Oxford 2nd XI 2 –2 Sonning 1st XI

After a disappointing start to their league campaign against Reading 3's, Sonning travelled to Oxford looking to kick start their season. Welcoming back stalwart Chris Hinton, and with skipper Jonathan Sharp returning from injury, the away side started confidently, turning over possession repeatedly and dealing with Oxford’s aerial press well in the opening 20 minutes, creating an absolute hatful of chances but unable to convert.

They got their breakthrough when a free hit inside the opposition half was taken quickly by Sam Terry, who found James Lockhart in space. Lockhart drove to the D from wide, and cut back to James Manser to finish confidently. 0-1.

Oxford equalised just before the half however, somewhat against the run of play and with possibly their first chance of the game; a clinical back post finish nonetheless bringing the scores back to 1-1.

Sonning rallied at the break, and came back out swinging and taking the game to their opponents. As in the opening encounters, they were able to dictate much of the play, and while it wasn’t their day in front of goal, they kept creating chances, and eventually Colm Hanlon was able to turn home confidently, slapping into the roof of the net from close range after Oxford’s keeper saved his first shot. 1-2.

However, Sonning were made to pay for their earlier profligacy when the home side equalised for a second time with around 15 minutes to play, once again against the run of play, and with a short corner seemingly given away by a Sonning defender being pushed to the ground in his own D. Oxford finished well however, with a low deflection finding the bottom left corner for 2-2.

Sonning fought until the final whistle, but weren’t able to carve out another clear chance, and it finished honours even. Next up, Sonning welcome Witney to the Doom Bar Arena. #COTN

Goalscorers: Colm Hanlon, James Manser
MOTM: James Lockhart
DOTD: James Manser