Cirencester League Div Two

Oaksey 3

Minety 2

A HAT-TRICK from the league's runaway top scorer Gareth Jones helped Oaksey to a hard-fought 3-2 win over Minety in a feisty local derby.

In truth Oaksey should have put the game to bed in the first half. With the home side’s midfield on top form, especially Wayne Buckland, the side were worth at least their 2-0 lead at the break.

On 13 minutes, Ian Carr and Jamie Jobbins combined to feed Jones the space he thrives on and the striker outpaced his marker to open the scoring. Five minutes before the break Jones was brought down some 20 yards out and his curling free kick gave keeper Andy Baker no chance.

However, in the closing minutes of the half Minety gave notice that there was still a game to be won as first James Hurcombe shot just wide and then Oaksey keeper Harrie Wilson saved at full stretch to push a free kick away for a corner.

As they did the previous week Oaksey went to sleep in the second half allowing the skilful Hurcombe to pull a goal back from a free kick and just a few minutes later Kristian Trimble’s corner confused the home defence and nestled in the net.

With 19 minutes remaining Jones was again brought down, this time on the edge of the penalty area, and he blasted home what was a somewhat disputed penalty.

Oaksey had by now come back to their free-flowing best, aided no doubt by Minety having to play the last 15 minutes with only 10 players.

With a couple of minutes to go Minety's Robin Collier lobbed the ball into the six-yard box and somehow a home defender cleared off the line as Oaksey got nervously to the finish.

The victory enabled Oaksey to claim their first league double of the season against a side fielding six of their players from last season.

A key battle in the game was won by central defender Kyle Fitzsimons who gave the combative ex-Oaksey centre forward Jake Pegler very few chances.

The win could prove vital as promotion rivals Sherston ended league leaders Blunsdon's unbeaten run on Saturday and the game between Oaksey and Sherston on December 10 will be key to either side's hopes.