WORDS BY SAM RATHBONE

As the curtain begins to close on the football season, Kidlington travel to Welwyn Garden City as they hope for one last positive result as they will bow out of the Southern League which was confirmed against AFC Dunstable on Friday. Results have been hard to come by for the Greens’ this season and the appointment of Aidan Hawtin has certainly gave Kidlington a chance of survival with crucial wins in crucial moments, unfortunately it wasn’t to be this season for the Greens.

Easter Monday approached, one more Oxfordshire derby in the Southern League awaited, with both teams' relegations confirmed, Kidlington hosted North Leigh at Yarnton Road for the finale in OX5 this season. This is what it’s all about, who wanted the bragging rights over one another. Both teams started off shaky and defensively before Kidlington opened the scoring in the 40th minute, Micheal Hopkins’ pinpoint ball into the box was headed home by Felix Robertson to open the scoring in OX5. Midway into the second half, The Millers equalised through Samuel Olawale before then gaining enough momentum to find the winner as North leigh were awarded a late penalty deep into the 90, which was converted by Pelumi Maxwell to give the Millers all three points and their second victory this season. One last hurrah awaits Kidlington next as they head to Welwyn Garden City looking to end their two-year Southern League stint on a high.

Welwyn Garden City are the hosts as Kidlington travel to AL7 this Saturday for the last fixture of the 24/25 season. Welwyn have had a decent season sitting comfortably in the top half of the table in 9th place. Whilst their season is mathematically over, The
Citizens will be looking to end their season on a high when Kidlington travel to Herns Way on Saturday afternoon. The Citizens have picked up twenty-seven points at Herns Way from nineteen games. (W8,D4,L7). Away from home, they have earned twenty-six points
from twenty games, (W7,D5,L8). Mark Weatherstone and The Citizens sit on 54 points with one game remaining.

Recent Form
Kidlington
Kidlington 2-5 Northwood – Evitably, the biggest game with both teams within the bottom four of the Southern League Table. Kidlington started poorly with Northwood doubling their lead in half an hour early before cutting the deficit at the interval through
Odei-Larbi. Troy Perez-Duah was the hero scoring three to give the Woods all three points.

Berkhamsted 0-0 Kidlington – In what was an entertaining game at both ends, no goals were scored despite wonderful play defensively and going forward from Kidlington.

Kidlington 1-1 Barton Rovers – Kidlington once again started on the backfoot going into the break one-nil down before John Dennis rescued Kidlingotn a crucial point in the dying minutes at Yarnton Road.

AFC Dunstable 2-0 Kidlington – A neat freekick gave AFC Dunstable the lead just after the interval, Kidlington battled and battled hard, until the 93rd minute when AFC Dunstable doubled their advantage, blowing the final dagger into Kidlington survival push.

Kidlington 1-2 North Leigh – Kidlington lead going into half-time through Felix Robertson before a Samuel Olawale equaliser and a Pelumi Maxwell penalty gave North Leigh the bragging rights over their fierce rivals.

Welywn Garden City
Welwyn Garden City 2-0 Aylesbury – Layne Eadie and Lewis Jones doubled the Citizens advantage before half-time before easing to all three points at Herns Way.

Barton Rovers 2-0 Welwyn Garden City – A game where Welwyn struggled to pressure Barton and gain momentum as they trailed one-nil at the interval before Barton Rovers scored late to grab all three points.

Flackwell Heath 0-0 Welwyn Garden City – A game that didn’t offer many opportunities, the Citizens dug deep to gain a huge point and make a statement against Flackwell.

Welwyn Garden City 0-2 Ware – An allegedly offside goal got given just before the half hour mark in favor of ware before a tidy finish midway through the second half was enough to give Ware all three points at Herns Way.

Hadley 1-0 Welwyn Garden City – A cagey and tight affair was on the cards for much of this encounter until Ryan Kirwan was sent off for a last man challenge and a penalty was awarded, the penalty was slotted away and a crucial mistake was the difference despite
a good all-round performance from the Citizens against playoff sitting Hadley.