Earley Gunners vs DC Steamers 1 - 6

Match Report

Gunners poor run of form continued with their third defeat in a row, this time to DC Steamers.
Gunners had started the game well and dominated possession in the first twenty minutes. However, chances were limited to a couple of free kicks outside the box.

However, DC Steamers came more into the game and opened the scoring when they played the ball through to their forward who was clean through and scored from close range.
DC Steamers then doubled the lead when they scored from a corner and finished from close range as Gunners failed to clear.

Minutes before half time, Gunners pulled a goal back when Marcus Randles won a header and flicked the ball on to Paul Ali who lobbed the keeper from the edge of the box.

The half time score was 2-1 to DC Steamers although Gunners had been unlucky having had more of the play.

However in the second half there was only one team in the game when DC Steamers scored four goals to give them a very comfortable win. DC Steamers scored immediately after kick off when Gunners lost possession of the ball and allowed the opposition to run through and score from outside the box.

Gunners then repeated the same mistake a few minutes later when they lost possession again and allowed DC Steamers a free run on goal.

Gunners were very disjointed and allowed Steamers to pass the ball around midfield and failed to close them down giving the defence very little protection.

Gunners had a few chances to pull a goal back, the first through Lee Gallaghers whose strong shot was parried over the bar. Paul Ali was also unlucky when he nutmegged an opponent in the box and his shot came back off the post. Marcus Randles also had an effort from a corner blocked.

However, the majority of the play was with Steamers and Gunners failed to defend as a team and allowed the opposition to much time and space.

The final score was a 6-1 defeat and a very disappointing performance

Match Facts

Goal : Pa Ali (1)

Team

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Earley Gunners vs The Mod 0 - 2

Match Report

Gunners went out of the Berks & Bucks losing 2-0 to The Mod.

The first half was an even affair with both teams having few chances.

The Mod had a clear chance in the first twenty minutes when they awarded an indirect free kick in the box but this was cleared by Gunners.

Gunners were then unlucky when Bill Maslin had a goal disallowed for a foul on the keeper then the keeper was not in full possession of the ball.

Gunners should have taken the lead when Bill was brought down in the box and Gunners were awarded a penalty but this was not converted by Paul Stout whose shot went over the bar.
The rest of the half got a little heated with several exchanges with the opposition.

The half time score was 0-0.

In the second half, Gunners failed to raise their game and lacked the commitment their opponents were showing and as a result were second best.

The opposition took the lead with a header from a corner and then made it two when a poor clearance was intercepted and the opposing player cut his way through the Gunners defence before finishing.

Gunners failed to respond and their best effort came from a couple of free kicks although Bill Maslin had a great chance to score when Paul Ali put in a good cross towards the end of the game which Bill failed to connect to cleanly and the ball went just wide.

The final score was a 2-0 defeat and the result reflected Gunners poor performance.
Gunners "Man of the Match" was Lee Bonnici for a solid game at right back

Match Facts

MOM : L Bonnici

Team

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Abbey Res vs Earley Gunners 6 - 0

Match Report

Gunners struggled against high flying Abbey Res in the league. Once again Gunners found themselves with a bare 11 due to a number of last minute withdrawals and had to play a good proportion of the game with no linesman. Gunners started slowly with Abbey having a couple of early chances before the team settled down.

Paul Stout then nearly opened the scoring when his free kick hit the bar. Unfortunately, Abbey then opened the scoring with a soft goal which should have been better defended and then made it two when Paul Stout was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box and they subsequently converted the penalty.

Abbey controlled the rest of the half and Gunners only managed to create a few chances the best of which saw Steve Smith break free down the right and cross the ball for Peter Ali whose shot when just wide of the post. The half time score was 2-0 to Abbey Res.

In the second half Gunners started brightly and looked the better team for the opening ten minutes. Paul Stout was unlucky again when his free kick hit the bar.

However, Abbey soon began to assert themselves and added another goal with an opportunist strike from outside the box. Gunners felt the game slip away and Abbey took full advantage with two more goals including an indirect free kick which was parried into the net thus giving them a goal. At the other end of the field, Gunners created a couple of clear chances when Marcus hit the cross bar with a header and Matt Rees burst through on goal but put the ball wide.

The game was over for Gunners who then struggled to keep with Abbey who played the ball around the field quite well and put the final nail in the coffin with a cross-shot goal which flew in over the keeper. The final score was 6-0 to Abbey who won the game comfortably.

Team

Earley Gunners vs Purple Turtle 3 - 1

Match Report

Gunners got back to winning ways with a 3-1 win over Purple Turtle.

Gunners had the first opportunity to score when Paul Stout looked to have beat the off-side trap and scored with his shot but this was harshly ruled off-side.

Ian Griffiths was then played through on goal but was tackled just before he managed to have a shot.

However, Gunners did take the lead when Matt Rees set up Bill Maslin for the first goal.
The game became a little more heated with several challenges being made by both teams (although nothing too malicious). This resulted in two bookings for both central defenders for Purple Turtle for constantly moaning at the referee.

Purple Turtle had a chance to level before half time from a corner but the shot was well saved by Duncan and Gunners took a 1-0 lead into the break. Purple Turtle's only tactic seemed to be a long ball to the forward which Gunners managed to clear on most occasions.

In the second half, the game went very flat with Gunners relying on a long ball to often and little football was played which was disappointing.

Carl Littlechild had a chance to score when his shot from 20 yards was blocked by a defender.
At the other end of the field, Purple Turtle managed to equalise from the penalty spot when Paul Stout was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box. Paul Stout was then booked shortly afterwards for a foul.

Gunners looked like they were going to take the lead again when Steve Tranter had a clear run on goal but his shot went over the bar.

Gunners then made a double substitution with Paul Ali and Peter Ali coming on and Gunners upped the tempo of the game. Within minutes Gunners had taken the lead through Bill Maslin (assist Matt Rees) and the Bill completed his hat-trick after chasing down a ball and slotting this beyond the keeper.

The Gunners defence played well during the last ten minutes when Purple Turtle tried to get back in the game and stopped the opposition from having many clear cut chances.

The final few minutes ran out and Gunners ended up 3-1 winners. Ross Nelson was Gunners MOM.

Match Facts

MOM : R Nelson

Goals : B Maslin (3)

Team

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