Match Reports - 2008/2009
| |||||
|
Following a dogged tie with Woodley Hammers last week (who really gave Earley a good game, not reflective of the 3-1 final scoreline) Earley now needed just to avoid defeat against an in-form Wrightchoice side who have been in good form of late and whose first team had already wrapped up the Reading Sundayleague Premier Division to claim another successive promotion. With rumours of Wrightchoice first teamers being drafted in based on that fact, the team that actually lined up wasn't too dissimilar to that which United had beaten 5-2 back at Cintra Park earlier in the year. The team talk was simple ... win! Tain wanted to win the league today and not by drawing against our closest challengers but by beating them to illustrate the progress we've made this season. The team lined up with a few changes in personnel and formation. With Kris Morgan-Jones missing, Chocki filled in at left back as he's done superbly this season. The main change however was that without Sean Bartlett available, 2nd top scorer and top of the injury list charts, Barry O'Connor, was drafted in to play Centre Back alongside John Lawes who ironically had been outscoring O'Connor in recent games! With this change in mind, Tain also set out with 2 players sat in front of the defence - himself and Grant playing in deeper roles than usual. This then left the returning Sam on the right and Alex on the left, with Richard Holland playing off Robbie Williams. The game started at a quick pace and Earley started brightly, passing the ball quite fluidly around a dry and bobbly pitch. Wrightchoice, as last time, posed a major threat up front with their strong and skilful number 9 at the centre of all their play and their number 10 wrestling with Barry for every ball. Early on, Grant's deeper role meant he got a lot of space in the middle and he was picking out through balls constantly to try and release Sam in the right hand channel who looked bright and dangerous. One of these finally got him through but having beaten the Wrightchoice full back, Sam was scythed down by their tall Centre Back, debatably having been through on goal. The referee decided that a yellow card was enough which incensed Lawes who had a lot to say to the referee in the first half! For all Earley's good play early on, it was Wrightchoice who struck first. A floated corner evaded Grant's head, was headed back at him by their midfielder and ricocheted nicely to the big number 9. He managed to work some space and squeezed a shot past a number of Earley defenders and Wayne to make it 1-0. Earley restarted and tried to regain control. Jason, Grant, Barry and Lawesy were flying into tackles and winning a lot of ball in their own half, whilst Holland and Williams were linking well on the counter. It wasn't long before Holland broke through down the left channel and one on one, he doesn't miss. 1-1 and the game was level. Minutes later Earley took the lead, again on the counter as Holland and Williams combined again to release Sam who beat the keeper to the ball calmly curling it round him with his outside right boot. 2-1 and Earley were buoyant. Wrightchoice were now bypassing the midfield and trying to hit their danger men Earley but great work from Lawes and the die-hard O'Connor kept the two strikers at bay, ably assisted by anchor men Tain and Grant, crowding out the opposition at all opportunities. With the ball going long as we approached half time, a long knock forward from Earley saw Sam look to challenge the goalkeeper and two Wrightchoice defenders trying to bring the ball out of the sky. As Sam hung back, the defenders and keeper clashed and the ball fell to Sam who cleverly nutmegged the Wrightchoice keeper, the ball calmly rolling over the line to make it 3-1! The half time whistle soon came and Earley went in at the break having put in a great first half performance. Both teams could sense that the next goal would be vital. And it was Wrightchoice who came at Earley after the break. Maintaining possession of the ball far better, they looked a threat. Again, the defence stood firm however and Earley looked like they may get a fourth on the break. With as much verbal jousting going on as that with the football, it was clear what the game meant and Wrightchoice continued to pressure with Wayne making a couple of good saves, in particular a well struck shot coming through the crowd from Wrightchoice's goalscorer looked goalbound but Wayne at full stretch tipped it round the post. Earley were resolute and finally got their reward when they finally got the ball down and Holland slipped Williams through. Williams took the ball in his stride, drew the keeper out and slipped it past him with his left, hitting the bottom right corner and killing the game. 4-1 to Earley. This deflated Wrightchoice and soon the final whistle came. Earley emerged as Division 1 East champions with one of their best performances this season - particularly defensively against a solid attacking side. O'Connor was named man of the match after showing his adaptability at Centre Back, making tackles, winning headers and showing good distribution from the back too. His recent form has seen him switched around lots but that doesn't matter if you give 100% every game, which Barry has done. The whole team was excellent. Jason Evans who has been outstanding at right back in recent weeks; John Lawes and Chocki who have been solid all season in defence (Chocki's versatility again proving so valuable for Earley); Tain and Grant were back to their best in central midfield with Tain's work rate putting those younger than him to shame and Grant breaking up play and passing it on better than he has since before Christmas; Sam was fantastic on the counter and got back to help defensively with a number of important interceptions in our defensive third; Alex put in a great effort playing through injury and has been awarded the team talk for the next game against Rifle Volunteer; Richard Holland and Robbie Williams looked sharper than last week and played with the class that they clearly have in abundance. And Wayne was confident and alert in goal making some great saves and clearing up well at the back, claiming everything that came through. His signing has been key in this 2nd half of the season. The league is ours, now to stay fit for the Cup Final on 10th May. It was our squad that won us the league this year with each person making a big contribution but more importantly playing as a team and a big part of that must be the team spirit which has remained first rate throughout the year. 13 wins in a row. | |||||
|
In a top of the table clash, Earley faced Airfield who had beaten a weakened United side back at Sol Joel 8-2 early in the season. With United top and 4 points clear of Airfield with 2 games in hand, a win would virtually put Airfield out of the title race and seriously dent their promotion hopes. With a number of players missing - Holland, Humphreys, Page & Williams - Earley started with just 2 subs and an injured McDonald in central midfield. Earley started brightly and fashioned some good early chances. Evans was taking down high balls on his chest and making it look easy, allowing the midfield to join in the attack. O'Connor once again worked his socks off and pressured the Airfield defence all game. Early on, the referee's decisions were being questioned by both teams and as the match wore on, he became a central figure in the game. With some joy down the left, a deflected shot left a scramble in the Airfield area and the ball fell to John Lawes 6 yards out who calmly stroked the ball home with his left foot for his 2nd goal in 2 games. Earley were 1-0 up and deservedly so having fashioned plenty of first half chances. Both midfields were working hard on a dry and bobbly pitch but Airfield's main threat came from their number 10 who was holding the ball at his feet well. Earley however, restricted him to long range shooting and went in at half time 1-0 up. The message at half time was clear - better decision making. Earley were playing some good football but at times, 1 or 2 decisions cost them the chance to go 2 goals up and this had to improve to kill off the game. The next goal was all important. Both teams jousted again 2nd half and it was a half largely dominated by refereeing decisions. Both teams had penalties turned down and players were beginning to talk to each other and their opponents about some of these decisions. It was Airfield who began to bear the brunt of this though and it seemed that more and more decisions were going against them. With some riled up opposition players, Earley continued to push for the 2nd goal and finally got it with a piece of magic from Dave Evans. A clearance from Airfield found their keeper off the line and the ball at Dave's feet. Dave took a couple of touches before looping the ball skyward, over the backtracking Airfield keeper and into the net for a sublime finish and a goal that killed the game, sending Earley 2-0 up. Airfield made a couple of substitutions to try and inject something into the game but the players that came on seemed to want to fight rather than play football. As Earley, still full of running, ran down the clock, the final whistle came and it was a controlled performance by Earley that saw them run out 2-0 winners to remain top of the league. It was a solid team performance and with some questionable refereeing decisions going on, Earley could only look on as Airfield (who perhaps had a case to feel hard done by in the 2nd half from some of those decisions) fell into a contest with the referee, rather than one with Earley. | |||||
|
After a few hard weeks of battling, Earley travelled to Palmer Park to face an Imaan side who'd been improving in recent weeks with a notable win over Woodley Airfield to their name (a result which had helped Earley maintain their league position). The game started off at a frantic pace in the hot sunshine and the lack of rain meant it was a dry, bobbly pitch. With both teams struggling to get the ball down early on, threats came from individuals with Evans and O'Connor constantly a threat up front for Earley and Imaan's quick and skilful left winger causing concern down the other end. The deadlock was broken as O'Connor broke into the opposition box down the left. Checking back onto his right foot and leaving the defender stranded, Barry picked his spot and the ball rolled accurately into the bottom right hand corner putting Earley 1-0 ahead. Chances now started to flow and Earley's began to get the ball wide to Alex and Chocki. With more chances falling to Earley, the second goal just wouldn't go in. Finally, with minutes remaining in the half, a set piece was drifted beautifully into the back post for Lawesy to powerfully head home and make it 2-0 heading into the break. The second half was a feisty affair, with Earley continuing to find gaps all over the park and a that in turn lead to more wasteful finishing. There were chances abound as every Earley midfielder and forward seemed to at least have one good chance at adding to the lead. The 3rd goal did come but in rather strange circumstances. With Barry chasing down a ball into the area, it seemed he was sandwiched by two Imaan players. With Baz and one of the opposition down, the other defender had decided that Baz had committed the foul and picked the ball up! The ref instantly blew for a penalty and despite the player's protests, every other player (though in disbelief) knew it was a penalty. Sean stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way to make it 3-0 and Earley were cruising. Before the end, one of the opposition strikers was sent off - the same one as had been sent off earlier in the season against Earley - for violent conduct/swearing at the ref. Imaan protested but the ref's decision was final as Earley awaited the restart. The game was finished off by Rob Page (whose partnership in midfield with Grant had been solid throughout) storming onto a throughball and slotting past the keeper for his first goal of the season. 4-0 to Earley. Unfortunately, Page's game came to an end shortly after when a clash with the opposition midfielder led to Page being helped off the pitch with a nasty ankle injury - in his first game back after coming back from tearing a groin. After a couple more missed chances - with at one point the ball going from flank to flank about 4 times - the final whistle went and it was a comprehensive victory in the end for Earley. | |||||
|
After a couple of battling wins in the league, it was over to the Industrial Cup this week as Earley faced Division One West mid-table side AFC Crowmarsh. Crowmarsh were out warming up before many of Earley's players had even arrived. They were clearly up for the game and even with Tain's expressed desire that he didn't want to talk about what Crowmarsh were doing in the league, a few of the Earley players were perhaps a little shocked by the start their opponents made. Setting out with a 3-5-2 formation, Crowmarsh and Earley attacked each other from the start. It was end to end for the first 15 minutes or so with Earley finding space out on the flanks and Crowmarsh dominating the midfield, using their extra man in there very well. After the initial exchanges, Crowmarsh edged on top, battling for every ball and encouraging each other and it was they who struck first, finding their way through the Earley defence, turning Earley with balls over the top at every opportunity. With Earley picked apart on the counter, a Crowmarsh midfielder found himself with space in the box to shoot and Wayne in goal just couldn't quite keep the ball out of the net. 1-0 to Crowmarsh. Crowmarsh continued to dominate the first half with a few decisions starting to go against Earley, causing our players to get on the referee's back. Up the other end of the field, an awful challenge on Sam saw Earley's young winger forced off with injury and Chocki - unlucky not to start after playing well the last few weeks - came on to play in front of Jason on the right hand side. It was nervy times for Earley as Crowmarshe's big and little combination worked the defence and their 3 centre midfielders all had great first halves, though a lot of the play was bypassing the midfield as it has for the past couple of weeks, rendering Tain and Grant as virtual spectators in centre midfield. Crowmarsh used their wingbacks to good effect and Chocki and Barry on the flanks were spending a lot of time in Earley's half unfortunately, back defending. Half time came and Tain tried to gee up his players. Everyone had something to say and each person took the time to get their point across. The main point was, that we couldn't worry too much about playing football on the Whitley Wood pitch. The surface wasn't conducive to football so Earley's focus for the second half would be to get the Crowmarsh defence under more pressure. With the wind behind them, Earley started the 2nd half on top and with Kris Morgan-Jones and Sean providing great service from the back, Earley soon began to dominate. It was all Earley and yet, the final ball still wasn't quite there. Numerous breaks out wide and corners provided crosses that always seemed to just illude the Earley players. But with 80 minutes on the clock fast approaching, the pressure proved too much. Alex had come on to replace Jason, with Chocki moving to right back and Alex moving out left to replace Barry who switched wings. It had an almost immediate effect as Alex fought for the ball just inside the Crowmarsh box and laid the ball off to Richard Holland who'd hadn't had a clear cut chance all game. As the big man has shown however, he only needs one and turned towards goal he rifled into the bottom right hand corner, bring Earley level and screams of delight and relief at the same time emanated from those in red! 1-1. With ten minutes to go, Earley remained on the front foot. Crowmarsh (understandably) looked utterly deflated and about five minutes on from their equaliser, Earley had another chance following probably the best bit of football in the match. Chocki played the ball over the midfield to find Richard Holland who chested off to Dave Evans. Dave bought the ball down and sent it into the path of Grant who raced at the backing off Crowmarsh defense head on. Cutting inside Grant, off balance, passed the ball to Dave Evans. With Barry screaming for it and completely open to his right, Dave instead held of two defenders, dragging the ball into a shooting position and firing the ball goalward. With a slight deflection, the ball looped past the keeper and into the corner and Earley had amazingly turned the game around. 2-1 to Earley, having been 1-0 for the best part of 80 minutes! Crowmarsh still had one last throw of the dice and threw everyone forward. A couple of free kicks from the halfway line saw every player in orange advance into Earley's area. Earley stood strong however and with Crowmarsh's massive striker now off the field, Lawesy, Sean and Kris headed everything away. With a couple of minutes remaining one of these clearances reached Richard Holland. With a free run on goal and the goalkeeper backpeddling, Richard stormed through, only for the keeper to parry his attempted touch around him away. This fell however to Tain who had bombed forward, still hungry to score the third and his now trusty RIGHT foot stroked the ball home to see Earley complete a ten minute blitz of goals and seal the tie. The final whistle soon went and Earley punched the air, sealing their place in the cup final! Crowmarsh were gracious in defeat and couldn't have put any more effort into the game, a creditable performance from their team. Earley though had shown real character and determination to turn the situation around and their ability to score goals in quick succession has been seen in more games than not this season and no one could really argue with the result in the end. Walking back to the changing rooms, a tight semi between Woodley Hammers reserves and Diamond Black, saw Black win 1-0 to make it an East vs West final, with Black also challenging for their respective league title. Every player for Earley put the effort in but special mentions should go to Kris Morgan-Jones who was excellent for the 2nd week running, providing the passing quality that Earley so much needed on the day whilst sticking to his defensive duties vehemently. Alex Denovan also deserves a mention. Like Chocki, must've been disappointed not to start but this has been a team season, much more than about 11 players and Alex played a crucial part in the goal that opened the door for Earley to turn the game around. | |||||
|
Following last week's tough game against Forest, it was another stern challenge for United as they travelled to Palmer Park - and the wonkiest pitch in Reading - to face a Woodlands team in a matchup that had produced 20 goals in the last two meetings!! With Earley edging out Woodlands with a 6-5 victory back at the Sol Joel (thanks to a certain centre midfielder's late, scuffed header ;-)) Woodlands would surely be up for revenge. With Richard Holland missing following his ankle injury last week, Earley were bolstered by the returns of Barry O'Connor, Kris Morgan-Jones and Mark Keane to the squad. With Tain taking a rest, Chocki came into centre midfield with Kris filling in at left back and O'Connor out to fill the large boots of Mr Holland. The game started at a furious pace as could be expected with Woodlands' star striker Seb causing trouble as he'd done when hitting 4 goals in the game back at the Joel. And it was Woodlands whose early pressure paid off in what was an open game from the start. In a goal that came from numerous lack of pressure on the opposing team, Woodlands played through Earley to take the lead after around 15 minutes. 1-0 to Woodlands. If they didn't know already, Earley were now well aware they were in a contest. Lots of long balls forward were dealt with well by Sean and Lawesy and the game's competitive spirit never wavered for 90 minutes. Earley struck back quick on the break with a somewhat hopefull ball in the left hand channel finding a stuttering Woodlands defender harassed by O'Connor, who once warmed up never gave Woodlands a moment's peace. Sneaking in behind the defender, Barry found himself one on one from close range and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner to make it 1-1. With the game continuing end to end, much of the play came down the flanks or over the top and Paling and Chocki struggled to get hold of the ball with Sam and Barry, ably assisted by Kris Morgan-Jones sweet left foot, causing the most problems. Right at the end of the half, a coming together saw Sam and the opposition winger come into contact and there was pushing, shoving and a few choice words exchanged. The referee (who was excellent all game) showed both the yellow card and Tain moved Sam to the opposite wing to calm him down. HALF TIME. With a constructive half-time team talk, Earley knew they had to step up their game and take chances to win it. The defence were coping fairly well and it was up to the midfield and forwards to threaten more at the opposition end. Earley started the 2nd half well and Chocki and Grant came into the game more, harassing the opposition on the ball and putting in a few choice tackles. With Dave Evans holding the ball up well, Earley's wingers came into the game more and Sam continued to threaten, with Barry working his socks off up front, giving the 100% he gives every game. It was inevitable a winning goal would come from one of the teams and that it would probably be the next goal and it came down the left hand side, with Kris Morgan-Jones setting Alex free to cross early into box. The ball was allowed to bounce and Barry beat everyone to it, sending the ball to Sam who had a simple (or at least he made it look so) header to send Earley 2-1 up! Sam turned to celebrate and found himself face to face with the same winger who he'd been having a battle with all game and rather gamely celebrated in his face - perhaps a little dishonourable but if the boot was on the other foot I doubt things would've been any different. Earley now had to keep it tight and kept working hard in all areas to close the ball down. Nonetheless, Woodlands had their chances. Wayne in goal, still settling into the team, was being tested by some ruthless backpasses from the Earley defence! On more than one occassion some fine makeshift goalkeeping denied Woodlands, with their 2nd striker hitting the bar on one occassion. Penalty claims from Woodlands but nothing was given, quite rightly, as Wayne tussled with their striker who gave just as much back. It was tense as the final whistle approached but Earley were able to hold out. A great team performance 2nd half, grinding out a result and marching on to next week's cup Semi-Final. With Twyford beating Imaan just one pitch over, it was an important win that kept Earley top of the league. There'll be no easy games now until the end of the season. Special mentions from Tain went to Barry who put in a massive shift up front to shouts of "Richard who?". Earley will still welcome back their top scorer next week however as these close games aren't doing Tain's nerves any good! Kris Morgan-Jones impressed at left-back and is always a miss when not in the side. Chocki outworked Grant in centre midfield and did a hell of a job and Wayne stood up to some stern tests to come through with an assured performance. Great fight from Earley...and it needs to remain so. | |||||
|
Earley took to the field on a bright Sunday morning having gone top of the league last week without even kicking a ball following the walkover against Twyford and Woodley Airfield's shock loss to Imaan. The opponents this week were a struggling Forest side, now residing at the foot of the table following Imaan's recent form and who United had beaten 8-1 back at the Sol Joel at the start of February despite not playing their best football that day. It was to be a different story today. The game was scrappy from the start and neither team provided any quality passing during the opening exchanges. Earley perhaps shaded possession and were keeping the ball well until the final third with nothing coming off when it came to the killer ball. With just Baz and Kris Morgan-Jones missing (and Sam unable to make kick off) it was an Earley team that was capable of playing well but there was a lethargy about their play. Credit to Forest who put up a much better fight this team around and are clearly fighting for their lives the same way Earley were when in the same position last season. It was never a pretty game but it only takes one good move to turn a match and mid way through the first half Earley finally put Richard Holland in and he was as clinical as he's been all season, slotting past the Forest keeper with his left foot. 1-0. This should've spurred Earley into life but it was Forest who seemed to wake up following this goal and their battling and determination throughout the game couldn't be questioned. Earley's defensive resolution was tested as they continued to pump balls forward, leaving Tain and Grant in midfield relative spectators for much of the first half. Earley were up to the task though and in the first half, never looked like conceding with Lawesy and Sean marshalling Forest's one lively striker well and Jason and Chocki looking solid at full back. Half time bought a rollocking from Tain with the message very much to do the basics in order to win this game. Looking around, everyone seemed to know they should be playing better but no one could put their finger on what was wrong. You certainly couldn't criticise any one individual - the effort was there but the quality, on this day, was not and that was the story of the game. Soon after half time, with much of the same going on, Tain wanted to shut down the midfield and took off Dave Evans, bringing Sam on. With a re-shuffle bringing Pagey inside (who'd put in a good shift left wing) Grant had a bit more freedom to play off Rich Holland. Richard himself was looking the most likely to do something, holding the ball well and trying to find the 2nd goal which would kill Forest off. Earley didn't have long to settle into this passage of play however as an awful mistimed challenge from Forest's centre back took out Richard's ankle and forced him off the field. Unable to continue, Richard gave way for Nigel and Grant was pushed up front on his own. Forest by now were starting to really put some pressure on and had numerous chances to make it 1-1, with one particular miss standing out as Forest's number 9 just missed fizzed in cross with the goal gaping in front of him. It was a let off really and in the end Forest probably deserved a point but Earley's defence - including a solid debut from new keeper Wayne - stood strong. Earley's best chance of the 2nd half down the other end, had fallen to none other than our leader and manager Tain McDonald. With some good build up play getting Earley into the Forest area, Tain found himself running onto a pullback about 10 yards out. As he went to pull the trigger with his trusty right foot (he hasn't scored with his good foot this season) he somehow got the ball trapped underneath his foot leaving everyone on the pitch astounded and in awe. Unflustered, Tain managed to pull it back to Pagey on the edge but his goalbound shot was deflected over and that illusive 2nd goal remained a carrot on a piece of string. The final whistle finally came, much to the relief of Earley who had battled hard - Pagey had played the last 20/30 minutes in centre midfield with what turned out to be a torn quadricep, Nigel and Tain (combined age 135?) running around like they were back in the school playground again and the whole side grinding out the kind of 1-0 win which will always crop up in any legitimate title challenge. | |||||
|
United started slowly and paid the price going 1-0 down when their striker squeezed a shot in near post, but within a couple of minutes United equalised through Holland following a defensive mix-up. Earley took the lead just before half time through Denovan who smashed home from inside the penaltiy box. In the second half United played much better and Holland put the visitors into a commanding lead volleying in from a great cross from Humphreys on the right. Kidmore had their chances to get back into the game with Denovan clearing off the line from a free kick, but United finished the game off in style with Holland grabbing his hat-trick with an easy tap in. See also this report. | |||||
|
United started the year with an impressive 7-1 thrashing of West End to keep their title hopes alive. Holland bagged two early goals to settle United but the vistotors couldn't extend their lead further although having all of the play and chances. The second half United again dominated and crisued their way to their biggest victory of the season in great style, with Holland grabbing his hat-trick and goals from MacDonald, S.Bartlett, O'Connor & Humphries Superb display lads ! | |||||
|
United bossed this game start to finish and should have made double figures in truth. Goals from Grant, Baz (2), Rich, Lawes & Chris sealed the win and United cruise into the next round. | |||||
|
Imaan meant business in this B&B Cup clash and took the game to United who gave them far too much room in the early stages. Pagey saved a penalty awarded on the half hour mark and shortly after Imann struck the bar, but it was United who grabbed the first of the game, when Sam found Baz, to coolly slot home. United completed their first half smash and grab when Chocki crossed for Dave who made it two. United didn't deserve this - but went it two up at half time. The second half started much the same as the first with good pressure from Imaan, and fast counters from Earley, but the visitors pulled one up when their attacking midfielder smashed one in from inside the box. At 2-1 Imaan were awarded their second penalty of the game, but Pagey saved again to keep the home side in front. Then, madness ascended - three players sent off for violent conduct - two from Imaan and Kris Morgan-Jones from United, left it 10 vs 9 for the remaining 15 mins. United kept the ball well from here on in and Sam scored his first of the season following a great United move. | |||||
|
United took the lead early in the first half through a great individual goal from Rich but couldn't hold onto the lead for long when Eastern equalised from a free kick. Within a minute Eastern took the lead as United struggled to deal with a far post cross. United responded well though and levelled things at the break when a Chocki freekick was nodded in by Rich. Half Time: 2-2 The first 20 minutes were hard fought and close, with chances either end - but United took the lead when Eastern failed to deal with a good freekick from Sean which sailed in. Lawsey and Grant put the game out of Eastern's reach and Sean wrapped it up with another freekick that went straight in and United crusied to their 4th win on the bounce in the league to go 2nd. | |||||
|
Five straight wins for United as they march on into the next round of the League cup beating The Sun 3-0. United and The Sun slogged this one out in less than ideal conditions. Despite United again having most, and the better of the play in the first half, they were unable to find the back of the net missing a hat-full of chances and crashing a couple of the crossbar. Half time: 0-0 The second half started much the same as the first and it was finally Rich that made it 1-0 after good work from Sam. The Sun came back fighting as United sat back a little and produced their best 10 minute spell of the game. They hit the bar, Pagey tipped one round the post and they would have equalised from a rebounded free kick had the finishing player not been offside. Tense times for United, but the next goal was crucial. Rich was left with space to dribble and did so before finding Baz to make it 2-0 with little over 10 to go. United cruised the remainder of the game in truth and Chris made it 3-0 in the closing stages following good work from Baz on the left. | |||||
|
United played hosts to unbeaten West End this week looking for revenge for the 7-3 thumping they received last year. It was the hosts, sporting their new kit, who took the lead when goal machine Baz squeezed a shot through the legs of the keeper with little over 10 minutes gone. United once again played some nice football at times but couldn't extend their lead and when Pagey was adjudged to have challenged unfairly in the box (what a load of crap by the way) - West End leveled from the spot. It got worse for United when Sean, shielding the ball out of play was legged up in the box and the striker rolled in to make it 2-1. Horror moments from the ref, and for United. Half Time: 2-1 Earley continued testing West End but just couldn't break them down, but with 15 to go a double substitute, and the introduction of Rich Holland finally broke them down - 2-2. West End's center back then saw red for his second bookable offence and space opened up for United to take the advantage. Grant scored his second in two games and Rich bagged his second of the game to see United win their forth in a row, and on merit it was nothing less than they deserved. | |||||
|
United romped through to the next round of the Berks & Bucks Junior Cup after a superb 5-0 victory at home against Finchampstead Athletic. United again dominated this game and at times played some great stuf, and took the lead through Alex who beat the keeper near post. Dave smashed one of the upright, but it was again Baz who made it 2-0 with about half an hour gone. United could not extend their lead further however and Finch started to ask some questions of their own coming close when hitting United on the break. Half time: 2-0 In the second half United thoroughly stamped their authority and could have possibly hit double figures (Pagey with possibly the miss of the season from a yard out), but a cool finish from from Baz (5 in 3 games), Chris from close range, and a header from Grant sealed the victory, and deservedly so. Some pictures from the game can be found by clicking here | |||||
|
United bossed this game start to finish but struggled throughout to find the final ball to breakdown a determined Imaan side. United's best chance in the first half fell to John 'the salmon fish' Lawes who found himself surpsingy in space, but could only test the keeper at close doors. Earley we're duly punished when a ball over the top was latched onto and United found themselves worryingly a goal down at half time. Manager MacDonald substituted himself and reshuffled to a 4-4-2 and United continued in search of a breakthrough. United did everything but score for the first half hour with Evans having a glorious headed chance following a great ball in from Sam – but his effort went narrowly wide of the post. As time went on it looked more and more like 'one of them days'. United finally found the back of the net when Baz poked home the equaliser from close range with time running out. United pushed on for the remaining 15 mins (against the odd counter) and deservedly snatched the points when match winnner Baz finished once more in style to wrap things up. | |||||
|
Following last weeks disaster United started this one with good determination and dominated the first half. Chances were few, but Earley should have been about 3 up when Chocki hit a typical thunderbolt of his to take the lead. Pagey came close with another long range effort (I write the report so I always get a mention), before a sole cross beat all to be nodded in ... and Eastern were level. A huge blow before the break and the second half saw a total change. Eastern were well up for it and came all guns blazing to try and take the advantage, but it was United who grabbed it when Baz grabbed a yard to fire low into the corner and secure the points. A good victory for United and more importantly ... points on the board. | |||||
|
Earley started this game very well and had two great chances to take the lead within the opening 5 minutes. These were squandered however and Woodley slowly woke them selves up to in the end win this match easily. The only plus for United was that strikers scored, but apart from that, one to forget. | |||||
|
The first game of the new season was close run with United losing out 2-1. United conceeded their first midway through the first half when a poorly defended corner was nodded in, and went 2-0 down shortly after the restart following a strong run and quality finish after another defensive mistake. Earley showed good character to push on and pulled one back in the dying moments when sub Mayers smashed one in. | |||||