Shrivenham

Hellenic League Floodlit Cup
Wednesday 10th October

Shrivenham (0) 1 (Davis 85)
Oxford City Nomads (2)3 (Bell 12, Faulkner 16, 55)

Oxford City Nomads recorded a good win away to Hellenic Premier side Shrivenham in the Floodlit Cup. Shrivenham have proved a good cup side this season, eliminating both Carterton and Henley from the Vase, but they had no answer to the Nomads’ pace and movement.

City took the chance to give Justin Merritt, who has hardly figured in the first team picture as a player this season, a game at centre-back. Greg Williams, working his way back to fitness, also started, as did James Faulkner, who has been short of starts recently.

The game started at a high tempo on a slick pitch and Nomads were soon two up. First Mark Bell, set up by Aaron Hall, evaded his marker, ran into the area and beat the keeper with a well-struck shot; then Faulkner pounced on a loose pass-back to slide the ball in form a tight angle.

Faulkner and Bell both went close with further chances, with Faulkner being denied on two occasions by good saves. Shrivenham’s best chances came from set-pieces but they spurned a couple of good headed opportunities.

Faulkner increased City’s lead after the break with a cool finish when he ran on to a long ball.

Shrivenham tried to hit back, but with Merritt composed and Joel Meade committed at the back, they were denied many opportunities. Their consolation goal came from Shane Davis, who was left with an unguarded net after Lee Farrow, who was otherwise commanding, had a kick charged down.

This was a good performance from Nomads, full of pace and good passing. It was also pleasing to see Danny Castro return to play his first game in a year and nearly score with his first touch.

Team: Lee Farrow – Tyrone Smith (sub Matt Molton 57 min), Justin Merritt, Joel Meade, Lewis Colwell – Mark Bell, Aaron Hall (capt), (sub Danny Castro 63 min), Greg Williams, Jetmir Kamberi – James Faulkner, Mane McKenzie.