Oxford Hawks 3rd XI 1 - 1 Sonning 1st XI

Sonning travelled to Banbury Road to play a Hawks side that has seen its form improve in recent weeks, while their visitors had a long injury list and some patchy form, to put it mildly.

Sonning started well, winning but failing to convert multiple penalty corners. They were made to pay for this midway through the half, when a hopeful baseline cut-back was accidentally turned in by Sonning’s unfortunate keeper.

Sonning dominated the half without finding a breakthrough, Jack Kelly couldn’t turn in James Lockhart’s strike to the left post, making contact with his foot instead. His teammate’s forgave him… Just.

In the second half, it was more of the same. Sonning attempted variations at penalty corners that were repelled, and the home side played on the break, but still looking dangerous.

Sonning found themselves down to 10 men on a couple of occasions, but remained on top, and with around 15 minutes to play, they got their equaliser through Callum Richardson at a penalty corner.

They could have had a late winner after Lockhart rounded the keeper and shot from a tight angle. David Painter just about beat his man to deflect the effort in, but in the melee, somehow the ball was pushed onto the post and away.

Ultimately, the visitors didn’t convert the many chances they created in a promising but also frustrating display. Next up, league leaders Milton Keynes visit The Doombar Arena hoping to continue their own good run of form. Sonning probably have too much to do now to consider themselves league title contenders, but a promotion spot seems like a realistic if slightly optimistic goal now, and it’s always nice to beat top of the league! ;-)

Ain’t nothin’ to it but to do it! #COTN

Goalscorer: Callum Richardson
MOTM: Callum Richardson
DOTD: Jack Kelly