A day to forget...

Match Report from OxOn Football reporter who as at the game.

Jack Dunmall scored a hat-trick as Carterton eased into the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Vase with a 6-0 win over Chinnor, who were handicapped by a controversial red card to striker John McMahon just before half-time.
The decision came after his arm swung into the face of a Carterton player, although Chinnor argued that he was just trying to jump – either way it was careless, but the red seemed harsh.

What is difficult to doubt is the impact the decision had. It was 1-0 at the time, and an evenly-balanced match, with Chinnor recovering well from Dunmall’s opening goal. However by half time it was 2-0, and although Chinnor had a goal disputably disallowed, it became all too easy as the goals started to tumble, with Chinnor having no hope of making a comeback.
Dunmall had opened the scoring early on, striking into the far post after receiving a good ball. However Chinnor pushed hard for an equaliser, with several chances falling to their forward players.

However the game had turned back in Carterton’s favour a little when the red card came, and in the fifth minute of stoppage time, Dunmall struck again, chipping over the keeper Ben Taunton with the ball creeping into the net.
It was an uphill battle for Chinnor to try to save the tie, although they thought they had pulled one back early in the second half, as a free kick from some way out almost drifted into the goal, but was disallowed and with that perhaps went their best chance.
From then on it was virtually all Carterton. Ryan Curtin made it three by converting substitute Jack Kennedy’s cross, and just a couple of minutes later Mark Threlfall got lucky, with his shot hitting the right post, then the left post, before finally going in.
Dunmall completed his hat-trick with fifteen minutes left, a superb volley leaving Taunton with no chance. Kennedy then completed the rout, heading in a cross from out wide to add a goal to his earlier assist.

But Dunmall will take the plaudits in leading what looks to be a very good Carterton side, who have begun the season in very positive fashion. But they will know as well as Chinnor do that it could have been a very different game if the visitors had played the second half with all eleven men.