Weekly News Report

Match Round-up for 7 March 2009

Blewbury and Drayton miss chance to overtake Saxton in Division 1
Report by Andy Wells

Nearest challengers to Saxton Rovers in North Berks Division 1, Blewbury (2^nd) and Drayton (3^rd), battled to a 1 – 1 draw on Saturday which did little to help their respective chance of the title.

It was a fair result overall with the game deteriorating in the latter stages after a bright first half. Veteran Nick King made his seasonal debut in goal for Drayton, as the home side had an injury crisis in that position, and he performed extremely well throughout the game.

Photograph © Andy Wells
Drayton's Richard Wilson heads unchallenged to put his side ahead early against Blewbury.

Drayton took an early lead in the match, with a right-side corner headed on by Robert Powell and finished by Richard Wilson from six yards out. Blewbury came back for the last 15 minutes of the half, with King turning Tom Ingram’s shot against the post and then saving a well-struck low free-kick from John Hedges.

He could do little to prevent Blewbury’s equaliser in the 36^th minute, as Hedges picked out Lawrence Hoey’s run to perfection and he had space and time to guide the ball inside the far post.

Drayton were equally testing the Blewbury keeper Simon Matthews and he did extremely well top punch away a fine cross from Danny Curran under pressure from Wilson.

Unfortunately, apart from odd moments as when Powell headed a free-kick firmly against the far Blewbury post and another super save by King from Fletcher Hoey, the ball spent too much time high in the air and the game petered out to a draw.

Saxton Rovers had a rare off day, as they suffered a bit of a hangover from last weeks County Cup triumph. Micky Beal put them ahead on 65 minutes but a battling Ardington & Lockinge deservedly equalised through Gareth Fenton in the final ten minutes to make it 1 - 1.

Faringdon Town gave their chances of finishing in the top four a boost, with a 2 – 0 win at Harwell Village, thanks to goals from Darren Clark and Danny Courtney, while last seasons Champions Lambourn Sports slipped further back with a 0 – 0 draw against A.F.C. Wallingford.

In Division Two, Didcot Casuals got back on track for the title and promotion with a convincing 4 – 1 win at second-place Warborough & Shillingford. One goal to the good at half-time Didcot closed out the game with goals from Johnny Pearce (2), Ben Chaffey and Tom Fisher with Warborough netting a late penalty through Adam Oram’s 10^th of the campaign.

Coleshill United stormed back into third place win a comprehensive 10 – 0 home win against troubled Sutton Courtenay. Ian Fawkes banged in four with others from Gary Ashford (2), Danny Sealey (2), Mike Soule and James Rowe.

Benson A.F.C. are still in the hunt following a 3 – 1 win at Grove Rangers, thanks to goals from Rob Lyons, Jim Oliver and Andrew Wright. While, the other County Cup heroes Marcham sit in sixth place but only four points behind the leaders, after a 5 – 0 win over Lambourn Reserves. On target for Marcham after an untidy first half were Phil Stokes (2), Lewis Hill, Martin Webb and Milan Mascenik.

In Division 3, leaders Botley United returned to winning ways with a 3 – 0 home win over Coleshill Reserves. Goals from Chris Potter (2) – making 20 for the season in North Berks competitions – and Darren Wichall maintained their seven point lead over Childrey United, who won 4 – 0 against Benson Lions, with a hat-trick from Danny Hogan and one from James Wilkins.

Chris Key and Jamie Clark netted for Harwell International Reserves but that couldn’t prevent them from losing 3 – 2 to Ardington & Lockinge Reserves and slipping to the bottom of the table.

A last minute goal from Chris Hunt brought Division Four leaders Hanney United an important 1 – 0 win at Faringdon Town ‘A’, effectively ending any realistic hopes the home side had of finishing in the promotion spots.

Two goals apiece from Tito Rodriguez and Martin Newbold saw Benson A.F.C. Reserves improve on their second placing with a 4 – 2 win against Challow United while Stanford in the Vale kept up the chase with a 3 – 0 win at Hagbourne United, thanks to strikes from Paul Willoughby, Adam Clay and Sam Rees.

With the first team idle, Stuart Coppock lent his experience to Steventon Reserves and hit the back of the net twice, to secure a 3 – 2 home win against Marcham Reserves. Derrick Elliott scored the other goal in a rare win that give them a slim chance of avoiding the drop. Pat Rush rolled back the years with a fine headed goal as East Hendred Reserves secured a 2 – 2 draw against Uffington United. Shaun Russ scored the other Hendred goal with Gary Haynes and Nick Frost scoring for the visitors.

The big match in Division Five saw leaders Coleshill United ‘A’ underline their title credentials with a 4 – 3 win at Uffington United Reserves. James Head (2), Stuart Clark and Martin Chivers were the Coleshill marksmen with Paul Nelson, Kevin Edwards and Devan Bryan replying for Uffington.

Stanford in the Vale Reserves were surprisingly held to a 3 – 3 draw at Sutton Courtenay Reserves. Marc Cooke, Matt Belcher and Martin Trower seized their chances for the home side with Jamie Gregory (2) and Tim Eltham replying for Stanford and that was just enough for them to move into second place, ahead of Uffington Reserves.

Terry Scott, Jamie Lulands and Dave Cox were the Kennington Reserves marksmen as they won 3 – 1 at Hanney United Reserves, for whom Nick Clinch netted. Benson Lions Reserves are in fourth after a comfortable 4 – 0 win over Hagbourne Reserves, with goals from Rob Cooke (2), Michelle Castiglia and Matt Burden. The latter being a superbly struck free-kick into the top corner.

Finally, in the semi-finals of the A.G. Kingham Cup, Saxton Rovers Reserves were too good for Shrivenham ‘A’ as they scored in both halfs to win 2 – 0. Steve Bloomfield and James Hawthorne came close with efforts on the Shrivenham goal before Neil Pether struck in the 25^th minute after a fine move.

Neil Sutton headed a great chance to equalise wide two minutes later but Saxton sealed the tie with a solo effort from Steve Pitson on 70 minutes, running from the halfway line to place the shot beyond Shrivvy keeper Phil Gregory.

Also through to the Final in May are Drayton Reserves, who fought hard to secure a 2 – 1 win over Faringdon Town Reserves. Carl Bolton and Ben Taboada were the Drayton strikers with Lee Ruddle getting one back for Faringdon.