2 January 2012

Ascot United 1 Binfield 2 (home view)

Both sets of players were applauded off the pitch at the end of a pulsating local derby in front of a crowd of 170 at the racecourse, as the Yellamen lost in the most cruellest of ways to a 92 min goal.

Manager Jeff Lamb gave a first full start to James Brazier and due to Dave Hancock's ankle injury suffered late on against Henley Town put versatile Luke Seldon at right back. He gave the job of man marking Binfield's Suarez to Eric Kusi, who had an outstanding game.

Ascot had the best early chance after 15 mins when Ben Lyden leapt to meet Phil cousin's cross, but his header smacked the bar. Jon Bennett was inches away from connecting onto another cross supplied by Lyden on 25 mins. Then just before half time with the rain and wind causing all sorts of problems for the players Cousins tried a low shot into the box which seemed to deceive the Binfield keeper who could only help it into the net.

The first half had seen one of the best all round team performances from the Yellamen this season.

Ascot knew they would be in for a severe test of character in the second 45 mins as Binfield had clearly been knocked out their usual stride.

With 5 mins of the half played Binfield were awarded what appeared to be a soft penalty, but to the relief of the home supporters the spot kick hit the bar and over.

As the half wore on Ascot started to give the ball away and the visitors capitalised on 75 mins to level the scores. Lee Boon replaced Ian Brooks who had played well in midfield, and soon after Boon was denied what look a clear chance running through the heart of the Binfield defence, only for the linesman to flag an offside when an Ascot player was clearly not interfering with play.

Then on 92 mins Binfield broke strongly from midfield and got the winning goal which was very hard to take after such a spirited performance from Ascot. Having produced their best display in two seasons against their local rivals.

Ascot United 1 Binfield 2 (away view)
The Moles completed their holiday fixtures with a brilliant late come back win at Ascot United, to make it 9 points out of 9 from three local derbies against Wokingham & Emmbrook, Bracknell Town and Ascot United. Fielding the same starting 11 that had beaten Bracknell Town two days earlier, Binfield had the lions share of the early possession, although their final pass went astray all too frequently and United defended resolutely. With 15 minutes gone, Binfield had their first clear sight of goal when James Suarez burst into the penalty area, but his side foot shot was comfortably saved by Chris Grace, who has recently returned to Ascot.
Another recent signing, Ben Lyden, gave the Yellamen a new dimension up front alongside 25 goal Hellenic Premier Division second top scorer, Jon Bennett. And Lyden almost opened the scoring after 18 minutes, when he rose well to meet a great far post cross, but saw his header come back off the bar, with Dan Weait well beaten.An entertaining first half continued in the same pattern and Binfield had several further chances to score as Carl Withers, Callum Whitty and Ian Davies all saw shots saved by Grace, who also commanded the ball in the air well throughout. In the middle of that spell United also had a great chance when Lyden crossed across the face of goal, inches in front of the onrushing Bennett.
With the half drawing to a close, the Moles best move of the half came when Danny Wing, Ian and Carl Davies all combined to break from the halfway line, but Carl Davies' square pass evaded Ian Davies and Stuart Tanfield's shot flew wide. Within moments of that chance, the Moles were behind. Dan Weait punched a corner clear at his near post, but it fell straight to Phil Cousins, who hit a fast curling ball into the near post that evaded everyone and Weait could only push it onto the inside of his post at full stretch after being wrong footed looking to cover a cross.
Although there were only moments left to half time, the Moles almost found an equaliser. Heading straight up the other end, Staurt Tanfield won a corner that Grace pushed back out as far as Tanfield, who volleyed goalwards, but saw Grace push his effort away, to keep his side 1-0 up at the break.
Half time Ascot United 1 Binfield 0
Straight from kick off in the second period, the Moles were on the attack. Carl Davies and Danny Wing ran at a retreating Ascot defence and an equaliser looked likely. 5 minutes into the half, the ball arrived with James Suarez 22 yards out and he made to curl in a shot. Blocked on the edge of the area, the ball looped to Dan Wing on the right hand side of the box and as he controlled it, Phil Boddy missed the ball and kicked Wing on the thigh and the Moles were awarded a soft penalty that could just as easily have been waved away.
With the chance to put his side back on terms, Carl Davies stepped up and sent Grace the wrong way, but saw his shot hit the angle of post and bar and out for a goal kick.
Rather than dwell on that missed opportunity, the Moles pushed on again and the match was one way traffic for the next 20 minutes. After a goalmouth scramble just wouldn't fall to a Binfield foot and two Ian Davies shots were saved by Grace, the Moles finally did equalise just past the hour mark. Pumped up and with a point to prove, Carl Davies was also a constant threat and he made amends for his penalty miss when a great move between Ian Davies and Danny Wing saw Wing centre and Davies side foot home from 10 yards, to finally bring his side level.
Davies continued to press the United defence back and won a corner wide on the right with his persistence. Ryan Millward met Carl Withers corner but saw his header from 10 yards fly over. Lee Boon had replaced Ian Brooks for United on 65 minutes and he almost put his side back in front with Ascot's best chance of the second half, but Lyden's header back across the 6 yard box was behind Boon and cleared.
With Ascot sitting deep and hitting on the break when they could, the Moles had several other good chances. Most notably, James Suarez rose to meet a Paul Shone cross and narrowly headed wide of the far post and an Ian Davies shot from the edge of the box was well handled by Grace at his near post.
But the Moles weren't to be denied in a pulsating finish, although they had to wait until the 92nd minute. Winning the ball just inside his own half, Paul Shone broke forward and put in a great cross from deep on the right, that Ian Davies met in full flow to finish into the bottom corner across Grace and spark wild celebrations, led by delighted Moles manager, Mark Tallentire.

Highworth Town 2 Slimbridge 2
It was cold and windy at the Elms for this Bank Holiday fixture and the surface was wet, soft and greasy.  Mistakes were going to be punished and it was Highworth’s which ultimately cost them two points.Slimbridge are a strong and direct side and with Marvyn Roberts and Alex Higgs up front, they are always going to create problems for any defence.  In fact, the Swans had the earliest opportunity to open the scoring when a quick one-two found Higgs on his own in front of goal but his shot hit a post.Highworth began to settle into their normal pattern of short passing and rapid movement and after one such attack, Dan Hilder’s ball in from the subsequent corner was headed home by Gary Hill to put the Worthians in front. Shortly after, a mistake in midfield saw the Swans collect the ball and move it rapidly towards Marvyn Roberts, who powered into the area and knocked the ball back into the path of Alex Higgs, for an easy finish from two yards out. Just before the half-time whistle, a slip on the soft surface allowed the Slimbridge side to surge forward in numbers again and from the resulting corner, Alex Higgs grabbed his second of the afternoon when the loose ball was not properly cleared. I felt that the Worthians were a little unlucky to go into the break behind as they had played some good football and but for the mistakes, had defended well.
 Half Time Highworth Town 1 Slimbridge 2
After the break, the Worthians took advantage of the prevailing wind and put Slimbridge under massive pressure.  The Worthians were camped in the Slimbridge half, testing and probing at every opportunity and the Swans’ defence was somehow managing to repel the attacks and block the shots.  After an hour of play, the ball was knocked down from a corner and Ritchie Saunders struck the ball cleanly from three yards out only to see a Slimbridge defender block the shot with his arm.  The subsequent penalty was well converted by Danny Hilder and with Slimbridge down to ten men it seemed inevitable that the Worthians would take the game.The next half-hour saw Highworth hit the Slimbridge defence in wave after wave and thanks to the heroics of Dave Evans in goal and the last gasp tackles and blocks, the ball was kept out of the net.  How Slimbridge survived the onslaught is anybody’s guess but my man of the match Dave Evans, who made two magnificent saves from firstly Josh Parsons and then Ryan Thomas, was typical of the determination shown by a defence under huge pressure.The Worthians were denied the three points their play deserved but what a fantastic display of football for the hardy spectators braving the inclement conditions!

Highworth Town 2 Slimbridge 2 (away view)

In freezing cold conditions and a sodden pitch, both teams served up a New Year's entertainment treat at The Elms Recreation Ground.

Highworth took an early lead through Gary Hill, but two Alex Higgs' goals saw the Swans go into the break ahead. Danny Hilder's penalty on the hour which also saw the dismissal of Jamie Martin levelled the scores. For the last 30 minutes, Highworth pummelled the Slimbridge goal, but a combination of luck and some superb full hearted defensive performances saw
the points shared at the final whistle.

On a heavy pitch which bore the scars of recent activity, it was the hosts who made the early chances - Swans' Manager Leon Sterling was alert to block Sean McKean's dangerous run in the first minute, and Jamie Inch's header from the resulting corner completed the clearance.

With four minutes on the clock, the home side appealed for a penalty after McKean tangled with Inch in the box, but Referee Beveridge waved away the shouts.

The visitors went straight down the other end and created a good chance for themselves - Marvin Roberts' made a surging run which took him through on goal, and he was felled by a backtracking defender. With the advantage being played, the ball fell to Alex Higgs', who lobbed Highworth Keeper Kurtis Sharkey, only to see the ball, which may have been drifting just wide, land and stick in the mud around the goalmouth, where it was eventually cleared.

The chance seemed to galvanise the Swans, and a series of corners saw both Rob Hine and Karl Nash come close with decent efforts, Nash's coming when his corner caught the wind and very nearly went straight into the Highworth goal.

Some slack defending from the visiting defence was punished on 15 minutes, when Gary Hill was left unmarked to nod home a corner and put the home side ahead.

Seven minutes later, the scores were level - Jamie Martin played a sweet ball down the right flank to send Marvin Roberts clear, and his cross was neatly finished by Alex Higgs.

Slimbridge had their own penalty appeal turned down on 24 minutes, when Jamie Martin was brought down as he burst through the Highworth defence. The offence was deemed to have taken place outside the penalty box, and Craig Curtis escaped with a yellow card. Martin's resulting free kick was easily saved by Sharkey.

Swans Keeper Dave Evans made a superb double stop on the half hour, firstly
keeping out McKean's strong effort, and then blocking Rory Sproule's follow
up.

As play continued to go from end to end, Marvin Roberts's header which hit the post and went wide, following Higgs' brave charge down of a Highworth clearance ensured the entertainment continued to be provided for the crowd.

Evans was next in action again, with another pair of stops, this time thwarting Tony Joyce's free kick and then gathering the resulting shot from Steve Yeardley.

With virtually the last kick of the half, Slimbridge edged into the lead - Jamie Martin's corner was played to the edge of the box by Rob Hine, and Higgs pounced to notch his second of the game and put the Swans ahead.

Highworth made a decent start to the second period, with captain Ritchie Saunders narrowly missing with two shots in quick succession, but the visitors came back into the game on the hour. A goalbound header following a corner was kept out by Jamie Martin's hand, and the referee had little option than to dismiss the striker. Danny Hilder sent Evans the wrong way to level the scores.

Not unexpectedly, this galvanised Highworth, and they laid siege to the ten man Swans goal - Will Wellon's intervention kept out Sproule's header, and Wellon then again threw himself bravely to block the follow up shot.

Saunders saw his shot beat Evans, but also go over the crossbar in the 70th minutes, and Evans was again in action a minute later, making a superb save tto deny Josh Parsons.

As the chances continued to come for the home side, the team and their supporters were getting increasingly frustrated as the opportunities came to nothing - Joyce came very close on 76 minutes, but his piledriver just cleared the bar with Evans beaten.

With three minutes remaining, it looked as if the home side were going to
get the goal they were chasing, but firstly, Evans' save from Ryan Thomas,
coupled with another magnificent block from Wellon kept the scores level.

As the game crept into injury time, Highworth saw another pair of chances go begging - Evans diving at the feet of Thomas to deny him the shooting chance, and Hilder breaking through, and beating Evans with his shot, only to see the ball run just wide of the Swans' post.

It was the last action of a pulsating match which reflected great credit on both teams for the display they came up with in the conditions.

The Swans travel to Flackwell Heath on Saturday (3.00pm), before returning to Wisloe Road the following weekend, when they entertain Abingdon Town (Saturday 14th, 3.00pm)

 

Oxford City Nomads 9 Kidlington 3
A bright afternoon and a rather heavy pitch welcomed Kidlington to Court Place Farm for Nomads’ first game of 2012.
In addition to the imminent departure of manager Gordon Geary was having an unsettling influence, and the absence of several regulars leading to an inexperienced side taking the field, an early goal left the visitors with a massive hill to climb. Nomads’ second attack produced a corner, curled in at pace by James Dobson.  The ball was headed clear of the penalty area but only as far as Adam Morris who gave Dobson another chance to deliver a cross that found Kamran Abbasi whose light touch took the ball beyond Luke Sanders and over the line. Jack Johnson almost put Kidlington back on terms within a minute as his first-time left-foot volley from a clearance whistled inches past Alan Foster’s upright. Pablo Haysham was fouled twenty-five yards out and Dobson’s free kick brought a good save from Sanders as the ball evaded the defensive wall, before Nomads added a second goal in the sixth minute.  Some patient approach play around the top of the box eventually delivered the ball to Dobson and his perfectly weighted chip/lob floated over Sanders and below the bar. The youthful Kidlington side seemed shaken by these early reverses and Nomads pressed forward at pace winning three corners in quick succession, but the visitors regained their equilibrium somewhat and it wasn’t until the thirteenth minute that the rampant home side added to their score.  Jemaine Ferreira’s pass allowed Josias Carbon to burst forward, exchange passes with Adam Morris and then drive the return pass beyond Sanders’ dive. On the quarter hour Kevin Nielsen-Pike found space just inside the Nomads’ box only to shoot straight at Alan Foster, but four minutes later Kidlington got themselves on the scoreboard as Jordan Parker curled a free kick around the end of the wall and into the top corner. Carbon had a powerful goal bound drive cannon off Richard Brooks and into Sanders’ hands and Haysham curled a free kick just past the post before a steady build-up on the half-hour gave Adam Morris time and space to pick his spot from fifteen yards for Nomads’ fourth. Though Nathan Geary had a promising run stopped at the expense of a corner by Joel Meade, most of the traffic was towards Sanders’ goal, and Nomads’ fifth score came from their eighth corner of the game just ahead of the break as Denel Thomas’s powerful downward header bounced over Sanders and into the net via the crossbar.
Half Time:  Oxford City Nomads 5-1 Kidlington 
Tony Booker replaced Kamran Abbasi at the break and two minutes into the half Conor McDonagh held the ball up well in midfield before releasing Jemaine Ferreira to accelerate down the right before cutting in and setting up McDonagh to crash the ball high into the net. Haysham’s crisp shot was parried to Ferreira who shot home only to find himself flagged offside and minutes later Zac McEachran, on for Adam Morris, showed a clean pair of heels to the defenders and brought an athletic save from Sanders by his left-hand post. McDonagh added to his rapidly growing total for the season on 58 minutes as he exchanged passes with Kynan Isaac before bustling past a defender and the goalkeeper to slam the ball into an empty net. With fairly relentless pressure McEachran and Isaac both went close before Kidlington’s woes were added to as substitute Ali Broome pulled up and had to be helped off the field with no substitutes remaining on the bench.  At which point the visitors proved they could still be dangerous as a poor pass in midfield was latched onto by #12 who left Foster a spectator as he curled a shot into the top corner. Haysham’s dipping shot from twenty-five yards skimmed the bar before the visitors’ New Year nightmare took a further turn for the worse when Nathan Geary failed to get up from a challenge near the centre spot and then hobbled off after treatment to leave his side with just nine men and twenty minutes left on the clock. With an ever more stretched defence facing them, Nomads made numerous chances with Isaac’s pace and guile being a particular threat, but had to wait until the 77th minute when Isaac dispossessed a defender and put McDonagh in the clear to complete his fourth hat-trick of this prolific season. Sanders made a double save to deny Ferreira and did well to touch McEachran’s drive around the post; Isaac couldn’t believe his luck as Liam Rice somehow managed to scoop a goal bound shot off the line, and Booker’s header from a corner rebounded off the crossbar. With five minutes remaining Kidlington gained some reward for their persistence in the face overwhelming odds as an attack on the right produced a skidding shot that Foster could only push away and Jack Quainton drove home the rebound. There was still time for the mercurial Isaac to skip past two defenders and see his shot strike the bottom of the post before George Seacole netted the twelfth goal of the match with a lob from such a tight angle that even Mr Davis was unsure as to how the ball had gone in and paused for several seconds before pointing to the centre.

Shortwood United 4 Cheltenham Saracens 1
 “We didn’t play as well as we did Saturday when we lost but it was an important 3 points! We weren’t clinical enough in the first half but were better in the second”. These were John Evans comments after Shortwood’s 4-1 win over Cheltenham Saracens at Meadowbank on Monday afternoon.
The pitch survived a deluge an hour before the game and the fact that it did not cut up as badly as feared is another tribute to groundsman Mark Webb. Shortwood were excellent for the first 20 minutes but the Sarries enjoyed their fair share of possession after that, the play became scrappy, and all too often Shortwood’s final delivery was poor. For that opening spell of play, however, Wood surged forward and created several good chances. Bohane almost took advantage of some dithering in the victors’ defence, Singh shot narrowly wide and a looping header from Bohane was tipped onto the bar by Tim Griffiths. Shortwood took the lead after 13 minutes. Parrott’s low corner was returned to him by Singh and Parrott’s cross was met by TJ Bohane at the far post sliding in. Bohane then clipped the post with another effort and Cant shot straight into the arms of Griffiths. As Saracens came back Carl Griffiths shot woefully wide from 20 yards and Hammond forced King into a sprawling save. Wood reasserted themselves before the break and Bohane again forced Griffiths to save and Cant had a goal bound shot blocked.
Half time Shortwood United 1 Cheltenham Saracens 0
Cant was taken ill at half time and Haddock replaced him. The opening period of the second half was poor with both sides struggling to keep possession as the weather deteriorated. What meaningful chances were created belonged to Wood and Tustain toe poked a shot wide after 58 minutes. Two goals in two minutes just after the hour settled the contest. After 63 minutes a good move ended with Singh’s clever flick to put Bohane in and as Griffiths came out the striker calmly shot past him into the corner. After 65 minutes Parrott laid the ball out to Haddock and his curling cross was met perfectly by Bohane to complete his hat trick. King had to fist away a powerful drive, Mortlock shot straight at the keeper and the same player was denied by a good last ditch tackle before Shortwood conceded an unnecessary penalty after 77 minutes. Oldham converted to give Saracens a slim lifeline but they did not threaten again. In fact it was Shortwood who finished the stronger.  Mortlock and Tustain came within inches of extending the lead and in the last minute Bohane was brought down as he was about to shoot. Slender received the subsequent red card and Tustain calmly sent Griffiths the wrong way from the spot to complete the scoreline.

Thame United 1 v 1 Holyport
 Holyport were looking forward to the trip to Thame as they have found some form and also Thames pitch is one of the best you will play on all season. Unfortunately a strong breeze ruined any chance of a great passing game but Holyport rode their luck to come out with a point.The first half Holyport defended against the strong breeze, strange enough it was during this half that they played their best football and outplayed Thame for periods but when in good positions they let themselves down with the final piece of quality required.Thame had plenty of procession but struggled to adapt to the strong breeze in their favour and over hit passes and crosses. Thame did have the beater chances as the half as wore on, the number 9 had a simple volley from 6 yards out but somehow missed the ball and Dennison pulled over a fantastic reaction save onto the bar to keep Thame at bay. With 2 minutes of the half left and it looking like Port had done exceedingly well in keeping out Thame a corner was punched clear by Dennison to the edge of the box. The Thame player pounced on the loose ball and hit a looping volley into the top corner over the fully stretched Sturgess who was on the post.
Half time Thame United 1 Holyport 0
Holyport were buoyed by the fact that they would have the wind aiding them in the second period but as the game wore on it was Thame who should have won the game and who created the chances. The first chance of the half fell to Dan Rapley, a hopeful ball was missed by the full back and Rapley was clean through and with the keeper rushing out to narrow the angle Rapley took his chance early but curled his effort wide.Thame grew in confidence from this and they had numerous chances to win the game and on another day could have scored three goals. A mixture of bad finishing and good goalkeeping from Dennison somehow kept Thame at bay With the clock ticking down Holyport made two changes and replaced the central midfield pairing of Rolfe and Jeffries for Coull and Jones. Jones first piece of work was to somehow clear a goal bound volley with his thigh to keep the score at 1-0 to Thame. Ross Crawford for Holyport received the ball at centre back and seeing an opportunity drove forward before playing a ball into the channel for Handscomb. Handscomb stole the ball from the full back and drove into the Thame box and crossed for Rapley who volleyed home. With 10 minutes left it seemed that either side could now go on and win the game. Coull came closest as a header curled inches wide with the Thame keeper a bystander. As the clock ticked down the Thame number nine was sent off for a mixture of a bad tackle on Jerrum and bad language.

Wantage Town 2   Witney Town 1 
Wantage again turned in a shift of hard work in their fight to regain their form, but this time, after a poor first half showing, it wasn’t until they had got back on level terms in the second half through a Chris Collin long range shot that Witney keeper Lee Farrow spilt over the goal-line, that they then worked hard to secure the valuable points from this local derby, which was played on a very sticky surface. The visitors were the first to show, winning a corner in the second minute of the game. This signalled their intent to go forward at every opportunity but in doing so, one telling pass from Wantage midfielder Josh Cottrell resulted in Danny Keen being put through in the 4th minute, but the hardworking striker shot wide of Farrow’s goal. In the 13th minute, Gareth Tucker in the Wantage goal saved well from Ben Williams as the Witney forward broke through a strangely unresponsive Wantage defence. In the 18th minute, Witney winger and ex-Wantage player Tom Austin, making his second return to Alfredian Park this season after featuring in Abingdon United’s F.A. Cup win in September, had his free kick charged down as the Wantage defensive wall stood its ground. Graham Edney was Wantage’s liveliest forward, and in the 21st minute, Edney’s endeavour won a corner for the home side, but from the quick break, Austin’s well delivered cross was just cut out by Cottrell, with the Wantage defence woefully out of position, as Joe Fullerton threatened to touch the ball into the Wantage net. Austin’s work rate was rewarded in the 35th minute, when he received the ball 10 metres outside of the penalty area, before rifling a shot past Tucker to put the visitors deservedly in the lead. Chris Collin’s attempt to emulate Austin five minutes before the half-time whistle was well saved by Lee Farrow in the Witney goal.
Half Time Wantage Town 0 Witney Town 1
Wantage changed their line-up in the second half, Jake Rowe replacing the out of touch Stuart Cattell, and Gavin Jones replacing Tom Butler. The changes continued on 60 minutes when the industrious Graham Edney was injured, and Niall Hodgkins joined the fray. On 60 minutes, Danny Keen worked a cross to Chris Collin whose shot zipped by the wrong side of the Witney post. At the other end, three minutes later, Alfie Saunders drove high and wide from distance as a re-energised Wantage defence closed him down. The persistent Collin was rewarded in the 65th minute when his shot from distance was spilt by Farrow into his own net to put the homeside back on level terms. Witney, to their credit, didn’t drop their heads, Saunders again firing from distance, this time only just wide. In the 70th minute, Austin flashed a well-struck corner across the face of the Wantage goal, the ball’s flight eluding defenders and attackers alike. At the other end, Farrow made amends with a brilliant save from Richard Claydon’s on target free kick in the 78th minute, and then again the Witney keeper did well to deny Niall Hodgkins as the Wantage substitute threatened to thread the ball past the Witney keeper. In the 83rd minute, Wantage took the lead, this time Farrow unable to keep out Richard Claydon’s well judged free kick from just outside of the penalty area. At the other end, Tom Austin flashed a similar free kick just over the Wantage bar, before the strong Wantage resolve to hold on to the points, saw the game out to the final whistle.

One West
Tytherington Rocks 7 Lydney Town 0           
This was a New Year warning to the rest of Hellenic League Div 1 West clubs from the Tytherington Rocks supporters after their team smashed yet another seven goals, this time against fragile Lydney. The Rocks look Champions-elect, and this is a race that surely only has one horse. Of course, there is a long way to go yet, some games in hand for Old Woodstock Town but, it already looks like the rest will be scrapping for the runners up position. The Rocks almost conceded a goal after 16th minutes as Jarred Liddington shot from eight yards, but Rocks defender Dale Emery was there to block on the line and then Tytherington went ahead thirty seconds later. The ball was transferred to the right flank where Jason Wood picked up the pass and hit a wonderful effort from twenty yards, which beat the helpless Richard Thomas, who, could not stop the ball going inside the top corner and, it was the Rocks assistant boss eighth goal of the term. Ten minutes later, the Rocks doubled their score as Jack Smyth helped Emery to go down the left and from outside the penalty box his rasping shot flew over the vulnerable Thomas, who should have wore a cap in the Winter sunshine, but chose not to. In the 32th minute a splendid header from Smyth put Alex Chapman in sight of goal and he did not miss with a low shot, to give Tytherington a 3- 0 half time lead.
Half time Tytherington Rocks 3 Lydney Town 0
Although the pitch was sticky, six minutes after the break, Tytherington pulled the Lydney defence apart in a pass and move master class as Wood, Chapman and Justin Bishop gave the chance for Smyth to wallop the ball low in to the net. This was the cue for the Rocks to complete the demolition the Forest of Dean side by snatching three goals in six minutes. On the hour Bishop, who did not finish the game, because of an injury to his hamstring, found Chapman to score, and four minutes later the 22 year old striker claimed his second hat trick in a week, by touching, man of the match, Adamo Missiato’s  exemplary cross, over the line.Then Tytherington made it another magnificent seven when Smyth was tripped by Mark Lee and Rocks substitute, Toby Colbourne, hammered home the resultant spot kick. At the end, Chapman said: “What can I say. Eight goals in a week I will remember. But all the boys were helping me to get in the position for me to score. That was a flying start to the New Year for me and the team”.

One East
Chalfont Wasps 3-3 Rayners Lane
A cold breezy January afternoon was warmed by a thrilling high tempo encounter between two sides chasing a top spot with games in hand. Wasps started well but Rayners took advantage of some careless Wasps passing to settle down and get into the match. Wasps’ still looked dangerous though and the first effort came after Kieran Webb and Alex Fever combined well to find Freddy Tripp whose shot ricocheted tamely into the keepers arms after 14 mins. A competitive match had unfolded with both sides knowing the importance of this fixture to crown a successful Xmas period. Ryan Sweales was next to try his luck from 35 yards, just wide, and moment’s later Marc Holt and Michael Wilson clever interplay allowed Stephen Rogers to drive in a dangerous cross that Tripp nearly converted and Fever was unlucky not to finish off on the rebound. Wasps’ pressure grew but it was the visitors who took the lead after Wasps had committed men forward for a series of corners and free kicks. Rayners broke quickly and effectively and opened the scoring in the 31st minute through Ryan Upton. Wasps struck back within 4 minutes when Ryan Sweales headed home from a free kick. Rayners however regained the lead a minute later with Lee Gardener profiting from another break. The high tempo continued with both sides looking to probe and create opportunities until half time.
Half Time Chalfont Wasps 1 Rayners Lane 2
Wasps had the lion share of possession all second half and pushed Rayners back into their final third for much of the time, but the visitors always looked dangerous, especially as Wasps chased the score line. A couple of timely injuries relived the pressure and broke Wasps momentum but the game, somewhat like the first half burst into goals galore in the final minutes and into injury time. Rayners looked to have secured all three points when Upton netted to put them 1-3 ahead somewhat against the run of play in the 90th minute. Knowing there would be quite a lot of injury time and to Wasps credit they continued to apply pressure inan attempt to break through the nine man Rayners defensive wall. This pressure paid off as the visitors got more nervous and dropped deeper and deeper.  Two injury time goals, the first from Tripp, and then Rogers, levelled the match at 3-3 in an exhilarating finale. Wasps remain in 3rd place with games in hand on top spot.

Chinnor 3 – Penn & Tylers Green 2
The conditions of the day were not the best and the wind played a big part throughout the game as it blew straight down the pitch all game. Chinnor looked to take advantage of the conditions and chose to play with the wind behind them in the first half. The game started in a frantic fashion as Penn found it hard to settle and shift the ball out of their defense against the wind and pressure from Chinnor. From the early pressure Chinnor scored their first goal from a well worked set piece, resulting in a cross coming in from the right by Ryan Davis for Mark Jones to head home from close range after 3 minutes. It was then Penn’s turn to come close as an Aiden Taylor free-kick was well saved by Ben Taunton. The game was pretty open from then on but was a stop start affair as the referee gave free-kick after free-kick when he could so easily have let the game flow. Penn’s threat came from the many free-kicks they had which were launched into the box on every occasion. The Chinnor’s defense held firm for a while until a mix up which lead to Penn’s equalizer. A long hapless ball into the box leads to confusion in the Chinnor defense between Lewis Craker and Mark Jones. The latter leaving a free header to bounce and Rino Sepede pounced to slot home from close range. The game was pretty open and you could just tell there was going to be more goals. Penn were always looking to get the ball in behind the Chinnor defense at every opportunity but found it hard against the wind. Chinnor mounted another good spell of pressure which resulted in their second goal and the move of the game close to half time. A well worked number of passes down their right resulted in another pin point cross coming in from Steve Newell which Penn were unable to defend. Stuart Braun out jumped the visitors and his header beat the keeper but hit the underside of the bar. First to react was Ryan Davis and he scored unattended from close range. Penn could have and possibly should have equalized before half time. Another long ball out to their right caught Michael Byrne on the wrong foot leaving Gary Crick to break free and get in behind Chinnor’s defense for the first time. His cross hit Chris Hurst in his stride but Hurst was unable to trouble Taunton in goal and headed miles wide. Both sides had a couple more chances before the break but it was Chinnor who went in with a goal lead.
Half time Chinnor 2 Penn & Tylers Green 1
The second half started for Chinnor as the first did for Penn. Chinnor struggled with the conditions and found it increasingly difficult to clear their lines against an even stronger wind. Chinnor’s shape changed and players moved to different positions in order to cope with the conditions and the long ball threat from Penn. Once again Chinnor gave away too many free-kicks and Penn drove the ball into the box from everyone, but again Chinnor held firm. Chinnor should have increased their lead to 3-1 and made the game safe halfway through the second half. A Ryan Chapman corner was met by Stuart Braun and his free header from close range went inches wide. Soon after the game was level and once again it was another defensive error from Chinnor. Trying to pass their way up the pitch against the strong wind led to Penn’s second goal. The pass into Mark Jones was the wrong pass to make which he in turn tried to make a first time blind pass out to the left in Chinnor’s defensive third. His pass wasn’t strong enough and was intercepted by Chris Hurst leaving Chinnor all at sea. Hurst passed to Rino Sepede out wide and his cross was headed home by James Louison from close range. Chinnor reacted positively and had a few half chances to score plus had a blatant penalty turned down as Ryan Chapman was upended in the box. Chinnor’s pressure paid off and it was fitting that it was Mark Jones who provided the piece of quality that his hard work thoroughly deserved. Following another dangerous corner from Chapman, Jones reacted quickly and with his back to goal from 10 yards out produced a well worthy winner for any game. Jones’s acrobatic overhead kick flew into the top corner for Chinnor’s third and winning goal. As the game came near to its end both sides had a couple more half chances. One of note from the visitors Chris Hurst attempted a volley from distance, but Taunton gathered with ease. The game finished 3-2 to Chinnor and a good way for the home club to start the New Year

Lambourn Sports 3-0 Hungerford Town
Just as the game was about to start the clouds rolled in over Bockhampton Road and the players were hit with a heavy downpour of rain and sleet making the surface very slippery. The game started very scrappy with both sides misplacing passes as they struggled to come to terms with conditions. A set piece loked the most likely way either side would open the scoring, McCready's delivery from either side of the pitch causing all kinds of problems for the away side. On 24 minutes it was from a McCready set piece that Lambourn took the lead, A delivery from wide on the right was headed home by Matthews, The midfielder scoring on his return from suspension. Hungerford failed to create much in the tricky conditions but when Simpson was given a chance the striker blazed over when he should of done better. However the miss of the half was still to come. Pedder released Guy one on one with the keeper and when Thorne went down early all Guy had to do was pick his spot but the striker somehow rolled the ball wide of the target. As half time approached Pedder brought the ball down on the edge of the box and as he turned away from his man a strong challenge came in taking ball and man, The referee decided it was man first and pointed to the spot. Mcready stepped up and gave the keeper no chance as he fired it high into top right hand corner.
HT 2-0
Both sides came out for the second half to much brighter weather and Lambourn looked the sharper out of the blocks, Matthews released Pedder down the right and his cross was met by Guy at the back post but the striker saw his effort saved by Thorne. It was not to be Guy's afternoon after going through on 53 minutes the striker went down under a challenge but his half hearted appeals for a penalty were waved away by the ref. Lambourn were really pushing for the killer 3rd goal and some quick passing released Connor's down the left, The winger cut inside but instead of shooting tried a square pass that was easily cut out. With Hungerford failing to find there shooting boots on the afternoon Lambourn were coasting to a 7th league win in 8 games. All that was left was for 16 year old striker Dundas to find the target after some great work down the right by Pedder he squared it to Dundas who couldn't miss from 6 yards out.

Maidenhead United Reserves 7 Woodley Town 1
As a contest the match was won and lost in the fifteen minutes before half time when the hosts scored five times to leave a shell shocked Woodley six goals behind at the break.  However, determination, self-pride and an element of Maidenhead easing up in the second period allowed Town to walk away with a sense of achievement in sharing two second half goals. The visitors started the livelier up the slope with Billy Gordon forcing a corner in the first minute, that fell to Nick Edwards to shoot over the cross bar, and enjoying good possession in the opponents half of the pitch. However, a sign of Maidenhead’s skilful ability was first demonstrated on ten minutes when Paul Semakula linked with Ashan Holgate to force Dan Smith to smoother the ball.  As United picked the tempo up a long throw from Kyle Lucas into Town’s goal area was only headed clear to the unmarked Semakula who picked his spot from the edge of the penalty area on thirteen minutes to open the scoring.
With Maidenhead finding their stride Town defended resolutely with John Donegan’s last grasp tackle on Semakula and clearing Holgate’s header off the goal line while Victor Sesay also made a timely tackle. Gradually Town weathered the storm and started to make inroads at the home defence with some good passing moves of their own that saw Gordon’s low cross collected by ‘keeper Michael Pearce and Jordan Sawyer’s cross to Danny Isaiew intercepted for a corner. However, this pressure was short lived as Watson found himself unmarked on the edge of Town’s penalty area on the half hour to stroke the ball to Smith’s right to double the score.  Watson further increased the lead four minutes later when his free kick, following a Richard Thomas foul was bent round the outside of Town’s wall and inside Smith’s right upright .Holgate fed Semakula to break free of Town’s defence to chip to Smith’s left after forty minutes.  Sawyer responded by forcing a block from Pearce before two goals in the final two minutes of the half by Holgate and Ackim, who responded first to Smith’s block of his shot, extended the lead to six goals.
Half Time Maidenhead United Reserves 6 Woodley Town 0
As with the first half Town were quick of the mark with Isaiew feeding Jamie Fairchild who struggled to reach the ball when well positioned.  Quick play between Holgate and Ackim saw the latter round Smith to complete the host’s scoring on fifty two minutes and three minutes later a Brett Rann free kick was controlled by the stumbling Thomas in the Maidenhead penalty area for Edwards to tap home from close range. With the game entering a period of stalemate Steven Fairchild was introduced for this first team debut with ten minutes remaining and the teenager acquitted himself well with two fine blocks.

Milton United 0 Letcombe 0
Letcombe opened brightly, with both Adam Bruce and Lyle Gifford shooting over the bar in the first five minutes. Tom Eatwell had a shot blocked, whilst it took a great save from Craig Payne just before the interval to prevent Milton from scoring.
Half time Milton United 0 Letcombe 0
Payne was in action again early in the second half, turning a header round the post for a corner.   The best chance of the game fell to Adam Pendell on the hour.   A cross from Tom Eatwell found him at the far post, but his header was too close to Milton keeper Rob Hamling who parried the ball and then fell on the rebound. Paul Jezzard had a chance with his first touch after coming on as substitute, but shot well wide, and then Danyal Ali shot narrowly wide with five minutes remaining. It was probably a fair result, with neither side showing enough composure in the attacking third to take all three points.