Saturday 28th January 2012
Premier Division
Abingdon Town 1 Ardley United 4
Four first half goals saw Ardley on their way to victory at Culham Road on Saturday, with Ryan Brooks completing his fourth hat-trick of the season. With the early exchanges of this game being fairly even, the first incident of note came when Ardley centre-half Ben Thomas had to leave the field of play due to a bad facial injury caused by an elbow which went unseen by the referee. Ardley opened the scoring in the 19th minute when Nick Thorne was felled in the penalty area and Brooks stepped up to convert the spot kick. Barely two minutes later Adam Garner almost put Ardley further in front from a free kick from the wide right, but Gareth Walker in the Abingdon goal managed to get just enough on the ball to send it over the bar. Ardley had now taken full control and Brooks saw a shot hit the outside of Walker’s right hand post having been played clean through the middle. The visitors doubled their lead just a minute later though when good work by Thorne in the centre of midfield saw him play a lovely through ball for Troy Bryan whose shot from an acute angle could only be deflected into the net by Walker. A number of the home players were displaying a degree of indiscipline and in the 34th minute Adam Lovegrove was booked for something he said and when he applauded the referee for giving him the yellow card he was promptly booked again and shown a red one. Now Ardley really dominated, and in the 38thminute Stuart Bridges’ defence-splitting pass sent Brooks free on the inside right channel and he placed his shot past the keeper into the bottom right corner of the net. Brooks completed his hat-trick just before half time when he was again set free on goal only for the keeper to bring him down and allow him to score his second penalty of the half.
Half Time Abingdon Town 0 Ardley United 4
The second half saw the home side looking to limit the damage as far as possible and hit the visitors on the break whenever they could. This meant that the game was not such a good spectacle for the spectators, but it certainly worked in Abingdon’s favour as they managed to score a good goal via a splendid Mark Janes turn and shot which gave the Ardley keeper no chance. Ardley continued to create half chances but none could be converted, and the home side was restricted to few scoring opportunities for their lone front man.

Binfield 4 Fairford Town 1
Three points the target for Binfield and three collected to complete the double over Fairford Town, who lost 4-1 in Berkshire for the second week running. Town started brightly, forcing some early corners and finished strongly, scoring late on and creating a few other chances to add to their consolation goal.In a scruffy first half performance from Binfield, the Moles improved as the half wore on and opened the scoring just before the half hour. Callum Whitty was pushed in the penalty area challenging for a high ball and got up to convert from the spot off the under side of the bar.
Before half time, Town had a couple of good chances to score, but Gambling was twice foiled by Dan Weait's speed off his line to smother his efforts.
Half Time Binfield 1 Fairford Town 0
The Moles went straight on the attack as the second half started. And they could well have been two up on 47 minutes, but for a brilliant stop by Luke Adams. A cross to the far post arrived with Moles captain, Garry Callaway and Adams somehow pushed his volley from Eight yards over the bar.Jos Millar made his home debut for the Moles, joining Ian Davies up front for the first half, on Davies' 100th appearance with 88 goals from 99 matches already to his credit. Millar moved out to the left for the second half as manager Mark Tallentire pushed Stuart Tanfield into the middle, just behind Davies. And the new shape saw the Moles take control of the match in the early stages of the second half as Millar capped his debut with a fine goal, chipping into the top corner, with his left foot, from 20 yards.On his seventh match back with Binfield, Stuart Tanfield scored his first goals for the club, when he finished twice in eight minutes just after the hour. First he picked up an excellent Danny Wing through ball, as the Moles broke from the halfway line at pace and calmly finished across Luke Adams.Eight minutes later, Tanfleld drove in his second from six yards, when Ian Davies' shot came back off the far post from a well worked Binfield free kick routine. With the Moles four goals ahead, Alex Eastman replaced Danny Wing to make his Binfield debut and he battled well on the right, although his team toiled through the closing stages. With Town in the ascendancy late in the match, they got a consolation goal back with ten minutes left and made a few other chances late on.
These teams meet again next Saturday at Fairford, in the Hellenic League Challenge Cup with Bluefin

Reading Town 1 Shortwood United 1
Town skipper Danny Lingwood grabbed a late equaliser in a game that saw the surprise return of Ray Spence. He left the club for Evo-Stik League side Hungerford two months ago and the Scours Lane club have missed his attacking skills and goal power. He remains Town's leading scorer with 14 goals. But things didn't work out as well as he had hoped at Bulpit Lane and the striker decided to leave last week. "I welcomed him back with open arms," said Town manager Mark Bartley. "He is part of what we consider a family here. He has given everyone a boost and he's here to stay now."

Spence started Saturday's game against title-chasing Shortwood on the bench, but came on when Town were struggling to break down a resolute United defence. They had been trailing from the 6th minute when they conceded an unlucky goal. Recalled keeper Jordan Eggleton looked to have Tim Haddock's effort covered, but the youngster was left wrong footed when the ball took a deflection off defender Alex Salmon. Both sides created very few scoring chances in what was largely a scrappy affair. It got a little niggly at times as Town battled to contain a Shortwood side that were physically stronger and generally more experienced. They had to survive an anxious moment when Ben Gladwin, having already been booked, committed another bad-looking foul late in the first half, but referee Paul Humphrey let the midfielder off with a stern lecture. Bartley waited until the 62nd minute to send on Spence. He immediately made his presence felt with a snap shot that keeper Tom King saved and shortly afterwards he went close with a cheeky flip when he had his back to goal. It was another sub, however, that played an even bigger role in Town's equaliser. Marcus Richardson came on with a little less than 15 minutes remaining and saw his side have a lucky escape when United's Kevin Slack's shot hit the inside of the post and rebounded out. The game was just going into stoppage time when Richardson was fouled out on the right. The assistant manager met James Knight's free-kick with a header, only to see the ball strike the post, but Lingwood was in the right place to turn the ball into the net. Yet Town nearly threw the game away two minutes later. Shortwood returned to the attack and a cross from the left fell nicely for the unmarked Slack, but he sent his effort wide of the near post, "We deserved the draw," said Bartley. "But I would have been happier had we got all three points."

Town are home again next Saturday (ko 3pm), with basement-side Bracknell the visitors to Scours Lane.

 

Reading Town 1 Shortwood United 1 (away view)           
A disappointing result in Shortwood’s quest for promotion. After having led from the sixth minute they failed to capitalise on several half chances whilst Reading converted one of their rare second half forays to equalise in the 90th minute. Even then Shortwood missed a golden opportunity to score the winner in injury time. The game settled into a pattern that was to remain throughout the match. Shortwood maintained the lion’s share of possession but were only able to create half chances as their final ball or chance often lacked precision whilst Reading looked to break quickly from the back playing primarily a long ball game but they looked dangerous at all times. After an early chance for both sides, Shortwood got the perfect start when Tustain collected in midfield and delicately chipped into the penalty area for Haddock to head home courtesy of a deflection to wrong foot the keeper. For the rest of the half neither keeper had much to do although Eggerton in the Reading goal should have been put to the test on at least three occasions when Shortwood had clear shots at goal only to shoot wide.Tensions were rising on both sides as the half reached an end and with a few yellow cards already displayed, the half time whistle probably stopped  a red card being shown by the Referee.
Half Time Reading Town 0 Shortwood United 1
The second half settled into a similar pattern except that Shortwood now defended more effectively and completely nullified Reading’s attacking options to the extent that they only had two chances. At the same time, Shortwood still managed to create chances but they were rarely clear cut ones, the best falling to Slack who won the ball wide and from an acute angle hit the far post with the ball running back along the line and out. In the 90th minute a free kick was conceded and headed against the post and in the resulting melee on the line the ball was slammed home by Lingwood to the obvious delight of the home team and supporters.
A disappointed John Evans was lost for words as this result puts increasing pressure on the squad as it continues to battle for promotion and the four cup competitions it remains in, including the prestigious FA Vase match v Ashington on Sunday 12th February KO 3pm.

Wantage Town 1 Highworth Town 4
Wantage rue missed chances and capitulate under second half pressure.
This was a disappointing home side performance, albeit against a lively and disciplined Highworth, who maintained their momentum throughout the game, and deserved the points with a second half powerplay that wiped out any Wantage thoughts of recovery from the half time deficit.
In a game played on a good surface on a fresh, but sunny, winter’s afternoon, Wantage were soon under pressure, ex-Wantage player Sean McKeon thrashing the ball wide after being allowed to break through and confront Wantage keeper Gareth Tucker. But on 11 minutes, Wantage took the lead, Gavin Jones’ persistence reaping dividends as he worked the ball across the hesitant Highworth defence, his shot being turned across the line, almost out of the arms of Highworth keeper Kurtis Sharkey, by the predatory Richard Claydon. Within four minutes the visitors were level, Dan Wallington drilling a right sided cross into the box, where it was met by the alert Josh Parsons who guided the ball unopposed past Tucker. A few minutes later, Highworth should have increased their lead, when Danny Hilder thrashed the ball over the bar when well placed. Wantage responded positively, Claydon also lifting the ball over the bar, initially from a free kick and then again in the 27th minute, breaking through the Highworth defence before clipping the ball just over. Wantage maintained the pressure for a short spell, Liam McCullough drawing a great save from Kurtis Sharkey in the visitor’s goal, after a loose ball was won by Claydon. Gavin Jones threaded his way into the Highworth penalty area, but was unable to deliver the telling cross as Wantage forwards filled the box. On thirty five minutes,Liam McCullough’s shot was just off of target, as the home side’s spell of unproductive pressure ended, Highworth finishing the half strongly. Another ex-Wantage player, Matty Horsell’s cross was too deep and high in the 37th minute, but two minutes later, the lively Parsons was given time and space to twist and turn past a static home defence and shoot past Tucker with ease to put Highworth in front. That lead would have been increased just before half-time, had it not been for a great save by Tucker from Hilder, as the Highworth forward drilled a cleared corner back at the Wantage goal, Tucker diving to turn the ball over the bar.
Half Time Wantage Town 1 Highworth Town 2
Replacing the injured central defender Stuart Cattell with Tom Rowe, Wantage put the visitors briefly under early second half pressure, Dan Wallington clearing off of the line as a Chris Collin ball into the box just eluded Claydon as he attempted to direct the ball over the line in the 50th minute. Three minutes later, Danny Keen forced the ball through to Claydon whose persistence won a corner, Liam McCullough’s effort from the partially cleared corner bringing another fine save from Sharkey in the Highworth goal. But Highworth’s higher energy level began to tell, Horsell’s great cross from the left being wasted by McKeon’s misdirected header in front of goal in the 55th minute. Wantage briefly responded, Danny Keen working hard and drawing a free kick on the edge of the Highworth box a minute later, but Butler’s shot from the free kick’s rebound, was wide of the target. Highworth began to dominate possession, Tucker saving well from the impressive Rory Sproule, just before, in the 73rd minute, Highworth sealed the result, substitute defender Craig Curtis, tucking the ball in at the far post from a well delivered corner. Highworth continued to press against a flagging home side, Tom Rowe clearing off of the line, just before Sproule emphasised the result in the 89th minute, driving the ball unopposed past Tucker to complete the home side’s misery.

Wantage Town 1-4 Highworth Town (away view)

The Worthians had the earliest chance of the game when Sean McKeon raced past the Wantage defence and hit a speculative shot which Josh Parsons latched on to, but Gareth Tucker saved well. However, the Alfredians seemed to get into their stride very quickly, putting Highworth on the back foot and it was easy to see the quality in their play. The Worthians looked sluggish and match-rusty and after a quarter of an hour, a lightning attack from Wantage saw Kurtis Sharkey save from Danny Keen, only to see Gavin Jones on hand to poke the ball into the net for the opening goal. Soon after the re-start, Dan Wallington took the ball past the half-way line and delivered a fantastic ball into the Wantage six-yard box for Josh Parsons to head home from close range for the equaliser. Wantage continued to dominate but somehow the Worthians kept them at bay. Kurtis Sharkey made a great save to keep the ball out of the net, but despite all the Wantage pressure, the Worthians were creating chances themselves and as the half drew to a close, a long ball from Dan Wallington found the irrepressible Josh Parsons on the edge of the Wantage penalty box and after rounding two defenders, finished well from three yards out to give Highworth the lead. This was Josh's eighth goal in three games! Just before the half-time whistle, Dan Hilder created some space for himself and unleashed a great strike from 25 yards out which was brilliantly saved by Gareth Tucker. Wantage were probably disappointed to go into the break a goal down after controlling the game for long periods but despite not playing as well as in recent games, the Worthians were still creating chances and could so easily have had an even bigger lead.

Half Time: 1 - 2

Highworth were much better in the second period and began to match the quality of the home side and as the half wore on, they began to control the game. Matty Horsell was getting round the back of the Wantage defence and putting in some great crosses and indeed one delivery found Sean McKeon on his own but his header flashed wide of the post with the keeper rooted to the spot. As the game went into the final quarter, Highworth were now the dominant side and Gareth Tucker pulled off another great save when he tipped Rory Sproule's header over the bar. However Dan Hilder's corner kick was not cleared properly and Craig Curtis was on hand to sweep the loose ball into the net from two yards out. Ryan Thomas had a good shot back-heeled off the line by Tom Rowe but shortly before the end of the game, a piece of magic between Rory Sproule and Josh Parsons was a fitting finale to a great recovery. Rory headed a long ball down to Josh, who controlled it and knocked it smartly back into Rory's path. Rory then took the ball in front of a Wantage defender and unleashed an unstoppable shot from 15 yards out for Highworth's fourth of the afternoon. This was a great win in the end against a quality side but a slow start could so easily have resulted in a different outcome.

               

Wokingham & Embrook 1 Slimbridge 2
Slimbridge returned from Berkshire with all three points in the bag thanks to an injury time winner from Mike Bryant.After a goalless first half Wokingham took the lead in the 48th min through Jack Broome but the Swans responded well and they showed their true fighting spirit, goals from Marvyn Roberts in the 77th min and Bryant in stoppage time ensured a pleasant journey back home to Gloucestershire.
Wokingham started brightly and attacked the Swans from the start, Ritchie Whittingham was causing problems for the visitors with his pace down the right and he delivered several dangerous crosses which was were well dealt with by the Swans defence. Slimbridge took time to settle but they gradually started to test the home defence themselves, Alex Higgs fired a couple of shots just wide and Daniel Holloway looked certain to score in the 26th minute when Will Wellon's free kick was headed on by Roberts but Holloway's fierce volley was well saved by Garry Aulsbury in the Home goal.
Two minutes later Wokingham's Shane Cooper- Clark found himself with just Dave Evans to beat but a superb last ditch tackle by Wellon denied him a shot on goal.
Slimbridge really should have taken the lead in the 40th minute, Karl Nash's throw in to the penalty area was chested down by Roberts who then fed Higgs with a great pass but the latter shot weakly wide.In the final move of the half another superb cross from the right by Whittingham was headed inches wide by Matthew Jones ensuring that the first half remained goalless.
Half Time Wokingham & Embrook 0 Slimbridge 0
It took just three minutes of the second half for the home side to take the lead. Jones ran into the box and was impeded by Ben Wood leaving referee Livingston with the easy option of pointing to the spot.
Jack Broome's penalty kick was superbly saved by Evans who dived to his right but the rebound fell nicely to Broome and he made no mistake the second time round. This fired the Swans up and they upped the tempo, testing the home side with several good attacks. Rob Hine had to leave the field with an ankle injury in the 50th minute so manager Leon Sterling brought himself on and played an important role at the heart of the Swans defence, rolling back the years with some astute tackling, albeit earning himself a yellow card with one such challenge. In the 62nd minute Evans had to race out of his box to deny Whittington a chance on goal and his long kick upfield was headed back by Ashley Mitchell towards his keeper but Higgs was quick to sneak in and his looped shot over Aulsbury went agonisingly wide. The game was really opening up now and Wokingham always looked likely to score with some swift attacking moves but they found the Swans defence, and Shane Anson in particular, in no mood to let them in. In the 72nd minute Daniel Holloway gained possession of the ball inside his own half and went on a dazzling run, leaving several defenders in his wake, he then laid a good pass onto Higgs who chose to pass the ball across the box when the better option would have been to shoot, the ball was easily cleared. Cooper-Clark had the ball in the net in the 75th minute but was ruled off-side. Two minutes later the visitor's were level, Holloway fed Nash up the left wing, Nash cut inside and delivered a superb cross to Roberts who stabbed the ball home from close range via a defender and the post. Dave Evans once again excelled between the posts with some good stops, one in particular from Cooper-Clark in the 85th minute earned good applause from both sets of supporters. Just when it looked like both sides would have to settle for a point each the Swans nicked all three. A surging run from Higgs resulted in setting up Mike Bryant with a lovely pass and Bryant hit a low left footed first time shot from 18 yards which left Aulsbury no chance, sending the visitor's into ecstatic celebrations and leaving the home side stunned .Shane Anson was voted 'supporters' man of the match but the whole team can take pride from an excellent all-round performance.
           
Division One East
Didcot Town Res 2-0 Chalfont Wasps
Wasps rested Skipper Jack Harding but started with a strong side nevertheless against bottom of the table strugglers Didcot – no one, home and away supporters alike, expected what would follow!

Wasps never got close enough to a Didcot side who, with a few old heads in key positions supported by some willing youngsters, were allowed to enjoy far too much of the afternoon’s slow tempo play. However it was Wasps who had the better of the chances early on with Fred Tripp having the first strike on goal after only 3 minutes. A bright start from the visitors was halted to allow the unfortunate Kieran Webb to be stretchered off after turning an angle badly. Tom Seddon came on. Didcot got their first of the afternoon shortly afterwards and Wasps were reorganising. A far post cross was only mildly contested by the Wasps allowing Lewis Newport a clean header at goal; 1-0 after 17 minutes. Wasps rallied a little and Tripp shot directly at the keeper when under pressure only 30 seconds after the restart. Both sides continued to create opportunities as a casual looking Wasps failed to shut down effectively or retain possession for long enough when on the ball. Jason Degelas in the Wasps goal tipped over well on the 38 minute mark which seemed to spur his team mates into some action. Tripp went close again but Wasps remained 1-0 down at half time.

Wasps were out early, after what was probably an uncomfortable time in the dressing room, and did indeed start with a bit more gusto in the second half. The sky threatened snow, but the Wasps threatened little as the game settled into the same pattern as the first half. Didcot’s second came after 61 minutes, and was a little fortunate. A well struck 20 yard drive from Newport was heading harmlessly towards Degelas in the Wasps goal but got a wicked deflection on route and snuck into the corner of the net. Seddon and then Simon Williams worked a useful home keeper in quick succession. Harding came on from the bench, Matt Skinner pushed into Midfield after 65 minutes but Didcot were enjoying their surprise afternoon and were playing with a swagger and confidence a 2 goal lead allows. Even manager Martin Kenealy came on to marshal his troops from the field and try and salvage something from the game – alas, despite a little spirit in the final minutes Wasps failed to score and were left to lick their wounds.

Maidenhead Utd Reserves 2 Chinnor 3
Chapman was Chinnor’s hero on the day scoring his first ever Hellenic League hat  trick, but he could have had another as he missed a first half penalty. The game started at a frantic pace as both sides looked to settle and it was Chinnor who piled on the pressure and were rewarded with a goal on 10 minutes. Some neat passing and movement down the right hand side dragged Maidenhead’s left back out of position and Ian Braun found himself with plenty of room. As he advanced towards the penalty area totally unchallenged he made the unselfish decision to cross to the unmarked Ryan Chapman who tapped in from close range. Chinnor didn’t have to wait long before the second goal came. On 15 minutes Ian Braun out classed Maidenhead’s right back with some quick foot work and he was brought down in the box and a penalty was rewarded. Chapman stepped up and placed the ball in the top corner giving the keeper no chance. The game was pretty open and both sides played some good attacking football. Maidenhead hit the post and the cross bar in the same move. They also had shots from range that didn’t trouble Ben Taunton in goal. Then with a couple of minutes to go before half time an incident that fortunately didn’t prove costly for Chinnor happened. A corner came in which Stuart Braun headed goal bound. The keeper was beaten but a Maidenhead defender jumped and tipped the ball over the cross bar. The referee awarded the penalty but for some reason chose to only show the yellow card. Chapman stepped up to take the penalty but his effort rattled the cross bar and Maidenhead cleared the danger. The game could have been well and truly over if the referee had applied the laws of the game and Chapman had slotted the penalty to put Chinnor three up at the break.
Half Time Maidenhead United Reserves 0 Chinnor 2
Maidenhead started the brighter side in the second half and they were soon rewarded with a goal on 50 minutes. The talented Anthony Mendy out foxed Chinnor’s defence and placed a well directed shot into Taunton’s bottom right hand corner from the edge of the box. The alarm bells were beginning to ring for Chinnor and the thought of what should have happened in the first half came to light, but Chinnor reacted positively and took control of the game once more. Efforts from Chapman, S Braun, Adam Stallwood, Tom Folley and Mark Jones failed to find the net. Chinnor’s and Chapman’s third goal came in a period of the game when Chinnor were in control. Stuart Braun’s clever reverse pass to Chapman opened up Maidenhead’s defence. Chapman rolled the defender and hit a first time shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box to complete his hat trick. Maidenhead  were not finished and went out all attack and it was Mendy who again scored to make the last 10 minutes very interesting. The remainder of the match passed without either keeper being troubled and Chinnor keeping the ball well, starving Maidenhead of any possession. Maidenhead have some very good young talented players and the game was a good game to watch for the neutral, but the right team won on the day.

Thatcham Town Reserves 1 Woodley Town2
Despite a sloppy start and going in a goal down at the interval, Woodley came back to collect a deserved three points as they peppered the home goal in the second period. A misplaced pass in midfield gave Thatcham a golden opportunity to attack down the heart of the pitch with Chris Gerrard finding Tom Gooding who took the chance to give his side the lead inside five minutes.  Woodley then restricted the home side to only a deflected effort from just inside the box with Dan Smith pulling off a fine save.Nick Edwards had the first good opening for the away side when he got on the end of a John Donegan knock down but the midfielder lifted his shot over.  Jamie Fairchild hit a crisp volley straight at keeper Steve Howe and Matt Godwin saw Howe save his header on the goal line.
Half Time Thatcham Town Reserves 1 Woodley Town 0
With Brett Rann and Danny Isaiew being introduced at half time Woodley completely dominated the second half of the match.Donegan hit the angle of the bar and post from a corner  while Howe again pulled off good saves from Rann and Karl Sims.Fairchild pulled a shot wide from a good opening as it looked like only a matter of time until an equaliser came.  Rann got the goal when he found space and rounded  Howe and while his shot did not have much pace the home defenders messed up there attempted clearance to allow the ball to slip into the net with ten minutes remaining.Woodley continued to press Thatcham and attack from all angles but Thatcham's substitute David Cameron almost snatched a runaway goal but he shot straight at Smith when clean through. This was Smith's only action of the half and the deserved winning goal came after the impressive Richard Thomas hit a volley which rocked the bar and when Karl Hughes played it into the path of Edwards he scored from close range in the closing minutes of the half.

Division One West
It was the late late late show at Brimscombe Meadow on Saturday with Brimscombe scoring three goals in the 86th minute,88th minute and the 90thminute. There was an exciting finish to a game that looked an odds on 0-0 draw until a late collapse by the Easington defence gave Brimscombe a flattering 3-0 victory moving them up to fifth in the table. Both teams missed chances and both keepers had handled superbly until Manager Phil Baker introduced his substitutes late in the second half and the visitors had no answer to an attack minded 4-2-4 formation that broke the deadlock. John Peacock broke on the left and volleyed a dangerous cross for David Woodfield to head in the first goal from five yards. Then the other substitute John Dalton made it two from the spot when the home side were awarded a penalty and minutes later both Peacock and Dalton combined for Dalton to dribble his way past the Easington keeper for a third goal in injury time. For Brimscombe another good team performance with youngsters John Davis and James Tubb the stars.

Clanfield 2 New College Swindon 2
Clanfield twice came from behind to share the points with their youthful visitors but in truth the Robins missed a number of chances and should have ended their unwanted record of not having won a League match at home this season. Robbie Harrington had a good chance to open the scoring for the home side when he shut down an attempt to play out from the back but his run was blocked by a determined tackle. The same player went close in the 10th minute but was ruled off-side and it was New College who went ahead seconds later. A poor clearance by Alan Rogers gave up possession and a low cross from the right was turned into his own net by Chris Blakely. A long clearance by Goalkeeper Chris Brain sent Harrington clear but his shot was wide. At the other end, Brain saved well at the feet of Josh Skeates. The equaliser came in the 36th minute when good work by Steve
Olphert and Jamie Stalker set Adam Little free down the right and his cross was pushed into his own goal by Academy 'keeper Alex Swatridge.
Half-time Clanfield 1 New College Academy 1
The Robins began the second half as though they wanted to win and the visitors were put under heavy pressure. An early free kick by Olphert was headed wide by Jamie Butt and a succession of corners came to nothing whilst Swatridge did well to block Lee Keyes effort from close in. Little, Keyes, and Harrington all had efforts on goal which failed to break the deadlock and with five minutes left it was New College who scored when a fast moving attack was finished off by Todd Hathaway. Clanfield were soon back on terms just a minute later when a high ball into the box saw Harrington win a challenge with Swatridge to force the ball home. Both sides continued to probe for the winner but this was not to be and the points were shared.

Division Two East
Holyport Reserves 6 Reading Town Reserves 0
Reserves Take Centre Stage
With no game for the first team this weekend, Sweetman had the luxury of giving game time to Handscomb, Crawford and Sturgess while Jones and Oatley also continued their comebacks. From the off it was obvious that the Reading Town side was completely different to the side faced several months earlier. Holyport started on the front foot and it was just a matter of time until they opened the scoring.Nuth and Handscomb worked very well together and either could have opened the scoring as the half progressed. The opening goal finally came following a great move on the right, as Craft, Handscomb and Sumner all combined before Sumner volleyed home. It really was one way traffic as Holyport came with wave after wave of attacks and the Reading keeper denied Nuth on two further occasions. It was good football out on the right that released Sumner to the byline and his cross found Handscomb unmarked on the six yard line, he made no mistake and headed home. From the restart Port won back possession and Handscomb's attempted lob hit the crossbar and went over.
Nuth finally got his reward for his hard work when he was brought down in the thirty ninth minute,Nuth stepped up and placed his penalty to the keepers left.
Half time Holyport Reserves 3 Reading Town Reserves 0
The second half started a little scrappy as Holyport took their foot off the gas. As the half progressed Holyport found their passing game again and Sturgess found Sumner just inside the box. With time on his side he chested down and smashed a left foot volley into the bottom left corner.With the pressure once again mounting on the Reading defence a cross was not cleared and it ended in a Reading Town player scoring an own goal.
Sturgess once again played a key role in creating the sixth goal, he slid a through ball into Nuth’s path and with only the keeper to beat he unselfishly squared to Sumner to complete his hat trick.
Sam Finn in goal for Holyport had a quite debut but dealt with everything that came his way.

Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup
Chalvey Sports WMC 1 Letcombe 0 (AET)
Letcombe were left frustrated by exterior factors and their own inability to put the ball in the net, and bowed out of the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup to a very average Chalvey Sports team. The pitch was far too small for an adult football match, which meant that there was no space for Letcombe to play their usual passing football.  In addition, the muddy surface favoured the long ball game. The first half had few clear chances, but Paul Jezzard shot over the bar and Lyle Gifford glanced a header inches wide.   Danny Joyce made a brave save at the feet on an onrushing forward before Jamie Rutter also shot over the bar when well placed.
Half Time Chalvey Sports WMC 0 Letcombe 0
The second half continued in the same vein, with Tom Eatwell sending a screamer from 30 yards inches wide.The best chance of the match fell to Mark Brind, but his header was well saved by the Chalvey keeper. Chalvey hit the post in the closing seconds, but the match ended goalless after 90 minutes.
Score at 90 Minutes Chalvey WMC 0 Letcombe 0
The winner came five minutes from the end of extra time, but Connor Saunders was at least a yard offside when he received the ball, before racing clear to take the ball around keeper Danny Joyce and placing it into the empty net but the Assistant Referee did not flag. Letcombe will never have a better chance of reaching the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup final, but you do not win matches without scoring goals.