On a very cold November evening at Yarnton Road manager Julian McCalmon rung the changes to his starting XI for this BFB.com cup match.
The game started well for the Greens with Harry Whitehead, starting his 1st match of the season after injury, going close in only the 3rd minute.
This was followed up by a Tommy Franklin header going just over, a fierce shot from Declan Benjamin which was saved and snap shot from Lewis Coyle, which went wide, all inside the first 15 minutes.
Didcot started to get into the game after this and keeper Sam Warrell had to be alert to save a good effort from Michael Alexis.
Kidlington took the lead in the 23rd minute when superb through ball from Lewis Coyle was fired home under keeper Leigh Bedwell's body by Anaclet Odhiambo.
Didcot were starting to string a few penetrating attacks together as we neared half time. Kidlington's defence was caught flat footed in the 33rd minute and only a poor finish by Filipe Barcelos allowed Kidlington to keep their lead.
Didcot found their equalising goal just before the break. A fine run and then cross from the right flank by Sam Humpheries was headed home by Barcelos at the near post atoning for his earlier miss.
It was 1 - 1 at the break and all to play for in the second half.
I can't put my finger on it exactly but Kidlington started to loose their shape and desire after about 10 minutes of this second period.
An early move involving Declan Benjamin and Coyle saw the latter curl a shot that Bedwell turned found the post.
On 57 minutes Kidlington made a double substituting taking both tricky speedsters Coyle and Roger James off and replacing them with Lance Williams and Eddie Odhiambo.
Only a couple of minutes after these substitutions young Harry Whitehead shot powerfully at goal but unfortunately straight at keeper Bedwell.
On 60 minutes Didcot's Barcelos had an open goal to aim at but shot over from about 10 yards out.
Didcot were running the show now but were guilty of several more missed opportunities to take the lead. They were breaking the Kidlington ranks at will and Sam Humhries and Matt Woodley had great opportunities to put the railwaymen in front.
However we reached 90 minutes with no further goals and Kidlington were still in with a shout which in all honestly they shouldn’t have been.
The kicks were taken at the clubhouse end and when Duran Martin calmly slotted home Kidlington’s first spot kick all looked well.
Didcot netted through Woodley before Mark James smashed his effort over the bar. George Jeacock netted for Didcot to make it 1 – 2 and then Lance Williams then saw his penalty saved. Sam Warrell dived to save Marlon Agyakwas attempt and there was a glint of light at the end of the tunnel.
Eddie Odhiambo strode up and smashed his penalty kick into the back of the net for 2 – 2, but straight away Dave Purpy restored Didcot’s lead with his attempt 2 – 3. Lewis Gabbidon took Kidlington’s 5th kick and he had to score to keep the tie alive, however his shot hit the bar and Didcot were the winners 2 – 3.

On the night after starting extremely brightly Kidlington lost their way, especially in the second half, and if I’m bluntly honest should have been defeated in normal time, only the Railwaymen’s abysmal finishing prevented them doing just that.

Team - Warrell, Quainton, Janes, Brown, Franklin (Gabbidon 74 mins), Martin, Coyle (E.Odhiambo 57 mins), Benjamin, A.Odhiambo, Whitehead, James (Williams 57 mins).
Subs unused - Osbourne-Ricketts & Browne.

Attn 78