Goals were the order of the day as all but one our West Berkshire sides enjoyed victory in their respective league campaigns.
We start our roundup on the West Berkshire border where Combined Counties League Premier Division South side Tadley-Calleva have endured a tough week, crashing out of the Emirates FA Cup in spectacular fashion, and narrowly in the Hampshire Senior Cup during the week.
Tadley welcomed Jersey Bulls to Barlows Park and set about putting the record straight, and rewarding those supporters who have stuck with the team.
The visitors however started in the ascendency and quickly looked to assert dominance when Lorne Bickley saw an early effort saved well by the young Halliday in the Tadley goal.
A rare opening on seven minutes earnt Tadley a corner which was put in low to the near post where Connor Thorne’s audacious backheel hit the post, and then the back of the net. The home side doubled their lead just minutes later when winger Alex Miller capitalised on a defence mistake and fired an unstoppable effort into the roof of the net.
Jersey pulled one back on the twenty minute mark but their momentum was to last less than a minute. From the restart Tadley created a fantastic passage of play which concluded with the ball at the feet on Kieran Rodgers to the right of the goal. He curled an effort wide of the goalkeeper which nestled in there far corner of the net, preserving his sides two goal advantage going into half time.
Jersey Bulls pulled another goal back immediately after half time, and then moments later hitting the post, causing a small period of panic amogst the Tadley ranks. This panic however was quickly put at ease when a corner from the right hand side met the head of commanding defender Brad Neal who saw his effort saved well, the loose ball fell to Alex Miller however, who was on hand to double his tally for the afternoon, and double Tadley’s lead.
A fantastic result for Tadley as they get their first three points of the season.
Kintbury Rangers
Danny Langford’s Kintbury Rangers extended their lead at the top of the Wiltshire Senior League with a 10-3 win over Shrewton United, who sit at the foot of the table. A hat-trick from Will Frank put the West Berkshire on course for a massive victory, while braces from Armstrong & Lawrence increased Kintbury’s tally. Bowers, Patton & Afonso completed the scoring and a jubilant afternoon for the Gers.
Kintbury will be hoping to build on the momentum when they travel to Pewsey Vale for a bank holiday fixture, looking to widen the gap on, what many believe, could be the team to challenge them for the title.
Thatcham Town
Two goals from Thatcham Town forward Christian Johnson earnt his side a brilliant 2-0 victory against Ashford Town (Middlesex), elevating The Kingfishers into second place in the Isthmian South-Central division.
Following their FA Cup exit, Thatcham have been on an upwards trajectory and will be hoping to maintain their 100% league form when they travel to face Uxbridge in a bank holiday fixture. Could Yashwa Romeo’s side be an outside chance of a play-off spot this season?
Hungerford Town
Hungerford Town are still looking for their first points away from Bullpit Lane this season as they fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat at the hands of Salisbury who now sit two points, and two places, above them in the table.
Hungerford opened the scoring through Conor McDonagh and could have doubled their lead through a Dave Tarpey header, but his effort was matched with an excellent save.
A penalty awarded to the hosts brought controversey as Berry-Hargreaves was shown a red card alongside the decision. According to match reports, the foul was not denying a goalscoring opportunity and thus the double jeapordy rule should have been enforced.
Unfortunately for The Crusaders, the penalty was converted and Salisbury held on in the second half to send Hungerford back to Berkshire with no points.
Lambourn Sports
Lambourn Sports are still looking for their first point of the season as they lost 2-0 to Cricklade in the Wiltshire Senior League division one.
A Sunday FA Vase fixture between Woodley United and AFC Aldermaston saw a Berkshire ‘derby’ attract a sizeable crowd being played at Henley Town due to Scours Lane being used as part of the Reading Festival site.
Aldermaston came into the tie off the back of their first points of the season but were knocked out of the competition at the first stage, losing 3-1 to Jordan Blakes side.
