FOOTBALL: Ardley slide to extra-time loss (From Bicester Advertiser)

FOOTBALL: Ardley slide to extra-time loss

6:52pm Wednesday 13th March 2013 in Sport

Ardley United bowed out of the Uhlsport Hellenic League's Bluefin Sports Challenge Cup after a 2-1 extra-time defeat at home to Wantage Town on Tuesday.

Leading through a Stuart Bridges goal, Ardley looked to have done enough, but goals from Richard Claydon and Andrew Younie put paid to that.

The hosts dominated the opening exchanges of the quarter-final with Joe Eyre and Ollie Stan-bridge going close.

Kevin Brock’s side took the lead on 32 minutes. Stuart Bridges broke forward before dri-ving the ball past Gareth Tucker in the Wantage goal.

After the break, Tucker saved a shot from Jon Gardner before Wantage upped the tempo.

And the hosts’ persistence paid off when Wantage equalised on 76 minutes when Richard Claydon fired past Joe White in the Ardley goal from close range.

Eight minutes into the first half of extra-time Wantage got the winner when Younie fired in.

Ardley pressed for a leveller, but Wantage held firm.

On Saturday, Ardley lost ground on leaders Marlow in a 2-2 draw at Premier Division strugglers Kidlington.

Ardley started strongly and took the lead on 17 minutes, Ollie Stanbridge blasting home from the edge of the area after some neat build-up play.

Ardley doubled their tally on 28 minutes. Joe Eyre’s pass set Steve Howkins free and he took it around home keeper Matt Dixon before finishing with ease for his 33rd goal of the season.

However, some sloppy defending allowed Kidlington to claw a goal back on 33 minutes when Jimmy Deabill headed home.

On the stroke of half-time, Kidlington levelled when Ryan Curtin slotted past the Ardley rookie keeper Tom Greensall.

Both sides had chances to win it in the second half, but the game ended in deadlock.