Weekly News Report

Match Round-up for 13 December 2008
(Report by Andy Wells)

Stokes double sees off battling Hanney in County Cup

On a day with precious little football being played around the County due to the waterlogged pitches, Marcham took on Hanney United in the Berks & Bucks Junior Cup but only after switching original venues to Marcham’s surprisingly good playing surface.

Fourth Division Hanney matched their rivals in the opening half but two defensive errors enabled Marcham to build a two-goal lead. Firstly, otherwise faultless Steve Weeks misjudged a cross which ran on to Phil Stokes, who buried a low shot into the goal in the 25^th minute. Then nine minutes later, a cross from the right was spilled by the Hanney keeper and Stokes got his head to the ball to double his and Marcham’s tally.

Photograph © Andy Wells
Marcham's Wes Costar (no 11, dark blue) heads over the Hanney United goal from a corner kick

Hanney were having little fortune in getting past the Marcham defence, behind which Tristan Barrett was always alert in the Marcham goal, but in the 40^th minute veteran Hanney striker Wayne Sayer won a penalty – though I think even he was surprised at the award. James Bishop thus reduced the arrears with a well-struck low kick to Barrett’s left.

At the start of the second half, Sayer drilled in a shot from the left which Barrett blocked with his legs and Danny Gibbard had a chance but his header lost pace off the surface and was easily saved.

Wes Costar came close to increasing Marcham’s lead with two headed chances; one directed over the bar from close range and the other cleared off the line at the far post. However, the same player made amends when he received a pass from Stokes on the edge of the Hanney penalty area four minutes from time. He was able to look up and curl a shot into the top corner of the goal to make the final score 3 - 1 in Marcham’s favour.

Botley United were leading 1 – 0 against Letcombe Reserves from the Hellenic League, thanks to a goal from Chris Potter’s superb volley after 25 minutes, but the game was abandoned at half-time due to the deteriorating pitch, while Grove Rangers bowed out of the competition following a 4 – 1 defeat at Theale.

There was action in the 2^nd Round of the War Memorial Cup with a local derby clash between Benson Lions and Benson A.F.C.

Benson A.F.C. took the lead after 30 minutes but the Lions pulled level when Liam Wilkinson struck a fine volley to make the interval score 1 – 1. Wilkinson was on target again after the break to nudge the Lions ahead and it wasn’t until the 88^th minute that the visitors scored to make it 2 – 2 and force extra-time.

Will Wardell took advantage of a goalmouth scramble to put Benson Lions ahead in the 100^th minute and, despite constant Benson A.F.C. pressure it was the Lions who were roaring with a 3 – 2 victory.

Only two league games survived the overnight deluge. In Division 4, Benson A.F.C. Reserves were able to catch up on one of their games in hand and, with a 5 – 2 home win against Steventon Reserves, went above Faringdon Town ‘A’ to top the table.

Kieran Ellis ( (2), Tito Rodriquez, Ian Abbot and Steve Harrhy were the Benson marksmen with Stuart Coppock getting both the goal replies for Steventon Reserves.

In Division Five, Sutton Courtenay Reserves got a vital 7 – 3 win against Challow Reserves to move away from the bottom places.

Wayne Grant with a brace, Mark De Silva, Leon Titcombe, Pat Clark, Steve Hendy and Martin Trower scored the goals for Sutton Courtenay, while Oliver Floyd, Wayne Gregory and Gaz Eltham scored for Challow.

Weekly News Report

Match Round-up for 13 December 2008 (Report by Andy Wells)

Match Round-up for 13 December 2008
(Report by Andy Wells)