Earley Gunners vs Arborfield 2 - 2

Match Report

Earley Gunners lost momentum at the top of the table when they were held at home to Arborfield Res. Gunners started poorly and it was the visitors who took the lead when Gunners failed to react to a ball in the box at the near post from a corner and the ball was knocked home from close range.

Gunners were stung into action and started to play some good short passing football through the midfield. Gunners dominated the rest of the half and were rewarded when Matt Walkers shot was intercepted by Paul Ali who steered the ball home from close range and then Gunners deservedly took the lead when Bill Maslin flicked on a ball from Nick Burrows and then ran around the defender who stumbled and scored to give the team a 2-1 lead.

Dave Owen also came very close when his shot whistled past the near post. Gunners held a deserved 2-1 lead at half time. However, in the second half Gunners found it more difficult to play and their passing became very sloppy. Arborfield hit back in the second half and equalised when the opposing forward ran through onto a long ball and scored from inside the penalty box to make the score 2-2.

Gunners had a few half chances, although Dave was close on another occasion but Arborfield finished the stronger of the teams and Gunners were required to defend three late corners to hold onto the draw. The final score was an even 2-2 and was a very disappointing result for Gunners who may have lost ground to Woodley Roofing. Gunners "Man of the Match" was Nick Burrows.

Match Facts

MOM : N Burrows

Goals : Pa Ali (1), B Maslin (1)

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West End vs Earley Gunners 2 - 3

Match Report

West End were unfortunate to start with 9 men due to a few late arrivals and Gunners took advantage with Neil Rumbold scoring with a low driven shot which was well struck after a through ball from Bill Maslin. Gunners then added a second after Matt Rees was fouled, Dave Owen stepped up and scored direct from the free kick. Gunners also had a couple of efforts to increase the lead but failed to take these chances.

However, West End made more of a game of it when they were back up to a full complement and scored a goal from a well taken corner which was whipped in on the left hand side to make it 2-1 to Gunners at half time. Gunners overall display in the first half was pretty poor and the team did not get any sort of passing game together and failed to win much second ball. In the second half Gunners should have lifted themselves but only Nick Burrows seemed to respond with some tigerish defending, Gunners looked very lethargic in midfield and this allowed West End to gain the upper hand.

Gunners seemed to have made the game safe when Bill Maslin made it 1-3 after being put through by Dave Owen but West End fought back and had a penalty awarded to them after an alleged push by Nick Burrows. However, the opponent shot straight at the keeper Julian who made the save and then Paul Marten and Neil Rumbold managed to hook the ball away from the rebound. West End were still the dominant side and Matt Rees made some great tackles in midfield to keep them at bay.

Peter Ali also made his first appearance of the season after Neil nearly passed out. Unfortunately West End managed to add a second to give Gunners a nervous finish. West End forced a few late corners but Gunners held on to steal the three points after one of the worst displays this season by the team.

Match Facts

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

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Ruscombe Res vs Earley Gunners 1 - 5

Match Report

Earley Gunners kept up the pace at the top of the table with a 5 - 1 over Ruscombe Res. Gunners started the better of the teams and took the lead through top scorer Bill Maslin after he latched onto a through ball from Paul Marten.

Ruscome were then reduced to 10 men after an opposing player made a two footed lunge on Leon and was yellow carded for the tackle, he swore at the referee who promptly sent him off to hand the edge to Gunners. Gunners were lucky not to concede a goal when Ruscombe attacked down the right and played the ball invitingly across for a simple 3 yard tap in but fortunately, the opposing forward hit the ball wide and over.

Gunners took advantage and added a second after Paul Ali skipped clear down the right and crossed for Bill Maslin to head in at close range. The half time score was 2-0 to Gunners. In the second half Gunners increased the lead after Bill Maslin played Paul Ali through, he rounded the keeper and scored from close range after it took a slight deflection from an opponent.

Ruscombe were then awarded a penalty due to a mix up in defense when Gunners failed to clear the ball and were alleged to have fouled an opposing player. Ruscombe converted the penalty to make the score 3-1.

Gunners have been guilty in the past of giving away these leads but thankfully this did not occur today and Gunners finished the game off when Paul Ali scored his second of the game after being played through by Leon Spyrou. Gunners had a few more chances to score and were guilty of a few "air shots" (Maslin, Rumbold, Akers) but managed to keep pushing forward. In the final few minutes Gareth Akers added a fifth from a cross-shot after he was played through by Leon Spyrou.

Gunners "Man of the Match" was Paul Ali for an excellent game in midfield including two goals.

Match Facts:

MOM : Pa Ali (2)

Goals : Pa Ali (2), B Maslin (2), G Akers (1)

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