Maidenhead vs Earley Gunners 2 - 1

Match Report

Gunners lost in the first round of the Berks and Bucks Cup after a last minute goal despite an impressive display. Gunners started the game well and finally started to play some neat passing football and looked good in the first few minutes. Gunners had a couple of early chances the closest was a shot which was cleared off the line.

However, Gunners were dealt a sucker punch when Maidenhead scored with their first attack. A long range effort rebounded off the keeper and was finished off from close range.
Undeterred, Gunners fought back and again made some good attacking moves with Neil Oldcorn looking a lively outlet in right midfield.

Neil had a great chance to score when Matt Rees made a driving run from midfield and layed the ball off to Neil who miss-timed his shot.

However, Gunners did manage to equalise when Iain Peer lobbed the ball over the keeper.
Gunners had a lot of possession and also had a couple of chances from headers from corners including one that was cleared off the line. However, a second goal did not materialise.
The half time score was 1-1.

In the second half, Gunners started a little slowly for the first 10-15 minutes but then started to play the football again from the defence all the way through to the forward line.

The only real criticism was that the team tended to over elaborate at times when a simple lay off and shot was an option. Gunners had chances through Phil Norton, Iain Peer and Matt Rees. However, the closest chance came from the Maidenhead keeper who sliced a back pass over his head which just shaded the post before going out for a corner.

In the last twenty minutes Gunners were hit by a couple of injuries when Marcus went down and Neil went off. Neil was unable to continue leaving Gunners battling with 10 men for the last 10 minutes.

Unfortunately, started to struggle and Maidenhead began to create a few chances.
Gunners had a late claim for a penalty although the referee did not see the offence before Maidenhead counter attacked from a corner and scored a winning goal in the last minute.
Gunners could not come back and lost the game 2-1.Marcus Randles was Gunners "Man of the Match".

Overall, it was a very good display from Gunners who played their best football so far this season with some good passing football from all areas of the field. Unfortunately, the team could not finish their numerous chances and the Maidenhead keeper made some good saves to keep them in the game.

Match Facts

MOM : M Randles

Goal : I Peer (1)

Team

Facts

Earley Gunners vs Shinfield RBL 5 - 3

Match Report

Earley Gunners earned a shock win against high flying Shinfield British Legion after a battling display. Gunners made a tactical switch before the game and started with a 5-4-1 formation with an extra defender utilised in view of Shinfields attacking presence.Unfortunately Shinfield took an early lead but Gunners levelled through Ross Nelsons first goal for the club when he rifled in a low range shot after being set up by Steve Tranter. Gunners then took a 2-1 lead after a long range kick from Andy Birchput through Steve Tranter but Shinfield equalised to make it 2-2 at half time.

In the second half, Shinfield dominated possession and Gunners defended a series of corners before breaking away and adding a third goal from Steve Tranter. Gunners then hit Shinfield on the counter-attack again and scored through Paul Stout.Shinfield continued to force a series of corners but Gunners defence held firm. Steve Tranter then completed his hat-trick with a long range effort that went in between the keepers legs.

Gunners were under continued pressure and Phil Norton had to head the ball off the line and Andy Birch made a couple of point blank saves. Andy Birch unfortunately sustained an injury to his hand making a close range save but carried on bravely. However, Shinfield did add a third goal through a well struck volley but could not breach the Gunners defence any further. The final result was a 5-3 win to Gunners who were well pleased with the character shown by the team particularly in view of the slow start to the season. "Man of the Match" was a joint team award for a fine performance.

Match Facts

MOM : Team Effort

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

Team
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Earley Gunners vs Woodley Hammers 3 - 4

Match Report

Gunners early season slump continued with a 4-3 defeat against Woodley Hammers. The game was very nearly cancelled with no goal posts in sight on arrival but these were located in the surrounding trees near the pitch.

Gunners were slightly under strength missing a few regulars but did welcome back last seasons top scorer Bill Maslin.

Despite less of the play in the first half, Gunners took the lead were they were fortunate to be awarded a penalty when Carl Littlechild was fouled by the opposing keeper. Bill Maslin netted the resulting penalty.

However, Woodley equalised when a defensive slip allowed the opposing forward a shot on goal.
Woodley also had a couple of chances from corners one of which was headed off the line by Paul Ali.

However at the other end of the field Gunners took a 2-1 lead when Bill Maslin reacted to a loose ball and slotted him from inside the box. The half time score was 2-1 to Gunners.

In the second half Gunners failed to get into the game and Woodley struck early on to level the scores when the ball was crossed from the by line and ran into the path of their player who tapped home from close range.

Gunners should have been awarded a penalty when a Gunners player was blatantly fouled in the box, however the referee did not award the kick.

Woodley then took the lead for the first time in the game when a long range effort was deflected into the goal and Woodley then nearly put the game beyond doubt when they scored from a free kick.

Steve was then introduced into the game and was booked for retaliating to a challenge in less than five minutes.

In the dying minutes, Bill gave the team some hope when the flicked the ball over the keeper to score.

Gunners tried to force the last couple of minutes but Woodley kept the ball well away from their goal and earned the win. Gunners "Man of the Match" was Bill Maslin.

Overall, Gunners did not play well enough to earn a win. It was good to welcome Bill back and he definitely made a difference with his well taken opportunities but Gunners were guilty of giving away a couple of soft goals.

Match Facts

MOM : B Maslin

Goals : B Maslin (3)

Team
Pictures

DC Steamers vs Earley Gunners 0 - 0

Match Report

Gunners were unlucky not to earn all three points after a 0 - 0 draw with DC Steamers.

The game was fairly even in the first half although Gunners created the better of the chances with the keeper tipping a Paul Ali header over the bar early on and also saving a Matt Rees header.

At the other end of the field, DC Steamers had some possession and played some neat passing football on one or two occasions but did not really penetrate the Gunners defence and Andy Birch had little to do in goal.

DC Steamers had a number of corners but Andy Birch claimed these well. The half time score was 0 - 0.

In the second half, it was another even start with few teams creating many chances. The only early moment of interest was when the referee fell over!

However, Gunners then began to get more into the game and started to create a number of chances. The team had a good 20 minute spell where several chances were created.

Paul Stout broke through from midfield and played the ball across the face of the goal only for the DC Steamers keeper to just reach the ball ahead of the Gunners attacker.

Steve Tranter was unlucky when he hit the bar and the DC Steamers keeper also made a couple of close range savings. Paul Stout also saw a free kick from the edge of the hit the underside of the bar.

DC Steamers best chance came from a free kick outside the box which was saved. As the game moved towards the end Gunners had a late scare when the ball was not cleared from defence properly and the team were guilty of not clearing the ball quickly enough but this did not result in any shots on goal just a few nervous moments.

The final score was a 0 - 0 draw which was slightly disappointing as the team had created chances. Fraser McNaugthon was Gunners "Man of the Match".

Match Facts

MOM : F McNaughton

Team

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