| Hellenic League Round Up | Month | September 2008 |
The FA Cup
Shortwood United’s attention was on the FA Cup and a visit to Conference club Havant & Waterlooville. The under dogs fought to play again in a Tuesday evening replay after battling to a 2-2 draw with Chris Davis nicking a 90th minute goal to take the match back to Meadowbank.
SBJ Insurance Brokers Challenge Cup
The only ‘all Premier’ tie saw Chalfont Wasps progress with goals from Ben Smith and Lee Thompson in the first half of the tie at Shrivenham.
There were a couple of ‘giant killers’, as in every cup competition, two goals from Trowbridge Town’s Tom Pang in the second half was enough to dump Bicester Town after veteran Paul Spittle had given the Premier side a first half lead.
A goal from Hook Norton’s Carl Standen was not enough to hold One West Wootton Bassett Town who won with two from Ryan Banks.
The all Division One ties saw Holyport victorious 2-0 at Englefield Green and Chinnor recorded a 3-0 win at Eton Wick with the goals coming in extra time.
One West leaders Hardwicke were given an almighty shock by visitor’s Clanfield, who seem to be improving week on week, Adam Dunnford gave Hardwicke a 2-0 lead by half time but Clanfield responded in the second half with two goals from Ashley Johnson, though Shane Anson netted a winner for the new boys in the 87th minute.
Penn & Tylers went down to a 4-0 home defeat against top One East club Ascot United, Rich Mills netted twice with John Bennett also scoring after Sam McIntyre had scored in the first half. A goal from Steve Thompson put Tytherington Rocks into the next round in the all One west tie at Pewsey Vale. It was goals galore at Prestwood with the tie finishing 5-5 after 90 minutes. Extra time goals from Joe Warner and Rob Hogg put Finchampstead into the next round draw. Rayners Lane were no match for Binfield who won 4-1 to progress. Two goals from Henley Town’s Chris Bark helped Henley Town to a 4-1 win against Purton.
Four goals from Ardley United’s Jason Costello (right) saw off the challenge of One West title aspirants Letcombe.
Highworth Town travelled to One East Bisley and returned to Wiltshire with a 3-0 victory. Tony Joyce scored in the first period with Bradley Gill converting a 62nd minute penalty and Tom Dingle adding a third in the 75th minute. Carterton edged out One east new boys Newbury 2-1 whilst Flackwell Heath scored ten against One west Headington Amateur’s. Leigh Mason scored a hat trick but Ricardo Cannon went one better netting four times in a 10 – 3 win.
Milton United managed a 2-1 win against Thame United after the visitor’s had taken a 2nd minute lead through Tom Gaff. Lee Keyes equalised in the 20th minute and Garry Hartley scored the winner ten minutes into the second half. Old Woodstock were 3-1 winners at home to Kintbury Rangers from One East. Dean Barker netted a first half goal and Chris Howarth scored twice in the second period with Antony Da-Silva replying for Kintbury. An 85th minute goal from Danny Allen was all that separated Wantage Town from visitor’s Oxford City Nomad’s.
Premier Division
The main focus of attention was the SBJ Insurance Challenge Cup however FIVE Premier Division fixtures were played with some surprising results. Top club Chalfont Wasps were in cup action but none of the chasing pack managed to secure the points to move top.
Harrow Hill twice took the lead against visitors Hungerford Town through Will Freeman in the 7th minute that was levelled by Luke Brewer, midway through the first half. Freeman put the Forest side ahead again a minute before the break but Ian Concannon weighed in with his usual goal but not until the 89th minute.
Almondsbury Town are still third after an uncompromising match at Witney United. Kris Davis put Almonds ahead in the first half and Richard Kear doubled the lead in the 72nd minute. Gary Wickens converted an 80th minute penalty and Ben Thompson levelled to 2 - 2 with five minutes left. Frantic football returned in the last few minutes with neither side creating anything bar a proliferation of ‘Yellow Cards’ from referee Brian Murdoch.
Abingdon Town suffered a 4-0 home defeat against Reading Town with Graham Lewis netting twice. Kidlington suffered another defeat losing 1-0 at home to Fairford Town, Matt Boucher scoring in the seventh minute. Struggling Pegasus Junior’s picked up three points with a 3-2 win at home to Marlow United. The Pegasus winner from Mark Davis came in added time.
One West
Only two matches were possible due to Challenge Cup ties and for Cheltenham Saracens it was pay back time following their FA Vase defeat by Malmesbury Victoria. After a 2-1 defeat in the 1st Qualifying Round by Malmesbury the visiting Saracens were looking to take the points from this match. In an opening half Saracens found the net three times without reply. Two minutes into the second period Stuart Lewis (left) netted his third to make it 4-0 which became five in the 65th minute. Vic’s pulled a goal back in the 84th minute through Dave Slattery and two minutes later Alan Webb made it 5-2.
An 80th minute Jimmy Potts penalty gave Winterbourne United the points against last seasons ‘whipping boys’ Cirencester United who are a rather changed team this season. In fact it was Cirencester that took a 35th minute lead with a Rich Miles goal. The lead lasted just five minutes as James Mainstone levelled after forth minutes and Potts won the points with ten minutes to play for the current champions.
Premier Division
With most clubs involved in the FA Vase just three Premier Division fixtures were played and Hungerford Town took advantage after their long trip to Hereford to play Pegasus Junior’s scoring six without reply to go top of the table. Hungerford were in scintillating form but managed just two goals in the first half from Pete Macklin and Ian Concannon. The second period saw Concannon make it 3-0 in the 56th minute and two goals from Macklin (right) in five minutes made it five. John Cant added the sixth in the last minute.
Another of the pre-season promotion favourites Witney United went into a 4-0 lead by half time at Bicester Town. Gary Wickens scored after six minutes with Lee Henderson doubling the lead on eleven. Two goals from Ben Thompson made the game save for Witney as they cruised through the second period but did concede a goal to Bicester’s Danny Leggatt in the 75th minute.
Shrivenham secured the points with a 2-1 win against Marlow United with all the goals arriving in the second period. John Dart put Shrivenham ahead in the 52nd minute with Shane Davis doubling the lead on 75. Ben Filmore pulled a goal back for Marlow with ten minutes left.
FA Vase Round-Up
Twenty clubs were playing FA Vase ties and three matches went to replays. Fairford Town and Hook Norton battled to a 1-1 draw and replay on Tuesday whilst Milton United were held by One West side Clanfield 2-2 and will replay at Radcot Road on Wednesday evening. Malmesbury Vic’s will have to do it all again on Tuesday after drawing 2-2 at Westbury United
In the all Hellenic ties Abingdon Town lost 2-1 at home to Flackwell Heath and Ardley United suffered a 2-3 reverse at home to Premier basement club Harrow Hill. Henley Town were beaten at home 6-0 by a rampant Wootton Bassett Town with Shaun Terry getting a hat trick (Terry pictured left has scored hatricks three Saturday's in sucession).
Kidlington needed extra time to beat fellow Premier team Chalfont Wasps 2-1 after the Wasps had taken an early lead through Lee Thompson. Both sides were reduced to ten men when Chalfonts Adam Padget was dismissed for a particularly bad challenge that was considered to be excessively reckless. The player melee that ensued saw Kidlington skipper Emmett MCGovern dismissed for his part in the aftermath. When the game settled down Kidlington gained an equaliser in the 90th minute through Adam Lovegrove and scored the winner in the last minute of extra time when Mark Flanagan netted.
Wantage Town suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to One East side Binfield. Danny Keen put Wantage ahead in the 32nd minute but Ryan Millward soon levelled. The winner came in the 88th minute from Justin McClurg.
There was differing results for the ties played against clubs in other competitions. Reading Town visited former Hellenic club Hallen and go into the next round with a 3-1 win. Carterton’s visit to the south coast was unsuccessful losing 1-0 at Hayling Island. Highworth Town were looking for a good Vase run but came up against a strong New Milton Town side and were two down at half time. Although Tom Cole scored after the break the ‘Worthians’ were unable to take the tie further.
Holyport made their debut in the Vase but there was no end to the fairy story as Sandhurst Town won 2-0. Shortwood United’s good fortune in FA Competitions continued with a 4-0 win at home to Devizes Town with Chris Davis netting twice.
One West
Hardwicke AFC continued their fine run since joining the Hellenic League with a 3-0 win against Oxford City Nomads. Two goals from Richard James put the newcomers well in charge of proceedings and a third goal was scored in the second half by Craig Harris.
Letcombe were involved in another high scoring match beating Purton 5-3 with Mark Denny scoring twice but Warren Fuller (right) netted three times for Purton.
Tytherington Rocks are still third after securing the points with a 2-0 win at Pewsey Vale. Easington Sports were late arriving at Winterbourne United but the delay did not unsettle Sports as they roared to a 4-2 win with Alex Feaver matching United’s two goals with two of his own. Headington Amat’s beat Cirencester United 4-1 and Trowbridge suffered a 2-1 home defeat by Cricklade Town that saw Steve Winchcombe netting both goals.
One East
The leading clubs in One East were all successful with Ascot United maintaining top spot with a 2-1 win at Chinnor John Bennett netted his 16th league goal of the season.
Wokingham & Emmbrook visited bottom club Launton Sports who appointed Eddie Nix as their new manager last week. An 18th minute goal from James Wise was all that found the net to give Wokingham the points. The third away winner was Newbury who took the points with a 2-0 win at Penn & Tylers Green with late goals from Madden and Hill.
Fourth placed Binfield were successful in their FA Vase tie at Wantage Town and Kintbury Rangers had a 3-0 win at Prestwood. First half goals came from Tom Gooding and Mike Davis with Steve Rackham netting the third in the 89th minute. South Kilburn have started their first season in the Hellenic well recording their fourth win thanks to a Simeon Fearon goal late in the first half against Englefield Green Rovers. Finchampstead and Bisley drew 1-1.
Premier Division leaders Chalfont Wasps were without a match but retain top spot as second placed Hook Norton lost 2-1 at home to Carterton. Dave Bostock put Carterton ahead with Ricky Johnson levelling in the 17th minute. Dave Rogers scored the winner in the 41st minute.
Another two goals from Ian Concannon early in the second half put Hungerford Town on the way to a 3-0 win at home to Marlow United with Chris Blackford scoring the third. Two goals from Kidlington’s Morgan Williams was not enough to stave off defeat at Yarnton Road against visitor’s Wantage Town who netted three times. Danny Keen scored after 11 minutes and a mad three minutes at the start of the second period saw Adam Learoyd and Paul Day put the visitor’s 3-1 ahead.
Witney United beat Reading Town 4-0 with Ben Thompson scoring a few minutes either side of the break after Gary Wickens and Richard Pierson had put Witney two up. Andy Stidder scored both Ardley United goals in a 2-1 win at home to Old Woodstock Town. Shrivenham won 3-1 at Flackwell Heath with Paul Sanders scoring twice. Harrow Hill lost 2-1 at home by Bicester Town with Chris Johnson and Tom Butler scoring. Milton United enjoyed success beating Pegasus Junior’s 3-0 with Garry Hartley netting twice.
Three Hellenic clubs were in FA Cup action against BGB Southern League clubs, Fairford Town gave Gosport Borough a hard match before losing 2-1 at home.
Almondsbury Town also lost, going down 1-0 at Aylesbury United.
Shortwood United were victorious beating former Hellenic side Didcot Town 3-2 with Chris Davis (right) netting a hat trick.
Only Binfield of the top three in One East were victorious this weekend. Two goals in the first half from Danny Wing saw Binfield beat Penn & Tylers Green 2-0.
There were draws for Ascot United, 0-0, at Henley Town and Wokingham & Emmbrook 1-1 against Englefield Green. It seemed that a goal from Shaun Stevens would win the points for Englefield but a 90th minute equaliser was netted by Sam Whiting.
Newbury recorded another win beating Eton Wick 2-1 at Faraday Road with Shaun Thorpe and Adam Drake scoring and sit in 4th spot. Holyport beat Bisley Sports 5-2 to go 5th and a 2-0 win at Chinnor saw Kintbury Rangers go 6th. It was a Fearon double from Marcus and Simeon that won the points for South Kilburn at Finchampstead. Thame United and Rayners Lane drew 1-1 with Thame’s Tom Goffe levelling in the 83rd minute after Kieron Thomas had given Rayners a 3rd minute lead.
Prestwood won just three league matches last season and already they have matched that with a 2-1 win against Launton Sports, who signed five new players on Thursday. Sports went in front in the 17th minute with a goal from Phil Ross but second half goals from Martin Noakes and Barrie Ackerlay gave Prestwood their third win of the season.
Hardwicke AFC, newly promoted, has taken One West by storm. After playing their first five matches away from home due to conflict with cricket the made their ‘Home’ debut this weekend winning against Trowbridge Town. The result was close at 2-1 and saw the new boys concede their first goal of the season, six out of six, so far! Letcombe lost their unbeaten status losing at home to a Lee Stoddart goal for Malmesbury Victoria.
Purton are enjoying a successful season so far, a 2-1 win against Cheltenham Saracen’s with two goals from Warren Fuller were sandwiched either side of a Joe Tustain penalty reply for Saracen’s. A late goal from Marcus Taylor saw Tytherington rescue a point at home to Headington Amateur’s who took an early lead.
Two first half goals from Danny Green and one from Alex Feaver put Easington Sports 3-0 up at half time at home to Lydney Town. Second half goals from Mike Robins and two from Matt Timms levelled the score but an 84th minute goal from Danny Cockerill saw Sports home.
Clanfield had a home win against Pewsey Vale thanks to an 80th minute penalty from Antony Frendo. Cricklade Town went down 5-3 at home to Wootton Bassett Town with Shaun Terry (left} scoring a hat trick for the second successive weekend.
6th September
A number of clubs were involved in The FA Vase sponsored by Eon and just six Premier Division matches were fixtured.
Last season’s league runner-up Almondsbury Town are well and truly in the groove after an uncertain start, goals from Adam Cole and Saha Kabba plus an own goal easily saw off visitor’s Abingdon Town 3-0.
An Ian Concannon (right) hat trick saw Hungerford Town win 4-2 at Carterton after the score was level at half time.
Witney United came away from Ardley United with a 2-2 draw thanks to an equalising goal in the second minute of added time from Lee Henderson after Gary Wickens had put Witney ahead on 15 minutes. Matty Gooderick levelled two minutes later and three minutes into the second half Adam Beckett put Ardley in front but the point saver arrived late on.
A goal in each half gave Chalfont Wasps a 2-0 win that propels them to the top of the Premier Division. Adam Padget scored in the 24th minute and Paul Shone added the second in the 67th minute.
Flackwell Heath beat Hook Norton 6-0 with Ricardo Cannon & Lee Mason scoring two each.
A 90th minute goal from Jimmy Deabill gave Kidlington a 2-1 win against Old Woodstock Town after Dean Barker had put Woodstock ahead early on with Denel Thomas equalising within ten minutes.
Eleven clubs were involved in The FA Vase and seven went through to the next round. Five clubs suffered postponements and try again on Tuesday evening.
Wootton Bassett needed extra time at Buckingham Athletic as they came out 5-3 winners. With the tie level at 2-2 Shaun Terry (left) decided to get involved after the home team had gone 3-2 up and he scored a hat trick with goals in the 103rd and 105th minutes and then rounded off the game in the 117th minute.
Harrow Hill made the trip to Hamble and came away with a 4-0 win. Brokenhurst took a 28th minute lead at Milton United with a goal from Dave Wakefield but second half goals from Brad Chalmers and recent signing Lee Keyes won the day.
The match at Moneyfields was in serious doubt on Friday but the ground was eventually declared fit and a 6th minute penalty from Matt Bennett put Shortwood United through. Marlow United were the only team to go out to opposition from another league losing 6-3 after extra time at Amesbury Town.
In the all Hellenic ties Wantage Town were 5-1 winners at Bicester Town with Danny Keen scoring twice. Two goals from Phil Corcoran and one from Gary Hill gave Highworth Town a comfortable passage against One East side Thame United. Reading Town beat Pewsey Vale 4-1 with all the goals coming in the second half.
With matches at Cirencester United and Hardwicke postponed Letcombe could have gone three points clear in One West, unfortunately they were held 1-1 at Headington Amateur’s after taking the lead through an Adam Pendell penalty conversion in the 13th minute. Luke Cuff popped in a 65th minute equaliser to share the points. Oxford City Nomads scored four without reply by Cricklade Town.
Winterbourne United helped themselves to a 6-0 win against struggling Clanfield. Jimmy Potts did play but was not able to find the net but Scott Cameron netted twice late on to add to goals from Nick waters in the first half. The second half saw goals added from Chris Gent Ian Page and Mark Hughes.
Two goals from Alex Feaver, either side of one from Aaron Davis saw Easington Sports to a useful 3-0 win at Trowbridge Town.
Ascot United’s John Bennett (right) kept his scoring spectacular going in One East with a foursome at home to Launton Sports. Andy Lunn scored for a 5-0 win.
Chinnor has put together a useful side and they recorded a 4-1 win against Bisley Sports with Adam Stallwood scoring a hat trick.
With the loss of key players Henley Town are struggling somewhat. They were beaten 4-1 at home to Binfield with Callum Whitty scoring twice.
Holyport were beaten 4-0 at home to Newbury, after Robbie Sadler had scored in the first minute there was no looking back for the visitor’s as Adam Drake ran in a hat trick.
Prestwood secured three points with a 2-1 win against Englefield Green Rovers and Rayners Lane had a 3-0 win over Eton Wick. Wokingham & Emmbrook drew 2-2 with Finchampstead. First half goals gave a 1-1 half time score and very late goals from Thomas and Stairmund made the result 2-2.