Woodley Res vs Earley Gunners 2 - 1

Match Report

Gunners lost in the first round of the Berks & Bucks Junior Trophy to fellow Div 3 East side Woodley Hammers Res.

Gunners started the game very poorly and Woodley Hammers Res dominated early possession. They took the lead when an inswinging corner was headed in by Neil Oldcorn who was attempting to clear the ball away. During the first twenty minutes Gunners were not in the game at all.

However, Gunners began to show fighting spirit and Lee Bonnici in particular was battling well in the first half. Gradually, the game become a little more even and Gunners had a chance to equalise when Paul Ali broke clear but his attempted lob went wide of the post

The half time score was 1-0 to Woodley. In the second half, the game followed the same pattern of Woodley having more possession but creating few chances whilst Gunners forced a few more chances when they decided to press their opponents.

Unfortunately, Woodley added a second goal from a corner with the unlucky Neil Oldcorn heading the ball in to his own goal again.

However, Gunners struck back when Matt Rees finished from close range after Marcus Randles had flicked the ball to him from a corner situation.

This gave Gunners some hope and they nearly equalised when Dave Owen hit the bar from a chance.

However, Gunners could not find the breakthrough and Woodley ended up winners.
Gunners "Man of the Match" was Lee Bonnici.

Match Facts

MOM : L Bonnici

Goals : M Rees (1)

Team Pictures

Loxwood vs Earley Gunners 2 - 5

Match Report

Gunners played their first game in six weeks with a convincing 5 - 2 win over Loxwood Res.
Gunners made a bright start to the game creating a couple of chances and were unlucky not to score when Stephen Tranter rifled a shot over the bar. However it was Loxwood who took the lead when a cross into the box was punched away by the keeper, the ball fell to the Loxwood forward who rifled the ball home past a couple of bodies from close range.

However Gunners equalised when Dave Owen converted a penalty after Phil Norton had been brought down in the box. The half time score was 1 - 1.

Gunners upped the tempo in the second half and took the lead through Stephen Tranter and then increased their lead again through Carlton Dickson.

Loxwoods best chances came when Gunners gave away a couple of free kicks outside their penalty box but the shots really failed to trouble the keeper.

However, in a bizzare incident a short while later there was a double sending off. Paul Marten tackled an opponent and their was a tangle of legs as both players tried to get up. The Loxwood opponent voiced his displeasure at the incident whilst Dave Owen chuckled at the situation. The referee then called the Loxwood player and Dave to him and sent them both off for swearing... Dave hadn't said a thing!

With both teams reduced to ten men, the game became more open and Gunners took advantage when they added a fourth through Matt Rees after some neat interplay between Matt and Carlton and then a shortwhile later Gunners made it five through Richard Alderton.

The referee signalled six minutes of injury time and during this period Loxwood scored a consolation goal when a mis-throw wrong footed the Gunners defence and was finished from close range by the Loxwood forward.

The final score was a 5 - 2 win to Gunners and Carlton Dickson was Gunners "Man of the Match".

Match Facts

MOM : C Dickson

Goals : D Owen (1), C Dickson (1), M Rees (1), R Alderon (1), S Tranter (1)

Team
Pictures

Earley Gunners vs Woodley Res 1 - 1

Match Report

Gunners earned a point with a battling draw against Woodley Res.

Gunners were short of numbers this week and a couple of last minute calls were required to get a team together, this gave Peter Ali an opportunity to make his first appearance for Gunners this season.

Woodley started the stronger of the sides and had the better play of the first half. Woodley had several opportunities to score with a few close range headers but Gunners managed to ride their luck. Richard Alderton also made a name for himself with a great tackle in the box to prevent a shot on goal.

However, Gunners held out until half time with the score at 0 - 0.

In the second half, Gunners had the benefit of the slope and the wind and found things easier.
Gunners came close to scoring when Steve Tranters powerful shot hit the bar but he made amends when Phil Byrne played him through and he skipped past a couple of opponents before slotting the ball home.

Woodley tried to raise the game and did have a period of pressure where they had several throws and a couple of corners. Woodley claimed a handball when Paul Ali chested the ball off the line but the referee waved play on.

With ten minutes to go Woodley scrambled an equaliser when a long ball into the box was poked home from close range.

However, Gunners nearly pinched a winner when Carlton Dickson had a late chance and Gunners then had a scare in the last minute when Woodley put the ball over the bar.
The final result was a 1-1 draw and it was a much improved performance than the previous week.

Gunners "Man of the Match" was Paul Ali for a good display in defence.

Match Facts

MOM : Pa Ali

Goal : S Tranter

Team