Ardley book their place in last eight of the cup

Paul Davis’s side won 2-0 at Oxford City in Tuesday’s twice postponed third round tie with goals in each half from Troy Bryan and Elias Katsoloudi.

Nomads were quickly out of the blocks on Tuesday and pinned Ardley back into their own half but that was as good as it got for them as the visitors then took control and never looked in danger of losing.

Matt Woodley had a chance in the opening couple of minutes but keeper Kieran Beesley was equal to his shot before Ardley started to create their own chances.

Elias Katsoloudi couldn’t quite get his head to a cross but Ardley took the early lead thanks to a ricochet in midfield which ran back towards the area, Troy Bryan outpaced his marker to reach the ball first before slotting it past the advancing Alex Grantham.

Although scoring chances were few, Ardley continued to control the game but just before the break Billy Gillett fluffed a great chance to level, missing the target when he should have done better.

The second half was characterised by the visitors dropping off their game and being guilty of playing the ball long when a passing game may have yielded more.

Lewis Strafford, playing at right back went on a number of long mazy runs but couldn’t find the final pass.

But upon the withdrawal of Reece Bayliss, defender-turned-winger Strafford eventually succeeded as his pass to Katsoloudi enabled the diminutive striker to force the ball home and ensure Ardley’s place in the last eight.