MATCH REPORTS Midweek
Premier Division
Carterton 0-5 Binfield
Binfield put their early season away day woes well and truly behind them, with a dominant fifth away win from their last six. With a settled side for the last few matches and the ability to hurt teams down both flanks with both Luke Williams and Danny Wing in fine form, the Moles carry a potent threat to open up the defence of their opponents and with slightly sharper finishing, this scoreline could easily have been even more emphatic. Binfield started this match quickly, with their first good chance within 90 seconds of the start. Great work from Luke Williams on the right saw him square the ball into the 6-yard box. Carterton keeper, James Domm made the first save of a busy night, taking the ball off Ian Davies’ toe and though it ran loose for Carl Davies to hit, his shot was well blocked. Moments later, Ian Davies got free on the right side of the penalty area and this time he beat Domm’s outstretched hand with a lob, but saw his shot bounce agonisingly wide of the far post. And so the tone of the match was set. Carterton could barely get out of their own half and the Moles created chance after chance. With 35 minutes gone, the only surprise was that the game remained scoreless. Good Binfield chances had fallen to Williams, Suarez and Wing and best of all a far post cross from Williams was met firmly by Carl Davies, but his header came back off the post. The Moles finally broke through as Suarez threaded through for Williams to run into the area with just Domm to beat and he duly obliged placing his shot under the onrushing keeper.
HT: 0-1
The last time the Moles travelled to Carterton, in September last year, a fine first half saw them leading 2-0 at the break, with the next round of the cup awaiting. But a disastrous collapse that started within moments of the restart saw them concede 6 goals and their heaviest defeat of this season. To the Moles relief, there was to be no repeat of that as they picked straight up where they had left off. Within 7 minutes of the restart, the points were comfortably Binfield’s as they led 3-0 after a looping header from Carl Davies, swiftly followed by a Luke Williams tap in at the far post. Credit to referee Matthews for allowing play to continue for Binfield’s 3rd after Ian Davies squared across the 6 yard box and Carl Davies was robbed of an easy tap in by a clear foul from behind. As Matthews saw the advantage, Williams cleared up to score. From then on, the match was simply a matter of how many Binfield would score. Ian Davies had to endure a frustrating night as several chances came and went, the best when he was through on goal on the hour mark, but Domm pulled off a fine save to keep the score down. At the back, Binfield’s settled defence were having a relatively easy night and Dan Weait didn’t have a shot to save throughout the 90 minutes. As the second half wore on, Moles manager Mark Tallentire brought on Gary Sargeant for Danny Wing and Jack Tellentire for Carl Davies. And late on, both added their names to the scoresheet. First on 84 minutes, another quick break into the box from Ian Davies saw him unselfishly square the ball to Sargeant, who finished well, across Domm. Then 3 minutes later Sargeant turned provider, with an excellent reverse pass into the path of Tallentire, who ran on and shot through Domm’s legs to round of the scoring. Binfield moved up to 6th in the table after this match, with two home games to come in the next 6 days, starting with Wootton Bassett Town this Saturday (3pm). Mark Tallentire was delighted with his team’s performance afterwards, but added “it’s my job to keep everyone’s feet on the ground. We just have to try and keep winning games and at the moment, that’s what we’re doing”.
Thame United 2-2 Wootton Bassett Town
In an entertaining game at the ASM Stadium on Tuesday evening visitors Wootton Bassett Town came back from behind twice to force a 2-2 draw. Given that the visitors were 4 league places below Thame, manager Mark West will view this result as 2 points lost, rather than a point gained. United started brightly and had the better of first half possession and territory with Thame Keeper Milan Barisic mainly a spectator. The visiting keeper was on good form however and made some fine saves. Ben Connelly was a constant threat on the right wing before the visitors countered his pacey, tricky runs by allocating two men to mark him. United took the lead in injury time at the end of the first half. The ball came in from the right and Barr, with his back to the goal, tried a spectacular ‘Rooney like’ scissors kick, which was deflected out for a corner. Barr took the in swinging corner which eluded goalkeeper, defenders and forwards, alike before crossing the goal line. Perhaps a lucky fluke, but no more than Thame deserved.
HT: 1-0
The visitors came out fired up for the second half and in the 50th minute were awarded a free kick on their left. The ball came in high and Barisic went to collect it but the greasy ball slipped from his hands to fall at the feet of a visiting forward. Barisic then tried to reclaim it but was judged to have fouled the forward and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Sam Collier buried the resultant spot kick, giving Barisic no chance. The home side regained the lead in the 59th minute when Connelly found Stewart on the right of the area. The in-form Stewart coolly turned and hit a well placed, acutely angled, 20-yard shot pass the visiting Keeper. The visitors came back, and Barisic was forced to make an outstanding save, tipping a strong shot over the bar. Wootton were now determined to equalise and mounted attack after attack with United forced to defend. With a minute to play, just when it looked that Thame would hold out, a long ball from the left found substitute Alex Green in space and he beat Barisic with an 8-yard shot. The scores were level when the final whistle blew; probably a fair reflection on the overall game. Sadly, central defender Martin Brown and Ben Connelly picked up injuries and are doubtful for next Saturday’s game.
Wantage Town 4-0 Flackwell Heath
This was a lively game, played on a tricky surface, that held up well despite being saturated the day before. Flackwell put in a disciplined defensive performance, forming an impenetrable barrier across the middle of the pitch, which Wantage, despite loads of possession, struggled for 75 minutes to break through. There was a bright start from the homeside, Graham Edney trying, without success, from distance in the 3rd minute to catch out Flackwell keeper Ollie Brown. The routine of the game was established early as Wantage retained possession and patiently built from the back, but could not make the final telling pass, as the Flackwell back four, well marshalled by Captain Mark Weedon, nullified the homeside’s attack. In the 12th minute, Flackwell winger Jamie West almost capitalised from a mix-up between Tom Rowe and keeper Gareth Tucker, but could not squeeze the ball home. The half continued with few attempts on goal, with the Wantage mdfield unable to profit from some good diagonal movement from front men Danny Keen and Richard Claydon. In the 36th minute, a cross from Tom Butler almost deceived Flackwell keeper Ollie Brown, as the Wantage winger’s cross just cleared the bar. As the half came to an end, Tom Austin on Wantage’s right wing, had to track back and make a timely tackle as Jamie West lead a rare Flackwell attack, but back at the other end, the half concluded with Ollie Brown making a fine save from a well delivered corner.
HT: 0-0
Wantage made an uncomfortable start to the second half, losing some of the composure of their first half performance. Flackwell sensed this and pressed forward, Adam Harman, breaking clear of a hesitant Wantage defence, but failing to get his shot on target. Jamie West drew a great instinctive save from Tucker in the 52nd minute, and shot just wide as the ball rebounded to him from the Wantage keeper. Wantage, lacking fluidity, temporarily lost the midfield, and didn’t really bother the Flackwell defence until the 60th minute, when Danny Keen shot into the side netting, after Flackwell keeper Ollie Brown spilt a cross. At the other end, Adam Harman, shot over the bar when well placed on the edge of the box, as Tucker’s clearance from a cross found the Flackwell striker unmarked. With the game looking like a stalemate, the direction of the match changed in the 75th minute, when Ollie Brown, despite making a fine double save, could only spectate, as Richard Claydon retrieved the ball close in, and created the space in which to direct it past the keeper to put the homeside in front. Three minutes later, Tom Butler’s shot was deflected for a corner, and from the well delivered place kick, Wantage central defender Stuart Cattell found himself unmarked at the far post to head home. Another three minutes and Wantage were further ahead, Richard Claydon adjudged to have been clipped as he broke into the box, Claydon stepping up to cooly slip the spot kick past Brown. With four minutes remaining on the clock, hard working Danny Keen broke on the right and squared a neat cross on to the head of Wantage substitute Adam Bruce, the ball just crossing the line despite the vain efforts of Keeper Ollie Brown to keep the ball out. In the end the game produced a convincing win, despite looking like a goalless draw for 75 minutes. Wantage are at home again on Saturday, against Pegasus, before travelling to Reading Town next Tuesday evening.
Reports: 3
Chairman’s Reserve Challenge Cup
Holyport Reserves 2-3 Ascot Utd Res
Holyport started this game in fine style as they trapped Ascot in their own half. The formation of 352 meant that the midfield trio of Tucker, Scarvaci and Stokes had plenty of procession kept Port pushing forward. In the first attack of the game C. Ridley was released but his toe poked effort drifted wide of the Ascot keeper. Holyport then won a corner and Druce who after 4 months out drifted in unmarked to head home to give Holyport the deserved lead. Ascot couldn’t really get going and Holyport continued to look good and a few minutes later C.Ridley appeared unmarked at the back post to volley home to give Port a 2-0 lead after 12 minutes. Grace in Ascots goal was making his first appearance in goal since breaking his leg in October and had to be subbed in the 25th minute due to an injury. This in effect changed Ascot’s style of play as their tall centre forward went in goal. Ascot became more fluid from this moment and should have got a goal back when the Ascot 11 had a free header from 2 yards out but he put this wide.
HT: 2-0
Half time came and Port were good for their lead. The second half was a different affair, Ascot came out and played the football and Holyport couldn’t retain the ball. Holyport though they had won this game and fair play to Ascot they had different ideas and in the 65th minute they deservedly got a goal back. Holyport continued to go forward and cause Ascot problems but the final pass or touch was not were it was in the first half. Ascot continued to move forward and got an equalizer in the 85th minute, Port failed to clear their lines and the Ascot player volley home from 25 yards out. Then after again not clearing their lines in the 90th minute Jordan fired home a super left footed strike from the edge of the box to win it for Ascot.
Holyport must pick themselves up for the league game on Saturday and learn that there are 90 minutes to a game and not 45.
GFA Trophy 3rd Round
Shortwood United 2-1 Cadbury Heath
After the game John Evans said: “It is a sign of a good side if you can win without playing well” and this was certainly true as Shortwood stuttered to a 2-1 win over their Western League opponents in the GFA Trophy at Meadowbank on Tuesday. The pitch held up well considering the recent weather and full tribute must be paid to Mark Webb for his hard work and preparation. Shortwood undoubtedly deserved their win but a lot of their play was without their usual penetration and they were kept on their toes throughout by a side that attacked at speed. Macklin and Thomas were inseparable for man of the match and held the defensive line together well. Ash Thomas had the first real chance after 4 minutes after Heath failed to clear a Cant free kick but his shot from 12 yards was wide. Macklin then made an outstanding tackle to deny Boon as he raced onto a through ball and Pearce saved comfortably from Dyer. Thomas saw a header cleared and Mike Green shot wide before Cadbury Heath took the lead with a strange goal after 23 minutes. Ibrahim did well to control the ball and get his shot away from 25 yards. The ball appeared to be floating harmlessly over the bar but dipped suddenly just under the bar and over a surprised Pearce. Boon sent a low shot wide of the far post and for a period Shortwood seemed unable to string any passes together effectively. After 39 minutes, however, Wood levelled. Keeper Crawford raced out to clear danger but the ball went to Axton who sprayed the ball wide to Allard. Allard’s excellent cross into the area was met by Casey who managed to flick the ball over the onrushing Crawford and under the bar to the relief of all from the Shortwood camp. Just before the break Casey’s header across goal was just too far behind Colwell for the forward to guide the ball home.
HT: 1-1
The second half continued in the same vein with neither side able to make any headway before Shortwood took the lead after 62 minutes. Benneyworth went down the right flank to the bi-line and his cross was headed powerfully home by Axton. At last Wood started to create chances and Crawford did well to keep out a powerful header from one of his own defenders and then almost immediately a Casey header. Axton had another header go just over before Heath responded with some late pressure but were unable to find a way past Macklin and Thomas. Mish Green had an effort ruled out in the last minute as Shortwood went through to the next round where they will play County League outfit Ellwood – again at home, on a date to be arranged.
Reports: 2
Total Reports: 5
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