Match Round-up for 25 October 2008
(Report by Andy Wells)

Sutton Courtenay do it the hard way after Cup goal frenzy

Sutton Courtenay are through to the next round of the War Memorial Cup after a dramatic cup tie against Grove Rangers, full of goals and controversy, was finally settled 5 – 4 on penalties.

In a quite extraordinary game, the home side raced into a four-goal lead after only 27 minutes, with Rangers’ defence cut to ribbons by the pace and movement of Sutton Courtenay’s young midfield. Firstly, on eight minutes Michael Hooton fired in after Danny Cox had laid the ball into his path. Four minutes later, after a slick move on the left, the ball ran to Kearan Russell who curled an exquisite drive off his right instep just inside the left upright.

Photograhph © Andy Wells
The ball gets cleared by Grove Ranger's Charlie Harris (Sky Blue shorts, far right) with keeper Stuart Tofte and several defenders looking on anxiously during the dramatic game against Sutton Courtenay.

It became 3 – 0 in the 18^th minute when Cox did so well to turn the ball back across goal for Wayne Grant to hit on the half-volley past a rooted defence.

Grove were shell-shocked and while recriminations were still going on, Cox ran onto a high ball and lifted it over Stuart Tofte in the Grove goal for 4 – 0 after only 27 minutes.

There seemed no way back but just before half-time Rangers were awarded a rather dubious penalty. Ben Williams stepped up but his powerful shot was brilliantly palmed away by Sutton keeper Marc Cooke.

It wasn’t until very late in proceedings that Grove started to get back into the game, which was becoming more contentious as the bookings mounted (11 in total). Steve Weaving producing a fine save which was turned away for a corner by Cooke and from the ensuing kick Matty Booker finished from close range to make the score 4 – 1.

That looked a mere consolation and so too did Ben Williams’ close range header to pull another goal back a minute later. Incredibly, as the game entered stoppage time, Dave Scott struck superbly from a direct free-kick to make it 4 – 3. With ten minutes of added time gone substitute Dave Stebbings then hit a glorious equaliser from 35 yards with a volley on the turn.

Stebbings also had a ‘goal’ disallowed but the game entered extra-time at 4 – 4, though not before the Sutton Courtenay manager had been sent to the clubhouse for foul and abusive language!

Stebbings gave Grove the lead after Williams had headed back across goal but then Sutton Courtenay were awarded a penalty, which was well saved by Tofte from the experienced Vinny Cooper. With six minutes remaining Karl Crockford drove in from the edge of the area to make the score 5 – 5, to give the game another amazing twist and Sutton Courtenay the tie on penalty kicks.

Other ties saw Botley United take the scalp of the Division Two leaders Didcot Casuals with a 3 – 1 win, thanks to goals from Mark Penner, Kevin Cooper and Chris Potter with Jamie Newport on target for Casuals once again.

Long Wittenham are through after a goal apiece from Tim Barton and Andy Marrriott gave them a 2 – 0 win against Childrey United and a fine goalkeeping display by Matt Launchbury gave Marcham the platform for their 6 – 1 win against Hagbourne United.

East Hendred took the lead three times at home against lower division Benson Lions but each time they were hauled back and Graeme Munro struck the winner for the visitors, four minutes from time. Munro had scored earlier along with Jon Radcliffe and Chris Armstrong in their 4 – 3 win.

In League Division 1, leaders Saxton Rovers extended their 100% record as they won 6 – 0 at Harwell International. Sharing the goals were James Clarke, Tom Aldworth, Danny Parry (pen.), Rob Johnson, Ben Parry and Paul Churchouse.

Blewbury stepped up their own challenge with a 2 – 1 win at Lambourn Sports. Tom Ingram, who had a fine game, played in Adam Bailey to open the scoring after 20 minutes. Then on 35 minutes, John Hedges spotted the keeper off his line and he chipped in to make it 2 – 0 at the break. Lambourn pulled a goal back from the penalty spot by Matthew Pedder and the Blewbury defence played really well to keep the lead, with Simon Matthews making three great saves.

Even without leading scorer Danny Curran, Drayton were too good for Ardington & Lockinge and two goals in the first half from debutant Bobby Pearson and Billy Warner, followed by two second half goals by Robert Hudson and Kevin Giddings meant Drayton go up to 3^rd place.

Faringdon Town won 4 – 1 at Wootton & Dry Sandford to move up two places into fourth and Harwell Village gained their first win in a month with a 2 – 1 success at neighbouring Steventon.

In Division 2, Coleshill United moved up the table following a 2 – 1 win over Lambourn Sports Reserves; with goals from Gary Ashford and Martin Suter while Faringdon Town Reserves eased their fears of a season of struggle with a 2 – 0 home win against Kingsclere.

With Division 3 leaders Botley in cup action, Shrivenham ‘A’ kept their unbeaten start going to move within two points of the top. Goals from Neil Sutton, Aaron Smith and Jack Dodd bringing them a 3 – 2 win over Wootton & Dry Sandford Reserves.

Drayton Reserves secured a club double as they won 4 – 2 at Ardington & Lockinge Reserves to leap into third place. Goals came from Kevin Pryde and Jason Whaley for Ardington and Ben Taboada (2), Paul Empson and Ian Oram for Drayton.

Coleshill Reserves’ dropped several places from second, after losing 2 – 0 at Blewbury Reserves. First half goals from Paul Hessey and Paul Gholami were enough for Blewbury while Harwell International Reserves improved on their 1 – 0 interval lead given to them by Stuart Head to run off 4 – 1 winners at full time over Harwell Village Reserves. Lee Absolom, Johnny Eudell and Aaron Gray got the rest of the goals with Kevin Cox netting for the Village.

Paul Freeman and James Bishop both scored four-timers as Hanney United ran riot against a weakened Marcham Reserves in Division 4: Dan Sayer getting the other Hanney goal in a 9 – 1 rout.

The top two sides played each other as Benson A.F.C. Reserves won 5 – 2 against Faringdon Town ‘A’, thanks to goals from Carl Fisher, Tito Rodriguez, Ian Abbott, Tim Millard and Kris Ray.

In Division 5, the leaders Stanford in the Vale Reserves met Hanney United Reserves for the fourth time this season and each time Hanney have lost. Goals from Paul Hume 2, Max Kelly and Ross Mcdonald gave Stanford a 4-0 half time lead and despite a spirited 2nd half from Hanney, resulting in 2 goals from Jamie Alexander and Nick Clinch, a goal in the last few minutes from Max Kelly put the match beyond doubt. Eight wins in a row now in all competitions for Stanford.

Coleshill United ‘A’ also won to keep right on Stanford’s heels at the top. Gary Roberts, Greg Higgs and David Gower scored for Coleshill in their 3 – 1 win over Long Wittenham Reserves.

Uffington United Reserves are also locked on 15 point with the leaders, having played a game more, as they won 3 – 0 at home to Sutton Courtenay Reserves. Andy Morton (2) and John Mildenhall were the Uffington scorers.

Finally, Kennington Reserves were 2 – 0 up at Benson Lions Reserves before the home countered with two goals from Liam Wilkinson.

Match Round-up for 25 October 2008 (Report by Andy Wells)

Match Round-up for 25 October 2008
(Report by Andy Wells)