Earley Gunners went through to the next round of the Cup after a tough game against Ascot Utd who had previously been unbeaten in their league.
The Ascot Utd team were a young skillful side who played neat football and they began to cause Gunners some trouble especially down their left hand side.
However, Gunners managed to open the scoring when a neat back heel from Sean Kearns set Paul Clark up for the opener. Kevin Rapley then added two more goals in the first half, one was a great shot into the corner after a run at goal and the second a close range finish. The Gunners defence were in good form, making solid tackles when necessary and Roger Bungay playing in goal was called into action with a couple of brave dives at the defenders feet to rescue the ball.
Gunners were then disrupted when a player went of injured and Ascot managed to score direct from a corner whilst Gunners were reorganising themselves.
In the second half Ascot started well and made a couple of runs through the midfield to put pressure on the Gunners goal, this also resulted in a couple of close range free kicks being awarded against us when the defenders began to stop the Ascot players rather than the ball! However, the teams nerves were settled when Paul Clark added his second of the game to give the team a 4 - 1 lead.
Ascot piled on the pressure and despite a couple of close shaves, hitting the post and causing Roger to make a couple of fine saves, they could not add to their tally. This was until they were gifted a goal! Leigh Holdway made a short throw to Roger in goal whose attempted volley clear was mis-kicked to the opposing forward who slotted the ball home past before Gunners could react.
However moments later Gunners assumed control when Kevin Rapley charged through the middle and slotted the ball past the keeper.
The final result was a good 5-2 win over a good up and coming Bracknell League side and this was another solid performance by the Gunners team who now seem to be hitting a good run of form.
It was a good defensive performance by the whole team and the midfield and forwards also made sure that they scored most of their chances which helped the teams performance by having a couple of goals lead.
Match Facts
Goals : K Rapley (3), P Clark (20
Team
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