Caversham Utd vs Earley Gunners 1 - 5

Match report

Gunners continued their good cup form with a 5-1 win against Caversham United.

Gunners took a lead part way through the first half when Ross Nelson played a cross field ball to Steve Tranter who took on the last defender and rifled the ball home from close range.

Despite the goal advantage, Caversham had more of the possession in Gunners half but could not create any clear openings. Gunners were also unable to create many openings apart from a few wayward shots.

Caversham had a penalty shout when the ball appeared to strike Neil Oldcorns arm but the referee waved play on.

The half time score was 1-0 to Gunners.

In the second half Gunners doubled the lead through Steve Tranter when he finished off a neat passing move between Dave Owen and a back heel from Marcus.

Caversham Utd pulled a goal back a few minutes later before Gunners added a third when Lee Gallagher played in Paul Stout.

Caversham then elected to play three at the back and push another man forward but this was their undoing as Gunners had plenty more space to attack and took full advantage when they added a fourth when Paul Ali played Steve Tranter through whose strong cross was deflected into the goal by the Caversham defender.

Steve finally completed his hat-trick after being set up by Richard Alderton.

The final score was a comfortable 5-1 win. Steve Tranter was Gunners "Man of the Match" for his three goal display.

Match Facts

MOM : S Tranter

Goals : S Tranter (3), P Stout (1), Own Goal (1)

Team

Pictures

Earley Gunners vs Thames Valley 2 - 0

Match Report

Gunners battled their way to a 2-0 win against Thames Valley Conservancy in the Cup.

The first half was tight with both sides struggling to create a free shot on goal. Thames Valley had a good ten minute spell where they forced a series of corners but Gunners defended these well.

Gunners were also forced to defend a number of long balls but rose to the challenge and defended these effectively.

At the other end of the field Gunners created few clean cut chances meaning the half time score was 0-0.

Very early in the second half Bill Maslin had an opportunity to open the scoring when he had a free run on goal but he put the ball wide.

Chances were again few and far between for both sides apart from a few wayward shots from distance (Steve, Paul).

Midway through the second half Thames Valley had a great chance to take the lead when a cross was floated over Duncan right into their forwards path but he appeared to hesitate and missed a tap in from half a yard!

As the game went on Gunners started to create some more pressure and forced a couple of goal mouth scrambles which were eventually cleared. Gunners also came close with a chance from a corner which was cleared off the line.

With a few minutes left the game was heading towards extra time when Steve Tranter intercepted a loose pass headed straight for goal and scored with a powerful shot.

Thames Valley were forced to push forward in search of an equaliser and were punished when a poor backpass was chased down by Bill and tapped home from close range.

The final score was a 2-0 win and Gunners progress to the next round of the cup. Gunners "Man of the Match" was Paul Marten for a solid game in defence.

Finally, thanks to both the referee and opposition for a hard fought but clean game.
Oh and Matt Rees fell flat on his face taking a thrown on!

Match Facts

MOM : P Marten

Goals : S Tranter (1), B Maslin (1)

Team

Pictures

Earley HG Res vs Earley Gunners 1 - 2

Match Report

Gunners managed to put their recent poor run of form behind them with a 2-1 win over local rivals Earley HG Res with a good battling performance.

Gunners started the game well and took an early lead when Steve Smith played the ball through to Bill Maslin who slotted the ball home from just inside the box.

Gunners could have doubled the lead when Peter Ali's lob clipped the cross bar.

However, Earley HG Res struck back midway through the first half to make it 1-1 with a close range finish.

Gunners were unlucky not to have another decent chance when the half time whistle was blown with Gunners in a 2 on 1 position and bearing down on goal.

The half time score was 1-1.

The game was starting to boil over with several exchanges of words and numerous disputes with the referee but he controlled this in the second half with a couple of deserved bookings.

Gunners took the lead in the second half when Peter Ali finished off a well worked free kick with a volley inside the box, thanks to an assist from Neil Oldcorn.

(Sorry... Gunners took the lead in the second half when Peter Ali finished off a poorly taken free kick which deflected off Neil Oldcorns arse into Peter Ali's path)

Gunners also created several other chances with Marcus hitting the post from a corner and Peter Ali nearly poking home a ball across the box.

At the other end of the field, Gunners had to defend several corners which they did very well with Duncan punching a couple of corners clear, some other vital clearances were made by Paul Marten, Stouty and Peter.

Earley HG had two good chances to equalise, one was a shot from the right which Duncan parried clear and the second was a very well struck shot which clipped the post.
However, as the game ran closer to the end, Gunners stood firm and always looked like the side more likely to add another goal.

The final score was a 2-1 win and Peter Ali was Gunners "Man of the Match".

Match Facts

MOM : Pe Ali

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

Team

Pictures