Kidlington’s Reserves could not stop Slough based Lynch Pin from continuing their impressive six match winning streak. This was despite the young greens dominating the first half. Kidlington raced into a 3-0 lead playing some exhilarating football. Goals were scored by the prolific Mark Gaul, youth team player Harry Whitehead and fellow teenager Callum Rice who scored from the penalty spot after Mark Gaul had shown blistering pace to earn his side a spot kick.

At this stage the greens were cruising into half time and missed three more chances to extend their lead. Lynch Pin took advantage of this and following a clear push on centre half Danny Burrows, Lynch Pin scored with a 20 yard curling shot which deceived goalkeeper Luke Sanders. Half time 3-1 to the green machine.

The second half had barely started and in the 46th minute Lynch Pin cut through and incredibly cut the deficit again. The score was now 3-2 and this did not reflect the afternoons proceedings. The experienced Lynch Pin side were now fired up and some pretty industrial challenges followed. The hosts were getting on top at this stage so the greens shuffled the pack, Nick East introduced sixteen year old Zac Farrow and shifted Ben Willoughby to left back. Kidlington then regrouped and created a few more chances but were not able to put the game to bed.

Then just as Kidlington thought they were cruising into the next round, in the 87th minute a long ball was pumped out of the Lynch Pin defence and a mix up in the greens defence allowed their centre forward to toe poke home an equaliser. Extra time seemed a formality but this was not the case as a cross was swung in from the left and Lynch Pins centre forward rose highest to power a header high into the net. Lynch Pin had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. After the late winner, there was still time for Lynch Pins substitute to be sent off after an incident which saw punches thrown.

Kidlington’s young reserves learned a harsh lesson against their experienced opponents and now is the time to regroup with some very important league games coming up and two Cup Quarter Finals approaching in the coming weeks.

Next up is Shrivenham at home next Saturday (4th Feb) in a 3pm kick off COYGM