Oxfordshire Senior League

Premier Division

Thursday 27th April 2017

Kick Off 18.30 Actual 18.40

Mansfield Road 3 Freeland 6,  attendance 6

8′ 0-1

12′ 0-2

18′ 0-3

35′ 0-4

53′ 1-4

60′ 1-5

69′ 1-6

75′ 2-6

78′ 3-6

@ The University Club

11, Mansfield Road

Oxford

OX1 3PS

No admission or programme.

Arrived here at 1750 to find it totally deserted, although the football pitch was marked out and there were goal nets up, but no corner flags. I rang the home club Secretary to make sure the venue had not been switched at late notice, but having confirmed everything was ok, I was then pleased to see two cars arrive a couple of minutes later, with half a dozen players in red and black track suits emerging. At least the visitors were starting to arrive……so it was now time to pay for the parking. With Oxford being inundated with tourists, and the ground being very close to the city centre, it meant no free parking, even in the streets. In fact, unlike so many cities, parking here is charged up until 22.00, so no way of avoiding the £3 charge. Not sure if the parking charge puts off spectators, but half a dozen for a game at this level is pathetic, especially as three of those present were ground hoppers !

As for the match, it was excellent, as you would expect with it being 4th v 2nd in the league table. Prior to the games on Tuesday evening, these two still had a chance of the title, but Mansfield Road can’t win it now and Freeland can only take it on goal difference. It now looks to be between leaders Heyford Athletic and third placed Adderbury Park, who are 6 points behind, but with 3 games in hand. They meet at Adderbury on 2nd May,  in what will be Heyfords last game, then Adderbury have two more to play after that.