Match Round-up for 22 November 2008

Drayton shown the way by deadly Pearson
(Report by Andy Wells)

Recent first team acquisition Bobby Pearson was the hero, as Drayton finally found the route to goal, coming from behind to put Blewbury out of the Charity Shield amid late controversy.

Three Blewbury players were dismissed from the field in the latter part of what had been a thoroughly honest and competitive game of football but Drayton had shown from the first minute that they had the winning formula, if not the finishing solution.

Photograph © Andy Wells
Blewbury's Fletcher Hoey fires a shot into a crowded Drayton goalmouth but it is deflected for a corner.

A 40-yard shot from Rob Powell that whistled inches over the Blewbury bar was the first of many close calls in the first half, with Bradley Ritchie hitting the crossbar with a volley in the 13^th minute and Powell again, striking the post when he should have scored. Carl Bolton also had a good chance when a long ball held up well for him to run on to but he blazed wide.

Blewbury ended the half with a shot against the post by Tom Ingram and Drayton’s worst fears were realised, after such early domination, when Lawrence Hoey struck a superb shot from 25 yards into the top corner right after the interval.

Drayton continued to create and squander chances but just as it seemed they were heading out of the cup Pearson took the ball down just inside the area and hooked the ball into the far corner for the equaliser in the 83^rd minute.

Throughout the game James Brown had been impressive at the back for Drayton and he made a crucial tackle to prevent Tom Ingram getting through. Then, just before the game entered extra-time Blewbury were reduced to ten men when their captain Ross Tyler was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Four minutes into the extra period, Pearson headed in a right wing cross to put Drayton deservedly ahead at 2 - 1. Shortly afterwards, a penalty was awarded to Drayton when Ritchie was upended in the box but Brown’s well struck spot kick was magnificently turned away by Simon Matthews.

Blewbury committed more players forward and probably had their best spell but it all went sour when Pearson sealed the game with a goal on the break, to make it 3 – 1. Jack Hogan and Simon Barlow were sent from the field for comments made to the referee Michael Billinge-Jones in the same worrying incident but thankfully the game was played to a finish.

Saxton Rovers cruised to a 3 – 0 half-time lead against a too respectful Benson A.F.C. but, after a few words from manager Leigh Matthews, the home side came out with a different attitude and pulled the score back to 2 – 3 with goals from Jim Oliver and debutant Mark Stringer. Benson had chances to equalise but conceded again towards the end to make the final score 2 – 4.

Stanford in the Vale’s good season continues, as a goal from Adam Clay gave them a narrow 1 – 0 victory over higher division Grove Rangers.

The holders Faringdon Town are through to the quarter-finals after a 2 – 1 win over A.F.C. Wallingford, thanks to goals from Garry Sutton and Danny Courtney, while Harwell Village squeezed through 1 – 0 against Long Wittenham Athletic with a goal from John Willis.

Lambourn Sports scored in the first minute against Division 3 side Benson Lions but Will Wardell was on target with an equaliser. Lambourn eased ahead by 3 – 1 before Chris Armstrong’s late goal for the Lions.

Crowmarsh Gifford strolled to a resounding 8 – 0 home win over East Hendred with Paul Hannigan hitting four goals and Liam Currell (2), Dan Keeler and Phil Hedges getting the others.

The only game in the A.G. Kingham Cup saw a strong Harwell International Reserves get a convincing 7 – 0 win over Long Wittenham Reserves. Harwell go through to the quarter-finals where they will meet Drayton Reserves, thanks to goals from Mark Porter (2), Jon Greenough, Chris Key, Adam Blascko and Joe Lydon.

In League Division 1, Ardington & Lockinge gained a second successive win on their travels to further ease any relegation worries. Chris Roche getting the only goal in a 1 – 0 win at Harwell International – who are still without a league win after eight games.

In Division 2, Coleshill United’s promotion hopes were dealt a blow, as neighbours Faringdon Town Reserves won 3 – 2. Ian Fawkes and Dan Sealey netted for Coleshill but a Robbie Harrington treble brought joy for the visitors.

For the second successive week a Saxton Rovers Reserves’ team player hit four goals in a game, Jamie Dutton followed Wayne Waldron’s efforts of last weekend. Also scoring was Steve Pitson (2) and Jamie Hawthorne as they thrashed Sutton Courtenay 7 – 2 to move up into fourth place. Vinny Cooper and Danny Cox scored the visitor’s consolation goals.

In Division 3, it looks as though a group of three teams are breaking away. Botley United won 4 – 1 at Ardington & Lockinge Reserves with two goals apiece from Chris Potter and Darren Witchell to remain two points clear with an impressive goal difference. Sam Powell scoring for Ardington.

Drayton Reserves got back to winning ways with a 4 – 1 win at home to Wootton & Dry Sandford Reserves, to stay in second place. Kevin Kogel (2), Ian Oram with his ninth goal of the season and Paul Empson were the Drayton marksmen with James Booker scoring for Wootton.

Tom Rawle hit two goals in the final five minutes to keep Shrivenham ‘A’ firmly on the coat tails of the top two, with a 2 – 0 win at Harwell Village Reserves.

Grove Rangers Reserves climbed off the bottom of the table, following a 5 – 5 home draw with experienced Coleshill United Reserves. Richard Bailey hit a hat-trick for Grove, with other goals coming from Jon Wells and Dean Worthington while Coleshill’s scorers were Shane Blake (2), Christian Ayres (2) and Martin Suter.

In Division 4, Uffington United went back to the top of this most unpredictable of tables, following a 3 – 0 win at Challow United. Previous brief leaders Faringdon Town ‘A’ lost 4 – 0 at East Hendred Reserves, for whom Shaun Russ (2), Ashley Simmons and Tom Atkins scored.

Moving up slowly are Hanney United. Their 2 – 1 home win against Steventon Reserves, courtesy of goals from Paul Freeman and Danny Sayer, moves them into third place with games in hand.

Benson A.F.C. Reserves’ perfect record has gone, with Didcot Casuals Reserves winning 3 – 1 with goals from Gareth Cole (2) and Tim Young.

Meanwhile Hagbourne United, once table toppers themselves, were humbled 7 – 1 at Marcham Reserves and hitting the goals for Marcham were Leighton Jackson (2), Jon Cummings (2), Nick Willis, Luke Westall and Marcus Charman.

Division 5 saw Coleshill United ‘A’ extend their lead to six points with a 7 – 1 win at home to Didcot Casuals ‘A’ – Martin Chivers (2), Chris Wardroper, Luke Regan, James Bye, James Head and Danny Roberts with Lee Newport scoring for Didcot.

Benson Lions Reserves hold on to second place in their first campaign, thanks to a 1 – 0 win at Hagbourne United Reserves, courtesy of a goal from Graham Kirk. While, Stanford in the Vales Reserves won 3 – 2 at Uffington Reserves with Andrew Morton scoring both Uffington goals and Max Kelly, Tim Eltham and Richard Evans scoring for Stanford.

Finally, Sutton Courtenay Reserves and Hanney Reserves drew 2 – 2 which does little to improve their respective positions at the foot of the table. Sutton’s scorers were Dave Fernando (2) with Kenny Clements and Andy Alder scoring for Hanney.