The two sides had played out a 0-0 draw in Hellenic League Division One East just two weeks before, but on this occasion it was the Oxfordshire side who gained the better of the contest.

Finch made a bright start and immediately had the ball heading towards the visitors’ goal, with Harry Swabey starting a fine move which he was ultimately unable to finish off. And from the next passage of play, the same player was again unable to convert a chance.

Headington began to come back into the contest but came up against a solid Finch defence and their first shot drifted harmlessly right of the goal.

Swabey continued to look Finch’s most dangerous attacking option, but it was Ryan Tye who opened the scoring for the hosts as he collected a ball and ran towards goal, before slotting the ball into Harry Jenkins’ net from a tight angle.

Looking composed and comfortable with a one-goal cushion, Finches moved along smoothly, despite the loss of Chris Dean, who suffered an injury and was replaced by Richard Kell.

Finchampstead’s Matt Wright contributed well from right-back, producing a string of useful passes which put his side into good positions.

However Headington levelled matters shortly after Liam Morbey’s effort had sailed over the bar.

The visitors had gradually been creeping forward and Tye went from the proverbial hero to zero after conceding a 35th-minute penalty.

The spot kick was clinically dispatched by Tom Payne and the Amateurs had another shot on goal shortly after when Drew Fowler’s free-kick was saved by Tom Bryant.

With the game becoming a more and more end-to-end affair, Finch broke quickly after captain Adam Barnard headed a corner clear, and after Sam Price hooked the ball back from the Headington by-line, Greg Alexander shot wide from the edge of the penalty area. The visitors had one more chance in the first half, but a header whistled over the bar.

The ebb and flow nature of the contest continued in the second half, with Finch starting brightly before Shaun Jacob steered a shot over Bryant’s goal at the other end.

Swabey was then flagged for off-side when in a good position, but Barnard was then required to make a desperate clearance off the line.

Another corner gave Finch an opportunity, but the ball was eventually collected by Jenkins.

Price was beginning to dominate the left flank for the hosts, and he set up Tye whose shot on goal went wide.

With tempers beginning to fray, both sides were reduced to 10 men, as Kell picked up a second yellow card for Finch and the impressive Payne received his marching orders for Headington.

However it was the visitors who responded better to losing a man, and a stunning goal from Fowler earned them the victory in the 78th minute.

And as hard as Finch tried, they rarely looked like snatching an equaliser, with the Amateurs holding on to secure the win.

Finchampstead return to league action this coming Saturday, when Chalfont Wasps are the visitors at the Memorial Ground (2.15pm).