Horspath to face new clubs in Cherwell after OCA join up

HORSPATH can look forward to visiting a number of new venues next season with the Cherwell League releasing its provisional structure after being joined by clubs from the OCA for 2021.

The league will have a massive 176 teams

With the sides from the OCA being integrated into the Cherwell it brings the league up to a massive 176 teams playing in 17 divisions from Division 1 to Divisions 8A, B and C.

Horspath 2nd won't break new ground for the club in Division 2 with the line-up as scheduled for 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic led to a tiered format in a truncated season. Their opposition will include Shipton-under-Wychwood and Buckingham Town 2nd, who were relegated from Division 1 in 2019, plus Sandford St Martin and Oxford Downs 2nd, the promoted teams from Division 3.

Horspath 3rd and 4th, though, will face a number of the old OCA clubs in tiers 4-8 where, according to the league, travel will be cut by 35-40 per cent on previous seasons, with reductions of an average of about 16 miles and 25 minutes in journey time.

Horspath 3rd will come up against three new clubs in Garsington & Cowley, Oxenford and Westcott in Division 4A, while Horspath 4th face six newcomers in Bampton, Garsington & Cowley 2nd, Oxenford 2nd, Radley, Risinghurst and Witney Swifts 2nd in Division 6B.

The likes of Garsington, Risinghurst and Witney Swifts are old adversaries from Horspath's days in the OCA, but it's believed it will be the first time the club has faced Bampton and Radley in league action. The structure is subject to amendments to accommodate fixture clashes.

CHERWELL LEAGUE 2021 DIVISIONAL STRUCTURE

(Provisional line-ups)

Division 2: Aston Rowant 2nd, Bicester & North Oxford, Bledlow Village, Buckingham Town 2nd, Challow & Childrey, Horspath 2nd, Oxford Downs 2nd, Sandford St Martin, Shipton-under-Wychwood, Wolverton Town.

Division 4A: Aston Rowant 3rd, Bledlow Ridge, Bletchley Town, Garsington & Cowley, Great Brickhill 2nd, Horspath 3rd, Long Marston 2nd, Oxenford, Tiddington 2nd, Westcott.

Division 6B: Bampton, East Oxford 2nd, Garsington & Cowley 2nd, Horspath 4th, Oxenford 2nd, Oxford Downs 3rd, Radley, Risinghurst, Witney Mills 2nd, Witney Swifts 2nd.

* Structure subject to amendments to accommodate fixture clashes.

Posted by: Russ