Good Companions vs Earley Gunners 1 - 5

Match Report

Gunners reached the semi-finals of the Jack Taylor Cup after overcoming Division 1 opponents Good Companions. Very poor pitch conditions made it difficult for both teams although Gunners found it slightly harder to come to terms with the surface. Chris Price was an early casualty in the game and was replaced in the first twenty minutes by Nick Burrows.

The first half was a fairly even affair. Gunners created several opportunities up front but failed to score whilst Good Companions had a few close chances against a disorganised Gunners defence. The Gunners midfield also seemed to struggle in the first half with the large heavy pitch sapping people’s strength.

Good Companions did take the lead through a disputed penalty but Gunners replied through Paul Clarks close range shot. The half time score was 1-1.

The second half saw Gunners have the advantage of the slope and wind and soon Gunners began to dominate the game. The midfield took more control and began to pass the ball around whilst the defence were a lot more organised.

Paul Clark completed his first hat-trick for the club with two stunning long range goals (one from each foot) whilst further goals were added from Darren Fry and Kevin Rapley. As soon as Gunners scored a couple of goals, Good Companions fell to pieces and Gunners had the game virtually wrapped up at 3-1.

The final result was a comfortable 5-1 win for Gunners who now meet Ruscombe Res in the semi-finals. Tony Poacher was Gunners "Man of the Match" closely followed by Paul Clark and Jon Weller.

Match Facts

MOM : T Poacher

Goals : P Clark (3), K Rapley (1), D Fry (1)

Team : (GK) F McNaughton, (RB) C Price, (CB) S Kearns, (CB) Pa Ali, (LB) T Poacher, (RM) J Weller, (CM) D Owen, (CM) P Clark, (LM) D Fry, (F) K Rapley, (F) I Thornhill, (Sub) N Burrows.

Pictures

Earley Gunners vs Warwick Arms 2 - 0

Match Report

Gunners overcame Warwick Arms with a close 2-0 win.

Gunners started the game very well and had a couple of early chances, the closest being when Ian Thornhill’s lob hit the top of the cross bar. However after the first fifteen minutes Warwick immediately improved their game and Gunners movement and passing was not as fluid as it had been earlier.

Gunners did manage to take the lead through Kevin Rapley’s close range header.
The rest of the half saw Gunners create some good openings especially through Jon Weller on the right but the team failed to take their chances and the half ended with Gunners holding a slender 1-0 lead.

Gunners started reasonably well in the second half but after showing some good build up play, the team again failed to take their chances. However the Gunners defence did manage to keep their opponents chances to a minimum.

With about twenty minutes to go, Gunners added a second when Darren Fry turned in a low driven cross. This gave Gunners a bit of breathing space they needed towards the end of the game.

However, Warwick had not given up and had a couple of dangerous moments towards the end of the game. A sliding tackle in the box from Paul Ali blocked one attack and Julian Willis was called into action to make a great near post save on another occasion.

The final result was a close 2-0 win. Overall it was not a vintage performance from the team, they did enough to secure the win.

Jon Weller was "Man of the Match" for a good performance in midfield.

Match Facts

MOM : J Weller

Goals : K Rapley (1), D Fry (1)

Team : (GK) J Willis, (RB) C Price, (CB) Pa Ali, (CB) S Kearns, (LB) T Poacher, (RM) J Weller, (CM) D Owen, (CM) P Clark, (LM) D Fry, (F) I Thornhill, (F) K Rapley (Sub) F McNaughton, P Byrne

Earley Gunners vs South Stoke Res 2 - 0

Match Report

Earley Gunners came out victors after a top of the table clash against a strengthened South Stoke Res team.

It was South Stoke Res who created the most pressure early on with a string of corners although they were unable to capitalise on these chances. Gunners did have a couple of long range efforts from Sean Kearns and Dave Owen.

The game was a little scrappy in the first half with the opposition battling well in midfield and this gave the Gunners midfield little chance to play. The half time score was 0-0.

In the second half Gunners improved and some neat passing football was played. Gunners broke the deadlock when Dave Owen played a through ball to Jon Weller who slipped this past the keeper.

Gunners then had a couple more chances when Tony Poachers shot was cleared off the line and Dave Owens powerful shot hit the bar.

South Stoke tried to break out themselves, although their attacks were repulsed by a mean Gunners defence.

Ian Thornhill should have doubled the lead when the ball was played across the face of an empty net and Ian managed to put the ball wide!

However a second goal was added shortly afterwards when Kevin Rapley chased a long ball and pounced on an error from the opposing defender and keeper.

South Stoke created few chances in the second half and despite the tight scoreline Gunners were worthy winners.

Man of the Match for Gunners was Tony Poacher for a good defensive display, closely followed by Darren Fry.

Match Facts:

MOM : Tony Poacher

Goals : K Rapley (1), J Weller (1)

Team : (GK) J Willis, (RB) C Price, (CB) Pa Ali, (CB) S Kearns, (LB) T Poacher, (RM) L Holdway, (CM) D Owen, (CM) P Clark, (LM) D Fry, (F) I Thornhill, (F) K Rapley (Sub) J Weller, N Burrows, P Byrne

Earley Gunners vs GWRSA 3 - 2

Match Report

Earley Gunners overcame GWRSA in a close fought match. GWRSA were fully committed to the game and made life difficult for Gunners.

Gunners did manage to take the lead through Kevin Rapley but GWRSA equalised when a long throw was bundled into the net. The half time score was an even 1-1.

The second half saw Gunners have a bit more possession and a second goal was added through Ian Thornhill after he latched onto a through ball and slipped this past the keeper.

GWRSA found it difficult to create scoring opportunities from free play but did look dangerous at corners or from long throws.

However, Gunners added a third goal to ease the pressure. A well worked move saw Kevin Rapley play the ball to Ian Thornhill who dummied the ball and let it roll to Paul Clark who slotted it home.

GWRSA gave Gunners a late scare when they added a second but Gunners managed to hold out to earn the win.

Paul Clark was Gunners "Man of the Match" for an impressive midfield display.

Match Facts

MOM : P Clark

Goals : K Rapley (1), P Clark (1), I Thornhill (1)

Team : (GK) J Willis, (RB) C Price, (CB) Pa Ali, (CB) S Kearns, (LB) T Poacher, (RM) L Holdway, (CM) D Owen, (CM) P Clark, (LM) D Fry, (F) K Rapley, (F) I Thornhill, (Sub) N Burrows, P Byrne, J Weller

Pictures