Purple Turtle vs Earley Gunners 1 - 6

Match Report

Earley Gunners secured Runners-up spot in the league with a convincing win against Purple Turtle.
It was Purple Turtle who started the better of the teams and they put Gunners under some early pressure and had a couple of half chances to score. However, Gunners took the lead when they were fortunate to be awarded a free kick which was rifled home by Dave Owen.

Gunners then added a lucky second when Matt Rees played the ball to Dave Owen who released Darren Fry who played a soft cross into the box, however the Purple Turtle keeper fumbled the ball which gently rolled between his legs into the net to make it 2-0.

In the second half Gunners had the majority of the play and added a third when Matt Walker scored direct from a corner. Bill Maslin then scored his 20th goal of the season when he headed home from close range from a Matt Walker corner.

Matt Walker then scored his second after being released on the right by Neil Rumbold and Bill Maslin finished off the goals when the Purple Turtle keeper kicked the ball to him from a goal kick and Bill ran in and finished from close range.

Purple Turtle did have a couple of chances to score and were unlucky when they hit the cross bar. The final score was a 6-1 win, the score line probably flattered Gunners first half performance as Purple did have several chances to score but Gunners did play well in the second half.

There were good performances all round, the defence were a little more solid. (how it helps when the forwards can score!) Matt Walker and Matt Rees both had good games but "Man of the Match" went to Dave Owen for his general effort in midfield.

This win ensured second spot and promotion for Gunners.

Match Facts

MOM : D Owen

Goals: M Walker (2), D Owen (2), D Fry (1), B Maslin (1)

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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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