Match Round-up for 18 October 2008
(Report by Andy Wells)

All too easy for Didcot as Jamie’s brace knocks out Steventon

Two confident first half strikes from Jamie Newport gave the Division Two leaders Didcot Casuals a relatively comfortable 2 – 0 win over Division One Steventon, in the first round of the North Berks Cup on Saturday.

After a hesitant start by both sides, Casuals got more on top and Jamie Newport came close to opening the scoring in the 14^th minute, when he cut in from the left and his shot was tipped over by Barry McBeth in the Steventon goal. The ball found its way out to Lee Newport from the resultant corner and his powerful shot crashed against the crossbar.

Casuals were the dominant side from then on with a Danny Horne header being Steventon’s only effort on goal in the first half. In the 38^th minute the deadlock was broken as Jamie Newport again found space on the left side of the goal area to tuck the ball in from an acute angle. Soon afterwards the frame of the goal was tested again when Jamie Newport hit the post with a left foot shot.

Photograhph © Andy Wells
Didcot Casual's Ben Chaffey (yellow) comes forward with the ball under pressure from a determined Stuart Coppock of Steventon

In first-half injury time, Johnny Pearce and Lee Newport combined to send Jamie Newport clear and he found the back of the net with ease to make it 2 – 0 to Didcot.

Steventon came back in to the game in the second-half but the final ball into the box was often not of the best quality for the tightly marked forwards. Steventon’s best chance came from the right–wing crosses of Mark Brind; Shane Preece-Tripp close to converting at the near post and Stuart Coppock heading against the crossbar late on.

In the other North Berks Cup ties played, A.F.C Wallingford demolished neighbouring Benson Lions’ hopes in a 10 – 1 hiding. Benefiting most from the Lions’ defensive frailty was Tom Hammond (4) with others from Sam Elkins (2), Andy Gibbons (2), Danny Woods and Barry Primmer. Graeme Munro got Benson’s consolation.

A goal of outstanding quality and another five minutes from Lawrence Hoey gave Blewbury the edge over local rivals Harwell Village. Tom Ingram had put Blewbury ahead after twenty minutes with Matty Aplin equalising from a penalty before half-time, after John-Robert Willis had been brought down.

Hoey then volleyed in a stunning goal after 55 minutes, after taking the ball from his own half, leaving three Harwell players in his wake but Harwell again levelled through Willis. Blewbury lost Ross Tyler with a bad knee injury but Hoey’s late strike took them through.

Crowmarsh Gifford are through after a 5 – 0 win over Grove Rangers, with goals from Phil Hedges (3), Andy Allum and Tom Banks.

In the Nairne Paul Cup, a late equaliser from Coleshill Reserves meant the game against Marcham Reserves went into extra-time at 3 – 3. Marcham scored twice more in the added period to take the tie with their match scorers being Wes Costar (2), Luke Westall (2) and Leighton Jackson.

Shrivenham ‘A’ needed penalty kicks to progress after being held to a 2 – 2 draw by Harwell International Reserves. Harry Heath and Jack Dodd scored for Shrivvy with Lee Absolom getting both goals for the visitors, before the tie was settled 5 – 4 to Shrivenham on spot-kicks.

Last seasons finalists East Hendred Reserves will not be repeating that achievement following a 3 – 1 home defeat by Lambourn Sports Reserves. Andy Hallett scored for Hendred but Lambourn triumphed with goals from Stuart Denton, Martyn Benson and Ricky Davis.

In League Division 1, a single goal from Danny Curran gave visitors Drayton a 1 – 0 win over Lambourn Sports while Ardington & Lockinge picked up their first points with a vital 3 – 2 win over Harwell International. Chris Whitworth, Gareth Fenton and Chris Roche scored for Ardington with Johnny Eudell (2) for the Harwell side, without a point in five games now.

In Division 2, Benson A.F.C. took advantage of Didcot’s cup commitments to edge three points closer, following a 3 – 1 home win over Coleshill United. After a goalless first half, Jim Oliver and Danny Lucas scored to put Benson in control. Simon Edwards pulled a goal back for Coleshill but Oliver struck again to seal the points that took Benson into second place.

East Hendred posed for the camera with the sponsor D. Clough’s JCB before their match away at Sutton Courtenay and it clearly inspired them to dig in for a 3 – 1 win, thanks to goals from Adam Wise, Steve Cudden and Adam Sell.

Troy Redman, Robert Lovegrove and Chris Kershaw were on target as Faringdon Town Reserves drew 3 – 3 with a Saxton Rovers Reserves.

In Division 3, Botley United’s impressive five game winning run came to an end, as they were beaten 2 – 1 by Drayton Reserves, thanks to goals for Drayton from Bobby Pearson and Ben Taboada; Keith Bruce netting for Botley.

Long Wittenham Athletic moved into third place following a 2 – 0 win over Grove Rangers Reserves. Andy Marriott and Joe Harvey were the Wittenham marksmen.

Ardington & Lockinge Reserves matched their first team in getting their first success, with a late scrambled goal from Kevin Pryde giving them a 1 – 0 win at Harwell Village Reserves.

Wootton & Dry Sandford Reserves bounced back from conceding ten goals last week in the cup, to keep a clean sheet in a 4 – 0 home win over Blewbury Reserves. Eighteen-year-old debutant Tom Larman was on target twice with other goals from Nick Ridge and James Booker.

In Division 4, Faringdon Town ‘A’ went top of the table following a 3 – 2 win at Uffington United. Garry Haines and Mark Wiseman netted for Uffington but strikes from Ben Henley, Martin Key and James Tyler took the points for Faringdon. Challow United took a 3 – 0 win away from Didcot Casuals Reserves to move into second place.

In Division 5, Uffington United Reserves lost the top spot as they lost 2 – 1 at Challow United Reserves. James Bowsher and Matthew Tupper netted for Challow.

Stanford in the Vale Reserves hammered Sutton Courtenay Reserves 7 – 0 to leapfrog Uffington Reserves and Coleshill ‘A’ (redundant after their game was postponed). Max Kelly scored the opening goal with Grzegorz Krawczyk scoring his 5th goal in 5 games for the second and Dean Grimes adding the third before half time.

Paul Hume, Max Kelly again and two goals from substitute Jamie Gregory made it 7 - 0. It’s also Stanford Reserves’ 7th win on the trot and takes the side to the top of Div 5.

Tom Lapshott scored the only goal for Didcot Casuals ‘A’ as they won 1 – 0 at home to Long Wittenham Reserves and finally Kennington Reserves claimed their first win of the season with a 4 – 0 win over Hanney United Reserves, with goals from Liam Buck, Oliver Stone, Chris Collis and Ben Cripps.

Match Round-up for 18 October 2008 (Report by Andy Wells)

Match Round-up for 18 October 2008
(Report by Andy Wells)