Noah Alabi Fires Didcot to Derby Day Victory

NOAH Alabi scored the only goal of the game as Didcot beat Wantage to make it four-straight Southern League wins.

The condition of the hosts’ pitch was most of the pre-match talk, but Didcot had most of the ball in the opening minutes, dominating possession and looking the more likely side to open the scoring. However, on twenty-four minutes Wantage went close when James Hammond had an effort from the edge of the area hit the post, a close call as Leigh Bedwell was beaten.

Within six minutes though Didcot were ahead. A lovely ball through saw Noah Alabi run through on goal and managed to scoop his effort over Joe Gorman and his delightful finish saw Diddy take the lead for the third game running.

There was a moment of anxiety shortly after as Harvey Scholes rattled the crossbar for Wantage before Chris Zebrowski tried to get the follow-up over the line. Diddy eventually cleared the danger. On the stroke of half-time, Diddy almost made it two when Connor Barrett’s short corner found Josh Hedges, whose strike was cleared off the line.

After the break was much the same, Wantage dropping deeper forced Didcot to be patient in the hunt for a second, and they could have had it on the hour. Alibi with one of his trademark touchline runs zipped part several Wantage defenders but opted to cutback rather than shoot, but no one in blue was there to put it away.

The final big chance for Didcot came in the final fifteen minutes, Barrett went on a run of his own, going one further in rounding Gorman but unfortunate in the finish as his effort hit the post with Wantage managing to clear.

It all seemed set for Didcot to see the game out, but there was to be late drama. Wantage were awarded a penalty in added time, Bedwell was adjudged to have committed a foul after failing to catch a loose ball. Tyriq Hunte, who moments later missed a chance to level proceedings, stepped up but saw his effort well saved by Bedwell as the travelling support roared on the far side.

After seven additional minutes, the whistle was blown meaning Didcot have now won four consecutive Southern League games and head into the New Years’ Day clash with North Leigh full of optimism.

Next Up: North Leigh (H) Jan 1
Railwayman of the Match: Leigh Bedwell