ANOTHER CLOSE ENCOUNTER OF THE TURF KIND

The Douglas & Simmons sponsored Freds U17's welcomed Charlbury Town to Alfredian Park on Sunday for a pre-season pipe opener. It was another classic encounter with the same red and black stripes that the green and white hoops did battle royal with at the business end of last season.

Nathan Baker brought flair and tenacity to a three pronged attack

With a squad of seventeen players ( three unavailable ), Wantage were able to get at least 45 minutes into every player, rotating six players every quarter.

Lewis Jordan, Matthew Lambe, Elliot Hayter, Guy Woolley and Jacob Haines were comfortable and composed playing out from the back, patiently looking to break lines when midfielders could work pockets of space and wingers show feet.

The Freds played possession nicely and seem to find a groove not far removed from last season's. But Charlbury, as always, were formidable opponents.

With 23 minutes played, Conor Lumsden stepped in to partner Jacob Haines and free up Guy Woolley. Bailey Dance, Alex Rose, Chris Marsh, Alex Grimes and Nathan Baker joined the action.

The Freds worked good shooting opportunities.

Bailey Dance tried from distance but got underneath his effort and Roan Stillion jinked his way into the box, found a yard and shot narrowly wide. The approach offered promise, but delivered no prize.

The second half was equally competitive.

Charlbury broke the deadlock with a stunning strike. Isaac Harrington won possession forty yards from goal, raced quickly into open space and hit a knuckle ball on the move that only had one destination. 0-1.

Freds, always in process, unmoved by the setback exchanged passes on the left side of attack. Joe George, Willis Smith and Jonny Hall, all combined to set up Guy Woolley to level the scores from twelve yards, off centre. 1-1.

Charlbury had more to offer and looked like scoring with a free header. but Lewis Jordan saved to his left. Slow reaction to the parried ball allowed a red and black striped shirt to set up Archie Hawley, who angled his low shot into the opposite corner, finding the only available space in a crowded penalty area. 1-2.

Wantage probed with good approach to find another equaliser. Alex Grimes looked to have battled his way clear, but the Charlbury keeper was out in a flash to thwart his effort with a foot.

Pressing, Charlbury robbed possession high up and countered at speed. Joe Newton-Grain raced in behind on the angle and rifled inside Lewis Jordan's near post. The second time in the match the green and white hoops had lost possession in the first two thirds and not managed to react quick enough to the transition. Made to pay both times.

End to end. Fairly open and a pleasure to watch, the action continued to entertain.

Alex Grimes tried to wrestle free from close attention and was felled in the box with ten minutes remaining. Ray Rwodzi took ownership and confidently spanked the spot kick down the centre. 2-3.

All things considered, a good game of football and decent performance to kick off the new season.

Freds: Lewis Jordan, Matthew Lambe, Elliot Hayter, Guy Woolley, Jacob Haines, Conor Lumsden, Alex Rose, Willis Smith, Bailey Dance, Matthew Goodman, Roan Stillion, Nathan Baker, Joe George, Chris Marsh, Alex Grimes, Ray Rwodzi, Jonny Hall