Match Round-up for 20 September 2008
(Report by Andy Wells)

Hooper steals in to take the points for Rovers

Saxton Rovers deservedly won their local derby encounter against Drayton 3 – 2 but needed a late headed goal from Chris Hooper to maintain their 100% start to the Division 1 season.

With challenges going in hard from both sides, the ball was being treated like the proverbial hot potato and the first thirty minutes of this game passed with few sightings of goal for either side. An accidental aerial collision then saw both Drayton’s Rob Powell and Rovers’ Paul Churchouse receive lengthy treatment for head wounds, with Powell taken to hospital to have stitches in a bad cut over the eyebrow. Churchouse however, seemed to benefit from the knock and in his delirium, turned superbly past his marker to drive the ball in from a narrow angle on 35 minutes.

Two minutes later, poor marking at a free-kick from the left enabled Danny Curran to head in from close range despite a hand from Darren Speyes taking some of the pace off the ball. Ben Parry had the ball in the net for Rovers before the interval but it was ruled out for offside.

Drayton's James Brown and Rovers' Kevin Secker compete for the ball at a corner kick. Drayton keeper Graeme Coulthard looks on.
Photo © Andy Wells

Saxton’s new signing Matty Shelton from Milton United, put over a fine cross at the start of the second half, only for Churchouse to see his header superbly tipped over the bar by Graeme Coulthard, who had an excellent game.

On the hour, Craig O’Connor finished off a superb four-man move to regain the lead for Rovers and they were dominating the play at this stage, with Coulthard making another terrific low save from Danny Parry.

Drayton then had a spell when Curran missed out on two good chances but finally equalise through Adam Greenaway seven minutes from time. It was all to no avail though, as Rovers won a corner on the right and the cross was flicked in at the near post by Hooper.

Note: the pitch had been superbly cut and marked before the game by Drayton’s groundsman Richard Owen.

Second placed before the start, Blewbury rather surprisingly lost 2 – 0 at home to a young Wootton & Dry Sandford side but they were second best to most things, as goals from George Casserly and Richard Chilvers underlined a fine performance from the away side.

Further problems for last seasons Champions Lambourn Sports, as they crashed 4 – 2 away to Harwell Village and had Michael McNally sent off for foul and abusive language.

Harwell Village went 3 – 1 up by the interval through Grant Goodall and Alan Bertrum with Danny Pearce replying. Matthew Pedder pulled another goal back but Matty Aplin sealed the points before the end for Harwell.

Problems as well for Ardington & Lockinge as they lost 2 – 0 at home to Steventon, who claimed their first points of the season with goals from Stuart Coppock and Derrick Elliott.

Crowmarsh Gifford lead the way, ahead of Saxton on goal difference, after they won 3 – 1 at Harwell International. Johnny Eudell scored for the third successive match for International but goals from Andy Allum, Paul Hannigan and Tom Banks mean the winning start continues for Crowmarsh.

In Division 2, Didcot Casuals lost their 100% record as they came from behind to draw 1 – 1 with Benson A.F.C., with the goal for Casuals coming from Luke Hammond. Didcot’s Johnny Pearce put an 11^th minute penalty wide of the post.

Phil Stokes netted a four-time as Marcham, looking to bounce back into Division 1, found Warborough & Shillingford’s defence in rather generous mood. Further goals came from Martin Webb, Wes Costar (pen.) and a 35 yard screamer from Will Westall as Marcham ran out 7 – 1 winners.

Grove Rangers are up and running as they won 4 – 2 at home to Kingsclere, thanks to strikes from Steve Weaving, Dave Stebbings, Matt Booker and Dean Worthington; Matty Evans scored both Kingsclere goals as they still search for their first points.

In Division 3, an Andy Marriott hat-trick helped Long Wittenham Athletic to a best-of-seven win over Blewbury Reserves. Danny Osborne hit the other Wittenham goal in the 4 – 3 win, with Des Healy (2) and Adam Spurrett finding the net for the visitors.

Leaders Botley United made it four wins from four with a resounding 5 – 2 home victory over Benson Lions. Chris Potter (2), Keith Bruce, Sam Dallimore and Dan Hill were Botley’s happy goalscorers with Graeme Munro getting both goals for the Lions.

Meanwhile, Drayton Reserves had a comfortable 5 – 0 win at Wootton & Dry Sandford Reserves, thanks to target men Paul Empson 2, Ben Higgins, Ian Oram and Billy Warner.

In Division 4, East Hendred Reserves stormed to a 3 – 0 interval lead over Steventon Reserves, thanks to a double from Neil Thimbleby and one from Shaun Russ. The second half was more even but Jonathan Francis was required to make a fine save from a penalty to ensure the clean sheet. Young referee Dean Caven was reported to have had a fine game in the middle.

Challow United drew 2 – 2 at home to Stanford in the Vale thanks to another cracking long-range free-kick from Martin Turnbull and a strike from Eamon McGowan. Jason Evans and Jamie Hopgood scored for the Vale.

Division 5 saw Uffington United Reserves travel to Hagbourne Reserves and return with maximum points following a 3 – 2 win; Chris Bowler and Liam Jones netting for Hagbourne with John Mildenhall 2 and Nick Frost for Uffington.

In the War Memorial Cup preliminary round, Uffington United’s senior side made an early exit, as they lost 2 – 0 to East Hendred, thanks to goals from David Hendry and Simon Burgoyne.

The A.G. Kingham Cup 1^st Round saw Shrivenham ‘A’ rattle eleven goals past poor Challow United Reserves; Oliver Bailey (5) and Neil Sutton (3) the main destroyers for Shrivenham.

Sutton Courtenay Reserves made progress, as goals from Mark De Silva and Pat Clark secured a 2 – 0 win over Didcot Casuals Reserves, while Lambourn Sports Reserves eased through against Marcham Reserves with Mark Field, Steve Crame and Matt Hendren on target in a 3 – 0 win.

Robin New grabbed a brace as Coleshill United Reserves made short work of Harwell Village Reserves by 4 – 0; Dean O’Hagan and Chris Bill got the other goals for the home side.

Stanford in the Vale Reserves and Hanney Reserves were evenly match in the first half of their tie, until Stanford’s John Murby broke the deadlock just before half-time. The home side took control of the match and ran out 5 – 0 winners with further goals from Max Kelly (2), Tim Eltham and Grzegorz Krawczyk.

Long Wittenham Reserves won 7 – 4 at Benson Reserves with goals throughout the team – Dave Collett, Ryan Scott, Stuart Saunders, Billy Collett, Andy Burton, Dave Jones and Andrew Robbins all scoring. Luckless Benson replied through Kris Ray, Eddie Carter, Steve Lee and an own goal.

Finally, Saxton Rovers Reserves scored twice in each half to win 4 – 1 at home to Grove Rangers Reserves, thanks to goals from Oliver Wright, Ryan Johnson, James Hawthorne and Ben Carter.

Match Round-up for 20 September 2008 (Report by Andy Wells)

Match Round-up for 20 September 2008
(Report by Andy Wells)