Report

An excellent game played out in exemplary spirit by both teams, prior to Bicester's cup final against Tower Hill. With North kicking up the notorious slope & several players playing in unfamiliar positions the odds were staked against them. To their credit they started with great purpose, playing some fine flowing football with Jack Meagher & James Turner really getting a grip of the midfield. Bicester though were forever a threat with the pacey Callum Green & Andrew Ingram only being contained by superb defending from Josh Burnham, Hayden Morse, Jonny Dawe & Ciaran Pragnall. North took the lead midway through the half, a great through ball from James Turner put in Tom Weedon whose left foot strike flew into the bottom corner of the net. The game continued to flow nicely and was evenly contested until the break.

With injuries to Hayden Morse & Jonny Dawe North had to reshuffle and started the 2nd half with ten players, Bicester seized the opportunity and threatened to run riot with some great attacking play. They were soon rewarded with a deserved equalizer when their striker finished well from close range. Bicester threatened on several occasions to take the lead, but North's keeper Sam Oliver was in fine form pulling several very good saves, including one sizzling strike by Darren Eyles from twenty yards that looked to be heading into the top corner of the net. With Jonny Dawe returning North started to get back into the game, Tom Weedon, James Turner and Aaron Bowerman all going close. North regained the lead when Tom Weedon beat the excellent Bicester keeper Rafael Garcia-Krailing to a 50/50 ball, stabbing the ball home from ten yards. Bicester came back strongly and looked to have equalized when Andrew Ingram lobbed Sam Oliver, but somehow Jonny Dawe raced back and hooked it off the line. In the last few minutes Bicester were awarded a penalty for a foul inside the box, a good kick was initially well saved by Sam Oliver but the ball rebounded to a Bicester striker following up, but Sam denied them again with a brilliant reaction save.

This was a really entertaining and good quality game for the spectators to enjoy, all the players should be pleased with their contribution.