Couling has them drooling with hat-trick

Midfield maestro Ethan Couling hit a fine hat-trick as Kidlington ultimately ran out easy winners against Abingdon in the Under 10 Red League season-opener. There were two other hat-trick heroes - Callum Rolfe hit three for the homesters while Jack Sewell did likewise for the visitors.

This match really was one of two 'halves'. The first game was an exciting 4-4 draw. Marcus Tranter opened the scoring with a fine shot into the bottom left hand corner after being fed by midfield partner Ben Stewart. Tranter then set up Kidlington's second with an exquisite long pass out of defence to Rolfe, the latter finishing perfectly. Abingdon got back into it just before half time with a goal reminiscent of one of Germany's against England in the world cup, a big goal kick down the middle catching out the home defence and Sewell knocked it in confidently. Tranter shot just over from distance before two quick goals just after half-time turned the game on its head. Sewell put the visitors level before James Woodhouse gave them the lead with a great effort from distance. Back came Kidlington however. Rolfe hit the cross-bar before scoring a fine opportunist goal, collecting a weak goal kick and returning it with interest. Rolfe then completed his hat-trick finishing off a fine move involving Stewart, Tranter and Ben Owen for 4-3, but back came Sewell and Abingdon to level at 4-4. The visitors had further chances, but first home defender Will Baker and then keeper Joe Keighery - saving well in a one-on-one - kept the home side level and the game finished 4-4.

The second game was a comfortable 6-0 victory for Kidlington, as the home team's greater strength in depth told. Couling opened the scoring with a long range free kick and then converted a fine cross from Luca Sykes. Another Sykes cross was headed home by league debutant Jamie Slevin for 3-0 and the same player made it 4-0 moments later after the visiting keeper had parried a strong Sykes shot. Sykes himself deservedly got on the score sheet with the fifth after good work by Judahne Medley. He then turned provider again, producing the perfect pass for Couling to complete his hat-trick and a fine 10-4 aggregate victory for Kidlington.