Earley Gunners vs Trentonians 1 - 3

Match Report

Gunners went out of the Berks & Bucks Cup losing 3-1 to Division 1 West side Trentonians. It was a much improved performance for Gunners who reverted to a 4-5-1 with Paul Marten relishing the opportunity of playing up front.

The first twenty minutes were fairly tight with neither keeper really troubled. Trentonians looked the more dangerous team and started to look more menacing down their left (Gunners right) and started to play a few dangerous crosses in during the latter period of the first half.
At the other end of the field, despite some hard work from Paul Marten the Trentonian keeper had very few shots to save. Gunners had a few potential opportunities to score when Mike Olivier broke free on a couple of occasions down the right.

With about 2 minutes to go before half time, Trentonians scored two quick goals. The first was a cross into the box which was chested down by the Trentonians player who layed it off for a colleague to score from close range.

The second saw a ball played through the defence to put the Trentonian winger who had cut in from the left a clear shot on goal. Paul Ali made a last ditch tackle to block the shot as the Gunners keeper also came out but the ball was then played to a free player who tapped the ball inside the box.

At half time Gunners were 2-0 down due to 2 goals in a matter of minutes. The second half saw Gunners under pressure for the first twenty minutes with a series of crosses and corners but Iain in goal managed claimed these well. Ross Nelson then had to depart the field of play with a groin strain which saw Gunners reshuffle the team slightly.

Trentonians then added a third goal to make it 3-0 before Paul Marten scored his first of the season when he chased a lost cause won the ball in a tussle with the Trentonians keeper and scored with a shot into an empty net from outside the box. Paul Marten then had a chance to make it a two but couldn't convert.

Matt Rees won some important flick on's which gave Gunners a couple of breaks although Gunners best chance came when Paul Clark wove his way into the box but fired wide. Matt Coggins and Nigel Hinkson also had further chances to score. At the other end of the field, Trentonians were also creating a few chances and should have made it safe when the opposing attacker missed a 1 on 1. Peter Ali was then forced to make a goal line clearance to prevent Trentonians from adding to the lead.

Richard Alderton made a few runs from left back but couldn't force an opportunity and as time ran out Gunners could not find a goal they needed to put Trentonians under pressure for the last few minutes.

Time ran out leaving Gunners losing 3-1 but it was a better performance than previous weeks.

Match Facts:

Goal : P Marten (1)

Team

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Good Companions vs Earley Gunners 4 - 0

Match Report

Gunners poor form continued with a 4-0 defeat to Good Companions.

Gunners once again started brightly in the first few minutes but went 1-0 down when they were caught napping at a corner and allowed an opponent a free header on goal. Julian Willis made his return in goal and was called into action with a couple of reflex saves. However Goodies then made it 2-0 when they scored with a well hit shot from outside the box.

Nigel Hinkson had a chance from kick off when he dribbled past a couple of players but his shot went well wide. Gunners failed to fashion many chances but had chances from left midfield and Marcus Randles. The best effort came when the ball was played across the Goodies box but Gunners just failed to touch it into the net.

Paul Marten had a good first half after making some good tackles to prevent Goodies from scoring on a couple of occasions. The half time score was 2-0 to Goodies.

The first twenty minutes of the second saw Gunners play a bit better but the team failed to pass the ball around the field of play. Gunners had a couple of half chances to score but really failed to put the Goodies keeper under pressure. The best effort came when Paul Ali's shot from outside the box went just wide of the goal.

Goodies then continued to play it down each wing and started to over run Gunners quite easily. Only some abysmal finishing from Goodies kept the score down although they added two more goals firstly through a defensive mix up which allowed the attacker a free shot on goal and secondly through an own goal from Paul Marten who deflected a shot into the goal.

Mike Olivier had to make a couple of saving tackles to prevent Goodies from having some clear shots on goal. The final score was a 4-0 defeat and Gunners are still searching for their first three points of the season. Gunners "Men of the Match" were Mike Olivier and Marcus Randles for a tireless effort.

Match Facts

MOM : M Olivier/M Randles

Team

Earley HG vs Earley Gunners 3 - 0

Match Report

Gunners started the game well and looked sharp in the first five minutes but then went down to an early goal after a poor back bass by Matt Coggins was pounced upon by the opposing forward who finished well from close range.

Gunners found themselves playing into the sun and were under pressure against the long ball tactic used by Earley HG who added a second goal from a well judged shot from 25-30 yards out which flew into the top corner.

Gunners did create a couple of chances. Paul Ali broke from midfield and played the ball to Steve Tranter whose shot was saved by the keeper. Gunners also had another effort from the edge of the box blocked.

Earley HG added a third goal from a similar long ball and chase and were worthy 3-0 leaders at half time.

In the second half, Gunners made a few tactical adjustments and started the game brightly and finally began to harry and close down their opponents.

The game was more even but Gunners found it difficult to create clear cut chances whilst Earley HG looked dangerous on the counter attack and had a few of chances to score forcing Chris to make a number of saves.

Towards the latter part of the game, Steve was sent off for retaliating against an Earley HG player who was also sent from the field of play. Unfortunately, the Earley HG Res supporters also got involved.

As play was about to resume, a number of Earley HG Reserves players ran off the field off play to confront Steve who was leaving the game. At this point, the referee decided to abandon the game.

Overall, it was a poor Gunners performance with no player earning the "Man of the Match" award and Gunners did not deserve to take any points from the game.

Team

Earley Gunners vs Chalfont Park 1 - 1

Match Report

Gunners managed to avoid a third defeat in a row with a 1-1 draw against Chalfont.

Gunners started the game brightly and had two glorious chances to open the scoring through Mike Olivier and Steve Smith who had a clear shot on goal.

Chalfont started to assert themselves and the game was more even. Chalfont took the lead early in the first half when a corner was not cleared and they flicked the ball in from close range.

However, Gunners battled back and Peter Ali (battling a groin strain and forced to stand up front) managed to equalise when the slotted the ball home from close range. He nearly made it two with a close range effort.

Gunners were looking more dominant with Lee Gallagher putting in some great deliveries. Gunners also created some chances when Chalfont gave away possession. However, Gunners lacked that bit of composure to turn good play into goals.

The half time score was 1-1.

Chalfont came out the blocks in the second half an immediately put Gunners under pressure. Chalfont had several corners in a row and Gunners did well to defend the first ball (an improvement over last week) but should have dealt with the loose ball and pushed out more quickly.

It was fair to say that Chalfont dominated possession in the second half and had three really good chances to score but their close range finishing was poor. They also tried to overplay the ball on the edge of Gunners box and a combination of the defence and midfield managed to defend the ball.

Gunners had a few opportunities on the break through Marcus and Steve and the Chalfont keeper had to pull off a good save from one of Steve's shots. Gunners also had a number of corners and amazingly managed to play 4 corners in a row straight out of play.

Gunners should have had a penalty when Steve managed to get goal side of his marker in the box who was all over him but the penalty was not awarded.

The final score was a 1-1 draw and Gunners first point of the season. Gunners "Man of the Match" was Marcus Randles.

Match Facts

MOM : M Randles

Goal : Pe Ali (1)

Team

Pictures