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Cropredy FC vs Arden Forest – Final Pre-Season Friendly

Cropredy travelled to Stourbridge to take on Arden Forest in their final pre-season match before the MJPL season gets underway next week.

Cropredy started the game brightly, passing the ball around with confidence and creating several chances to take an early lead. However, the Arden Forest goalkeeper was in fine form and made some excellent saves to keep the scores level.

As the first half went on, Cropredy continued to put more pressure on the opposition, and it was that pressure that eventually led to a well-deserved goal. Riley never gave up, closing the goalkeeper down and winning the ball before setting up Ares, who calmly finished into an empty net.

Cropredy seemed to be in control of the game, but a lapse in concentration from a cross allowed the opposition to find the back of the net, sending the teams into half-time level.

The second half started positively for Cropredy, who continued to pass the ball well. However, as the game went on, Cropredy found themselves dropping deeper and deeper into their own half.

The opposition began to push more players forward, but Cropredy were still dangerous on the counter-attack and really should have added another two goals. Unfortunately, the chances went begging.

With around 10 minutes remaining, the opposition won a corner. Cropredy switched off, and the ball ended up in the back of the net to give Arden Forest the lead.

Cropredy’s shape became a little wobbly towards the end of the game, and discipline within the team started to fade. Right near the final whistle, the opposition added a third goal when their player reached the byline, beat his marker and pulled the ball back into the box for a simple finish.

Man of the Match 🏆

Henry – Henry played at centre-back and did brilliantly considering it is not his usual position. He won his tackles, never gave up and used the ball well throughout the game.

Manager’s Review

Overall, Cropredy played well and there was plenty of good football on display. We passed the ball confidently and, not just could have, but should have scored more goals in both the first and second halves.

The work rate was there, but our finishing wasn’t quite clinical enough. We need to be more precise in front of goal and also become more physical when required.

Overall, though, it was another good performance and a positive way to finish pre-season. There are plenty of things to build on as we head into our first MJPL game next week.

Well done everyone. Keep pushing yourselves and keep improving!

💙⚽ UP THE CROP! ⚽💙

Cropredy FC U11 played their second-ever 9v9 match against Bloxham FC U12, and it turned out to be a real game of two halves.

Cropredy started the game really well, winning their tackles and moving the ball around nicely. Bloxham were struggling to cause Cropredy any problems, while the boys grew in confidence and started creating chances. They were unlucky not to get on the scoresheet sooner.

Halfway through the first half, Alek won the ball in midfield and played a brilliant through ball to Ayo. His pace took him past the defender before he calmly slotted the ball past the keeper to give Cropredy the lead.

The boys were buzzing and started working even harder. Within five minutes, they had a second. Jace spotted the keeper off his line and produced a fantastic effort from around 25 yards to make it 2–0.

It was a fantastic first half from the boys, and they thoroughly deserved their two-goal lead.

Second Half

The second half was very different.

Cropredy started well with their passing, but Bloxham really pushed forward and began causing us more problems. Cropredy struggled to get out of their own half and found it difficult to win the midfield battle.

Unfortunately, a penalty was awarded after the ball struck a Cropredy defender’s hand while it was against his stomach. In my opinion, it shouldn’t have been given, but the decision was made and Bloxham converted to make it 2–1.

Cropredy were struggling to regain control, and Bloxham continued to put pressure on. A cross was played into the box and, unfortunately, a Cropredy defender trying to cut the pass out ended up putting the ball into his own net.

The Bloxham player involved appeared to be offside, but the referee didn’t give it. The referee later said the player was offside but the linesman hadn’t flagged, so the goal stood.

Bloxham were now in control and soon found themselves 3–2 ahead after a mistake at the back put their player through one-on-one with the keeper, and he finished well.

Cropredy were definitely struggling as Bloxham continued to win the midfield battle. They then added a fourth when a pass found their player free on the right wing, allowing him to go through and score.

To the boys’ credit, they didn’t give up.

Late in the second half, Cropredy won a free kick. Henry delivered a great cross into the box, confusion followed in the Bloxham defence, and the ball fell perfectly to Max, who smashed it past the keeper to make it 4–3.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough time to find an equaliser.

Final Score: Bloxham FC U12 4–3 Cropredy FC U11

Review

It was definitely a game of two halves.

Cropredy were excellent in the first half and deserved to go into the break 2–0 up. The second half was definitely a learning curve for the boys. We need to work on keeping our shape, being more disciplined and staying composed when the opposition puts us under pressure.

But that’s what these games are all about, and those lessons will come with more experience and more 9v9 football.

Overall, I thought the boys did really well. There were plenty of positives to take from the game, and I believe the D League is right for us at the moment.

Most importantly, the boys showed plenty of character, especially after going from 2–0 up to 4–2 down. They kept fighting right until the final whistle.

⭐ Man of the Match – Calvin

Today’s Man of the Match goes to Calvin.

He was always talking, winning his tackles and pushing the team on. His work rate was excellent throughout, and he put in a real captain’s performance.

Well done, Calvin – keep that up! 👏⚽

⚽ Cropredy FC U11s – First 9v9 Friendly ⚽
Today the boys played their first ever 9v9 friendly in their new home kit, taking on Banbury United U12s, who play in the Oxfordshire Youth B League and have already had a full season of 9v9 football.
We knew it was going to be a difficult game, and from kick-off you could see the boys were a little hesitant. Unfortunately, we were punished within the first two minutes and conceded.
But their heads could have dropped — they didn’t. They showed great character and took the game to Banbury.
Banbury had the majority of possession, but Cropredy defended really well. We also created a couple of chances but just couldn’t get that final touch right.
As the first half went on, the boys grew in confidence and started putting some really good passing moves together. Ball control let us down at times, but the boys worked extremely hard to win the ball back.
To be fair, there was very little between the two teams, and we went into half-time 1-0 down.
The second half started well, with Cropredy passing the ball around nicely. Banbury then started to gain control as a few misplaced passes crept into our game, and unfortunately we were punished twice, with Banbury going on to score another two goals.
Cropredy continued to create chances and could easily have scored three goals, but a little hesitation and some decision-making meant the opportunities came and went.
Full-time: Cropredy 0–3 Banbury United U12s

📝 Match Review
Today’s game was never really about the result. It was about learning what 9v9 football is all about.
Considering this was our first ever 9v9 match, I thought the boys did really well. Yes, there were mistakes — but that’s exactly what these games are for. We will learn from those mistakes, work on them and get better.
I think the boys learned a lot today, and we can take that into Thursday’s game against Bloxham U12s.
Overall, I was really pleased with some of the football we played today. There were plenty of positives to take, and the boys showed a great attitude throughout. 👏
⭐ MOM – Alek
Alek deserved Man of the Match today for his fantastic work rate.
Whenever he lost the ball, he worked hard to win it back. He battled for everything, stood strong and wasn’t bullied off the ball.
Well deserved, Alek! 👏⚽
Lots to learn, lots to work on, but plenty of positives to take forward.
Keep working hard, boys! 💙⚽

Cropredy travelled to Abingdon Tilsley park to play against ASFA in a friendly.
It was a cool start to the morning with kick off at 10am.
Both teams were ready to start and Cropredy had kick off.
Cropredy started well with some good passing and you could see the confidence in the team.
It wasn’t long when Cropredy started to create chances and could of been a goal up with in 5 mins.
After about 10 mins Kayden broke free down the right wing cut in and found himself one on one with the keeper but he didn’t panic, he calmly went round the keeper and slotted it into the goal.
ASFA came back at us with some good football and pressing us well.
We were pinned back a bit in our half and we started to just kick the ball and losing our composer.
We managed to see it out and we started to take control again of ball and we started passing it well again.
In the second half Cropredy started well again winning their tackles and creating a lot of chances.
ASAF couldn’t get a foot in the game and with cropredy putting more pressure on them it was a matter of time that Cropredy would get there reward and it came when Cropredy won a penalty for hand ball.
Riley stepped up and with confidence hit it low to the bottom right the keeper had no chance.
Cropredy were in full control and never looked like conceding and saw the game out comfortably.
Review: Cropredy played really well and you could see the belief in the team from the start.
Again the passing from the back was great and the transition from midfield to the wings and forward was quicker and i was really pleased with the way we tried to win the ball back quickly.
It was a well deserved win.
MOM: Max received this due to playing out from the back through to midfield and working hard in winning his tackles and most importantly listening to the coaches instructions.
Well done.
Next opposition is Banbury Utd u12 at NOA on the nursery pitch which will be 9v9.👍🏻