Harwell International Reserves were the crème de la crème of Division 4 football this season as they marched towards the title in some style.
The season got off to the best possible start with a pre-season win against arch rivals Harwell Village, this set the tone for Inter’s season. The Atomics smashed home an impressive 61 goals which combined with a solid backline of Clark, Phillips, Whell, Corderoy, Humphries and Cowan was the key to this season’s success.
There was early season optimism as back to back 4-0 wins in the first two games had the fans talking about promotion. The team was brought back down to earth following a 4-3 defeat away to lowly Uffington, which may have been the tonic that motivated Absolom’s men to go the rest of the season undefeated in the league.
By the start of November free scoring Inter were the bookies favourites as they hit 17 goals in four games in October, this included the 7-2 destruction of Wootton. The departure of Adam Heal on a bosman could have seen the club’s fortunes change, but captain Stuart Head’s penalties backed up by MacGregor’s long range down the middle strikes and Eudell’s predatory instinct made sure the big man wasn’t missed.
By December the team had continued in the much the same vein in the league, and the arrival of Higgins and Blaszko from the first team meant the goals kept coming. Early season signing Ben Cordrey was showing his class in the middle of the park and the wing play of Cole and Absolom jnr was aiding the team’s dominance.
The team had bowed out of Reading and Jubilee Cup and the Nairne Paul Cup, but a 3-3 thriller in the quarter finals of A.G Kingham Cup against Blewbury saw delirious scenes as Inter were victorious on penalties.
A solitary Wayne Robbins wonder strike at home to nearest challengers Wootton gave Inter a 1-0 win and meant the title was well and truly there’s to give away. The team showed the determination of champions as they stole a victory from the jaws of defeat away to Challow with 2 goals in the last 5 minutes to secure a 3-2 win.
A brave performance against Lambourn Res in the A.G Kingham Cup semi final wasn’t enough to prevent a 2-0 defeat. The title was confirmed after a 1-0 win away to Long Wittenham which saw silverware back in the cabinet at the Atomics Layer.
MANAGERS PLAYER: STUART HEAD
PLAYERS PLAYER: BEN CORDEROY
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