Weekly News Report

Match Round-up for 24 January 2009
Report by Andy Wells

Wallingford pressure eases as they survive Wootton onslaught.

A.F.C. Wallingford gained a precious 1 – 0 home victory against Wootton & Dry Sandford, to ease their worries at the bottom end of the Division 1 table, but they had to dig deep to survive the visitors’ second-half siege.

A 16^th minute goal from Luke Higgins was the only real highlight of a poor first-half spectacle, with both teams struggling to move the ball around on a heavy pitch. A notable exception was the performance in midfield of Barry Primmer, who seemed to revel in the conditions.

Photograph © Andy Wells
A.F.C. Wallingford's Sam Elkins (yellow shirt) controls the ball ahead of Wootton & Dry Sandford's Steven Madge (red strip)

With a half-time scalding from their manager still ringing in their ears, Wootton came out and proceeded to dominate the second-half, pushing move players and playing the ball quicker and longer. An early chance fell to Steve Madge and there were appeals for a penalty as he rounded the keeper and seemed to be forced wide by a nudge. His cross into the middle came to nothing and the appeal dismissed.

Chance after chance arrived for Wootton thereafter: Madge shot right across goal and just wide of the far post; George Casserley scooped a good chance over the bar following a fine move ; Tom Larman’s 25 yard effort was well stopped by Wallingford keeper Matt Leach’s upraised hand and Tom Srawley close range effort was also saved by Leach near the end.

Harwell International celebrated their first point of the season with a 1 – 1 draw at Drayton. Carl Bolton put the home side ahead early in the second half of a disappointing game, only for Lee Chapman to grab an equaliser towards the end.

Drayton slip to third place after that result as Blewbury secured a 2 – 0 home win against Steventon. A scorching volley from Danny Cox-Rogers into the top corner from 30 yards in the 38^th minute, following a blocked effort by Ross Tyler, gave Blewbury the lead and only three minutes late, Lawrence Hoey finished well to secure the points.

Leaders Saxton Rovers went to Faringdon Town and came away with all the points from a 2 – 1 win. Derren Harrington scored for Faringdon but Rovers remain unbeaten and six points clear at the summit.

Chris Roche hit a brace as form-side Ardington & Lockinge won 4 – 1 at Harwell Village, to climb into mid-table and further away from danger. Gareth Fenton and Ben Eltham notched the other goals for Ardington with Lewis Maciak netting for Harwell.

In the North Berks Cup, Lambourn Sports went ahead against Crowmarsh Gifford with a first half goal from Ben Matthew but Andy Allum pulled the visitors level after the break. Lambourn netted the winner for a 2 – 1 result and will now face A.F.C. Wallingford in the quarter-finals.

In Division 2, Saxton Rovers Reserves made it eight games unbeaten and welcomed veteran Ian Beachey into their ranks for the game against Coleshill United. He made a major contribution as Rovers won 5 – 1 against fourth-placed Coleshill, as Steve Pitson helped himself to a hat-trick with Wayne Waldron also scoring.

Marcham maintained second place with a 4 – 0 home win against a well-organised, hard-working Faringdon Town Reserves. Once Marcham got in front it was easier and goals came from Wes Costar, Martyn Webb, Phil Stokes and Lewis Hill.

Didcot Casuals stay with the pace after a 6 – 0 win against Grove Rangers, secured by goals from Liam Corrigan (2), Lee Newport, Lewis Monaghan, Jamie Newport and Nathan Morris.

Also moving into the frame are Warborough & Shillingford. Following their disappointing cup defeat last week they powered into a 5 – 0 half-time lead against East Hendred, after Russell Thynne had scored in the opening two minutes. Adam Oram completed a hat-trick, Ross Tabor (2) and Tom Davis with the other goals.

Neighbouring Benson A.F.C. were the other big winners of the day with a 5 – 1 result against struggling Sutton Courtenay. Jim Oliver’s goal was all that separated the teams at the interval but a Nick Skiller brace and one apiece from Joe Flower and substitute Andy Hayes sealed the points.

Division 3 leaders Botley United breached the 50 goal mark, as they comfortably beat Harwell Village Reserves 3 – 0. Chris Potter with his 18^th of the season, Kevin Cooper and Darren Wichall with the goals that send them eight points clear at the top, with rivals Drayton Reserves and Shrivenham ‘A’ kicking their heals after postponements.

Childrey United continued their perfect away record with an 8 – 3 win at Harwell International Reserves, thanks to goals from Tom Weeks (3), Danny Hogan, James Wilkins, Chris Pettis, Mike Evans and Michael Cannings. Meanwhile, Chris Armstrong (2) and Steve Morley netted for Benson Lions as they won 3 – 1 at Wootton Reserves with Paul Dew scoring the home sides consolation. Armstrong opened the scoring with an excellent diving header only for Wootton to break in numbers and equalise through Dew. Benson regained the lead and ran out the stronger.

In Division 4, Hanney United rattled in nine against Didcot Casuals Reserves to maintain a nine point gap at the top. James Bishop and James Maynard celebrated with hat tricks with Chris Hunt, Shane May and James Rose bagging the goals in the 9 – 1 win.

Benson A.F.C. Reserves keep their grip on second place following a 4 – 0 win at East Hendred Reserves; Alijandro Rodriquez, Tim Millard, Chris Wray and an own goal for Benson.

Stanford in the Vale’s challenge seems to be faltering and a home 3 – 2 defeat against neighbours Faringdon Town ‘A’ leaves them languishing in mid-table after a bright start to the season. Dan Pugh and Jason Evans were on target for Stanford but goals for Ian Stevens, Rupert Collett and Matty Curtis lifted Faringdon back into third place.

In Division 5, top team Coleshill ‘A’ got back to winning ways with a resounding 6 – 0 win over Sutton Courtenay Reserves. Stuart Clark bagged a treble, with two goals for Ryan Phillips and one for James Head.

Nearest rivals Uffington Reserves won 6 – 2 at Benson Lions Reserves to stay in second place, while Long Wittenham Reserves won 3 – 1 at home to Hanney United Reserves thanks to strikes from Richard Jones, David Jones and Billy Collett.

Weekly News Report

Match Round-up for 24 January 2009 Report by Andy Wells

Match Round-up for 24 January 2009
Report by Andy Wells