Earley Gunners vs Henley YMCA 2 - 3

Match Report

Henley made their way through to the next round of the cup after a close win over Earley Gunners. Gunners were poor in the first half and had difficulty in controlling the ball. Henley took an early lead after they scored from a close range header from a corner.

Gunners had a couple of chances but could not convert them. Unfortunately, players constant complaining did upset the game at times.

The half time score was 1-0 to the opposition. In the second half Gunners equalised through current top scorer Bill Maslin. Henley regained the lead when they were awarded a penalty and as were then hit by another goal after some slack play on the left.

Bill was unlucky when he had a goal disallowed for offside after a close call. Gunners battled back and pulled a goal back through Neil Rumbold and then had a chance to level the scores with a few minutes to go when they were awarded a penalty.

Unfortunately, Dave Owen didn't manage to convert this effort. Gunners pushed on for the last few minutes but Henley managed to hold out out for the win.

Gunners Man of the Match was Nick Burrows.

Match Facts

MOM : N Burrows

Goals : B Maslin (1), N Rumbold (1)

Team

Earley Gunners vs Purple Turtle 5 - 1

Match Report

Earley Gunners overcame Purple Turtle in this fixture. The pitch was reasonably playable although it was a little sodden in places which accounted for the occasional slip (no not Nick this time) Gunners had plenty of chances to score in the first half but only managed one goal through Bill Maslin after Paul Clark flicked on a long ball from the defence and Bill ran through to score from close range.

This left the half time score at 1 - 0 to Gunners. Purple Turtle created very few chances in the first half and the 1 - 0 lead was reasonably comfortable although the lack of games and training over the past few weeks was clearly evident at times with Gunners being guilty as a team of not being able to put their foot on the ball and some possession was wasted. In the second half, Gunners were playing up the slope but managed to add to their lead through Bill Maslin again.

Then came a crucial moment in the game when Purple Turtle made a good attack down the left hand side and squared the ball into the box but Paul Clark made a great tackle in the penalty box to prevent the shot. Leon also worked very hard defensively in the second half.

Bill completed his hat-trick when he again outpaced the Purple Turtle defence. Matt Rees then went off with a slight injury and Neil Rumbold came on to good effect and was soon in on the action with a strong shoulder charge to an opponent as he was bearing down on goal, unfortunately a foul was given against him.

Purple Turtle managed a goal when a corner was flicked onto the near post and the ball was knocked in from close range virtually (but not quite) out of the keepers hands. However Gunners made things safe with two goals in the last two minutes.

Neil set up Bills fourth goal and he then got on the score sheet himself when he charged down the opposing keeper, and then scored with an overhead flick from an acute angle. It was a much improved good second half performance and Gunners scored the goals they deserved. Bill Maslin was Gunners "Man of the Match" for his four goal display.

Match Facts

MOM : B Maslin

Goals : B Maslin (4), N Rumbold (1)

Team

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GM Buses vs Earley Gunners 0 - 2

Match Report

Earley Gunners overcame Reading GM Buses with a 2 - 0 victory in the Treasurers Cup. Gunners continued to employ the 4-5-1 formation and they used the extra man in midfield to good effect by dominating possession.

The game was played in muddy conditions which made it more difficult to play decent football but Gunners adapted well and were in the ascendency in the first half when the team dominated possession and created several opportunities to score.

Gunners took the lead when Bill Maslin played a ball through to Paul Clark who opened the scoring in the first half. Reading GM Buses did cause a slight problem with their keepers long kicks keeping Gunners on the back foot, the majority of these were dealt with by the defence but Julian Willis was called into action on a couple of occasions and cleared his line well.

Gunners had several other opportunities to score but failed to capitalise and remained 1 - 0 ahead at half time. The second half followed the first with Gunners having more possession but failing to add the goals they needed to make the game secure.

Gunners did have a scare in the second half when Reading GM Buses hit the post with a well driven free-kick but Gunners made things more comfortable later in the game when Paul Clark set up Bill Maslin to score this time.

With two minutes to go, a bizzare event occured when the oppositions cross bar collapsed after the opposing keeper had been banging his boots on the post to clear the mud of his boots. With the consent of the opposition, the final whistle was blown early.

The final score was a 2 - 0 win to Gunners and it was a good defensive display from the team especially in the muddy conditions. The pick of the Gunners players was central defender Paul Marten who was Gunners "Man of the Match" closely followed by Julian Willis and Matt Rees.

Match Facts

MOM : P Marten

Goals : P Clark (1), B Maslin (1)

Team

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AFC Earley vs Earley Gunners 2 - 3

Match Report

Earley Gunners were victors in this closely contested game. Gunners were poor in the first half and were outfought by a limited looking AFC Earley side and most of the first 20 minutes was played in the Gunners half. However, the team did take the lead after Gareth Akers got round a defender and finished from an acute angle.

Unfortunately AFC Earley had the better of the rest of the half and scored two goals to give them a narrow 2 -1 lead at half time.

The first goal came from a corner and the opposing player had a free header to score, the second came when the opposition broke the the centre of the midfield and then scored from inside the box. Leon Spyrou also had to come off after 20 minutes through injury.

In the second half, tactical changes were made and Gunners played a 4-5-1 formation. The extra man in midfield started to stop the opposition breaking through the midfield and Gunners soon began to exert themselves and competed more effectively this half. The team were rewarded when Paul Clark scored after some neat work from Gareth Akers and Matt Rees. Then later on in the game, the team were awarded a free-kick outside the oppositions penalty box.

Tony Poachers ferocious drive had beaten the keeper but was saved on the line by an opposing defender who was sent off and a penalty was awarded to Gunners. Despite Sean Kearns really wanting to take the penalty (not) ... Paul Ali stepped up and cooly slotted the ball home to give Gunners a narrow lead. There were a couple of half chances at either end and Fraser McNaughton was called into action to make a good save in the second half.

Gunners finally held out to really earn the win. Man of the Match went to Leigh Holdway for a good competitive display.

Match Facts

MOM : L Holdway

Goals : P Clark (1), G Akers (1), Pa Ali (1)

Team

Pictures