Chinnor

Hellenic League Veterans Division One East Wednesday 19 September 2007

Oxford City (0) 4 (Carroll 61, Baresi 70, 78, Creed 80)
Chinnor (0) 1 (Fortnam 57)

City’s first-ever home veterans match ended in a flurry of goals.

A goaless first-half was dominated by City, with Shaun Bradbury pulling the strings in midfield, but Chinnor defended resolutely and there were few clear-cut chances.

The second period started more evenly; Chinnor took the lead with just over 20 minutes of the 80-minute game remaining, when Fortnam’s speculative 35-yard shot dipped over the otherwise immaculate Colin Fleet. City renewed their efforts, and a period of sustained pressure, including some frantic goalmouth scrambles, was capped by Liam Carroll’s 30-yard equalising lob.

There was a high level of skill on display, with the night’s highlight being City’s second goal; Julio Baresi ran on to a magnificent Stuart Clarke through ball to slot home.

Chinnor were forced to chase the game and City exploited gaps at the back to score two further goals. First Baresi netted the rebound from Bradbury’s header, then Paul Creed scored a rare goal from close range after Baresi’s shot was saved.

City team: Fleet, Creed, Dark, Watson, Jennings, Fontaine, Clarke, Bradbury, Holden, Rodney, Baresi.
Subs: Bowley, Macer, Carroll.

Stonefield away

Forgetting the scoreline(impressive as it is) then you begin to understand what watching this first City veteran game was all about. This was a dream come true for an 'old' City fan.

When you look at the team sheet and see all of the veteran ex City players, ably aided and abetted with other veteran players of considerable ability then you fully appreciate what I am talking about.

Silky skills, impressive workrate and striking ability were seen in abundance.Stonesfield were simply blown away and chasing shadows for the bulk of the game.Stonesfield to their credit stuck to their task and scored two goals through McKracken and Chambers.

City scorers were:
Wayne Holden (6), Tim Boley (3), Julian dark (1), Phil Rodney (1) and Stuart Clark (1).

I will hopewfully send in a photograph tomorrow;

Team: 1)Colin Fleet, 2)Paul Creed, 3)Julian Dark, 4)Mark O'Hara, 5)Dave Watson, 6)Stuart Clark, 7)Shaun Bradbury, 8)Chris Fonteine, 9)Phil Rodney,10)Wayne Holden,11)Julio Baresi,12)Tim Boley,14)Mark Jennings,15)Chris Griffin,17)Dale Macer

Report: Paul Cottrell