Match Round-up for 28 March 2009

Saxton’s late, late, show secures historic cup win
Report by Andy Wells

Saxton Rovers are the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup Winners! Two goals in the last three minutes, after they had fallen behind in the 68^th minute to Steeple Claydon, clinched an historic 2 – 1 victory in the Final, played at Buckingham Town F.C.’s ground.

It has already been an incredible season for the club, with the first team unbeaten under manager Nobby Hayward, within sight of the North Berks Division 1 title and the Reserves in two cup finals. And, in front of a large crowd, Saxton Rovers lifted a County Cup for the first time to celebrate their 50^th anniversary.

Neither side really got going in a tense first half, with Rovers pressing hard for long periods not creating many chances while Steeple Claydon brought the best out of keeper Darren Spayes in the first few minutes and again in the 27^th minute when he saved well with his feet. Paul Churchouse had the ball in the Steeple Claydon net on 20 minutes but it was ruled out for a push.

The second half was more open and after early Saxton pressure, Steeple Claydon almost took the lead when Ben Tutt was found unmarked at the far post but lifted his shot over the bar.

Steeple Claydon took the lead when a header by Micky Carroll beat Spayes but was cleared from goal by Chris Hooper. Unfortunately for Rovers, the Assistant Referee declared the ball had crossed the line and the goal was given.

Cue frantic efforts by Saxton to get back on level terms and Benny Sutton went on a superb run into the box, squared the ball across to Kevin Secker whose shot on the turn bounced away off the crossbar, with the follow-up by Hooper also clipping the horizontal.

Saxton had good claims for a handball in the area not given but in the 89^th minute the referee saw Steve Pitson go down and awarded a penalty for a push. Churchouse stepped up to the challenge and found the right corner of the goal despite a fine attempt by the opposition keeper to keep it out.

Photograph © Andy Wells
Saxton Rovers' Chris Hooper (all red) hooks the ball back towards goal.......

Photograph © Andy Wells
....... and the ball heads towards the far corner of the goal with the Steeple Claydon keeper helpless.

With everyone anticipating extra-time, another ball into the box found Hooper on the right edge of the six-yard box with his back to goal. His overhead shot/cross eluded everyone and dropped wonderfully into the far corner of the goal for a stunning winner.

Further joy for the North Berks League came on Thursday evening when Benson A.F.C. reached the Final of the Oxfordshire Junior Shield with a 1 – 0 win over Brize Norton, in a floodlit game at Kidlington F.C.

Benson began nervously and might have fallen behind in the first twenty minutes but gradually pushed their opponents back. In the second half they dominated the game and were worth more than the solitary goal scored from close range by Nick Skiller after a fumble by the Brize keeper. The Final against Spartan Rangers will be played at Witney United on April 25^th.

In the Semi-finals of the North Berks League Cup, relatively comfortable wins were recorded for both Coleshill United ‘A’ and Marcham Reserves.

Coleshill ‘A’ won 4 – 0 against Stanford in the Vales Reserves with goals from Martin Chivers, Luke Regan, James Bye and a Chris Wardroper penalty, while Marcham Reserves defeated Kennington Reserves by 4 – 0.

Leighton Jackson gave Marcham the lead after 23 minutes, running onto Seb Crowley’s pass to shoot home. Jackson had a great chance to double the lead but the Kennington keeper Nick Hill saved well. However, Marcham did go 2 – 0 up two minutes before the interval following a cross dropped by Hill, with Jonathan Cummings scoring easily.

Neil Buckingham pulled a goal back early in the second half but Jackson restored the two-goal lead in the 65^th minute, when he scored from Brian Viner’s pass. Jonathan Cummings made
it 4 -1 after good play by Crowley with two minutes to go.

In League Division 1, Blewbury suffered a surprise 4 – 1 home defeat to bottom team Harwell International. Simon Barlow got Blewbury’s late consolation but the visitors fully deserved their victory.

Third-place Drayton also succumbed as they conceded two first-half goals to Paul Hulme and Danny Courtney to lose 2 – 0 to Faringdon Town, who must fancy their chances of finishing runner-up now. Equally, a 4 – 2 win at Steventon by defending champions Lambourn Sports gives them a chance of claiming that spot.

Two Matthew Pedders penalties, a superb strike by Rob Powell and one from Chris Prior moves Lambourn to within four points of second spot.

Ardington & Lockinge eased their worries of the drop with a 3 – 2 home win over Crowmarsh Gifford, thanks to goals from Gareth Fenton, Chris Whitworth and Dwight Ciampoli, while A.F.C. Wallingford crashed to a 4 – 0 loss at Wootton & Dry Sandford. The home side scored through two goals from Richard Chilvers and one apiece from a Tony Wise screamer and Josh Nichols.

In Division 2, Warborough & Shillingford maintain their lead at the top with a hard-fought 2 – 1 win at Grove Rangers, while Benson A.F.C. showed few signs of their exertions on Thursday evening with a 4 – 0 win at relegated Sutton Courtenay thanks to goals from Andy Hayes, Adam Cowling, Joe Flower and Will Clements.

Didcot Casuals moved into third place with a 4 – 1 win at Faringdon Town Reserves. Lee Newport with a brace, Johnny Pearce and Wayne Jacks scored for Didcot with Troy Redman netting for Faringdon.

A weakened Marcham side went 2 – 0 down against Coleshill United before showing great character to come back to win 3 – 2 with goals from Dave Tunnah (2) and Tom Coates. At the other end Lambourn Sports Reserves hauled themselves away from the drop zone with a 4 – 3 win at home to East Hendred. Steve Crame (2), Andy Bulloch and Paul Self were on target for Lambourn with Tyrone McGill (2) and Adam Sell hitting Hendred’s goals.

Leaders of Division 3, Botley United suffered a 4 – 1 loss at Long Wittenham Athletic with Andy Marriott and Danny Osborne getting a brace of goals apiece. Wittenham still have an outside chance of reaching those promotion places but still trail Shrivenham ‘A’ who struggled to a 2 – 1 home win over lowly Ardington & Lockinge Reserves with goals from Matty Howe and Paul Sanders.

Coleshill United Reserves shared the points with Harwell Village Reserves after a 2 – 2 draw. Securing a valuable point for the visitors were Matthew Aplin and Andy Whiting while Marcus Richards and Chris Bill were on target for Coleshill.

In Division 4, Hanney United made sure of the Championship with a 4 – 1 over neighbours Challow United, with goals from Chris Hunt (2), James Bishop and Mark Pembroke. Benson A.F.C. Reserves won 2 – 1 at home to Hagbourne United with Kris Ray and Ted Carter netting, while Stanford in the Vale needed a late penalty conversion from Paul Willoughby to edge a 2 – 1 win against Didcot Casuals Reserves. Earlier, Steve Holder had struck with a 25-yarder into the far corner and Luke Ridley had equalised for Casuals.

Steventon Reserves thumped Uffington United 7 – 1 to continue their rise out of the relegation area. 16-year-old Tom Holloway followed his double last week with a hat-trick this weekend, with other goals coming from Darren Pettifer (2), Derrick Elliott and Stuart Coppock.

Division 5 saw Uffington United Reserves storm to the top of the table, with an 8 – 1 thrashing of Didcot Casuals ‘A’. Nick Frost (3), Devon Bryan (3), Kevin Edwards and Dave Roberts scored for the White Horse men. Graham Kirk hit the net for Benson Lions in their 1 – 1 draw with Long Wittenham Reserves.