Loxwood Res vs Earley Gunners 2 - 2

Match Report

Earley Gunners were fortunate to scrape a draw against Loxwood Res in the second game of the double header.

Gunners looked more tired than their opponents in the first half and found it more difficult to settle into their style of play against a determined Loxwood Res team who were keen to avenge the last result.

Loxwood deservedly took the lead when a cross from the right hand side was headed in across the goal and the opposition had a slender lead 1-0 lead at half time. Gunners had the benefit of the wind and the slope in the second half but could only create a few half chances.

Loxwood then scored a second goal when the ball skipped past Paul Ali on the right touchline and their forward took the ball into the box and scored with a cute chip past the keeper.

Loxwood had a further chance to increase the lead when they were awarded a free kick in the box when Julian was adjudged to have handled a pass back. Fortunately, the shot span wide.
With about 10-15 minutes to go, it looked all over for Gunners. However, this changed when Gunners scored a goal from a corner.

Fraser McNaughton challenged the keeper who appeared drop the ball and John Monksmith scored from close range. With a few minutes to go, it was all to play for and Gunners managed to scramble a last minute goal from Paul Clark which was helped in by a Loxwood player.

The final score was a 2-2 draw although Gunners did well to battle back in the last few minutes, the team were probably a little fortunate to share the points as Loxwood Res looked the better side in this game. Paul Marten was Gunners "Man of the Match".

Match Facts

MOM : P Marten

Goals : J Monksmith (1), P Clark (1)

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Earley Gunners vs Loxwood Res 3 - 1

Match Report

Earley Gunners beat Loxwood Res in the first game of their double header.

Gunners started out the better of the teams and some neat passing play set up Bill for a couple of early chances but he was denied by the keeper.

However it was Loxwood who took the lead from a corner as the ball was floated across and they finished from close range.

However, Gunners immediately struck back from kick off when Dave Owen and Bill Maslin combined, Dave raced onto a ball and scored with a well struck shot a few seconds after kick off.
Gunners then increased their lead when Dave set up Bill Maslin.

Gunners were in control of the game and were working well in all areas of the field. They increased their lead again when supersub Neil Rumbold scored from a close range tap in.
The final score was a well deserved 3-1 win to Gunners.

It was a good performance overall with each player putting in the effort for this win, which was vital in Gunners attempt to secure a runners-up spot in the league.

Man of the Match was Leon Spyrou for a great game in left midfield closely followed by Dave Owen who also had a very good game.

Match Facts:

MOM : L Spyrou

Goals : B Maslin (1), D Owen (1), N Rumbold (1)

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Earley Gunners vs AFC Earley 2 - 2

Match Report

Earley Gunners were held at home by AFC Earley who earned a draw by equalising with virtually the last kick of the game.

Gunners welcomed back Sean Kearns for a guest appearance as he was back in the area for the weekend. AFC Earley had the first couple of chances of the game when they played a couple of long balls over the Gunners defence but they could not hit the target.

AFC Earley had a couple of good midfield players who caused Gunners some problems with some good passing. However, Gunners took the lead through some neat interplay from Dave Owen and Bill Maslin who finished from close range.

Gunners than added a second goal when a long throw from Matt Rees was flicked on by Bill Maslin to Dave Owen who scored from an overhead flick towards the goal which went in over the keeper.

Despite a fairly even first half Gunners held a 2 - 0 lead. The second half was fairly tight with few chances at either end. However towards the end of the game Gunners lost control of the game and were on the back foot. AFC Earley equalised when Gunners were caught in possession and they scored with a very well struck shot from 20 yards which went in at the top right hand corner of the goal.

In the last few minutes, the opposing forward picked up the ball and danced his way through three players and smashed the ball home with about a minute to go. The end soured the game for Gunners who were despondent after slipping back from a two goal lead.

This result leaves Gunners under pressure to secure enough points to come Runners-Up in the league.

Match Facts:

Goals : D Owen (1), B Maslin (1)

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Earley Gunners vs Woodley Saints 1 - 3

Match Report

Earley Gunners were overtaken in the league by a rampant Woodley Saints side who beat Gunners 3-1.

Gunners made a very sloppy start and conceded two soft goals in the first 15 minutes to put the team on the back foot straight away.

Gunners did not seem to be able to settle into the game and were constantly hassled by a dominant Saints side.

Gunners did have an opportunity to get back into the game when they were awarded a penalty for handball. Unfortunately Paul Ali put the ball just wide and Gunners were further punished when Saints added a third.

Just before half-time Gunners did manage to pull a goal back, when Dave Owen played Matt Walker through who lobbed the keeper.

The second half was a slightly tighter affair, Gunners did manage not to concede any further goals thanks to a couple of fine saves from Julian. However, Gunners did not fashion any chances at all Woodley Saints eventually ran out comfortable winners.

Match Facts:

Goal : M Walker (1)

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