TIME TO CONCENTRATE ON THE LEAGUE

Freeland A 0 - 5 Eynsham SSC

Freeland A were unlucky in defeat as they battled hard only to eventually lose out to a team fast becoming their bogey one.

With a few people missing Hardy juggled the team slightly, with an imposing central defensive pairing of Simpkins and Paton, classy centre back and captain Robert Panting partnered Hardy in midfield and Harris moved into a more forward role on the right wing.

On a soggy pitch after the snow fall in the week Freeland started well, Panting looking like he had played in midfield all his life and Holden and Bower in particular excelling down the left with some crisp clever passes.

Freeland had a number of corners in the opening exchanges and were always looking a threat from them, but they failed to capitalise from some goal mouth scrambles. Eynsham were looking a threat on the break, particularily with Hodai who was playing in between his forwards and midfield.

Mobey made a great save at an Eynsham strikers feet late in the half, but the game remained goaless at half time. Freeland made another bright start in the second half, and thought they had taken the lead after Holden and Footitt combined well to set the in form Parker up with a simple chance, the goal though was ruled out for offside, but Freeland will point to the fact that Footitt played the ball back and not forward.

Soon after and Eynsham had hit Freeland with three sucker punches, scoring three goals with a header, a well taken goal and a penalty. Freeland then had another goal disalowed when Panting stroked the ball home, the ball being adjudged to have gone out of play earlier in the move.

Eynsham scored two more goals as Freeland piled forward, and it was a deserved victory for Eynsham, albeit with a slightly flattering scoreline.