For the opening weekend of the Southern League Division One Central, Craig McKay made one change to the side that faced Tuffley Rovers over a week ago.

Fraser Allen, Cheyce Grant and Charlie Bacon remained up front, looking to add to their personal tallies. Whilst Lewis Middleton came in for injured right back Sam Jenkins.

After signing for Kidlington late last week, Alexander Costa started on the bench, alongside Alfie Clarke, Charlie Cooke and Hamza Al Jabari.

Match Report:

Kidlington’s 2024/25 Southern League Division One Central campaign, began with a 0-1 defeat to Kings Langley, with Declan Phillips- the only player to find the back of the net.

Kidlington started the game bright, with the first 10 minutes being dominated by the team in green. John Dennis had a host of chances, which all asked questions of the Kings Langley Goalkeeper, Cian Moore. One coming from a corner ball, which was just swung wide of the far post.

In the 24th minute, Kings Langley broke up the pitch and was 1 on 1 with Kidlington Goalkeeper, Tom Carter. An excellent defensive effort from Lewis Middleton stopped Kings Langley breaking the deadlock with his last ditch challenge, putting the ball out of play.

2 minutes later, another chance for Kings Langley was defended by Zarius Edwards-Giraud as his foot deflected an effort by Qasim Khan. Kings Langley were turning the moment, creating plenty of chances which questioned the Kidlington defence.

A minute over the 45 mark, Charlie Bacon danced his way through Kings Langley’s defence. He did excellently to get his shot away, which was cleared by Langley defender off the line. Our best chance yet.

54 minutes on the clock, Hamza Al Jabari and Fraser Allen stepped up to create a much needed goal opportunity. However, Cian Moore stood strong in the Langley net to deny Fraser Allen from point blank range.

However, a minute later, the deadlock was broke- but not by the team in green. A loose clearance, would see Kings Langley midfielder, Declan Phillips, run through on goal and slot the ball away to put Kings Langley in front.

In the 60th minute, Fraser Allen would chase down Cian Moore as the Kings Langley Goalkeeper was trying to clear the ball. He rifled the ball into Allen, resulting in the ball making its way to Moore’s net. Unfortunately, the angle wasn’t kind to Allen and the side netting denying him.

Momentum was definitely in the hands of Kidlington, as Charlie Bacon beat his man and delivered a teasing ball that was heading straight for Fraser Allen’s foot. The fingertips from Cian Moore took it away from Allen, putting it out for a Kidlington throw-in.

A dangerous counter attack came next as Qasim Khan ran through to Carter’s goal, but a perfect timed slide challenge from Ben Richards took the ball off of Kahn and put Kidlington back on to the attack.

90+3 saw the last attack from Kidlington with Skipper, Jack Smith, getting in behind the Langley defence. He delivered a perfect cross that took out most of the Langley defence, however, no Kidlington player arrived on the back post to turn the ball home.

Next up for Craig McKay’s men is the first away game of the 24/25 season, as Beaconsfield Town hosts us on Tuesday Night.

Kidlington Starting XI: Carter, Middleton, Taylor, Edwards-Giraud, Smith (C), Richards, Bacon, Robertson, Allen, Dennis, Grant

Subs: Clarke, Costa (Robertson 62’), Cooke, Al Jabari (Middleton 45’)

Kings Langley Starting XI: Moore, Johnson, Dixon-Smith, Pedro, Keane, Luke, Phillips, Murphy (C), Khan, Williams, Farrant

Subs: Cain (Dixon-Smith 89’), Tibbetts (Khan 89’), French (Williams 63’), Dubbery (Farrant 63’), Burt (Murphy 43’)