Didcot Town 1-0 Stow

Stow’s five-game unbeaten run came to an end at the hands of a very well organised Didcot Town side. After four wins on the bounce, Stow will be disappointed to have not really tested the home defence, despite their lofty position in the table.

The home side looked to get on the front foot early, and had a good effort through Jenson Wright in the sixthm minute which was blocked by Jack Green, and the follow-up collected by Brad Robinson. Seven minutes later Robinson was again called into action with a fantastic diving save from Putland’s powerful half-volley from 10 yards out.

This did spur Stow into life, and a good chance was carved out when Kieran Turner’s cross picked out Duncan Culley, but the Stow forward’s header was deflected over.

But the first half continued with the home side dominant, and it took some great defending from Kai Davis and Carl Mensah to keep the scores level at the break, as well as another good save from Robinson.

Stow boss Nicky Ironton made an early double-substition to try and swing the game in his side’s favour, but the introduction of Callum Ibe and George Ironton didn’t alter the course of the game. The only goal came with 64 minutes played, when Wright headed in at the back post. Stow will be most disapointed that the chance came from a hasitly-taken and wasted throw in Didcot’s final third.

There was little to cheer abotu for the travelling Stow fans, and it was in fact Robinson who was Stow’s man of the match, again saving from Wright a minute after the deadlock was broken.

The return of Demaray Anyadike from injury couldn’t swing the game Stow’s way, and despite an injury time cross which was just out of the reach of Mensah’s out-streched leg, the home side were good value for the win.

Image: Bill Badger