Match Round-up for 27 September 2008
(Report by Andy Wells)

Hard-working Warborough & Shillingford sunk by old boy Ben

Saxton Rovers eased through to the second round of the North Berks Charity Shield, 3 – 1 over Warborough & Shillingford, but were given a stern test by the Division 2 side and needed a hat-trick from ex-Warborough player Ben Parry.

In warm conditions both sides adopted an adventurous style and chances developed regularly for either side. After twelve minutes Rovers’ James Clarke was denied by a fine tackle by Wayne Rudman when in on goal but soon afterwards Warborough should have taken the lead, when Tom Davies swung over a cross for Ross Tabor to head straight at Rovers’ grateful keeper Darren Speyes.

Warborough’s Adam Oram flashed a volley just wide after a sweeping move but Adam Dewar in the home goal had to react quickly to deny Parry on 28 minutes. Three minutes later, Parry made amends, hitting a half-volley into the roof of the Warborough net from 12 yards.

Parry made it 2 - 0 in the 38^th minute, when he followed up Steve Bloomfield’s drilled shot to thump the rebound in at the near post.

Ross Tabor of Warborough & Shillingford heads the ball away to relieve first half Saxton Rover's pressure
Photo © Andy Wells

Parry completed his hat-trick with a header in the second half, with Warborough grabbing a deserved consolation goal when Tom Davies drifted over a cross that went in off a Saxton defender. Dewar also made a terrific tip-over save from a Paul Churchouse header.

Division 1 leaders Crowmarsh Gifford were given a real scare, as they were taken to penalties in their tie away at Botley United of Division Three, after a thrilling 4 – 4.

The game went into extra-time with the score at 3 – 3 and one further goal apiece meant the tie had to be resolved by spot kicks, with Crowmarsh emerging the relieved winners. Botley’s goalscorers were Chris Potter (2), Keith Bruce and Kevin Cooper, with Paul Hannigan, Liam Currell and Dan Keeler on target for Crowmarsh.

Blewbury were rather more comfortable winners at Challow United, with Steve Hedges (2), Fletcher Hoey, Danny Cox-Rogers and Tom Ingram scoring in a 5 – 2 win. Eamonn McGowan chipped in with two goals for Challow.

With several first team members missing through injury and holidays Harwell Village were made to work much harder than expected for their 3 – 1 win over Hanney United in the first round of the Charity Shield.

In the 41^st minute Harwell finally made the breakthrough when a good move opened up the Hanney defence and eventually the ball broke to the left of the penalty area where left back Luke Settle was on hand to supply the cool finish lacking from earlier attempts by more established strikers.

In the 2^nd half Harwell started very brightly and the three league division gap between the two sides was briefly evident. However a combination of poor finishing and good goalkeeping kept the score at just 1-0. The pressure was beginning to tell on Hanney and after a good Village move a cross was bundled in by Stuart Thompson for the 2^nd and probably should have secured the game for Harwell. Hanney though were not going to give up and began to recover, pressing forward to good effect.

Their goal came following loud appeals for a penalty to Harwell when James Rose was alleged to have handled on the line. The unsighted referee waved away the claims and from this Hanney broke clear and scored a well deserved goal through Nick Wilkins.

As the game wore on and Hanney carried the game to Harwell it was not surprising to see Harwell break clear and a good finish by Substitute Michael Rouse secured a very tough tie for Harwell.

A Stephen Weaving treble and a goal from David Scott helped Grove Rangers through to the next round, after a 4 – 2 win over Harwell International; James Sherwood getting both goals for the Division 1 side. Benson Lions also took out higher league opposition when they clawed their way past Coleshill United by 2 – 0, thanks to two goals from Will Waddell – one a 25 yard screamer into the top corner.

Long Wittenham progressed as a result of a 4 – 2 win over Sutton Courtenay. Tim Barton (3) and Steve Molloy netted for Wittenham with Vinny Cooper (pen) and Pat Clark on target for the home side Sutton Courtenay. Meanwhile, East Hendred got through to the next round after a 4 – 2 win at Uffington United; Phil Taylor (2), Steve Cudden and Chris Beesley scoring for Hendred and Brett Reay getting both Uffington goals.

Didcot Casuals’ player-manager Wayne Jacks, Jamie Newport, Ben Chaffey and Liam Corrigan found the net in their team’s 4 – 2 home win against Kingsclere, while Faringdon Town hammered fellow Division 1 side Wootton & Dry Sandford at home 7 – 2: Danny Courtney (3), Darren Harrington (2) and Garry Sutton (2) scoring for Faringdon.

Finally, Ardington & Lockinge’s torrid start to the season continued as they went out of the cup to Division 3 side Stanford in the Vale by 3 – 1. Tom Eatwell netted for Ardington but free-scoring Stanford won with goals from Paul Willoughby, Jason Evans and Richard Evans.

In League Division 1, reigning champions Lambourn Sports got their first win of the season, 3 – 1 over A.F.C. Wallingford. Danny Pearce got two first half goals to set Lambourn on their way and substitute Terry Wood confidently shot in the third, before Wallingford pulled a goal back with a penalty conversion.

Over at Drayton, neighbours Steventon raced into a 2 – 0 lead in the opening ten minutes through Shane Preece-Tripp and Stuart Coppock and they held that margin until the break. Bradley Ritchie pulled an early goal back and Drayton equalised through Tom Hemmings.

In the only Division 2 game, Faringdon Town Reserves gained their first points of the season with a fine 3 – 2 win at Lambourn Sports Reserves. Paul Self and Steve Crame netted for the home side with Michael Soule, Chris Kershaw and Matt Hickson striking for Faringdon.

Division 3 saw Coleshill United Reserves cruise to a 7 – 1 win over Drayton Reserves, thanks to goals from Chris Bill (2), Dean O’Hagan (2), James Head (2) and Mark Simkins; Jack Lester netted for Drayton.

Sam Powell scored twice for Ardington & Lockinge Reserves as they finally got their season underway but Blewbury Reserves ran out 4 – 2 winners, with marksmen Des Healy (2), Andy Rolstone and Adam Spurrett. Meanwhile, Harwell International Reserves and Grove Rangers Reserves battled to a 3 – 3 draw with Stuart Head, Ben Cordery and Calum Hodnett scoring for Harwell and Richard Bailey (2), James Preston for Grove.

In Division 4, leaders Hagbourne United lost their 100% start as they went down 3 - 1 to bottom before the game Steventon Reserves. Richard King, Darren Pettifer and Sean Follows hitting the net for Steventon, with Pete Loughlin scoring the only goal for Hagbourne, who hang on to top spot on goal difference from Benson A.F.C. Reserves who won 1 – 0 at home to Didcot Casuals Reserves: the only goal there coming from Will Clements.

In Division 5, leaders Coleshill United ‘A’ improved on their already impressive goal difference in an unbeaten start, as they won 6 – 0 at home to Challow United Reserves. Queuing up to score were Dan Pearson 2, Tim Youldon, Marcus Richards, Matty Ayres and Ian Forbes.

Hanney United lost 1 – 0 at home to Uffington United Reserves, who also maintain a 100% record thanks to a goal from Andrew Morton. Kennington Reserves drew 1 – 1 with Hagbourne Reserves thank to a goal from Neil Buckingham.

Andy Robbins grabbed a brace as Long Wittenham Reserves won 5 – 0 at home to Benson Lions Reserves and finally Stanford in the Vale Reserves got the better of Didcot Casuals ‘A’ in a good open game which was 2 – 2 at half-time. Further Stanford goals followed for the final score of 5 – 2 to the home side but Didcot gave a good account of themselves. Ross McDonald scored a hat-trick for Stanford to add to goals from Max Kelly and Matt Webb. Kevin Oakes kept up his fine scoring start to the season with a goal for Didcot add to Matty Chomyn’s strike.

Match Round-up for 27 September 2008 (Report by Andy Wells)

Match Round-up for 27 September 2008
(Report by Andy Wells)