Gunners ended 2002 with a well earned win over Tilehurst Utd Res to put them through to the next round of the John Lusted Cup.The pitch conditions were slick but playable and Gunners started reasonably well which was good despite the lack of games in recent weeks.
Matt Rees opened the scoring for Gunners when he picked up a loose ball outside the penalty box and chipped the ball in with his left foot over an exposed keeper to net his third goal of the season. Tilehurst were restricted to very few chances thanks to Gunners mean defensive play and the only saves Andy had to make was two long range efforts before the end of the first half.
Stuart then added a second to give Gunners a 2-0 half time lead. In the second half Gunners were a little patchy for the first five to ten minutes and Tilehurst thought they had scored when a ball was cleared off the line. However, Gunners added another goal through Paul Clark and then Peter Ali was brought down in the box and Gunners were awarded a penalty which keeper Andy Birch blasted straight down the centre of the goal.
Gunners then added a fifth through Peter Ali when Phil Byrnes free kick deflected of the keeper to Peter who was lying on the floor, he managed to leap up and head the ball into the goal.
Gunners became a little slack and conceded a goal when a long ball was played over the top of the defence and the opposing player finished with a well struck shot from inside the box.
However Gunners added a sixth with a header from Paul Clark after Dave Owens corner before Gunners conceded a second direct from a free kick.
Gunners were comfortable winners and Paul Ali was Gunners "Man of the Match" for a good display in defence
Match Facts:
MOM : Pa Ali
Goals : P Clark (2), Pe Ali (1), A Birch (1), M Rees (1), S Bye (1)
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