Weekly News Report

Match Round-up for 28 February 2009

Rampant Rovers run the show in Cup semi-final
Report by Andy Wells

It just gets better and better for Saxton Rovers! Unbeaten in all competitions this season (one of only nine teams across level 7 of the pyramid), Rovers produced their best performance of the County Cup run to comfortably dismiss Penn & Tylers Green by 2 – 0 and reach the Final for the first time in their history.

Two first half goals in as many minutes from brothers Ben and Danny Parry were scant reward for as good a performance by a North Berks side in the first hour as can have been witnessed. Right from the start they dominated the game and with better finishing would have totally embarrassed the Hellenic League Division 1 side.

Rovers started the game at a much better tempo than their previous matches in the cup and they won a number of dead ball positions, hoping to create chances with their height advantage. Paul Churchouse came closest to scoring in just that way, as his back-header was cleared off the line by a visiting defender.

Photograph © Andy Wells
Ben Parry puts Saxton Rovers 1 - 0 ahead in their County Cup semi-final clash

On the half hour Rovers took the lead when Ben Parry ran on to a clipped pass from midfield, held off the defender and chipped over the keeper from fifteen yards. Within two minutes Danny Parry got on the end of an incisive four-man passing move, to rifle a super shot just inside the post to double the lead.

Andy Savage came close for Penn & Tylers before the break but Ben Parry sent a volley whistling past the visitors post as the half ended.

The visitors tried to push more players forward but they were too lightweight at the back to employ that strategy. Paul Churchouse almost took advantage of a goalkeeping error but allowed the keeper to recover and make the save and then had two more breakaway chances to settle the game. On the left Matty Shelton showed great composure with his passing and direction of play that at times it seemed they toyed with Penn & Tylers Green. Benny Sutton could not guide his header from Shelton’s cross with any power or accuracy but the result was never in doubt.

In the North Berks Cup, A.F.C. Wallingford took a first half lead against Lambourn Sports through Barry Primmer only for Stuart Denton to equalise early in the second period to force extra-time. Sam Elkins netted from close range in the added time to seal a 2 – 1 win for Wallingford.

In Division 1 of the league, Blewbury drew level at the top with Saxton Rovers, as they won a cracking encounter at Wootton & Dry Sandford. Wootton almost took a 22^nd minute lead as Tony Wise’s free-kick brought a full-length save from ex-Wootton keeper Simon Matthews but two goals in five minutes by Tom Ingram (a fine shot in the 25^th and a simple header from John Hedges free-kick in the 30^th) gave Blewbury control of the half.

Ingram missed a good chance for a hat-trick on the resumption before Wootton pulled a goal back through Josh Nicholls at the end of a fine dribbling run. Wootton had most of the play but Blewbury sealed victory when Bryn Ingram scored after a scramble after 65 minutes. Tom Srawley pulled a goal back with 20 minutes to go and Blewbury survived two good penalty shouts to finally win 3 – 2.

Drayton moved to within a point of the top two after a 2 – 1 win at Faringdon Town but they have played several more games, so their chance is slim. Two J.R. Willis goals for Harwell Village against Harwell International meant another nail in the coffin for the neighbours from up the hill. Especially as the nearest relegation rivals Steventon picked up three useful point as Stuart Coppock got the goal in a 1 – 0 win over Ardington & Lockinge.

In Division Two, Warborough & Shillingford took a first-half lead against strong promotion contenders Marcham with a goal from Adam Oram. Tom Davies doubled the lead on 65 minutes and Marcham could only respond through a late Martyn Webb goal.

Didcot Casuals strengthened their position with a resounding 5 – 0 win at Coleshill United, who slip down to fourth. Coleshill just couldn’t handle Johnny Pearce, who scored a hat-trick for Casuals on coming back from injury; Tom Fisher grabbed the other two goals for Didcot who move into third place. Benson A.F.C. maintained their unbeaten home record with a 4 – 1 win against struggling Grove Rangers. Adam Cowling and Jim Oliver put Benson in the driving seat before Matty Booker pulled a goal back before half-time. Captain Joe Flower then scored a fine individual goal before Cowling wrapped things up with his second.

East Hendred moved away from the bottom places with a crucial 2 – 1 win over Faringdon Town Reserves, while Lambourn Sports Reserves got a lift with a 6 – 1 win over the bottom side Sutton Courtenay: Andy Bulloch (3), Stuart Pagliaroli, Aaron Colbourne and Dave Livings were the Lambourn marksmen.

In Division 3, Botley United suffered only their second defeat of the season, as they went down 2 – 1 to Childrey United, who maintained a 100% away record to stay second. Tom Weeks and Danny Hogan pitched in with the Childrey goals, while Barry Ives got Botley’s response.

Drayton Reserves won 7 – 0 against Harwell Village Reserves thanks to goals from Bobby Pearson (2), Ian Oram (2), Ben Toboada (2) and Kevin Kogel, while Shrivenham ‘A’ lurk menacingly in fourth with games in hand, after a 5 – 1 win against Harwell International Reserves. Mark Porter scored for Harwell Reserves but they had no answer to Shrivenham, who scored through Ollie Bailey (2), Joe Harris (his 1^st for the club), Ashley Whitbread and Matt Howe.

Bottom side Ardington & Lockinge Reserves enjoyed a 3 – 2 win over Wootton Reserves, thanks to goals from Tom Eatwell, Robbie Joyce and Jason Whaley; Paul Dew and Nic Ridge hit the target for Wootton. Richard Bailey hit a brace for the second week in succession for Grove Rangers Reserves and this time it helped bring a vital 3 – 1 victory at Blewbury Reserves. Jonathan Wells bagged the first Rangers goal with a great strike from ten yards, with Des Healy scoring from the penalty spot for Blewbury.

Coleshill United Reserves won 4 – 2 at Benson Lions with goals from Dean O’Hagan (2), Luke Regan and James McCarthy. Danny Sanderson hit a screamer for the Lions with Alex Smallshaw getting the other reply.

In Division 4, Hanney United have one hand on the title as they won 3 – 1 against nearest rivals Benson A.F.C. Reserves: Chris Hunt, Danny Sayer and James Bishop doing the business for Hanney who go nine points clear with six games remaining for Benson. Martin Turnbull scored another trademark free-kick to set Challow United on the way to a 5 – 1 win against Steventon Reserves; Eamonn McGowan (2) and Kevin Pryde (2) were Challow’s other marksmen.

Ian Stevens, Mike Marsh and Oliver Pickett scored as Faringdon Town ‘A’ improved in third place following a 3 – 2 win at Marcham Reserves. While goals from Gary Haines and Maycon Alves could not prevent Uffington United falling to a 3 – 2 home defeat to Hagbourne United.

Division 5 action saw the top three continue their winning ways. Coleshill ‘A’ won a tight game against Hanney Reserves thanks to goals from Stuart Clark, Craig Johnson and James Head. Aaron Drew and Paul Sherman bagged the Hanney goals.

Stanford in the Vale Reserves paraded the leading scorer in the North Berks with Jason Evans getting both goals in a 2 – 0 win over Hagbourne Reserves and Uffington United Reserves stay in touch with a 5 – 0 win at Kennington Reserves.