Earley Gunners vs Bulmershe OB 3 - 7

Match Report

Gunners went one better than the previous game by conceding seven goals to Bulmershe in a cup encounter. However, the final score flattered Bulmershe.

Despite a scrappy first half lacking much passing football, Gunners created a number of clear cut chances including efforts from Bill and Jon who were both unable to hit the target.

Gunners were then caught at the back when a long ball was not attacked and this was subsequently flicked on and the onrushing forward comfortably lobbed the keeper.
Bulmershe then capitalised on some slack defending and made it 2 - 0 before half time.

Gunners did have some success in breaking through the Bulmershe defence with balls through the middle and also created a number of chances when they pressured the Bulmershe defence into making a mistake. However, Gunners lacked the quality to finish from these positions and the half time score was 2-0.

In the second half Bulmershe made it 3-0 with a goal from a corner before Steve Tranter hit back with two goals. The first was a powerful strike from inside the box which was still rising as it hit the back of the net whilst the second was slightly fortuitous as it ran between the keepers legs.

As soon as Gunners thought they had clawed their way back into the game, Bulmershe added two more goals before Lee Gallagher scored his first for the club from close range.

Bulmershe added two late goals including the last one which saw a valuable contribution from Jaap towards the goal!

The final score was a disappointing 7-3 defeat and Gunners will have to defend much better in the upcoming league fixtures.

Gunners "Man of the Match" was Matt Rees.

Match Facts

MOM : M Rees

Goals : S Tranter (2), L Gallagher (1)

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Ruscombe vs Earley Gunners 6 - 1

Match Report

Gunners were thumped 6 - 1 by Ruscombe after one of the worst displays the team had seen in some time.

Ruscombe took the initiative and had a couple of early chances to score with their left winger looking particularly dangerous. Eventually, the pressure told and they took a 1 - 0 lead.
Gunners did have a couple of early chances and hit the post twice but it was Ruscombe who had the better of the game and they added a second goal soon after.

After the second goal it was mainly one way traffic against Gunners. The team could not string any passes together and did not retain possession of the ball. Defensively, the team were second best to most loose balls and could not tackle their opponents.

After Ruscombe scored a third goal through a soft shot which embarrased Andy, Paul Stout was booked for a rash challenge. He then picked up his second yellow card a few minutes later leaving Gunners down to ten men. Ruscombe added a fourth goal before half time when with a close range header on goal. The half time score was 4-0.

With only 10 men and 4 goals down, Gunners had no chance to get back into the game and it was simply a case of forgetting the first half display and starting again. About a minute after half time, Gunners scored the best worked goal of the game when the ball was played right from the goal line through the midfield to Phil Norton who slid the ball past the keeper.

Phil was then injured when he dislocated his shoulder which will see him out for 6-8 weeks.
Gunners battled well the second half but Ruscombe played the ball wide well and stretched the team. Andy was required to make a few saves and Gunners were under constant pressure. Unfortunately, Ruscombe added two further goals in that half to make the final score 6-1.

Overall, it was a very poor first half display and one which we hope is not repeated. Matt Rees battled well in the midfield all game but Man of the Match went to Richard Alderton for a solid game overall.

Match Facts

MOM : R Alderton

Goals : P Norton (1)

Team

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Earley Gunners vs Purple Turtle 6 - 2

Match Report

Gunners earned a comfortable win against Purple Turtle although it was close until the last 15 minutes. A much changed around Gunners side saw the return of Andy Birch after injury and a new look defence. Gunners reverted to a 4-4-2 formation with Bill and Iain leading the line.

The first half display was poor, Gunners were second best to the ball and could not find any momentum going forward. Despite a couple of chances it was Purple Turtle who looked more likely to score and eventually took the lead from a soft goal.

Gunners made their substitutions early in the second half and this seemed to give the team a bit more momentum. Matt Rees pulled a goal back from Gunners after finishing from close range and then added a second with a point blank header after a flick on from Iain Peer.

The Gunners defence was much better in the second half winning most loose ball and restricting the opposition to a couple of chances.

Gunners seemed to make the game safe with twenty minutes to go when Paul Stout added a third after another assist from Iain Peer. However, Purple Turtle gave themselves a lifeline when they made it 3-2 after scoring from a free kick which was deflected of the wall and into the goal.

Gunners responded well and Paul Stout added a second (assist Matt Rees) and by this point Purple Turtle ran out of steam and started to make errors in defence. Gunners took advantage and added a fifth through Iain Peer and a Steve Tranter rounded it off with a sweetly struck free kick which he curled around the Purple Turtle wall into the goal. There were a number of good performances from Carl Littlechild and Lee Gallagher but "Man of the Match" went to Matt Rees.

Match Facts

MOM : M Rees

Goals : M Rees (2), P Stout (2), I Peer (1), S Tranter (1)

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Shinfield RBL vs Earley Gunners 3 - 2

Match Report

Gunners were edged out by high flyers Shinfield in a close game.

Shinfield forced the early pace and Gunners had to defend a series of corners although Shinfield found it difficult to create clear cut chances.

Shinfield looked more dangerous on the break and Duncan Josey had to make a couple of one on one saves. Paul Marten kept Gunners in the game when his last ditch sliding tackle cleared the ball from a certain goal.

Gunners had a few half chances from distance although the Gunners keeper was much busier with some solid handling required.

However, Gunners did take the lead through Phil Nortons close range finish, his first goal of the season with Carl Littlechild assisting.

Shinfield did strike back before the break with a neat turn and close range shot to level the scores.

The half time score was 1 - 1. Gunners had the first effort of the second half when Marcus Randles cross from the right hand side was just headed over the bar.

However Shinfield took a 2 - 1 lead before Gunners equalised about 90 seconds later through a left foot shot from Matt Rees to make it 2-2. Paul Stout had an effort on goal when his swivel and shot went wide and Gunners also had an effort from a corner cleared off the line.

Shinfield grabbed a third goal towards the end of the game to make it 3-2 and despite Gunners trying to force the pace could not find the equaliser.

Marcus Randles had a good game and worked extremely hard up front by himself although "Man of the Match" went to Duncan Josey, the keeper for a good game and some vital saves.

Match Facts

MOM : D Josey

Goals : M Rees (1), P Norton (1)

Team

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