OXFORD MAIL YOUTH LEAGUE

Leaders Kennington Athletic came back to earth with a bang after a 2-1 defeat at home to Cholsey Bluebirds in the Under 12 Spring A League.

It was a close affair with Mahiri Clarke netting for Kennington.

However, efforts from Olly Carr and Freddie Wilkinson won it for Bluebirds.

Harris Irfan helped Cold Ash claim their first Spring D League win in style with a hat-trick in a 7-2 defeat of Rotherfield United.

The hosts raced into a two-goal lead thanks to Thomas Carroll and Connor McAdam, but they were pegged back by a quickfire Rotherfield double.

Cold Ash then stepped up a gear with five unanswered goals, Seth Dawson restoring the lead and Irfan scoring twice before completing his hat-trick with the final goal after Archie Bakewell had netted with a free-kick.

Jonathan Varley fired Grove Challengers into the semi-final of the Knockout Shield with the last kick of the game to defeat Cumnor Minors Blues 1-0.

The hosts had dominated for large spells of the game and hit the post twice, but they were made to pay in the final minute of extra time as Varley struck to hand victory to Grove.

Crowmarsh withstood heavy pressure from visitors Thatcham Town Harriers to earn a 1-1 draw in the Under 14 A League.

Daniel Sefton gave the home side an early lead, which lasted until the 50th minute as the Crowmarsh area was subjected to a prolonged assault.

Seth Fowler missed the chance to level from the penalty spot after Nathan Haresnape was bundled over in the box, but he made amends with an equaliser.

Ardington Eagles’ Knockout Cup run came to an end as they were beaten 5-0 at home to Kidlington Youth Celtic, of the B League.

The sides were all-square at the break, but second-half strikes goals from Matthew Walker, Ciaran Murphy and a Lloyd Thomas hat-trick ensured Celtic’s progression to the quarter-finals.

Nathan Sykes’ four-goal haul helped Ardley United come from behind to inflict a 4-1 home defeat on B League rivals Drayton Wasps in the Under 13 Knockout Cup.

The hosts took the lead through Jack Evans, but Ardley rallied and were soon in the ascendancy.

Sykes scored United’s equaliser on the break before putting the visitors in front early in the second half.

Drayton chased an equaliser, but were unable to find a way through, allowing Sykes room to inflict further damage with two more goals late in the game.

Littlemore overturned a first-half deficit to beat Abingdon Youth Whites 2-1 in the Under 11 Spring E League.

Aaron Millsip had put Whites in front in the first half, but goals from Reuben Barresi and Olu-wapelumi Maxwell ensured the hosts kept the points.

Didcot Town Red earned their first Under 10 Spring A League points after a second-half comeback saw them defeat Abingdon Youth Greens 3-2 away from home.

Goals from Cayce Thornhill and Kian Durkin gave Greens a commanding lead, but a brace from Lewis McKirnan and a fine finish from Eddie Good gave Didcot  the win.