Thame United 1-1 Barton Rovers ( att : 120 est ) – 2025/26 Southern League Division One Central

January 31, 2026

Today saw a fixture between two sides chasing a place in the promotion play-offs as 7^th placed Thame United hosted Barton Rovers in 6^th place. Thame were two points adrift of Barton but had three games in hand. Of the top 9, Thame, still only had to visit league leaders Hitchin Town, but had to play nearly all of their promotion rivals at home.

Thame United Update

The last visit of these diaries to Thame United was at the end of December when Leverstock Green were soundly beaten 4-0. They subsequent suffered three consecutive postponements before coming from behind to beat Biggleswade 2-1 at home, and last Saturday travelled to back-markers AFC Dunstable and returned home victorious after a 6-1 win. A re-arranged fixture with Welwyn Garden City for Tuesday night was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch

Thame were still on a run that had seen them take 19 points out of a possible 21 but had only played twice in January.

Former centre-back Leo Galpin had returned from the USA and signed on for the rest of the season, whilst winger Adam Smith returned to the club after having played for Didcot Town, North Leigh, Risborough Rangers and Milton United after leaving Thame having played 7 games in 2022/23.

Harry Alexander and Louis Walsh were joint top scorers with 11 goals in all competitions, followed by Dan West and Greg Hackett on 7.

Barton Rovers FC

Barton Rovers are located in in the village of Bedfordshire village of Barton-Le-Clay, which is 6 miles north of Luton. The population of the village is estimated to be 5,000.

The town’s football side were founded in 1898 and are known as The Rovers. They play at Sharpenhoe Road, which for sponsorship reason is now called The Winton Haulage Stadium

In the 1970s, Barton Rovers were very successful in the FA Vase, reaching the quarter finals in 1975/76, the semi-finals in 1976/77 and the final in 1977/78, where they lost 1-2 to Blue Star from Newcastle. The semi-finals were also reached in 1981/82.

Rovers have been at step 4 in its various different guises since 2002, reaching promotion play-off finals in 2014/15 and 2015/16, but then had to win an inter-step play-off against Thetford Town in 2022/23 to avoid relegation.

Barton again reached the promotion play-offs last season after a 4^th place finish, but were beaten 0-2 at Flackwell Heath in the semi-final.

Barton Rovers This Season

Barton Rovers arrived at the ASM Stadium in 6^th place in the table a 13-7-7 league record, and were a 5-3-3 away from home.

Rovers started the season well, and were unbeaten in their first 6 matches before unexpectedly losing 0-2 at MK Irish, but had lost only three times in their opening 19 league matches, with the other defeats being 0-4 at home to Thame and 0-2 at Marlow.

However, Barton came into today’s game on a run of just one win in their last 6 games, 4-1 at struggling Rayners Lane, with three consecutive losses at home, to Hitchin ( 0-2 ), Hadley ( 1-4 ) and last time out against MK Irish ( 1-3 ).

Barton had just one victory over a side in the current top 10 in the table, 1-0 at home to Ware, and had not beaten any of the 5 sides above them, although they did have 4 draws from 6 matches.

In the FA Cup Rovers eliminated step 4 Brantham Athletic with a 2-0 home victory but fell at the next hurdle, going down 1-4 at step 3 Billericay Town. Barton exited the FA Trophy after one match, losing 1-3 at step 4 Brightlingsea Regent.

Barton Rovers’ average home league attendance to-date this season was 173, the 8^th best in the division, with the highest being 501 the visit of Hitchin during Christmas. The average for Thame United was 113.

I had been to Rovers’ Sharpenhoe Road on one occasion, visiting in 1995/96 to watch an FA Trophy tie against Crawley Town. In front of a crowd of 331, Crawley ran out 3-1 victors, with David Speedie, ex-Chelsea and Scotland International, and Raphael Meade, ex-Arsenal, Sporting Lisbon and Brighton, amongst the scorers for the Red Devils.

Barton Rovers Squad

Ex-Leighton Town and Newport Pagnell Town striker Albie Hall was the leading scorer in the division with 24 goals, with ex-Wealdstone and Leverstock Green forward Rawn Seale next on 9. Midfielder Alfie Warman had found the net 7 times.

Keeper Matt Boylan had played for FC Romania and Enfield, right-back Ryan Neufville was previously with Berkhamsted, centre-back Kai Phelan had played for Bedford Town and forward Marcus Gouldbourne was ex-Biggleswade Town.

Energetic midfielder George Joyce was in the AFC Dunstable side that drew with at Thame in October, left-back Murphy Culkin recently rejoined the club after playing for Redditch United, St Ives Town, Biggleswade Town and St Neots Town, whilst defensive midfielder Ayoub Enajar joined in December from Kempston Rovers.

Previous Meetings

Fatbear previously reported on Barton Rovers in November 2022, when they lost 0-2 at Thame.  

https://fatbearssportingdiaries.blogspot.com/2022/11/thame-united-2-0-barton-rovers-att-103.html 

That was the third time witnessing Barton playing in Thame, in 2002/03 Thame won 1-0 at their old Windmill Road stadium in an Isthmian League Division One North fixture, but in 2018/19 Rovers ran out 2-0 winners at the ASM stadium.

Since Thame returned to step 4 in 2017, results between these two sides had been very even with 5 wins to each side and 5 draws. Last season Barton won 3-0 at home, and drew 0-0 in Thame. As mentioned above, Thame won the first meeting between the two sides the season, although the 4-0 scoreline was a little flattering, as three of the goals came in the last 5 minutes plus added on time.

Matchday Information

The journey from Barton-Le-Clay to Thame is around 35 miles and should normally take just under an hour.

After a mostly dry day, it was still dry at the 15.00 kick-off but some light showers were forecast for during the game. The temperature was around 10 degrees.

Entrance to the game was £10 for adults and £5 for concessions, £3 for Under 16s, whilst under 5s went in for free. A cup of tea was £1.50.

An online programme had been produced for the match and free team-sheets were available at the turnstile.

Barton made two changes to the side that started against MK Irish. With Ashton Grant suspended after a red card, Enajar returned to the starting XI, whilst Mason Watkins replaced Gouldbourne, who dropped to the bench.

Thame also made two changes to the side that was victorious at AFC Dunstable, with Harry Alexander and Mark Riddick returning, with Abu Khan and Charlie Stow dropping to be amongst the substitutes.

Rovers were playing in all blue whilst Thame were in their usual red and black shirts.

Matchday Report

An even encounter finished in a 1-1 draw, which on the balance of play was probably a fair result. Both sides would probably have felt they should have taken all three points, and could point to good chances missed, but Thame missed a few more of the better chances than Barton.

Barton had the first half chance when a long ball from Neufville was headed on, but Searle’s tame header from 8 yards was easily caught by Thame keeper Matt Crowther. They created a better chance in the 7^th minute when Seale chased a long ball, got past Thame left-back Callum Hall and ran into the Thame penalty area. His left-footed shot beat Crowther, but Luke Tingey covering behind his keeper made a vital block on the 6-yard line.

Already a good battle was developing between Seale and Hall.

Thame’s first real attack saw them win possession in midfield and West spread play wide to the right to Alexander, who played a threatening ball into the Barton area. West arrived to shoot from just inside the 18- yard line, but his goal-bound effort hit team-mate Louis Walsh to deny him a goal, and to add salt into the wound, Walsh was deemed to be off-side.

Barton quickly took play down to the other end of the field, where Hall ran on to a long ball down the left-hand channel and cut inside on to his right foot, but his effort was blocked by Tingey. The rebound fell to Joyce, whose left-footed effort from a tight angle was palmed away by Crowther.

Barton continued to have the better of the early exchanges, and after another long throw from Neufville was headed away, a left-footed volley from the edge of the area by Joyce took a touch off Ethan Lack to give Barton the first corner of the match after 15 minutes.

16 players crowded around the goal-keeper and the goal-line, but the delivery from Joyce was poor and cleared at the near post.

With 18 minutes played, Thame launched throw into the Rovers area, and although play was messy, the visitors eventually cleared. At this point the floodlights came on.

With 20 minutes on the clock, Barton won another corner, and this time there was a scrum of players around the penalty spot, but the kick from Joyce went under the crossbar, for Crowther to make a relatively straight-forward catch. Thame broke quickly and Walsh looked to be put clear, but the linesman’s raised flag ended the attack.

Thame created a good chance in the 24^th minute. Jack Tutton chipped the ball into the Barton penalty area where West headed the ball back across the box, where Walsh gathered, flicked in to the air, but his volley was bravely blocked.

A minute later Walsh was put clear on the left-hand side of the Barton area with just Rovers’ keeper Boylan to beat. His left-footed scuffed shot went past the keeper, but agonisingly for the home side struck the post and stayed out of the goal. Alexander was able to play the loose ball back across the 6-yard box, but West, under pressure, could only put the ball over the bar from close range with the goal at his mercy. It was a great chance squandered.

West then became the first recipient of a yellow card after a late tackle on Neufville near the half-way line, with the noisy reaction of the Barton players perhaps being a contributor to the referee deciding to brandish the card.

Shortly after, Seale showed good skill to get past Hall, but the Thame left-back did superbly to recover and put the ball out for a throw-in. Another long throw from Neufville led to another Joyce volley from the edge of the area, which this time went straight to Crowther.

The yellow cards were then evened up when Enajar cynically fouled Alexander 10 yards outside of the Barton penalty area. Tutton’s delivery was headed high into the air by Curtis Brown, and Boylan made an easy catch.

Shortly after, Alexander played a slick pass for Tutton to run onto inside the Barton area but Charlie Mitson got there first and was clattered into by Tutton in his follow through as he shaped to shoot. No card was shown by the referee though.

With 36 minutes, played Brown did well to hold up possession and then turned past his marker, but the 25-yard effort was straight at Boylan who made the save.

With half-time approaching a cross went along the Barton penalty box which Brown retrieved and pulled-back to Alexander at the near post, but the shot lacked power and Boylan made a regulation save.

As first-half added time started to be played, Tutton slipped past Culkin and sent a fierce shot towards goal, but Phelan made a brave block at the expense of a corner. No-one was at the far post to knock in the corner, and keeper Boylan was able to run out of his area close to the corner flag to clear down the pitch.

There was still time for Thame to create one more chance. A good move involving Alexander, Tutton and West teed up Alexander, but his shot from 10 yards was cleared off the line by Phelan with Boylan beaten, after which the referee blew for half-time.

It was 0-0 at the interval after an even half with both sides playing good football in heavy conditions, but Thame had missed a couple of very good chances.

Barton started the second period on the front foot but although Enajar strode forward towards the Thame area, his long-range effort sailed 20 yards high and wide.

Shortly after, the Barton players and bench were angry at a challenge on Watkins near the half-way line, and when the linesman was challenged on the incident, he said he had a clear view and it wasn’t a foul. This was followed up by some foul-mouthed abuse from a Barton supporter.

Ironically, a minute later Seale jumped into Thame full-back Hall with next to no intent to go for the ball, forcing the Thame player to leave the field with a head injury. The referee deemed this to also not be worthy of a card, and strangely, there wasn’t any comment from the Barton supporter.

The free-kick from Thame was headed clear by the Barton defence, and when Riddick shaped to attempt a volley from the edge of the area, Warman stuck out a leg out so that Riddick ended up making contact with the Barton player first rather than the ball. In the modern game that it now a foul to the defender, but a few years ago it would have been a foul in favour of the attacker !

With 56 minutes on the clock, Lack played a great cross-field ball to Brown out wide on the left-hand side, who cut back on to his right foot, but 20 yard effort went narrowly over the Barton bar. A minute later, a good Thame move saw Tutton’s back heel tee up Alexander, but left-footed shot from the edge of the Barton area flew just over.

More noise from the Barton players and bench arose after a foul by Walsh on Neufville but again the referee didn’t think the offence worthy of any sanction.

Tutton showed good skill to beat two Barton defenders but with at least three passing options available he dithered, turned and lost possession. Barton broke swiftly and Hall was sent galloping towards the left-hand touchline. His pull back went across the 6-yard line to Seale at the back post, who had an easy tap in. From a Thame perspective it was a terrible goal to concede but it was a cylinical counter from Barton, which gave them a 1-0 lead with 61 minutes played.

Barton’s Watkins was the next to see yellow after a violent foul on Walsh, but again the Barton players and bench were strangely quiet about this offence !

It got more amusing a couple of minutes later when Phelan made a blatant dive to win a free-kick just outside his area when under pressure, which conned the referee, especially as the Barton manager had earlier berated the referee for falling “for the oldest trick in the book” when a free-kick had been awarded to Thame in the first half. Not particularly picking on the Barton manager, but coaches frequently have little sense of self-awareness or their hypocrisy with their comments to the officials !

Thame were now getting on top and drive from substitute Abu Khan was well blocked by Milton for a throw in. A minute later Khan put a cross into the mixer where keeper Boylan, two Barton defenders and Riddick went for a header, and the ball seemed to be missed by everyone and bounced into the empty net. It was another poor goal to concede from a defensive perspective, and Riddick was credited with the goal. It was now 1-1 with 69 minutes on the clock.

Thame substitute Stow then beat Culkin and Phelan on the left wing but his low cross was effectively cleared by Milton.

With 15 minutes, remaining Phelan sent a long ball over the head of Tingey, and Hall ran clear into the Thame area. With just Crowther to beat, the division’s leader scorer screwed his finish horribly wide of the near post. It was a great chance wasted, and the rain now started to fall.

Hall made another good run, this time down the right-hand channel but under pressure from Tingey and from a tight angle, his shot was partially blocked, and Crowther completed the save whilst sprawled on the floor.

In the 78^th minute Seale ran past Khan but was scythed down by Finlay Murray 10 yards outside the Thame area, who became the latest player to see yellow. The free-kick was hammered into the defensive wall, and Thame broke, with Walsh sending a fabulous pass to release Stow, who then found Alexander to run to the edge of the Barton area, but the left-footed shot went straight at Boylan, who parried and then gathered.

With 84 minutes played, Barton’s Phelan saw a volley from 20 yards heading for the top corner, but Crowther dived to his left to tip away for a corner. The Thame keeper flapped at the corner, but the home side were able to break and Walsh ran at the two covering defenders. He looked to have beaten both as he cut inside, but Miftari stuck a foot and deflected the ball away from the Thame forward.

Two minutes later, Lack crossed from the right wing, but Tutton’s flick on from the edge of the area went harmlessly wide.

With two minutes of normal time remaining, a Barton corner by Lynn was won by Phelan, but Thame were able to clear the header. Barton continued to press but the Thame defending was resolute.

As the game entered added on time, a Thame long throw fell to Alexander, but the left-footed drive from the edge of the area flew narrowly over the bar. Shortly after Stow shot horribly wide after being teed up by substitute Smith.

A collision between Tutton and Seale just inside the Thame half led to more furious complaints from the Barton bench, but the referee merely stopped play, and awarded a drop-ball to Thame when play was ready to resume.

Eight minutes of added time were played and both sides strived for the winning goal, both but defences held firm, and an entertaining game finished as 1-1 draw. The result left both sides in the same positions they started in.

Thame United : Crowther – Lack, Tingey, Murray ( Galpin ), Hall ( Khan ) – Brown, Tutton, West ( Smith ), Riddick, Brown ( Stow ) –  Alexander, Walsh

Barton Rovers :  Boylan – Neufville, Milton, Phelan, Culkin – Seale, Warman, Enajar ( Lynn ), Watkins, Joyce ( Miftari ) –  Hall

 

 

 

Oxford City 1-0 AFC Fylde ( att : 624 ) – 2025/26 National League North

 January 24, 2026

Today’s National League North match at Court Place Farm saw a meeting of 20^th vs 2^nd as Oxford City entertained AFC Fylde.

Oxford City Update

These diaries last reported on Oxford City two weeks ago when a header from centre-back Darnell Johnson in added on time gave The Hoops a 2-1 victory over Buxton and saw them move out of the bottom four. Their one game since was at FA Cup giant-killers Macclesfield, and a depleted squad through illness conceded three times in the second half to lose 0-3. The loss saw The Hoops slip down to 20^th in the table, and all the sides below them had games in hand.

Oxford City had been active in the loan transfer market since the Buxton game, with ex-Forest Green Rovers, Exeter City and Accrington Stanley keeper Jonny Maxted joining from Brackley Town for the rest of the season, and young left-back Evan Humphries joined from West Bromwich Albion on a one month deal.

AFC Fylde

The Borough of Fylde includes the towns of St Annes, Lytham, Kirkham and Wesham located on part of the coastal Fylde plain from which it takes its name. It is bordered by Blackpool to the north, Preston to the east, the Irish Sea to the west and the Ribble estuary to the south. The population of the Borough is around 85,000.

The Open Championship has been held at Lytham and St Annes on 11 occasions, the last time in 2012 when Ernie Els was triumphant. It was also famously the scene of Seve Ballesteros’ recovery shot from the car park on his way to winning the 1979 Open. Fylde Rugby Club play in Lytham and St Annes, and Preston born Andrew Flintoff started as a junior at St Annes cricket club.

AFC Fylde play in Wesham at the 6,000 capacity Mill Farm and their nickname is The Coasters.

The club were founded in 1988 following the merger of Kirkham Town and Wesham and adopted the current name in 2008 after winning the FA Vase, where as Kirkham and Wesham they beat Lowestoft Town 2-1 at Wembley.

Between 2006 and 2017, the club won five promotions to rise from the West Lancashire League to the National League. AFC Fylde reached the promotion play-offs in their first two seasons at step 1, losing to Borehamwood in the quarter-finals then missing out on promotion to the Football League with a 0-3 defeat to Salford City. However, they returned to Wembley two weeks later and beat Leyton Orient 1-0 in the FA Trophy Final in front of a crowd of nearly 43,000. In doing so they became the first, and so far only, side to win both the FA Trophy and FA Vase.

However, Fylde were relegated after the covid interrupted 2019/20 season and spent three seasons back in National League North before returning to the National League.  An 18^th place finish was achieved in 2023/24 after spending most of the season in the relegation zone, but last season Fylde finished 23^rd to return to National League North for this season.

AFC Fylde This Season

Fylde came into today’s match in 2^th position with a 18-3-5 record and were 5 points behind leaders South Shields but with a game in hand. Away from home they were 10-1-2 with the away defeats coming at Scarborough Athletic ( 1-2 ) and Kidderminster Harriers ( 0-1 ), with the draw being at Radcliffe ( 3-3 ). Home defeats had been suffered at the hands of Worksop Town ( 2-3 ), South Shields ( 2-4 ) and Buxton ( 1-2 ).

Since the defeat at Kidderminster, Fylde were on an unbeaten run of four games, with three wins and a draw.

In the FA Cup Fylde progressed past step 3 Bamber Bridge with a 4-1 home win, but exited the competition in a replay at Darlington, losing 1-3 after a 2-2 home draw.

Fylde were enjoying a good run in the FA Trophy and will host Southport in the last 16. A 3-2 win at Spennymoor was followed by two penalty shoot- out successes away from home, overcoming National League Solihull Moors 9-8 after a 2-2 draw in the Midlands, and 4-3 over Hereford United after another 2-2 draw.

Fylde’s average attendance so far this season was 1,072, the 14^th best in the division, compared to Oxford City’s 650. Their highest attendance for a league match was 2,273 for the visit of Chorley on Boxing Day.

AFC Fylde Squad

Home grown 19 year old striker Danny Omerod was Fylde’s the top scorer and third in the Division with 18 goals, followed by winger Luca Thomas on 12 goals. Thomas joined Fylde in the summer after being released by Leeds United, having played in the National League on loan for Halifax Town and York City.

Winger Jonathan Ustabasi was the only survivor from the side that played at Court Place Farm two seasons ago and had scored 8 times this season, and midfielder Danny Mayor, who had played 499 in the Football League in a career spanning Preston North End, Sheffield Wednesday, Plymouth Argyle, Bury and Fleetwood Town, had found the net 5 times.

Midfielder Chris Merrie was ex-Wigan Athletic and Tranmere Rovers whilst defender and captain Corey Whelan was a former Ireland under 21 international and had played for Yeovil, Crewe Alexandra, Wigan Athletic, Carlisle United as well as Phoenix Rising in the second tier USL Championship in the USA.

Keeper Zac Jones was from New Zealand and featured in these diaries playing for Haverfordwest Town in the Europa Conference against Shkendija in July 2023, Irish full-back Alex Healy-Byrne joined from Burnley Under 21s, and midfielder Tom Whelan, no relation to Corey, had twice appeared in these diaries as a Borehamwood player, and had also played for Chesterfield, Eastleigh, Weymouth and Solihull Moors amongst others.

Centre-back Max Taylor had played in the Football League for Rochdale and Morecambe, midfielder Ethan Mitchell had played for Plymouth Argyle, and midfielder George Wilson was previously with Altrincham as was left-back Liam Brockbank.

Fylde’s manager was Craig Mahon, who had a long career playing mostly for Vauxhall Motors, Chester and Curzon Ashton, and was in his first season in charge at Fylde.

Previous Meetings

The two sides met for the first time in National League North in 2014/15. Fylde won both encounters, with an incredible 8-1 victory at Marsh Lane, but the return was much closer, with Fylde edging to a 2-1 home win.

The next meetings were in the 2023/24 National League and Fatbear was present to report on a 3-0 victory for The Hoops. However, Fylde got revenge with a 2-1 victory in the return.

The two teams met on the opening day of this season, when Oxford City took a 2-0 through goals from Tom Scott and Zac McEachran but Fylde fought back to win the match 3-2, thanks to two goals from Ustabasi and one from Mayor, both of whom were substitutes.

Matchday Information

According to AA Route Planner, Buxton’s journey to Oxford was 200 miles via the M6 and M40, which would normally take around two hours 20 minutes. Around 30 noisy Fylde fans gathered behind the goal their side was attacking in the second half, and there were a few more dotted around the ground.

Tickets for today’s game were £13 for adults online and £16 at the turnstile. There were a whole range of reductions depending on ages, from seniors to children.

An online programme was available and a cup of tea cost £2.50.

The weather at the 15.00 kick-off time was dry and overcast with the temperature at 8 degrees

Bet365 made Fylde 3/5 favourites, with Oxford City at 7/2 and the draw at 29/10.

Fylde were unchanged from the side that beat Scarborough Athletic but Oxford City made 5 changes to the side that lost at Macclesfield, including three debutants, Maxted, Humphries and Aaron Harper-Bailey, whilst Zac McEachran and DJ Campton-Sturridge returned after illness  

Fylde were playing in yellow shirts with black shorts and socks whilst Oxford City were in their usual blue and white hoops.

Match Report

The game started quietly until a long ball out of the Fylde defence sailed over the head of Harper-Bailey forcing Maxted, aka The Pink Panther, to come out of his area and put the ball out for a throw before Ormerod could get to it. From the throw some neat passing enabled Thomas to run ran and shoot left-footed from the edge of the Oxford City area, forcing Maxted into a fine diving save, moving to his right to push the shot away for a corner. Tom Whelan’s delivery was missed by everyone and went out of play for a goal-kick.

With 6 minutes played, the visitors won a free-kick wide on the left, which was taken by Tom Whelan, and McEachran’s wild swing to clear only sent the ball off for a throw-in by the corner flag.

A minute later, Ormerod dispossessed Humphries near the opposite corner but Harper-Bailey won it back for The Hoops with a good tackle. Shortly after, Harper-Bailey took a very heavy touch, enabling Tom Whelan to block an attempted clearance but fortunately for the centre-back the ball rebounded away for an Oxford City throw-in.

Fylde were on top in the early stages and were passing the ball around nicely, with Oxford City barely in the game. After good hold-up play by Ormerod, Merrie shot left-footed from just outside the Oxford City area but Maxted made an easy save. After more good skill from Ormerod, Wilson saw his effort from just inside the area bravely blocked by Darnell Johnson.

Out of the blue Oxford City had their first attack in the 17^th minute. George Burroughs won a header ahead of Brockbank inside the Fylde half and put Alfie Potter clear with just keeper Jones to beat. However, the veteran midfielder never looked like scoring, and tamely put his shot across goal and well wide of the post.

The Hoops had got a toehold back into the game and O’Shea Ellis got to the byline, but his pull-back struck a Fylde defender and rolled to the keeper before Campton-Sturridge could get to it. A minute later McEachran won the ball in midfield and found Campton-Sturridge, who ran into the Fylde area but he seemed to dive. Half-hearted penalty appeals were ignored.

At the other end, Ormerod dived to try and head Tom Whelan’s first time ball into the Oxford City, but the contact was slight and the ball went harmlessly wide. Ellis then fouled Merrie near the half-way line and although Fylde complained, the referee only spoke to Ellis and kept his cards in his pocket.

Oxford City captain Josh Ashby went on a surging run and twice exchanged passes with Campton-Sturridge, but the low ball from the byline by the Hoops forward was blocked. A minute later Ellis won possession in the centre-circle and passed to McEachran, who played a ball down the right-hand channel for Potter to chase but Potter could only get to the ball by pulling Brockbank to the floor, and the referee gave the obvious foul.

With 26 minutes on the clock, Tom Whelan went for goal with a 30-yard free-kick but Maxted made a comfortable save. Neat passing by Fylde led to Mitchell setting up Thomas, but the left-footed shot from the edge of the area flew a few feet wide.

Fylde continued to have more of the play but the final ball was lacking. An Oxford City break involving McEachran and Ashby saw Campton-Sturridge run into the Fylde area only to be crowded out, and the ball went through to keeper Jones.

Wilson then passed to Thomas to run into the Oxford City area, but again the winger’s shot was weak and Maxted went to ground to make a regulation save. Three minutes before the break Thomas did well to control a raking cross-field ball, but then undid the good work by crossing towards the burger bar behind the goal.

The first yellow card of the match was shown in the 43^rd minute after Ashby slid into Ormerod in middle of the Oxford City half.  

McEachran won possession and passed to Ellis, who made a strong run towards the Fylde goal, but his dipping 25 yarder went just over the bar.

In the third minute of first half added time, play was scrappy from an Oxford City throw-in before McEachran played in Campton-Sturridge, but the fierce shot from a narrow angle was pushed away by Jones at his near post for a corner. Ashby sent the ball across the goalmouth and Harper-Bailey made a great run to meet the ball 6 yards out, but unfortunately for the home side, his header was mistimed and went closer to the corner flag than the goal. It was a great chance that should have been buried. Instead, it was 0-0 at half-time, just like last night’s rugby match between Chinnor and Ealing Trailfinders !

Fylde made a change at half-time, bringing on Ustabasi for Wilson, and almost immediately Thomas fizzed a low drive across the goalmouth and narrowly wide. Ustabasi then got past Humphries and his cross eventually reached Merrie, whose 20 yard shot was punched away by Maxted.

Four minutes into the half, a cross from Ustabasi could have been caught at his near post by Maxted, but the keeper decided to punch and put his defence under pressure, although a throw-in near the corner was won.

Thomas executed a Cruyff turn on the edge of the Oxford City area but Ashby was back to win the ball and was then fouled by Thomas.

In the 51^st minute Mitchell turned and shot from 20 yards but his effort was straight at Maxted who held the shot. Two minutes later Campton-Sturridge did well to hold up the ball under pressure from two Fylde defenders and laid back to McEachran, who threaded a pass for Ellis to charge at the Fylde backline, but after being tackled, the ball hit the referee, who stopped play and gave a drop-ball to the defending team.

Interplay between Ashby and Ellis led to Campton-Sturridge being given the chance to shoot but his low shot was meat and drink for Jones.

A minute later an awful back pass from Humphries forced Maxted to retrieve the ball by the corner flag, and after Fylde gained possession from his clearance, Burroughs fouled Thomas to stop any danger and was shown the second yellow card of the game. Tom Whelan took the free-kick close to the left-hand touchline and Potter headed it back to him, and Clark conceded a first corner of the match for Fylde.

A scrum of players gathered around keeper Maxted and as the keeper struggled to punch the in-swinging corner away, the referee blew for a foul on the keeper.

With 59 minutes played the home side appealed for a handball penalty after the ball appeared to hit the arm of Corey Whelan, but the referee determined the arm was in a natural position and play continued, and as Fylde moved into the Hoops half, Johnson illegally brought the move to an end and became the next player to see Yellow.

Ashby won possession in the Oxford City half and found McEachran, who played a pass that put Clark clear. The midfielder ran into the Fylde area and then calmly shot left-footed across goal and inside the far post to open the scoring. It was 1-0 with 61 minutes on the clock.

Fylde’s response was for Tom Whelan to attempt a shot from the angle of the penalty area, but his attempt went off for a throw-in to Oxford City. Fylde were soon back on the attack and Harper-Bailey produced a good header from a cross from the left-wing, and Whelan’s radar was again off course as his shot went out of the ground.

Substitute Mayor saw a shot punched away by Maxted and Ustabasi completely missed the ball with an attempted bicycle kick to the rebound.

Oxford City were still a threat and after a good long cross-field free-kick from Johnson, Clark pushed the ball past Healy-Byrne and hit the deck but the referee waved away the appeals for a penalty.

With 15 minutes remaining, Maxted’s punch under pressure was weak, but the follow-up from Thomas was bravely blocked by Clark. City went down the other end and Parker slipped a pass for McEachran to cross from the byline. Potter couldn’t get his head to the cross, which fell to Clark, whose shot was blocked for a corner.

Parker headed on Ashby’s corner at the near post, and keeper Jones punched away for another corner for The Hoops. Ashby’s second corner was cleared as far as Clark, who put the ball back into the mixer, but Fylde were again able to clear.

The home side were still searching for a second goal and a flowing move saw Parker receive the ball inside the Fylde area, but the Antiguan forward was crowded out.

Fylde were now struggling to create any chances and a good tackle by Burroughs on Ustabasi resulted in the Fylde man giving away a free-kick.

The Hoops looked to hit on the break but Jones came out of his area to get to a long pass ahead of Potter, and cleared onto the ring-road. The referee brandished two more yellow cards in quick succession but it wasn’t clear who the recipients were !

With a few drops of rain starting to fall, a Fylde cross from the left-wing bounced through for Maxted to gather. With 6 added minutes to be played, a City counter-attack saw Clark feed Parker, whose first time wall-pass was latched onto by Ellis bursting into the Coasters’ area but his goal bound effort was blocked. Bearne got to the loose ball but could only cross straight to Jones.

Fylde were reduced to hopeful crosses into the Oxford City but Maxted was up to the task, with one punch away and two catches, and Harper-Bailey made a good defensive header to concede a corner.

The home supporters celebrated the final whistle, and the much needed three points took the Hoops out of the bottom four. Fylde remained in 2^nd place in the table. 

Highlights :  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TTM4-Otu30

Oxford City : Maxted – Burroughs, Johnson, Harper-Bailey, Humphries ( Roddy ) – Potter, Ellis, Ashby, McEachran ( Bearne ), Clark – Campton-Sturridge ( Parker )

AFC Fylde : Jones – Healy-Byrne, Taylor, C Whelan, Taylor, Brockbank– Wilson ( Ustabasi ), T Whelan, Merrie ( Hunter ), Mitchell ( Mayor ) – Ormerod, Thomas

 

 

Chinnor 15-21 Ealing Trailfinders ( att : 2,435 ) – 2025/26 English Championship

January 23, 2026

Chinnor were on a scarcely believable run of 8 wins out of their last 9 matches, with victories over three of the top four in their last three games. However, today was a different kettle of fish, with the visit of league leaders Ealing Trailfinders, who had won all 13 matches played to-date, and had only once failed to gather the four try bonus point.

A huge Friday Nights’ crowd was anticipated to see if Chinnor would be able to upset the apple cart after their run of wins over 4^th placed Cornish Pirates, 3^rd placed Worcester Warriors and last week’s victory over 2^nd placed Bedford Blues.

It was heady times for the Villagers, but Ealing presented a very different proposition.

Previous Meetings

Chinnor and Ealing Trailfinders first met in National 3 South in 2008/09. Chinnor were beaten 26-46 in Ealing but relegation bound, they caused a major upset in the return, battling to a 20-13 victory. They resumed rivalries last season in the Championship, and in another Friday Nights Fixture back in January, Chinnor pushed table toppers Ealing all the way before falling to a 5-28 defeat in front of a crowd of 2,146. The reverse fixture was played in May, with Champions Ealing recording a convincing 41-5 victory.

 https://fatbearssportingdiaries.blogspot.com/2025/01/chinnor-8-28-ealing-trailfinders-att.html

A pre-season friendly was played under the Kingsey Road floodlights in September, when a mostly 2^nd string Ealing XV ran out victorious 59-34, although Chinnor took heart by scoring 6 tries. Ealing though re-asserted their authority with a 57-7 home victory on their artificial surface in the second week of the season.

https://fatbearssportingdiaries.blogspot.com/2025/09/chinnor-34-59-ealing-trailfinders-att.html 

Ealing Trailfinders This Season

Ealing arrived at Kingsey Road today with a played 13, won 13 record, and had recorded bonus point wins against everyone in the division, apart from at Nottingham, where they had to scrap for a 17-14 victory. Their closest encounter had been in their last outing when Worcester Warriors had run Trailfinders close before succumbing to a 33-34 defeat.

Apart from this, only Hartpury University ( H 27-19 ) and Doncaster Knights ( H 35-21 ) had avoided defeat by fewer than 20 points.

Ealing’s average home attendance so far this season was 1,668, driven by the 3,086 that had attended the New Year fixture against Worcester Warriors. Last season their average was 1,241.

Ealing Trailfinders Squad

Hooker Matt Cornish and Scott Buckley were the leading try scorer with 10 tries, followed by wings Diego Bailey and Tom Collins on 6, and full-back Tobi Wilson with 5 tries.

Ex-Scarlets fly-half Dan Jones was the top points scorer on 89 points

Matchday Information

The journey from Ealing to Thame is 40 miles and should normally take around 50 minutes down the A40 & M40. Trailfinders know the way by now !

Adult tickets purchased online were £16 and £20 at the gate and an online programme had been prepared in advance of today’s game.

The usual food vendors plus a fish and chips van were in attendance and a pint of Brooklyn IPA was £5.36 with the members’ discount.

After a lot of rain over the past couple of days, the weather at the 19.45 kick-off was dry and 7 degrees, but with a mild Chinnor breeze it felt quite chilly ! The pitch looked to be in surprisingly good condition.

Ealing announced four changes to their starting XV from the game against Worcester Warriors, all in the backs. Coming in were Tobi Wilson at full-back, Michael Dykes, ex-London Irish and Gloucester, was on the wing, ex-Bristol Bear Sam Edwards was in at scrum-half and Irish International Rory Scannell ( 3 caps ) was in the centre. Full-back Patrick Campbell dropped to the bench whilst Angus Kernohan, Jordan Holgate and Craig Hampson were missing. Due to injury, Hampson would not be involved against the side he is head coach of !

However, Wilson failed a fitness test before the kick-off so Holgate returned to the side, and Toby Cousins, who had played 6 matches for Chinnor at the end of 2025, was called up to the bench.

Chinnor also made four changes to the side that beat Bedford, with hooker Chris Moore, prop Robin Hardwick and scrum-half Callum Pascoe promoted from last week’s bench, and Grant Hughes returned on the wing after a spell out injured. Alun Walker, Kai Owen, Luke Carter and James Bourton all dropped to the bench, hoping to make an impact later in the game.

Ealing were in a kit of yellow shirts with black shorts and socks but the numbers on the back of their shirts were hard to distinguish so some players might not get credit for their good play ! Chinnor were in their usual black and white hoops.

Match Report

Ealing kicked off towards the ring-road end. Chinnor launched a high kick which wing Freddie Owsley was able to tap back, enabling Pascoe to kick into the Ealing half, but a good Ealing return kick bounced into touch inside the Chinnor 22.

Ealing won their lineout and spread the ball wide, and winger Francis Moore made ground deep into the Chinnor 22. Several drives were well defended before Ealing forced a penalty. A quick tap was taken but the drives were repelled and eventually the Ealing forwards were held up over the line, giving Chinnor a goal-line drop-out.

Ealing’s strong start continued as they won another penalty after running the drop-out back into the Chinnor half, and they were back inside the Chinnor 22. Another line-out was won but the rolling maul was halted, although Chinnor conceded another penalty, and Ealing had a 5 metre line-out.

Ealing secured their line-out ball but infringed at the rolling maul to give Chinnor a scrum 5 metres from their line. Scott Hall picked up at the base of the scrum, and Owsley made a few yards before being illegally stopped, and from the penalty Chinnor were able to take play to mid-way inside their half.

Chinnor had survived almost 10 minutes of constant Ealing pressure without conceding a point and the tide seemed to be turning as Harry Dugmore claimed the line-out and Chinnor spread the ball through their backs until a high tackle stopped the move, and Chinnor kicked to just outside the Ealing 22.

Hall caught the line-out but then dropped the ball when the move returned to him. Ealing were put under pressure at their scrum from the knock-on, but managed to get the ball away and kicked high, which Chinnor knocked on to give Ealing a scrum on their 10 metre line. This time their scrum was steady, and again the ball was sent into orbit but Owsley was comfortable under the high ball and kicked long. Ealing took the ball back into their 22 and then kicked straight into touch to give Chinnor a line-out on the Ealing 22.

Hall again won the Chinnor line-out but it was scrappy. However, flanker Will Cave made a break and fed Pascoe, who found full-back Nick Smith to burst down the touchline and dive over the whitewash. Unfortunately for Chinnor, the eagle-eyed touch judge had spotted that Smith’s foot had brushed the touchline so the try was ruled out, so it was still scoreless after 17 minutes.

Ealing won their lineout 15 metres from their line and forced a penalty from which they moved up to their 10 metre line. However, the throw at the line-out went long and Chinnor won possession, and as they pressed, Ealing conceded a penalty, which Chinnor kicked to within 10 metres of the Ealing line.

Jamie Campbell won the line-out for Chinnor and the home side made several drives for the line, but eventually the referee awarded Trailfinders a penalty 2 metres from their line, which they kicked to their 10 metre line.

Ealing’s throw again went long, and Chinnor again won possession, and after winning a penalty, Chinnor had a 5 metre line-out. Chinnor’s line-out was again messy but Pascoe cleaned-up, and set Chinnor up to drive for the try-line. However, Campbell was the recipient of a crunching tackle and after several probes at the Ealing defence, Hughes knocked on and Ealing kicked into the Chinnor half. Chinnor ran the ball back at Ealing and forced a penalty, and Holgate was shown a yellow card with 25 minutes on the clock.

Chinnor won their line-out just inside the Ealing 22 but their rolling maul was held up to give the scrum to Ealing, at which they won a free-kick. Ealing kicked deep into the Chinnor half but the home side ran the ball back until Hughes slipped close to the half-way line. Chinnor kept possession and Pascoe kicked high, where full-back Dykes made the catch. After some kick tennis, an impressive Ealing kick bounced into touch inside the Chinnor 22.

Campbell won the line-out for Chinnor, Pascoe kicked high and Ealing wing Geordie Gwynn made the catch. Ealing tried to move the ball but an attempted low kick hit a Chinnor defender, forcing Dykes to retreat to his 22 to gather and clear. Owsley again caught and ran back at the Ealing defence and his subsequent kick bounced into touch just outside the Ealing 22.

Chinnor stole the Ealing line-out and when Chinnor moved the ball to their right a long pass from Nathan Chamberlain was nearly intercepted. Ealing won turnover ball but the clearing kick was charged down by Hall. However, the referee spotted an infringement, possibly off-side, and awarded a penalty to Ealing, which was kicked long by Jones to the Chinnor 22.

Ealing won their line-out and pressed, but the ball went forward in the tackle, and Chinnor had possession and kicked back into the Ealing half. Both sides repeatedly kicked the ball back to each other until Dykes caught and call for the mark, and then quickly sent a bouncing kick in to touch just outside the Chinnor 22 with 36 minutes played.

Chinnor won their line-out and Cave made an impressive break and then kicked ahead but the covering Ealing defence was able to touch down in goal for a goal-line drop-out.

Chinnor centre Sam Hanks made a half-break from the drop-kick, and Smith then made a great break deep into the Ealing 22 and passed to Owsley, who was tackled just short of the try-line. Ealing’s desperate defence touched down in-goal to give Chinnor a 5 metre scrum.

Chinnor launched many attacks for the line, with Watson, Hanks, Rukhadze and Hall all being tackled short of the try line. Eventually Chinnor were held up over the line and the referee blew for half-time.

Remarkably it was still 0-0 at half-time, which was a first for Fatbear at a game of Rugby, and must have been the first time for many a year that Ealing had failed to score in a half. After Ealing had impressively dominated for the opening 10 minutes, when it looked like Chinnor would be in for a tough evening, the home side came back to have much the better of the rest of the half, and would have considered themselves unfortunate not to have opened the scoring.

Some more kick tennis ensued at the start of the second half until Chinnor were able to tap back for Moore to catch. A good move in which Hughes made yards was thwarted with Hall being tackled short of the line. Chamberlain’s follow-up run also ended short of the whitewash. A long floated pass looked to have put Owsley in at the corner but the high pass was dropped above his head with the line at his mercy.

The referee though had been playing a penalty advantage, which Chinnor kicked to 5 metres, from which hooker Moore crashed over the line for the opening score. Chamberlain’s attempted conversion drifted wide, but it was now 5-0 with 46 minutes played.

Ealing made 4 substitutions to liven up their play. They won their line-out on Chinnor’s 10 metre line and spread play to the left, where a pass hit an Ealing player on the head, after which Ealing won a penalty, which was moved forward 10 yards after some back-chat from Chinnor. Ealing now had a line-out on the Chinnor 5 metre line-out.

Ealing won their line-out but the referee awarded a 5 metre scrum to Ealing. Number 8 Josh Taylor made a strong run to the line but was tackled just short, but flanker Kyle Hatherall was able to dive over the line close to the posts, and Jones added the easy conversion. The score was now 5-7 after 51 minutes.

It was now Chinnor’s turn to make 4 changes as they brought on their major impact players but with injuries to Smith and Chamberlain, centre James Bourton was forced to play at full-back and scrum-half Luke Carter was at fly-half.

Ealing kicked their return of the restart straight out of play to give Chinnor a line-out mid-way inside the Ealing half. A sneaky throw was sent to the front of the line-out and Chinnor burst into the Ealing 22, but the referee saw an infringement and awarded a penalty to Ealing.

The visitors won their line-out but again kicked straight out of play to give Chinnor another line-out. Campbell predictably won the line-out for Chinnor and after pressing for the line, Chinnor won a penalty, which took them to 5 metres. Campbell again won the line-out, and although the rolling maul and a few drives for the line were well defended, a long pass saw Hank cross in the corner. Bourton missed with the conversion attempt, but Chinnor had regained the lead, making it 10-7 with 57 minutes on the clock.

Chinnor were now flying and from a scrum on their 10 metre line, a flowing move saw them progress deep into the Ealing 22. When several drives featuring Hall and Carter were repelled, Carter chipped towards the corner where Hanks was somehow able to touch down with two Ealing defenders in close attendance. Bourton again missed with the touchline conversion but Chinnor now led 15-7 with 62 minutes played.

Unfortunately for Chinnor, Carter looked to have taken a late blow after making the chip for the try, and looked to be concussed as he left the field. Chinnor were now without a fly-half or someone used to regularly kicking from hand for touch or restarts.

Ealing continued to persist with their high kicking game which to-date not been successful, and another period of kick tennis followed. Eventually Owsley was impeded in taking a catch, and substitute back-row forward William Montgomery was shown a yellow card just two minutes after entering the fray.

With an 8 point lead and a player advantage, it looked like Chinnor were on course for an unexpected victory.

Hall won a line-out for Chinnor but when Chinnor moved the ball wide the Ealing defence won a penalty.

Ealing attempted a fancy mis-move in midfield that was met with some strong tackling and Chinnor won turnover ball. Pascoe’s grubber kick was touched down in goal by the Ealing defence.

Ealing’s play was getting desperate but Gwynn made a half-break down the touch-line and after kicking ahead, Hughes tackled him off the ball and deservedly was shown a yellow card with 11 minutes remaining.

Both sides were down to 14 but the momentum was now with Trailfinders, who kicked their penalty into the Chinnor 22, then won another penalty to have a 5 metre line-out. Ealing won their line-out ball and then went down the blind side, and substitute hooker Harry Thompson dived over in the corner. An excellent conversion from Jones out wide took the score to 15-14 after 72 minutes.

Ealing launched another high ball from the restart, and although Owsley made the catch, he was flattened by the following up Ealing attackers who forced a penalty. The kick for the corner didn’t find touch but bounced awkwardly, and after Owsley tried to fly-hack clear, Ealing regained possession and pressed. However, a knock-on gave Chinnor a scrum deep in their 22 and a fabulous push by their pack gave Chinnor a scrum penalty. All the forwards roared with delight, as did the home supporters, and it looked to be the decisive moment that should see Chinnor hold on for a famous victory.

Unfortunately for the home side, Bourton failed to find touch with his kick and Ealing immediately attacked from left to right, and after being stopped, moved the ball to the left, from which Cousins burst through a gap and raced under the posts for a dramatic try.  Jones added the extras so Ealing now led 21-15 after 79 minutes.

Ealing dropped the restart and Chinnor won the ball. A midfield pass was dropped forcing Chinnor to kick, which Ealing returned with a high kick. Watson made a half-break for Chinnor but a knock-on in the tackle saw Chinnor’s hopes end, and the referee blew for full-time.

There were a mixture of emotions for Chinnor supporters at the end of this pulsating game. Ealing had racked up their 14^th consecutive victory from 14 games, but this was only the second time they had failed to obtain the 4 try bonus point.

Chinnor could take heart from running such illustrious opposition so close, and had they been able to find touch two minutes from time they probably won have held on to record a famous victory, despite the injuries to Smith, Chamberlain and Carter leaving them without a front-line kicker from hand.