After last week’s fixture was cancelled due to being completely ruined the week before the squad returned to cup action with a visit to Hanborough reserves in the Watts Junior Cup. The game was moved to Cassington due to their pitch being in much of the same condition as nearly every teams in the W&D. The lions would be looking to continue their impressive run and progress into the next round with still 4 opportunities of silverware still on offer.

With some people still away Edwards could not go three replica line ups in a row. He started himself in the sticks, with the only change in the back 4 of Hewer replacing Wain at left back. Edney, Rowe and Harriss continued to deputise. Two changes to midfield. Cade replacing Angus and Austin replacing Evans, Beer and Fleming Sr completing the quartet. Kennedy in for Colleton to partner Lewis up front. The three subs were Fleming Jr, Wain and Aston.

Although Cassington was probably the only pitch in the whole of Oxfordshire to have grass still on, it had more lumps and bumps on it than a Nobbly Bobbley ice cream. The game started a bit frenetically, with both teams trying to get used to the conditions. The ball was moving more like a rugby ball than a football and was making things rather tricky to game any fluidity. Aston were not in top rhythm but were still creating chances, with not much to trouble them at the other end. The first big chance came from a corner. Fleming pinged the ball into the 6 yard box about 4 ft high. Rowe (6ft 2”) charged in and decided to limbo under the ball and head clean over the crossbar. The next opportunity came from the spot. Fleming Sr was fouled from behind in the area and stepped up. He again heeled the ball for the 2nd spot kick in a row and just missed the post. The next clear chance fell to Hewer. Fleming brought the ball down in the box, and squared the ball to Hewer 6 yards out who volleyed his shot wide of the post. Still 0-0 and it was starting to look like one of those games.
The lions did finally break the deadlock on 25 minutes. A scramble in the box found the ball fall loose. Cade ran for it and struck towards goal, where Kennedy got something on it to turn the ball in from a yard out. 0-1 Aston. A few more chances came and went before Aston finally doubled their lead. Now starting to play the ball around a little better Aston were building up play along the back 4. Cade received the ball out wide and beat his man where he was able to deliver his cross. Lewis headed the ball to Fleming who faked to go left and bent the ball right verrrrrrrrrry delicately post and in. 0-2 Aston and this was the score line at half time.

Although not at their best the lions were in front and in complete control of the game. Edwards just wanted to see the team be more ruthless in the 2nd half and concentrate for the remainder of the game, but he was soon to be disappointed. No changes were made and the team went out for the final 45 minutes.

Aston did not start the way they had been asked. Hanborough reserves came out with a new game plan implementing a 4-0-7 formation. Not even the most gung-ho of managers use that on football manager, and within 5 minutes they had got a goal back. The ball was received by the home side’s striker wide right. Fleming and Hewer closed him down but could not block the cross, where the ball was glanced on deftly far corner. Edwards still barking orders could not move his legs quick enough and the ball went into the corner. 1-2 and game on.
It was the kick up the bum the lions needed, but there was more kicking to been done by the opposition. A Hanborough centre mid decided to get a little WWE. A kick out at Fleming saw him square up to the player, who decided to become Brett ‘The Hitman’ Hart and do an overhead belly belly suplex. Madness followed and it took a couple of minutes for order to be resumed. Cade was booked soon after for reacting to a tackle. Aston need to recompose themselves. The away side were getting a lot of joy down the left and on 50 minutes they managed to extend the lead. A long kick by Edwards was brought down on half way by Lewis. He played a lovely weighted pass through to Fleming, who in turn squared to a rampaging pig (the butcher must have been chasing him). Only the keeper to beat he finished into the opposite corner. 1-3 Aston.
Fleming Jr then came on to replace Austin in central midfield. On 70 minutes the goal of the game was scored. A long cross field pass from left to right found Hanborough’s wing back open. He controlled the ball wonderfully, and hitting it on the half volley found the far corner. Great strike and 2-3.

Wain replaced Cade for the later stages but needed to move to left back after Hewer found himself injured. Aston was the final substitute and went right midfield. The last 20 minutes the game should have seen Aston 2-10 to the good with a host of chances missed. Aston (the player not the team name) missed a good opportunity, when maybe he should have squared to the free Lewis. Fleming Jr also missed 3 great chances but his radar was well off. Final score 2-3 Aston and onto the next round.

Not the most efficient of performances by the lions but a win nonetheless which means they will now face Chadlington at home in the next round. Fleming Sr was MOM just edging it from Harriss. Back to league action next week if weather permits with a home game vs Royals.

#UPTHEASTON