Match Round-up for 6 December 2008
(Report by Andy Wells)

Faringdon pay the penalty and go out of County Cup

Lambourn Sports edged through to the 4^th Round of the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup, winning 5 – 3 on penalty kicks, after 120 minutes of an end-to-end but goalless struggle against Faringdon Town.

Faringdon really should have won this tie, having had the better chances especially in the latter stages, but overall it was a hard-fought even and entertaining contest. Lambourn started much better though forcing several corners without really testing the Town goal and it was Derren Harrington who came close to giving Faringdon the lead, shooting inches wide of the far post.

Photograph © Andy Wells
Lambourn Sports' Ben Hopkins looks for a way past Danny Martin of Faringdon Town (red) during their County Cup encounter

Adrian Mooney and Ben Matthews might have done better with chances as the first half drew to a close but eight minutes into the second period Danny Courtney turned his marker and brought the best out of Richard Stewart in the Lambourn goal.

Matty Pedder, celebrating his 21^st birthday, released Ben Matthews in the area but his clipped shot was parried by Faringdon’s Chris Webb and cleared away by a covering defender. The chances continued to come at either end and Webb made another fine save from Matthews’ close range header close to end of 90 minutes.

Into extra-time and Town were showing greater fitness and appreciating the slope at the Bockhampton Road ground. Courtney was played in down the left and only a brave challenge by Lewis Sopp prevented a clear opening, while at the other end Harrington cleared off the feet of Pedder as he was about to shoot.

Courtney then missed two more glorious chances to settle the game, chipping just over when he had more time to compose himself and scooping another good chance over the bar from a laid back pass. Lambourn’s Terry Wood just cleared the bar with a 20-yarder and Faringdon’s Danny Martin found himself unmarked at the far post, took his time to get a better angle and struck the bottom of the far post with the shot.

So 0 – 0 after extra-time and to penalty kicks in fading light and rapidly dropping temperature; Faringdon’s second spot kick was well saved by Stewart and Lambourn closed out with five well-struck conversions of their own.

Currently leading Division 1, Saxton Rovers took on Kennington United who oddly enough play in the Kent County League Division 1 East. Paul Churchouse netted both goals for home team Rovers in an impressive 2 – 1 victory.

Not so good however for the North Berks third representatives Blewbury, as they lost 4 – 1 to Hellenic League side Kintbury Rangers.

Following on from Benson A.F.C.’s winning passage last week, neighbours Warborough & Shillingford eased through to the 4^th Round of the Oxfordshire F.A. John Father Shield, with a convincing 4 – 1 home win over North Oxford Conservative Club. Steve bell opened the scoring from a rebounded penalty kick, Ian Oram scored a brace including a penalty and Gary Rudman scored his first of the season.

In the War Memorial Cup, Marcham continue to show good goalscoring form as they won 5 – 2 against Sutton Courtenay in a hard-fought game. On the goal trail for Marcham were Wes Costar, Phil Jeacock, Stuart Armstrong, Phil Stokes with his tenth of the season and Tom Cousins.

Facing Marcham in the semi-final of this competition will be Botley United of Division 3, as they came from behind at the interval to put out Long Wittenham Athletic by 3 – 1. Ryan Scott put the home side ahead from the penalty spot but second half goals from Chris Potter, Kevin Cooper and Jimmy Phillips sealed Botley’s advance.

In the Nairne Paul Cup, Shrivenham ‘A’ had little trouble getting past Marcham Reserves as Paul Sanders scored four times in a 7 – 1 win. Neil Sutton, Matty Howe and Jack Dodd scored the other Shrivenham goals with Marcus Charman getting the visitors consolation.

Ross Edwards scored the only goal as Faringdon Town Reserves made hard work of beating Steventon Reserves 1 – 0 and their reward is a semi-final clash with Shrivenham ‘A’.

Drayton Reserves had little answer to Lambourn Sports Reserves and goals from Paul Self, Steve Crame and Ricky Davis led to a 3 – 0 win for the away team and they will now face Saxton Rovers Reserves in the last four.

League Division 1 action saw Crowmarsh Gifford leap back into second place after a 3 – 2 win over Drayton. Liam Currell opened the scoring after only ten minutes and the lead was doubled when Tommy O’Driscoll netted from the penalty spot five minutes before half-time.

Any hopes Drayton might have had in getting back into the game disappeared swiftly after the interval when Andy Allum bagged the third for Crowmarsh; Carl Bolton scoring for Drayton.

Wootton & Dry Sandford won 5 – 0 against Steventon to register their first home league win of the season. Steve Madge – probably the smallest player on the field – popped up at the far post to head Wootton in front after only 15 minutes from Ben Taylor’s cross.

Madge’s second came from Jon Weir’s cross after 65 minutes; Tom Srawley scored after
80’ and brother John after 85’, slotting home after the ball had come back off the post. Madge ran on to a through ball on 88 minutes to complete his hat-trick.

Harwell Village deepened neighbours Harwell International’s woes at the base of the table, with Ian Rose (2), Alan Bertram, Matty Aplin and Mike Rouse scoring in a 5 – 0 win.

Only one game in Division 2 saw East Hendred draw 1 – 1 with Grove Rangers.

In Division 3, with the top three all involved in cup action, Coleshill United Reserves grabbed the chance to move a bit closer to them with a 7 – 1 win at Ardington & Lockinge Reserves. Chris Slevin scored from the penalty spot for Ardington but that was mere consolation against goals from Chris Ayres (2), Shane Blake (2), Chris Bill (2) and Andy Lynham.

Childrey United have a lot of catching up to do but they managed to get their home form up and running with a 6 – 2 win against Grove Rangers Reserves; James Wilkins (2), James Cannings, Garry Hendry, Tom Weeks and Mike Evans on target for Childrey.

Harwell Village Reserves went ahead against hosts Benson Lions after 23 minutes but Dan Shepherd equalised only five minutes later. Shepherd scored his second to put the Lions in front five minutes into the second half. Despite having the better of the play Harwell succumbed to a breakaway goal 3 minutes from time from Danny Sanderson to make the score 3 – 1.

Blewbury Reserves moved up to fifth place with a 6 – 2 win against Wootton Reserves thanks to goals from Paul Hessey (2), Des Healy, Simon Woods, Brendon Morris and Paul Gholami; Martin Clarke and Danny Sumner scored for Blewbury.

In Division 4, Hanney United returned to winning ways with a 5 – 2 success at Uffington United, thanks to strikes from James Bishop (2), Joe Ledbury (2) and Danny Sayer. Hanney now go top on goal difference ahead of Didcot Casuals Reserves who won 1 – 0 against Hagbourne United, with the only goal coming from a left-footed in-swinging corner kick taken by Tim Young.

Matty Curtis scored as inconsistent Faringdon Town ‘A’ went down 3 – 1 to East Hendred Reserves while unbeaten Stanford in the Vale won a seven-goal thriller in a 4 -3 win over Challow United. Jason Evans scored twice to bring his season tally to 30 for Stanford, with others from Adam Clay and Mike Van De Mortel. Oliver Floyd, Simon Parker and Shane McGowan scored for the visitors.

Into Division 5 and Coleshill United ‘A’s 100% record was never in doubt as they recorded a 6 – 0 win at Hanney United Reserves. The Coleshill marksmen were James Bye (3), Stuart Clark, James Head and Pete Fletcher as the team go eight points clear of the nearest rivals Benson Lions Reserves who won 4 - 1 at Kennington Reserves.

Stanford in the Vales Reserves are making it a doubly successful season for the club – especially in front of goal – and they won 5 – 1 at Challow Reserves to stay in third and strong promotion contention.

Glyn McGibbon, on his way back through the ranks after an injury lay-off, netted the first from a Rory Delap like throw-in from Daryl Harper, as Didcot Casuals won 2 – 1 at Sutton Courtenay Reserves. Harper himself got the second Didcot goal from the penalty spot with Dave Fernado netting for Sutton Courtenay.

Finally, Hagbourne United Reserves won 5 – 4 at home to Long Wittenham Reserves with goals from Mike McNulty (2), Gary Bayliss, Luke Chambers and Robert Snook.

Match Round-up for 6 December 2008 (Report by Andy Wells)

Match Round-up for 6 December 2008
(Report by Andy Wells)