Match Round-up for 13 September 2008
(Report by Andy Wells)

Rovers’ ambitions raised by new signing Parry

Saxton Rovers made it two wins from two in Division 1, as recent acquisitions Danny and Ben Parry both hit the net in their 4 – 0 home win over A.F.C. Wallingford.

Rovers sped into a 2 – 0 interval lead with both Parry brothers (who were with Steventon last season) on the mark – a volley from the outside of the area by Danny and a good finish in the box by Ben. Danny Parry completed his hat-trick after the break with two cracking shots from outside the area to either corner.

Crowmarsh Gifford hit four goals at home for the second week in succession, with a 4 – 0 win over Steventon. Goals from Tim Holtom, Liam Currell, Paul Hannigan and a fine volley by James Ham meant that Crowmarsh sit proudly at the top of the early season table.

Blewbury are also at the top with a perfect record as they came away from Harwell International with 3 – 1 win, thanks to strikes from Danny Cox-Rogers, Fletcher Hoey and Tom Ingram. Johnny Eudell got Harwell’s consolation.

Ardington & Lockinge lost at home for the second time this season; George Casserley getting the only goal for Wootton & Dry Sandford in the 1 – 0 win. Meanwhile, Harwell Village got their first points of the season as they returned from Faringdon Town with a well-earned 4 – 2 victory – the home side scoring through Danny Courtney and Garry Sutton.

In Division 2, early leaders Didcot Casuals got the best of a seven goal affair against Faringdon Town Reserves – one of the teams they came up with last season: Liam Corrigan (2), Neal Smith and Richard Wright getting Casuals’ goals in the 4 – 3 victory.

Benson A.F.C. shared the points in a 2 – 2 draw at Coleshill United. Shane Blake and Danny Sealey were on target for the home side with Joe Flower and Danny Lucas replying for Benson.

Marcham gained a useful point in a 4 – 4 draw at Grove Rangers and remain unbeaten since their relegation from the top flight last season. Matt Booker (2), Steve Weaven and Dave Stebbings scored for Rangers with Stuart Armstrong, Tom Cousins, Phil Stokes and Martyn Webb striking for Marcham.

Lambourn Sports Reserves sealed a 4 – 1 home win over Saxton Rovers Reserves with goals from Steve Crame, Chris Collins, Michael Annetts and an own goal. Oliver Wright grabbed the only reply from Saxton Reserves.

Warborough & Shillingford opened their account for the season with a 3 – 0 win at East Hendred, though they had an early scare in the 2^nd minute of the game when keeper Adam Dewar had to be alert to keep out the first Hendred attack. However, Warborough took control and ran the Hendred defence ragged on several occasions without success, until a delightful chip over keeper Rose by Adam Oram on the half hour, gave them a deserved half time lead.

East Hendred were “still in the dressing room” as Warborough doubled their lead with a low shot to the left corner only two minutes into the second half. Hendred then matched their opponents for most of the 2^nd half but in chasing the game were punished by a classic counter attack by Warborough 5 minutes from the end to secure a deserved win. Both sides were commended by referee Ian Brown for a very well played and sporting game, with no cautions.

Division Three saw goal machine Botley United knock in another six, as they punished home side Harwell Village for taking the lead through Richard Day. Chris Potter (2), Andy Potter, Andy Humphries, Keiron Ellis and Kevin Cooper scored to bring up the 6 – 1 score, which saw Botley continue their impressive start to the season.

Childrey United won a good even game 3 – 1 at Long Wittenham with goals from James Wilkins, Tom Weeks and Danny Hogan. Tim Barton got Wittenham’s reply.

Blewbury Reserves travelled to Drayton Reserves and brought home maximum points from a 5 – 3 victory. On target for Drayton were Ben Higgins, Ian Oram and Jack Lester while three of Blewbury’s goals were scored by Leigh Janes, Roger Crook and Paul Hessey.

In the remaining Division 3 game, Wootton & Dry Sandford Reserves were held to a 1 – 1 draw at home to Coleshill Reserves (thus both sides pick up their first point of the campaign). Nick Ridge found the net for Wootton while James Head replied for Coleshill.

In Division Four, Nick Wojcik grabbed a brace as Faringdon Town ‘A’ won 2 – 0 against Challow United while the Hanney United versus East Hendred Reserves match was abandoned with the score at 1 – 1 due to an injury to a player.

In Division Five, strengthened Benson Lions Reserves roared to a resounding 12 – 0 win at Challow United Reserves. Graeme Munro (4), Dan Oates (3), Nick Shipley, Phil Goss, Andrew Richardson, Neil Kingston and Jon Radcliffe were the Benson scorers

A youthful Didcot Casuals ‘A’ side lead the table after a 6 – 3 win at Hagbourne United Reserves thanks to three more goals from Kevin Oakes and others from Gareth Cole, Sean Beard and Luke Ridley.

Sutton Courtenay Reserves battled to a 2 – 2 draw with Long Wittenham Reserves to edge into second place for the time being. Goals for Sutton Courtenay came from Mark DeSilva and an own goal from Brian Robins, while Long Wittenham scorers were Andy Robbins and Richard Jones.

In the North Berks League Cup Preliminary Round, Stanford in the Vale Reserves had a comfortable 8 – 0 win at home to a weak Steventon Reserves. Jason Evans netted four more this week to take his tally from only three games to 16, while Max Kelly (2), Dean Grimes and Grzegorz Krawczyk completed the Stanford scoring.

The Nairne Paul Cup match between Benson Reserves and Shrivenham ‘A’ went to extra-time before Shrivenham scored in the second period to run out 2 – 1 winners. Martyn Newbold scored for Benson with Neil Sutton and Ollie Bailey putting Shrivenham through.

Match Round-up for 13 September 2008 (Report by Andy Wells)

Match Round-up for 13 September 2008
(Report by Andy Wells)