HEADINGTON ATHLETIC WFC

A superb team performance saw Headington Athletic beat Chinnor 4-2 thus preventing them securing the league title on our patch. They now have to win their last game in order to achieve the feat.

Headington started brightly with Nicole and Cecile attacking well down the wings but against the run of play a speculative shot coupled with an unfortunate slip on 18 minutes from Hollie in goal left the Chinnor forward following up a relatively easy finish.

Headington battled back though and after a period of confident play Cecile equalised with a great diving header on 30 minutes.

Chinnor regained the lead after catching the Headington defence flat footed from a free kick leaving the break away forward with a one on one which she calmly slotted home. Chinnor proceeded to put Headington under pressure for a short while managing to hit the bar in the process but  Headington continued playing good football to finish the half the stronger team.

After an encouraging half time team talk Headington started the second half the same way they finished the first playing good flowing football and increasingly dominating the opposition. It was only a matter of time before Headington would grab the equaliser and it came from midfielder Nicky O as she found the top left hand corner of the net with a well taken shot from outside the box. Although Chinnor naturally rallied after this it was only a matter of minutes before Headington settled down again and went to task.

Headington were by now in complete control of the game and move after move of free flowing and often one touch football continued to ratchet up the pressure on a now increasingly demoralised Chinnor. Strikers Seema and Sarah, supported by a strong midfield, continued to cause the Chinnor defence headaches forcing a succession of corners, but it was from a great move down the right wing that allowed Nicole to cross accurately for Sarah to put Headington into a deserved lead coolly slotting home the team's 3rd goal and her 30th of the season.

On the rare occasions that Chinnor made it into Headington's half the defence remained solid and snuffed out any possible danger quickly and effectively.

With Headington now completely in the ascendancy it was fitting that they should finish the game with another goal which Nicky O provided with a glancing header that left the Chinnor keeper no chance.

So a well deserved victory and a great finish to the season to show just what the team is made of. Well done everyone and bring on next season.

Team: Hollie, Nikki, Kumba, Asa, Nicole, Mess, Nicky, Seema, Newps, Lisa (20), Cecile  Sub: Kat (20)

Goal Scorers: Nicky O (2), Cecile, Sarah

Attendance: 50

Opposition Player of the Match: Nicole

Managers Player of the Match: Seema

Headington started the day placed 4th in the league and one place behind the visitors.

After early pressure Headington took the lead when Newport cooly slotted home. Although working hard Headington couldn't shift up a gear and conceded a goal just before half time.

In the second half Headington seem to stamp more authority on the game and managed to come close to playing the kind of football we have produced for much of the season.

After a two pronged move on the right from Nicole and Newps, the ball was crossed into the box and Cecile volleyed in from close range. After another attack from the right the Stony defence found itself overrun when Cecile ran onto a cross from Nicole and steered a half volley into the corner of the net.

Stony scored one on the break to make for a nervous last few minutes but the Headington back four and keeper defended admirably and remained composed to see the game out and take us up to third place in the league.

Team: Hollie, Gry, Seema, Nikki H, Julia, Cecile, Mess, Nicky O, Nicole, Sarah, Laura. Subs: Raj

Opposition Man of Match: Cecile

Manager MOTM: Newps

Goals: Cecile 2, Newps 1

After a shakey start Headington finished the game in the ascendancy to overcome a stubborn Holmer Green side on a crisp Sunday afternoon in Bucks.

Headington found themselves a goal down within 4 minutes as Emma Hunt slotted home from just inside the penalty area. Sarah Newport replied 10 minutes later but Holmer regained the lead on 26 minutes when Kelly Jones fired in a rebound after a good stop from Claire Lynch in the Headington goal. After going close several times and hitting the post Newport again levelled on 30 minutes. Headington had by now got into the swing of the game and looked increasingly threatening finishing the half on top.

The second half continued in the same vain with Headington pinning Holmer further back and containing the occasional threat with solid defending. It wasn't long before Newport got her hat-trick which was followed up with her 4th with about 15 minutes to go. Headington managed to squander many chances to put the game beyond doubt but in the end came away with a relatively comfortable victory although Holmer made them battle for it all the way.

Well done to Asa, Jasmine, and Raj on their league debuts and to Claire Lynch for filling in at the last minute when our goalie had been taken ill. And thanks to Holmer Green for a well contested game and great hospitality.

Team: Claire, Nikki H, Gry, Kat, Jasmine, Asa, Mess, Nicky O, Cecile, Sarah, Laura.  Subs: Raj, Julia.

Goals: Newps 4

Managers player of the match: Kat

Oppositions player of the match: Laura

Mare of the week: Jamie, for thinking Nicky O's dad was from Holmer (sorry Mr O)

Headington went into this game 1 point behind their hosts, who had only conceded 6 goals in 6 games, but produced a solid performance to come away with a deserved 5-0 victory.

Straight from the ko Headington took the game to Stony attacking down both flanks and pressurising their defenders into mistakes. It wasn't long before the pressure paid off when Cecile, on her league debut, crashed in a fine strike from outside the box.

The second came after some great wing play which saw Laura finish from close range after Nicole had hit the crossbar with a stunning 25 yard shot.

Sarah Newport added the third on the stroke of half time with a clinical left foot strike after she had been put through with a precise pass.

For the first 15-20 minutes of the second half Stony were much the stronger team with some good passing and attacking moves causing Headington a few anxious moments. This was tempered though by Laura's second of the game when she tapped in the fourth after the ball squirmed under the Stony goalkeeper.

A lighter moment was to follow when the Headington coach went sprawling after tripping over the water bottle bag much to everyone's amusement!

Cecile capped a fine, 'player of the match', performance as she again struck with a fine shot to seal the victory and push Headington up to third in the league.

Team: Stacey, Vicky, Nikki H, Kat, Gry, Nicole, Nicky O, Mess, Cecile, Newps, Laura

Subs: Rachel, Jasmine

Goal Scorers: Cecile 2, Laura 2, Newps 1

Oppositions Player of the Match: Cecile

Managers Player of the Match: Laura

Gimp Bib: Jamie 'watch out for those water bottles!'

With the cancellation of our league game against Chalfont, Headington Athletic entertained Division 1 team Wolverton Wasps from Milton Keynes. The game presented an ideal opportunity to try out some new players.

Headington, without a recognised keeper, started the brighter and after some good passing moves went ahead when Sarah latched on to a cross from Nicole and finished confidently.

Wolverton took a while to get going but soon found themselves grabbing the equaliser which was shortly followed up with their second after a sustained period of pressure.

The second half was an evenly matched affair with chances at both ends. It was Wolverton though that made the breakthrough adding their third with a well taken shot from the edge of the area.

Headington continued to battle hard and were rewarded, with a few minutes left on the clock, with a well taken goal by the substitute Laura.

Overall a good exercise for the team and a chance to bed in the new players.

Team:Nikki H, Kat, Rachel, Julia, Gry, Jasmine, Raj, Nicky O, Nicole, Mess, Sarah  Subs:Laura, Stacey

Goalscorers: Sarah 1, Laura 1

Player of Match: Gry

Gimp bib of the week:Nikki H (but the door code's in Roman Numerals!)

Headington Athletic chalked up a record win today with no fewer than 8 players getting on the scoresheet. Headington served up the sparklers and a few rockets to warm themselves on this chilly 5th Nov scoring no less than 14 second half goals.

Sarah 5, Laura 4, Nicky O. 3, Stacey 2, Nicole, 2, Rachel 1, Gry 1, Nikki H. 1

MK Wanderers though stuck to their task admirably and never gave up the fight always managing to offer positive encouragement to their fellow teammates and battling right through to the end.

Team:Vicky, Kat, Nikki H, Rachel, Julia, Stacey, Nicky O, Gry, Nicole, Laura, Sarah

Opposition's Player of the Match: Nicole

Manager's Player of the Match: Rachel

Goalscorers:  Sarah 5, Laura 4, Nicky O. 3, Stacey 2, Nicole 2, Rachel 1, Gry 1, Nikki H 1

Gimp Bib of the week: Nicky O   " Nicky's ball! "

Headington suffered their first league defeat in a game played in atrocious conditions at High Wycombe. After completely dominating the first half, but failing to convert an array of opportunities, Headington went behind to a fortuitous goal before half time.

In the second half Headington continued to press but were caught out by a penalty awarded for hand ball which was duly dispatched. As Headington committed more players forward and with the Wycombe players visibly tireing it looked increasingly like they might turn the game around but unfortunately got caught on the break leaving Wycombe leading by three goals.

Laura Peacock managed to pull one back but with time fast running out Wycombe hung on to claim all three points.

Team: Vicky, Kat, Kumba, Nikki H, Rachel, Stacey, Nicky O, Gry, Nicole, Laura, Sarah   Sub: Jo

Opposition's Player of the Match: Kumba

Managers Player of the Match: Kat

Goal Scorer: Laura

Headington Athletic won today with their biggest ever score but the result masked the quality of the opposition. Headington came out strongly from the kick off and scored within the first 5 mins when a powerful run and shot from the opposition's player of the match, Nicole Ray, saw the ball squirm in.

Holmer hit back on 15 mins with a well placed header by Caroline Yandell.

Within 3 mins Headington had regained the lead when Nicole grabbed her second of the match.

Sarah Newport then scored on 22 and 26 mins to take Headington into the break 4-1 up.

After the break Newport continued where she left off scoring again on 52 mins followed closely by a Laura Peacock header on 56 mins.  Then on 57 mins the pick of the goals as Newport sublimely chipped the keeper from outside the box.

Managers player of the match, Nicky Ostinelli, scored the 8th on 62 mins. Holmer hit back with a penalty converted by Collette Bardi on 65mins but super sub, Rachel Hutchins, grabbed a brace on 77 and 79 mins to take the tally to 10.

Sarah Newport finished the rout with the team's 11th and her 5th with two mins remaining.

All in all a great team performance.

Team: Claire, Kat, Nikki H, Kumba, Nicole, Gry, Nicky O, Stacey, Mess, Sarah, Laura.  Subs: Jo, Rachel

Goal Scorers: Sarah Newport 5, Nicole Ray 2, Rachel Hutchins 2, Nicky Ostinelli 1, Laura Peacock 1.

Player of the match: Opposition's choice: Nicole Ray. Managers choice: Nicky Ostinelli

Gimp bib of the week: Nikki Hedges

Another very strong performance from Headington saw them 5-0 up before half time with Sarah Newport grabbing a first half hat-trick. The pick of her goals was a left footer after some great football down the right wing with Rachel Hutchins providing the cross. Stacey Smith and Rachel Hutchins also grabbed a goal apiece.

The second half saw Oxford defend deeply which kept the home side at bay until Laura Peacock rounded of the scoring with a late goal. 

Team: Claire, Kumba, Vicky, Nikki H, Kat, Nicole, Nicky O, Gry, Stacey, Rachel, Sarah  Subs: Laura, Jo

Goal Scorers: Sarah 3, Rachel 1, Stacey 1, Laura 1

Player of the Match: Kumba

Headington Athletic came away from Aylesbury with a convincing 7-0 victory in their first league game of the season. Although Aylesbury battled hard they could not contain Stacey Smith who scored five times, Sarah Newport (1) and Rachel Hutchins (1). New player Gry gave a solid second half performance.

Team: Anna, Kumba, Nikki H, Is, Jo, Nicole, Mess, Nicky O, Stacey, Rachel, Sarah  Subs: Mirella, Laura, Gry

Goal Scorers: Stacey 5, Sarah 1, Rachel 1

Player of the Match: Nicky Ostinelli

Headington put in a stong performance against a battling Wantage team running out comfortable winners. Rachel Hutchins scored one and Sarah Newport a hat trick in her first game back since she broke her wrist.

Sarah Newport 29 / Laura Peacock 14 / Nicky Ostinelli 10 / CD 9 / Stacey Smith 8 / Nicole Ray 7 / Rachel Hutchins 5 / Asa Juvas 2 / Seema Grewal 2 / Lisa Freeman 2 /Gry Pettersbakkan 1 / Nikki Hedges 1