A packed talking points this week as Sam Barratt makes his long-awaited return to fitness, Hungerford Town take pole position in the Vanarama National League South play-off hunt and Jess Fishlock could turn out for the USA.
Or is she?
Elsewhere Chalvey Sports earn a much-needed win while if it’s goals you crave, find your nearest Combined Counties League Division One fixture.
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Sam Barratt makes welcome Maidenhead United return
It’s been a long time coming, but Football in Berkshire favourite Sam Barratt made a very welcome return off the subs bench for Maidenhead United in the Vanarama National League at the weekend.
He’s had some tough luck with injury in recent seasons, he spent a long part of his dream Football League career at Southend United on the treatment table and this season with the Magpies has been very much disrupted.
Hopefully he’s due a good run now, Maidenhead still need a couple of points to guarantee safety we think.
Ascot United Ladies Reserves face rare disappointment
Cup semi-final day for Ascot United Ladies Reserves was a rare Sunday of footballing disappointment for the team. The Yellawomen have been steamrolling all before them this season in the Thames Valley Counties Women’s Football League but finally saw their unbeaten run ended by Badshot Lea in the TVCWFL League Cup Semi-Final.
Ascot were underdogs in the game, playing two divisions below the Surrey side in the pyramid but had already upset the odds in the quarter-final, beating Long Crendon 3-2. Ascot though will certainly have the comfort of lifting their division title, which they did in some style in front of 1,200 people at the Racecourse Ground a couple of weeks ago.
In more border change but glory hunting news..
Woodcote – part of Berkshire prior to 1974 lifted the Hellenic League Division 2 East title on Saturday, congratulations to all at Woodcote FC!
Hungerford Town hunting down National League play-off place
Danny Robinson’s (award nominated) Hungerford Town continue to defy literally everyone with a play-off push in the Vanarama National League South. On Saturday the Crusaders nudged Dulwich Hamlet out the way thanks to a 2-1 win at Ebbsfleet United.
Ryan Seager helped himself to his 25th and 26th goals of the season putting him top of the goalscoring charts but more importantly giving his side a boost in the play-off race with seven games to go.
It’s a tough run-in for Hungerford but Robinson’s side are in pole position to claim the last play-off spot this season.
Cup final bound Tilehurst Panthers
While the TVCWFL Cup Final won’t be an all-Berkshire affair, there will be some representation after the Panthers beat Mortimer 2-0 to reach the final. They will face Badshot Lea.
Lydia Vettese scored both Tilehurst Panther’s goals.
Combined Counties League Division One = Goals
A simple statement but so true in the case of the Combined Counties League Division One. There were four games with five goals or more scored including a terrific 6-5 scoreline as London Samurai Rovers edged out Sandhurst Town. According to the Fizzers social media, they were 3-0 down when Jose Sani scored, Joao Jardim then struck and Sam Day got two while Mason Slade got the fifth.
Elsewhere Chalvey Sports ended a long losing run with a brilliant basement win at home to Cove – they won 4-2 with a double strike thanks in no small part to new signing Josh Nice who scored twice. It seems a little mean to allow George Lock the final word, given that he plays for Ascot rather than Chalvey, but it made us laugh.
In slightly more serious news, we wish Cove’s president well.
Jess Fishlock awaiting USA call-up
You read that right, 119 cap and counting Welsh international and former Reading FC Women midfielder Jess Fishlock is awaiting a call up to the US Women’s National Team.
No idea what’s gone on here, is it a joke, is it a genuine lack of understanding?
Anyway, thankfully Jess saw the funny side.
We think.
