Match Round-up for 1 November 2008
(Report by Andy Wells)

Battling Blewbury end Saxton Rover’s perfect record.

A gutsy performance from under-strength Blewbury finally paid off on Saturday, with a deserved point from a 1 – 1 draw in the top Division 1 clash at leaders Saxton Rovers.

Rovers were boasting a 100% league record going into the game and Blewbury were without four top players (Tom Ingram, Sean Russell and the Hoey brothers). Then, when Paul Churchouse confidently stroked Rovers ahead after nine minutes from Ben Parry’s pass, it was looking a very uphill struggle for the visitors.

Photograhph © Andy Wells
Paul Churchouse (Red shirt) opens the scoring for Saxton Rovers against Blewbury.

Rovers continued to dominate the first half but the Blewbury defence held firm. At the start of the second period, Matty Shelton had a low left-foot drive turned away for a corner by Blewbury keeper Simon Matthews and Danny Ferguson blazed over following a good move by Shelton, Parry and Steve Bloomfield.

Gradually, as the rain became heavier, Blewbury’s tactic of ‘soaking’ up the pressure but leaving three men up front, started to pay dividends and had the final ball been better they may have scored earlier than they did. Rovers’ Darren Speyes made a fine low save from the tireless Adam Spurrett and Ross Tyler drove a first timer just past the left post from Danny Cox-Rogers’ pass.

Then in the 81^st minute a free-kick on the left was delivered into the danger area by Lee Hedges and Simon Barlow tucked in from close range to give Blewbury a deserved share of the spoils.

Although it was a great result for Blewbury in the circumstances, they slipped a place in the table as Drayton won 3 – 1 at Harwell International. Goals from Billy Warner (2) and Steve Collins for Drayton against a strike from Lee Chapman for the home side, mean Drayton move into second place.

Crowmarsh Gifford got back to winning ways with an emphatic 5 – 0 win at Steventon, thanks to goals from Steve Gesner (2), Andy Allum (2) and James Ham. Faringdon Town also move closer to the top after a single Garry Sutton goal gave them a 1 – 0 home win over an A.F.C. Wallingford side who are finding life tough in the North Berks League.

Lambourn Sports took full advantage of the conditions to go 5 – 1 up against Wootton and Dry Sandford by the interval. Lambourn scorers in the final score of 7 – 3 were Ben Matthews (3), Stuart Denton (2), Adrian Mooney and Matty Pedder, with Wootton responding through Antony Wise, George Casserley and Richard Chilvers.

Ardington & Lockinge slipped to another defeat, as John Willis and Lee Fuller got Harwell Village’s goals in a 2 – 0 victory that sees them move into the top six.

In Division Two, Didcot Casuals raced into a 3 – 0 lead in the first fifteen minutes, with goals from Lee Newport (2) and brother Jamie. However, East Hendred shored up their defence and came back to make the equalise with three second-half goals from Jason Fisher, Ash Watson and Tyrone McGill. Hendred also had a penalty appeal turned as they settled for a 3 – 3 draw against the leaders.

After last weeks drama, Grove Rangers crashed to an 8 – 1 home defeat to Coleshill United. On target for Coleshill were Gary Ashford (2), James McCarthy (2), Adam Sly, Mark Simkins, Paul Moss and Mike Soule and they now move up to third place as a result.

Marcham move up to second following a 6 – 2 home win over Sutton Courtenay, as Benson were on O.F.A. cup duty.

In Division 3, Botley United had a fight on their hands as they pipped Long Wittenham Athletic 4 – 3 to extend their lead at the top to five points. Darren Wichall netted a hat-trick for Botley with Mark Penner getting the other, while Steve Molloy (2) and Tim Barton hit back for Long Wittenham.

Benson Lions gave a boost to their season with a 5 – 0 defeat of bottom side Grove Rangers Reserves. Jon Radcliffe hit a another screamer to give the Lions the edge before half-time and they capitalised with further goals from Liam Wilkinson (2), Grame Munro and Will Wardell.

Due to problems completing their clubhouse Childrey United have played few games so far this season. In what was only their third match they thrashed Harwell Village Reserves 8 – 1 to remain unbeaten in the league with their marksmen being James Wilkins (2), Steve Doman (2), James Cannings, Alan Haines, Michael Cannings and Mike Evans.

In Division 4, another super strike from Martin Turnbull led Challow United on the way to a 2 – 0 home win over Marcham Reserves. Mark Malcolm got the other goal to take Challow up to second place. Meanwhile, Faringdon Town ‘A’ became the new leaders as they overcame Didcot Casuals Reserves 3 – 1, thanks to Nick Wojcik (2) and Martin Key with Gareth Cole netting Casuals’ goal.

Stanford in the Vale walloped neighbours Uffington United 7 – 3 to extend their unbeaten run, with Jason Evans (3), Garry Bradbury, Adam Clay, Richard Evans and Paul Willoughby getting the Stanford goals. One-time leaders Hagbourne United were scuttled 7 – 0 by Hanney United.

In Division 5, Coleshill United ‘A’ went to the top of the table as they won 3 – 0 at home to Kennington Reserves, thanks to goals from Ryan Philips (2) and James Head. Hanney United Reserves were just a single goal behind at the break but Benson Lions Reserves matched their seniors and ran out 5 – 0 winners, with Phil Goss (2), Graham Kirk, Simon White and Rob Coram.

In the O.F.A. John Fathers Shield, both North Berks sides went through to the third round rather comfortably. Benson A.F.C. won 4 – 1 against Union Street with Jim Oliver (2), Joe Flower and Charles Selwood netting, while Warborough & Shillingford ran riot against Cassington – Tom Davies (3), Adam Oram (3), Liam Barson (2) and Ross Tabor scoring in a 9 – 1 thrashing.

In the North Berks League Cup, Didcot Casuals ‘A’ won 4 – 3 on penalty kicks against Long Wittenham Reserves after a 2 – 2 draw, after extra-time. Dave Jones scored both Long Wittenham goals in normal play with Matt Beecham and Luke Riley replying for Didcot Casuals; Sean Beard struck the winning penalty.

The A.G. Kingham Cup saw the biggest score at Wootton Reserves, where Saxton Rovers Reserves won 7 – 1. Wootton old-boy Wayne Morton hit a treble, with James Dutton (2), Danny Hosier and Derek Palfrey also scoring.

Ben Taboada scored for Drayton Reserves as they edged through 1 – 0 against higher division and last seasons cup winners Lambourn Sports Reserves. Des Healy (2), Paul Gholami and Danny Garlick scored as Blewbury Reserves won 4 – 2 against Steventon Reserves and Neil Sutton bagged Shrivenham A’s winner in a 1 – 0 win against Stanford in the Vale Reserves.

Finally, Faringdon Town Reserves’ bid to reach the final again started well with a 2 – 1 win at Sutton Courtenay Reserves. Ross Edwards and Robbie Harrington scored for Faringdon with Paul Matthews netting for the home side.

Match Round-up for 1 November 2008 (Report by Andy Wells)

Match Round-up for 1 November 2008
(Report by Andy Wells)