It was a bittersweet afternoon for Moors as they claimed victory over Oxford City on the final day but narrowly missed out on that elusive play-off position.
Corey McKeown’s first half finish was enough to hand Moors all three points against The Hoops but results elsewhere meant that Graeme Lee’s side’s National League North campaign was over.
Moors started the game well, as they created the games first real chance on 9 minutes. An intelligent ball in behind from Reece Staunton found Rob Ramshaw, who, on his 400th appearance for Club, squared the ball to fellow stalwart, Glen Taylor. The striker’s effort, however, was scuffed, and The Hoops were able to clear.
Junior Mondal saw a chance of his own go begging as his deep ball in had to be tipped away from the bottom left-hand corner by Kai McKenzie-Lyle in the City net.
Ross Jenkins’ side looked to break through the period of early Moors pressure, as Josh Ashby tried his luck from inside the penalty area. Luckily, Brad James was equal to the strike, as he got down well to deny the number 4.
The visitors had another chance just three minutes later, as an inviting low ball in was almost prodded home by Phil Croker, who, despite being at full stretch, couldn’t get the vital touch it needed.
Both sides saw half chances on the half-hour mark as they settled into the affair. Olly Dyson did well to drive down the right, before playing a ball into Mondal, though his touch was poor, before Jayden Carbon fired well over the bar from an awkward angle.
Jacob Roddy almost caught Moors out from a corner with his free header in the centre of the penalty area, only to see the effort go over the crossbar and into the stand behind the goal.
Moors pushed to find an opener as the first 45 ticked away, with McKeown going close with four minutes of the half to go. The winger brilliantly nabbed possession on the half-way line, before striking an effort from the edge 18-yard box. His shot, however, was well blocked.
That missed chance didn’t damage McKeown’s confidence though, as he broke the deadlock with less than a minute of the first half remaining. After great work from Ramshaw on the right, Matty Dolan thumped an effort goalward from the edge of the area, only to see his shot deflected into the path of McKeown, who calmly stroked the ball home past McKenzie-Lyle.
A strong finish to the first half for Graeme Lee’s side, who now found themselves a goal up at the break. However, McKeown’s effort seemed to be the kick that The Hoops needed to get themselves into gear, as they restarted the game with real intent.
James was called into action as he had to tip an awkwardly looping shot from Ashby over the bar less than 60 seconds into the second 45.
The visitors continued to produce moments of danger for Moors, as Carbon’s inviting ball across the face of goal couldn’t be tapped home, before Canice Carroll saw his effort shanked wide of the mark.
Ben Beals was forced into some brilliant, yet unorthodox defending to keep Moors ahead on the 58th minute. Carbon’s low ball in towards Zac McEachran was well cut out by the Moors defender, who seemed to roll over the ball and guide it into the safety of Brad James’ grasp.
Fin Shrimpton looked to double Moors lead just a minute later as he took aim 25 yards from goal. The loanee’s shot, however, flew wide of the right post.
Carbon continued to make a nuisance of himself as he struck a well hit effort on goal, which had to be deflected wide of the root of the post.
The Hoops very nearly found their equaliser in impressive fashion on the 66th minute, as Ashby let fly with some real power. The ball looked destined for the net, and would’ve found it, had it not been for a heroic stop at full stretch from James to deny the visiting skipper.
As the game began to wind down, Moors looked increasingly likely to find a second to kill the game.
Taylor got on the end of a loose ball on halfway, before driving forward to bear down on goal. The big number 9 looked certain to score as he took aim from the edge of the box, only to be brilliantly denied by the outstretched glove of the retreating McKenzie-Lyle.
Taylor had another chance right at the end of normal time as he connected with a Reece Staunton ball into the front post. However, his header was just wide on the mark.
Moors could’ve killed the game right at the end through substitute Nathan Simpson. The Boro loanee did brilliantly to split The Hoops’ defence before unleashing a curled effort on goal. The strike beat McKenzie-Lyle, but didn’t beat the right post, as the ball smashed off the upright and away.
A frustrating afternoon in term of missing out on the play-offs. However, Moors fans now have their trip to the capital to look forward to, as they travel to Wembley Stadium in just over two weeks’ time for the FA Trophy Final.
Full Time: Moors 1 Oxford City 0
Spennymoor Town (4-2-3-1): James; Dyson, Ledger, Beals (Pollock 86), Staunton; Dolan, Shrimpton (Hancox 78); Mondal (Simpson 69), Ramshaw, McKeown (Rutledge 69); Taylor.
Subs not used: Harris.
Oxford City (3-5-2): McKenzie-Lyle; Croker, Carroll, Willcox; Drewe, Burley, Ashby, Scott (Bitencourt De Oliveria 88), Roddy (Putman 77); McEachran, Carbon.
Subs not used: McConnell, Russell.
Referee: Callum Jones
Attendance: 1,467
Written by Noah Betts
