Sheldon Baptiste’s team hit the road once again, this time heading down the motorway to visit the Ian Richardson Ground, in an attempt to reach the next round of the Berks and Bucks FA Charles Twelftree County Cup.

Baptiste opted to make seven changes to his side, which saw Alex Collie, Mickael Vaisset, Louis Eade and Andrew Tafeni all retain their places in the Starting XI, whilst Matei Corbu, Bless-Him Kimpiats, Dee Mabaye, Roy-Jones Mbou and Taha Menshawi were called to enter the squad.

William Longmatey made his return to the side following a short injury spell, taking the captain’s armband once again, whilst Ebrahima Jeng made his debut for our Under 23s.

Kick-Off: Shrivenham 0-0 City U23s

The game started, with the hosts donning their blue home kit, and our Cityzens wearing their yellow away kit. The first effort fell to City, which was eventually knocked out by Shrivenham for a goal kick. 

Shrivenham claimed the first shot on-target of the clash, after an inswinging set piece dipped into the box. The hosts’ number 11 took a headed touch, which bounced just wide of the post. On the counter, midfielder Corbu evaded defenders to drive a strong ball into the box, but the hosts were there to clear. The resulting free kick was taken by Longmatey, which curled and flew past the post.

As the clock ticked over to the thirteenth minute, a break in play ensued following a hard tackle to the hosts’ number 11. Following treatment from the physios, he exited the field of play, and was replaced by Shrivenham’s number 12, James Hirst.

After the stoppage, both teams seemed to increase the intensity, with the hosts’ Brad Hirst coming closest to netting the opener. A series of throw-ins allowed him to strike, however the ball hit the arm of another player in blue inside of the eighteen yard box, cancelling the effort for a goal kick to City. Our Cityzens immediately responded, flurrying shots towards the net. Mbou and Menshawi battled for success, but all attempts were cleared downfield.

Shrivenham’s Jason Newdick found the bottom corner in the 29th minute through a short-ranged effort at the near post, giving the hosts the lead. City were determined to find an equaliser, and winger Andrew Tafeni almost did just that. Corbu and Kimpiats linked up in the midfield, with the latter curling a fantastic through ball to Tafeni, but the shot was blocked by Shrivenham’s backline.

City continued to appear positive, coming close to finding their way back into the game.

But their task was made more difficult as Brad Hirst doubled the deficit, creating even more of an uphill battle for City to fight. 

Set pieces proved to be crucial in our side’s efforts to reduce the hosts’ advantage, with a consecutive free kick and corner narrowly missing the target. Both teams scrambled for possession, struggling to stay consistent in the midfield.

Moments before the end of regular time, substitute James Hirst made it three, slotting home a chance from the edge of the eighteen yard box in the bottom right corner.

The break was in sight, and a deflected City chance came closest to hitting the back of the net, but the opposition’s keeper went to ground to claim the ball.

The final kick of the half fell to Shrivenham, and a long-ranged free kick dipping in flight gave our Cityzens a sense of relief as the whistle blew to call time on an intense 45 minutes.

Half Time: Shrivenham 3-0 City U23s

Our first substitution of the game saw Ebrahima Jeng exchanged with Reiss Baker, who slotted in upfront. Baker immediately got involved with the action, taking part in our next effort. Tafeni and Mabaye linked up on the left channel, with a cross sent towards Menshawi, who struck a powerful ball with his head. It fell just wide of the post and rolled out of play.

Goalkeeper Alex Collie assisted in our next round of attempts. A City goal kick fell to Tafeni, who was unfortunately swamped in the final third, with the hosts subsequently stealing possession. Collie sent in another long-ranged shot towards Baker, who eluded the opposition and created space in the box. His effort was pushed out of play by the hosts’ shot-stopper.

Rjunior Palmer entered the fray in a straight swap with forward Taha Menshawi as we entered the final 30 minutes. Shrivenham took a threatening free kick, which flew wide, crashing into the side of the net. Tensions were high, and the match continued to be intense. A volleyed effort flew straight towards goal, but fullback Mickael Vaisset defended well, fantastically heading the ball out of danger just in front of the goal line at the near post.

An excellent save on the 70th minute mark by Collie kept the scoreline 3-0 as he went to ground, clutching the ball after Hirst’s latest attempt. 

The hosts only continued to press, and Shrivenham’s James Hirst fired back-to-back powerful shots, all deflected out by Kimpiats and Tafeni.

A Longmatey long-throw fell to Tafeni on the left, who aimed a direct strike at the goal, but the opposition’s keeper claimed it easily. An immediate counter attack from Shrivenham saw their number 17 take a touch on the ball, sending a threatening shot goalwards, but fortunately, it dipped over the top of the crossbar.

Collie provided a crucial save for the visitors, tipping wide a threatening ball from Brad Hirst and knocking it out of play. A follow-up chance saw a menacing ball fly wide.

Two impressive back-to-back saves from Shrivenham’s keeper kept their advantage, preventing City from scoring a consolation. Our young Cityzens seemed to settle more into the game as it progressed, and Roy-Jones Mbou reached the net on the cusp of the 80th minute, following a tidy cross from Baker. However, heartbreak ensued, and the flag went up moments after. 

Collie produced a great save late on, but the game began to fizzle out for City, with chances from both sides lessening. As the match began to draw to a close, Mbou’s final minute effort rolled to the feet of the hosts’ goalkeeper, following a build-up in play.

Full Time: Shrivenham 3-0 City U23s

A tough afternoon in Oxfordshire, with Shrivenham progressing to the next round of the Charles Twelftree County Cup. A game of two halves, however the hosts emerged victorious after a compelling first-half performance.

We dust ourselves off and make a return to league action next weekend as we visit RG10 to take on Wargrave.

Thank you to Shrivenham FC for being wonderful hosts, and we wish you all the best for the season ahead.