Match Round-up for 14 March 2009

The County Cup dream ends for Marcham
Report by Andy Wells

Marcham F.C.’s best ever chance of landing a Berks & Bucks County Cup ended in disappointment after a 1 – 0 defeat to Alpha Arms Academicals of the East Berkshire League. Forget that it was played on a dry, grassless pitch and the opposition wore a multitude of different colour, unwashed kit, Marcham would have left desperately unhappy with their performance; well under the standards they have set this season.

There was little to choose between the sides in a forgettable first half, broken up by a stream of free-kicks that were too often wasted by Marcham, when they had a clear height advantage. Phil Stokes did, however, have a ten yard shot stopped on the line with strong shouts for handball.

Photograph © Andy Wells
Marcham's Phil Stokes lines up a shot against Apha Arms Academicals

Phil Jeacock did well to snuff out a chance for the lively Avin Comsa at the start of the second half but Marcham did have much more of the possession. Tommy Cousins should have put Marcham ahead with fifteen minutes remaining when he worked a great chance but skied the ball over the bar with only the keeper to beat.

Despite the opposition goalkeeper clearly carrying an injury he was rarely troubled – with the only real shot on target coming from Stuart Armstrong and being turned around the post.

Comsa, the one player seemingly capable of keeping the ball at his feet, got the only goal of the game right at the end of the first period of extra-time. The home side had a player sent off soon afterwards for two yellow card offences but Marcham still couldn’t find a way through.

In Division 1 of the League, Saxton Rovers took another step towards the title with a 2 – 0 win at Wootton & Dry Sandford. An evenly contested first half ended 0 – 0, with the Wootton keeper Chris Dales saving well from Matt Shelton and Danny Parry and Jon Weir seeing his well-struck free-kick just clear the Rovers crossbar.

After 52 minutes, a Wootton clearance fell to Ben Parry who gave Saxton the lead and on the hour Danny Ferguson’s long shot took a cruel deflection to make it 2 – 0 to the visitors. Chris Hooper came closest to increasing Rovers advantage while Wootton’s Adam Brooks created problems from his long throw-ins.

Second-placed Blewbury lost more ground as they lost 3 – 0 at home to Lambourn Sports. The game was held up for a long period as Lambourn’s Byron O’Regan broke his leg and was taken to hospital but Lambourn recovered to win with goals from Ben Matthew, Adrian Mooney and Rob Powell.

Drayton slipped up too, as they lost a hard-fought game 2 – 1 to Harwell Village, for whom Lee Fuller and Ross Butler scored, while Faringdon Town won 3 – 1 at home to Ardington & Lockinge F.C., thanks to strikes from Seb Kolodzieyczyk, Danny Courtney and Derran Harrington.

Crowmarsh Gifford snatched an injury time equaliser in the local derby against A.F.C. Wallingford. Home side Wallingford, desperate for points to get away from the relegation spots, went ahead in the 33^rd minute when Joe Mitchell scored from close range after a fine move.

Neither keeper had much to do in truth, in an uninspiring game that Crowmarsh levelled when Paul Hannigan crashed a 25-yard free-kick into the net in the 91^st minute. Wallingford did have the ball in the net again but they were denied a winner by the eagle-eyed referee, who spotted a foul on the Crowmarsh keeper.

In Division 2, leaders Saxton Rovers Reserves also needed a late equaliser as they were held to a 2 – 2 draw by East Hendred. Hendred took the lead with a superb run and goal from Adam Sell, only for Wayne Waldron to level for the home side. Phil Taylor put the visitors back in front before Waldron got his second in the 85^th minute.

It was enough for Saxton Reserves to stay top as the two chasing sides below them battled to a 2 – 2 draw. Didcot Casuals went 2 – 0 up through Johnny Pearce and Tom Fisher but Coleshill United fought back to share the spoils.

Warborough & Shillingford leapt into second place after a 9 – 1 mauling of struggling Sutton Courtenay. A goal from Nick Breakspear was Sutton’s only bright spot as Adam Oram (4), Ross Tabor (3), Tom Davies and Allan Welman made hay for the visitors.

Also making a big move into the congested battle for the top were Benson A.F.C., who won 4 – 0 at home to Faringdon Town Reserves. Charles Sellwood (2), Rob Lyons and Adam Cowling were on target for Benson but they owed thanks to the Faringdon linesman for his honesty, in declaring a shot over the line when the referee was not in a position to see it.

Division 3 leaders Botley United won 4 – 0 at Benson Lions with Darren Witchell and Mark Nicholl getting a brace apiece but second-place Childrey United are not giving up on the title yet, as they won the big game away at third placed Drayton Reserves 3 – 2. Ian Oram and Kevin Kogel netted for Drayton while Steve Doman, James Wilkins Chris Pettis sealed the points for Childrey who stay seven points behind Botley, with games in hand.

Shrivenham ‘A’ were ten minutes away from losing their unbeaten record as Blewbury Reserves went into a 2 – 0 lead through two Andy Rolestone goals. However, two goals from Andy Rainer kept them in the hunt for promotion with several games in hand.

Coleshill United Reserves edged an amazing 12-goal contest as they won 7 – 5 against Wootton Reserves. Mark Richards (4), Christian Ayres, Shane Blake and one from their keeper Steve Willis made up the Coleshill tally.

Crucial win for Harwell Village Reserves as they kept some distance from the relegation places with a 2 – 1 win at Ardington & Lockinge Reserves with goals from Ian Fuller and Kevin Cox.

Division 4 saw Hanney United go another step towards the title with a 3 – 2 win at Marcham Reserves, thanks to goals from Jason Maynard, James Bishop and Chris Hunt. In fact, with the surprise 7 – 1 thrashing of Benson Reserves by Steventon Reserves, only Stanford in the Vale can catch Hanney now.

Steventon (again aided by first team players) won with goals from Derrick Elliott (2), Stuart Coppock, Darren Pettifer, Dan Horne, Nick Price and Sean Follows. Ted Carter scored for Benson.

Neil Smith, Jason Moss with a twice-taken penalty and an Ash Simmonds screamer saw East Hendred Reserves to a precious 3 – 0 against Hagbourne United. Meanwhile, Challow United won 7 – 3 at home to Didcot Casuals Reserves with Gareth Cole (2) and Chris Brown netting for the visitors.

In Division 5, Coleshill United ‘A’ still lead the way but Stanford in the Vale Reserves made up further ground as they won 4 – 1 at home to Hagbourne United Reserves. Jason Evans hit three more to being his tally up to 45 for the season with Grzegorz Krawczyk getting the other for Stanford; Mike McNulty got Hagbourne’s response.

Uffington United Reserves are determined to keep track in case there’s a slip up by the top two. They won 3 – 1 at home to Kennington Reserves with goals coming from Kevin Edwards, Devon Bryan and Ian Moore.

Long Wittenham Reserves were too hot for Didcot Casuals ‘A’ to handle and goals from Dave Jones (2), Ian Burton, Billy Collett, Andy Cooper and Andy Robbins led to a 6 – 2 win. Casuals were down to only ten players from the tenth minute as David Wyatt received a bad injury; Darryl Harper got both their goals.

Finally, Challow Reserves picked up three points from a 2 – 1 win against neighbours Hanney United Reserves, thanks to goals from Jason McDowall and Luke Alder.