North Berks Football League Roundup - 27th January 2018
 Richard Underwood, NBFL Media Relations Officer

Berinsfield hit four and move into the Semi Finals

Berinsfield moved into the Semi-finals of the Charity Shield after they claimed a 4-0 victory over their Division Two rivals Watlington Town in very wet conditions at Laye Avenue. It was not long into the game when Berinsfield took the lead when a Mark Ingram free kick from just outside the box was floated over to the far post where the unmarked Luke Saunders volleyed home past Watlington keeper Tobia Lugano from close range. Then moments later Watlington should of pulled level when a fine move and cross by Nick Little found Will Wright in space in the box and he took a touch but could only see his shot saved by the feet Berinsfield keeper Tom Lovett. Watlington who were playing with the strong wind in the first half then forced a flurry of corners which never troubled the Berinsfield defence as they looked to level the scores. Then Berinsfield had two chances in quick succession with the first being when Shane Harris collected the ball mid way in the Watlington half and he ran unchallenged and fired a twenty yard drive just over the bar which quickly followed with a Zach Gallagher shot saved at the near post by Lugano.Berinsfield then had a glorious chance to double their lead when a fine move by Max Palmer put through Charlie Lee on goal but he could only fire wide with only the keeper to beat. Minutes later Palmer latched onto a long ball and showed the Watlington defence a clean pair of heels only to see his shot saved by the feet of the out rushing Lugano from just inside the box. Then just on the half time whistle Lugano produced a great save to deny Luke Holdsworth after he turned away a close range header around the post. Berinsfield did not have to wait long at the start of the second half to double their lead after a Ingram free kick on the edge of the box was saved low down by Lugano but Lee was first to react as he fired the rebound home from close range. The game then went into a period where neither side carved up any chances to note as both defences held firm in the tricky conditions. Then just after the hour mark a fine link up play by Saunders and Palmer found Brian Rawlings in space on the edge of the Watlington box but his shot was fired high and wide when in a good position. Moments later good work from Lee down the Watlington right found Palmer with a inch perfect cross but he could only see his shot saved from close range by the feet of Lugano.Watlington then forced a few corners as they pushed forward looking to get back into the game but minutes later they found themselves 3-0 down when a Berinsfield corner was only half cleared and the ball was then headed back into the box where Lee miss kicked his shot from six yards which then fell kindly to Rawlings who tapped home into a empty net to save Lee’s blushes. Then with minutes remaining Watlington’s Jon Little nearly fired past his own keeper after cutting out a low cross which quickly followed with Berinsfield adding a fourth when Saunders linked up well with Rawlings inside the box and he found Lee who fired past Lugano from ten yards. Berinsfield still had to time to carve up another chance in added time when Rawlings put through Palmer one on one with Lugano but his shot was saved by the outstretched hand and then out to safety as Berinsfield booked their place in the last four of the completion.

Division One
Westminster moved into second place in the table when they travelled to Mill Lane and claimed all three points in a 3-1 victory over East Hendred with goals from Tom Srawley,Max Watterson and Cameron Lagan whilst East Hendred scored through Richard Claydon.Long Wittenham also claimed all three points when they posted a 5-1 victory over North Oxford with Kieron Cooper scoring twice with further goals coming from Arran Colley,Joe Cheong and Steve Malloy whilst North Oxford replied through Henry Golding. Lambourn Sports and Stanford-In-The-Vale claimed a point each in a 3-3 draw at Bockhampton Road with Rob Curtis, Luke Richards and Jason Tatum scoring for Lambourn whilst Adam Hazell, Bradley Hammond and Ryan Mason scored for the visitors.

Division Two
Kintbury Rangers Reserves moved into the top half of the table when they posted a narrow 1-0 victory over Benson Lions with Luke Connor scoring the only goal of the game. Sutton Courtenay got back to winning ways when they beat Faringdon Town Reserves 3-1 at Tucker Park thanks to two goals from Rhys Griffiths and a Kieron Kerby strike whilst Faringdon replied through Richard Evans.

Division Three
East Hendred Reserves moved nine points clear at the top of Division Three when they posted a 3-1 victory over Letcombe Reserves with Liam Eltham scoring twice and Jake Farmer also finding the target whilst Nick Marshall scored for the home side. Drayton put last week’s cup exit firmly behind them when they secured a fine 6-0 victory over Hagbourne United with leading scorer Josh Dennis scoring twice whilst further goals came from Carl Bolton, Pat Walsh, Sandy Bolton and Luke Black.
Division Four
In the only game played in Division Four Faringdon Town A posted a fine 6-2 victory over Steventon Reserves with Jason Evans hitting a hat-trick with further goals coming from Jack Green, Shane New and Oliver Pickett whilst Steventon replied through two goals from Matthew Moxon.

North Berks Cup 3rd Round
In an all Division Two clash Compton moved into the next round of the competition when they travelled to Blewbury and posted a fine 4-1 victory thanks to goals from Ben Brzoska,Liam Murray, Jake Rostron and Jack Baker whilst John Robinson scored for the home side.
North Berks League Cup Quarter Final
Cumnor Minors U21 booked their place in the last four of the League Cup when they claimed a fine 5-3 victory over Ardington Reserves thanks to a hat-trick from leading scorer Jordan Howe with further goals coming from Ouchie Johnson and Ben Winn whilst Ardington replied through two goals from Jamie Wilkins with Jordan Pierce also hitting the target.
North Berks War Memorial Cup Quarter Final
Ardington moved into the Semi-Final of the War Memorial Cup when they beat Wallingford Town Reserves 3-2 after going in at half time 2-0 down with Ardington scoring though Tom Eatwell, Nick Wilkins and Gavin Jones whilst Wallingford scored through Harry Voice and Louis Chainey.
North Berks AG Kingham Cup Quarter Final
Long Wittenham Reserves booked their place in the last four with a fine 6-1 victory over Berinsfield Reserves thanks to two goals from Andy Sutherland with further goals from Conor Thomas, Will Vaukins, George Douglas and a Brian Honer OG whilst Berinsfield scored through Jon Moore. Lambourn Sports Reserves also moved into the last four when they were taken the full distance by Marcham Reserves eventually winning 4-1 on penalty’s after the game ended 3-3 after extra time with Marcham scoring through Stuart Armstrong, Craig Dredge and Phil Dredge.

Roll Of Honour
East Hendred Reserves move nine points clear in Division Three
Long Wittenham Reserves hit Berinsfield Reserves for six
Drayton hit six past Hagbourne United
Faringdon Town A fire six past Steventon Reserves
Jordan Howe hits a hat-trick for Cumnor Minors U21
Jason Evans scores a hat-trick for Faringdon Town A