This certainly was a helter skelter win for Kiddy who twice had to come from behind on their first visit to Norhtwood FC for over 35 years.

The hero of the piece was undoubtedly Lewis Coyle who smashed home all 4 of Kidlington's goals, this after he was on the bench to start off with!

Proceedings were pretty even during the opening encounters with neither keeper being unduly troubled. The most significant moment during the start to this match was an injury to Jack Dunmall which saw him leave the field of play in the 11th minute, Lewis Coyle coming on to replace him.

Kidlington looked to be building a head of steam after this and were really unlucky not to have taken the lead when Anaclet Odhiambo raced onto a looping trough-ball and chipped it smartly into the Northwood goal. The linesman flagged for offside, but for sure I can tell you he wasn't and the goal should have stood, so still 0 - 0.

On 23 minutes this was to changed when 'The Wood' saw a very quick and incisive breakaway end with a smartly taken goal from Myles Stephenson, The ball was played quickly into Stephenson's feet and the striker shot powerfully home from about 12 yards out.

Kidlington's response to going behind was swift as they rained down attacks on the Wood goal, but seemingly they couldn't find that final ball till Lewis Coyle picked up a 'loose one' about 22 yards out. The Little Magician saw an opportunity and hit a rasper which arrowed into the goal in off the underside of the crossbar giving keeper Montel Joseph not a sniff of a chance of save it, 1 - 1 on 32 minutes.

Lewis Gabbidon was really unlucky in the 39th minute when he jumped highest to reach a cross from Coyle only to see his attempt acrobatically headed off the goal line.

We reached half time with the scores tied though the feeling was in the Kidlington camp that they should be winning.

Kidlington again started well in the 2nd half and although the hosts were looking lively on the break it was indeed the visitors having the lions share of possession.

In the 64th minute Kidlington found themselves behind again. This time somehow after a throw in Tommy Castle found himself outnumbered on the flank and when the ball was played into the box keeper Sam Warrell couldn't hold it and the ball fell invitingly for Louis Stead. Stead couldn't believe his luck and smashed it home for 2 - 1.

This goal was against the run of play but that's football for you! Kidlington now had to dig deep and that they did it in buckets to keep the pressure on the home side.

On 67 minutes Kidlington were awarded a free kick some 25 yards out from goal. Coyle was the man for this one and as he stood over the ball you knew something special was about to happen. Coyle picked his spot and sent in a glorious curling dipping shot which found the top right hand corner of the goal, 2 - 2 and didn't Kidlington just deserve it!

Now the visitors really had the bit between their teeth and when Coyle was brought down unceremoniously in the penalty box Kidlington were given the chance to take the lead from the spot. Who else would take it than Coyle himself, he took a short run up and blasted the ball home with Joseph diving the wrong way, now it was the visitors in front for the first time in the 74th minute and Coyle had a hatrick.

Northwood were a tiring side and not surprisingly trying to keep up with this dynamic Kidlington side which Julian McCalmon has established. Lewis Gabbidon, Eric Odhiambo and Elliott Osbourne-Ricketts are an imperious trio in the middle of midfield and certainly one of the very best around.

Kidlington weren't done yet and it was no real surprise when Lewis Coyle hit his and Kidlington's 4th of the afternoon in the 86th minute. This time he was played in by Eric Odhiambo and from just outside the area, Coyle hit a screamer of a shot which bent away from Joseph's despairing dive and into the bottom corner of the goal for 4 - 2.

In injury time Kidlington made their last couple of substitutions and there was still time for keeper Joseph to prevent Coyle scoring a 5th goal, Coyle raced onto a one-two with Osbourne-Ricketts, but this time the keeper managed to get across to his sweetly hit shot and fingertip the ball out for a corner.

The game ended at 4 - 2 and no one could argue that Kidlington thoroughly deserved their win. It wasn't that Northwood were a bad side, oh no nothing like that it was just Kidlington were very good on the day and with Lewis Coyle in their side they had a goal scorer supreme.

Kidlington's defence played well and at times they had too, even though it still has a bit of a makeshift look about it with flying winger Tommy Castle at left back and Mark Flanagan reverting to right back, odd positions for the pair but very effective. These changes were forced of McClamon because of the defensive injury crisis we have been enduring all season at KFC. In saying that as a group they were very good and when reverting to 3 at the back they looked a very solid unit.

This all means that Kidlington move up to 16th place in the table and play next against Egham Town from Surrey at Yarnton Road next Saturday.

Team - Sam Warrell, Mark Flanagan, Tom Castle, Henry Owen, Tommy Franklin (Watheq Al-Hakam 90 mins), Lewis Gabbidon, Jack Dunmall (Lewis Coyle 11 mins), Elliott Osbourne-Ricketts, Anaclet Odhiambo (Callum Harvey 90 mins), Eric Odhiambo, Mark Janes - Sub not used Bojan Tetek.

Attendance 81
Match rating 5/5

COYG

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