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ALLIED COUNTIES YOUTH LEAGUE
PREMIER DIVISION
Wednesday 28 March 2007

Oxford City (2)3 (Williams 40, Kamberi 42, Griffiths)
Northwood (0)1

City’s under 18s picked up three points in their first home game in several months. Recent results have meant that City’s outside title chance has disappeared, but this was an important victory which helped them consolidate in the top half of the table.

Thatcham were on top in the first twenty minutes, with Mark Janes clearing a header off the line. City began to come back to into the game but struggled to find the killer final ball. In the 32nd minute, an almighty scramble saw Mark Bell head against the bar, Ben Hepburn have a shot well saved and Lance Williams fire just over within a matter of seconds.

City took the lead in the 40th minute. Great work by Simon Reeves, Lewis Colwell and Ben Hepburn created a chance which Thatcham failed to clear and Lance Williams was on hand to tap home from 3 yards.

Two minutes later City had increased their lead. Jetmir Kamberi could stage his own ‘goal of the season’ competition, but this was outstanding even by his standards, as he picked the ball up in midfield, ghosted past three players, drew the goalkeeper and slotted the ball inside the far post.

Thatcham pulled a goal back in the 49th minute from a well-struck 20-yard free kick. This heralded a period of Thatcham pressure as City struggled to regain their shape. However, the introduction of the rested Stephen Davis in the last ten minutes provided fresh impetus, and Jack Griffiths, who contributed his usual 100% effort as substitute, first beat the offside trap, then was on hand to bundle home a Mark Bell cut-back.

City failed to produce their best form consistently in a game which was rarely allowed to flow, but were well worth their victory over the 90 minutes. The next league game in their crowded end-of-season programme is at home to Harefield next Monday (2nd April).

Team: Doran Solomon – Mark Janes, Kieron Lewis (capt), Joel Meade, Jamie Coleman – Simon Reeves (sub Jack Griffiths 57 min), Mark Bell, Jetmir Kamberi, Lewis Colwell (sub Steven Davis 80 min) – Ben Hepburn (sub Corey Forbes 88 min), Lance Williams.