Premier Division
Witney United 0 Didcot Town 1
Saturday, 21 August 2004
Despite not playing at their best, Didcot scraped a 1-0 win at newly promoted Witney United in front of a bumper opening day crowd of 207 at the Marriott's Stadium.
While neither side truly dominated, Witney can count themselves rather unfortunate not to take at least a share of the points after twice hitting the woodwork.
Having said that, it was Town who started brightly with Glyn Jones causing panic in the Witney box in the first minute with a good free kick and striker Stuart Beavon hitting a firm shot wide of the post shortly afterwards. Andy Cooper then headed wide from a Bradley Ward corner before the home side at last found their feet and broke up field. Ricky King saw a cross deflected over the bar for a corner that came to nothing before Witney came within inches of scoring. Ritchie Saunders beat keeper Chris Webb with a firm header but the ball struck the outside of the post and ran to safety. Didcot almost took advantage of this let-off when Ward headed across the face of goal but Kenny Hawkins cleared. A superb through-ball from Grant Goodall sent Jones away in the 34th minute and after skipping past Hawkins, keeper Sean Purcell palmed the ball away for a corner. Beavon had two shots blocked before Witney almost scored on the stroke of halftime. A goalmouth scramble followed a free kick into the box but the Town defence cleared the danger.
Half Time: 0-0
United's John McMahon should really have scored moments after the break when he was put through but this time Webb watched as the ball went harmlessly past the post. It was a costly miss as the visitors scored the winner on the hour mark. Andy Parrott capped a good second half display with a stunning volley from 20 yards that flew over Purcell into the top corner. All credit to Witney however as they stormed up the other end looking to equalize. Gary Wright nearly did just that as he rattled the crossbar with a fine 25-yard free kick and then the same player volleyed narrowly wide at the far post after a good move on the left. Didcot somehow managed to weather the storm and for the final quarter of the game looked reasonably comfortable. Substitute Laurence Hoey brought a brave block out of Purcell in the closing stages, and despite the referee playing 7 minutes of added time Didcot claimed the points.
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