quick Hayes side, eager to avenge their own first reverse in their last game at closest rivals Farnborough, had the better of the first half against a City side in action for the first time in seven weeks. However, Hayes seldom called City keeper Doran Solomon into action; indeed, City came closest to a goal when Jack Griffiths hit the post in the 8th minute after excellent work by Jetmir Kamberi.

If Hayes dominated the first period, the second certainly belonged to City, although they too failed to turn their territorial superiority into many clear-cut chances. Their best opportunity came in injury time when Kamberi and Ben Hepburn combined superbly to set up Griffiths, whose shot eluded the keeper but drifted past the post.

The only sour note for City came towards the end of the game when Michael Betnay was stretchered off with a knee injury.

City more than matched Hayes over the piece, with Mark Bell, Lance Williams, Mark Janes, Kamberi and Hepburn always looking to create and Griffiths full of running up front. Joel Meade and Kieron Lewis dealt admirably with everything that came their way in defence.

City will need to win all of their games in hand to mount a serious title challenge but their season is very much alive.

Team: Doran Solomon – Michael Betnay (sub Ajay Lloyd 89 min), Joel Meade, Kieron Lewis (capt), Stephen Davis – Lance Williams, Mark Bell, Jetmir Kamberi, Mark Janes – Jack Griffiths, Ben Hepburn.
Subs (unused) Alex Williams, Russell Colwell, Jason Evans, Lawrence El-Kassir.
Reporter: Hugh