West End vs Earley Gunners 4 - 3

Match Report

Gunners were knocked out of the Cup after a close encounter with West End.

Gunners made a good start when Paul Ali played a long free kick into the box which Paul Stout headed past the keeper. However, Paul Stouts name was on the scoresheet a few minutes later at the other end when he tried to clear a cross and volleyed the ball into his own net.

West End had more of the play in the first half and relied on the long ball forward. (The absence of Gunners tallest three players did not help the team today!) West End forced the lead when a cross was headed onto the bar, came out and hit Lee Bonnici on the chin before going in. Gunners had scored 3 goals and were 2-1 down!

With a few minutes to go in the first half West End added a third when a corner was headed towards goal came off a post and was headed home from close range. The half time score was 3-1 to West End.

Gunners launched a fight back in the second half and Steve Tranter gave the team hope when he latched onto Dave Owens through ball and prodded this home past the keeper.

Bill Maslin then levelled the game when Dave Owen played another through ball which Bill finished well from outside the box. However, West End did create a number of chances and Neil was called into action on several occasions.

With about 10 minutes to go, West End pinched the lead with a good inswinging corner which went directly into the goal.

Gunners tried to push forward for the last few minutes but could not create any real pressure on West End goals leaving them 4-3 winners.

Match Facts

MOM : N Oldcorn

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

Team


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Earley Gunners vs Woodley Saints 1 - 0

Match Report

Gunners continued their recent good run of results with a tight 1-0 win against Woodley Saints.
An even first half saw a handful of opportunities from both teams. The muddy conditions made it difficult for both teams to play any passing football.

Gunners had an early scare when the Saints No 9 broke down Gunners right and his shot went hit the post and came out and was gathered by the Gunners keeper.

Peter Ali had a good chance to score when he latched onto a loose ball with the keeper to beat but his shot was saved by the keeper. Steve Tranter also had an opportunity to score in the first half.

Gunners did force a number of corners and the lead came when Steve Tranter corner was headed in by Richard Alderton.

There were few clear cut chances after the goal and the half time score was 1-0 to Gunners.
In the second half, Woodley Saints had the lions share of possession and Gunners played most of their game in their own half.

Despite Woodleys possession they could not create many clear cut chances despite having several corners and free kick opportunities. Woodleys best chance came when a header from a free kick hit the cross bar late on in the game. Iain Peer was called into action to make a number of catches and his sure handling kept Woodley from having any close range chances. Iains place kicks were also pretty good which helped ease the pressure in defence.

Lee Gallagher had a glorious opportunity to double the lead for Gunners when the ball fell to him inside the box and he had a clear sight on goal but the shot went just wide.

As the game continued, it followed a pattern of Woodley breaking forward and Gunners defending. The only outlet Gunners seemed to have was Ian Griffiths on the left. Otherwise, the game descended into kick and rush with Gunners not really being able to hold the ball or or create many opportunities.

Woodley tried to force a goal by pushing another man forward and changing their forward line but Gunners dug deep and did enough to keep them at bay. Lee Gallagher picked up a booking for fouling an opponent.

The final score saw Gunners hold out for the win. Gunners "Man of the Match" was Paul Stout.

Match Facts

MOM : P Stout

Goal : R Alderton (1)

Team

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Ruscombe vs Earley Gunners 0 - 2

Match Report

Gunners continued their recent run of form with a 2-0 win against Ruscombe.

Ruscombe caused Gunners a few early problems before Gunners started to settle into the game and Gunners look a little rusty after the Xmas break. Ruscombe had some early possession and worked the ball well down both flanks but could not turn this into clear cut chances.

Ruscombe did have the first chance on goal when a shot bounced awkwardly but was collected by the keeper.

Gunners did have a few counter-attacking opportunities although a couple of positions were harshly adjudged to have been off-side. However Bill Maslin did make an opening and had a great chance to score when he was one on one with the keeper who managed to block the ball and made a good save.

Steve Smith made an early departure when he felt unwell and was physically sick by the touchline and he was soon replaced by Steve Tranter.

Peter Ali also had a chance to score late in the first half when Steve Tranter played a cross in and Peters lob was parried off for a corner by the keeper.

The half time score was 0-0.

In the second half, an injury to Marcus Randles saw him leave the field to be replaced by Paul Stout.

The pattern of the game followed the first with Ruscombe having more possession but Gunners counter-attacked well and created the clearest openings.

Both Bill Maslin and Steve Tranter had one on one efforts on goal saved by the Ruscombe keeper who was playing well.

The best piece of football came from a neat passing move involving Dave, Richard and Stouty which resulted in a chance for Gunners.

Towards the end of the half Ruscombe forced a number of corners which Gunners defended well and from one of these Paul Marten broke forward and played a through ball to Paul Ali who lobbed the keeper from an angle but had to wait a few seconds as the ball slowly bounced its way towards the goal before finally clipping the post and going in, Gunners had a 1-0 lead with about ten minutes to go.

Gunners then made the game safe a few minutes later when Bill Maslin broke forward and was brought down by the keeper in the box. He subsequently converted the penalty to make it 2-0.
Gunners shut up shop for the last few minutes to earn the win. It was a good effort all round although Dave Owen and Richard Alderton both played well but Man of the Match was awarded to Paul Marten

Match Facts

MOM : P Marten

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

Team


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Wokingham & Emmbrook vs Earley Gunners 2 - 4

Match Report

Gunners continued their recent run of form with a 4-2 win against Wokingham and Emmbrook.
Gunners started the brighter of the teams for the first ten minutes but Wokingham soon got back into the game and put Gunners under some pressure.

However Gunners did open the scoring through a break-away goal from Steve Tranter. A corner at Gunners end was cleared upfield and Steve beat the opposing defence to take the lead.
Wokingham equalised a few minutes later when a cross from the right was volleyed home from inside the box.

Marcus also had a great chance to score in the first half when his shot went over the bar.
The half time score was 1-1.

Gunners made a poor start to the second half when Paul Ali failed to clear a ball in defence and the opponent broke through to score from close range.

However Paul Stout levelled the scores with his fourth goal of the season to make it 2-2. Wokingham then put Gunners under a period of pressure when they forced a number of corners although Duncan attacked the ball well from a number of these to keep them at bay.

Wokingham had two good chances to take the lead, the first was a close range shot which was well saved by Duncan.

Paul Marten was introduced into the team mid way through the second half and nearly scored with his first touch when his shot from a corner was tipped over the bar. Paul Marten also made a last ditch tackle in the penalty box when the opponent appeared clean through on goal to save another shot.

Gunners did take the lead when Peter Ali superbly jinked past a number of players before setting up Steve Tranter for the goal.

Steve nearly completed his hat-trick when he burst through the opponents defence and hit a powerful shot which cannoned back out from the bar. However he did find the mark moments later with another goal to eventually complete his hat-trick.

The final score was a 4-2 win for Gunners and whilst it had not been the best display, Gunners battled well to earn the win. Paul Stout was Gunners "Man of the Match".

Match Facts

MOM : P Stout

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

Team

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