North Berks Football League Roundup - 17th March 2018
 Richard Underwood, NBFL Media Relations Officer

Blewbury hit five to reach War Memorial Final

Blewbury reached the final of the North Berks War Memorial cup final after beating Faringdon Town Reserves 5-2 at a very cold and winding Sutton Courtenay Recreation Ground. Both sides struggled to make any headway in the conditions with Faringdon forcing a few early corners which never troubled the Blewbury defence as the snow started to fall. Blewbury created their first chance when John Robinson found Arran Gray on the edge of the box and he took a touch but only could fire wide when in a good position. Then moments later Faringdon had a great chance to take the lead when James Tranter was put through one on one but he could only watch his shot from just outside the box saved by Blewbury keeper Darren Gibbons. Then on the half hour mark Blewbury took the lead when a free kick was fired into a crowded box by Lee Chapman which the Faringdon keeper Nathan Draper failed to hold and the ball fell kindly to Robinson who tapped the ball home from close range. Both sides then created half chances which were either saved or missed until Faringdon drew level following a free kick from Dan Kingsley which was hit high into the box which keeper Gibbons elected to punch but the ball fell right into the path of Glen Townsend who fired the ball past a crowded six yard box and into the back of the net. Blewbury then went straight up the other end and went back into the lead after a fine run from John Robert Willis who then fired over his low cross which was met by Jason McCabe who tapped the ball home from close range. Minutes later Faringdon were back level after a long high ball that Blewbury failed to clear Tranter collected the ball took a touch and fired past Gibbons from just outside the box to go into the half tine break on level terms. The second half started with both sides not creating any worthwhile chances to note as both defences held firm with Faringdon’s Dave Coleman having the best chance firing his shot wide from twelve yards when in a good position. Then just on the hour mark Blewbury’s McCabe saw his low shot when put through on goal saved by the feet of Draper until minutes later Blewbury went in front when Gray headed a long cross into the path of McCabe who then hit his half volley past Draper and into the far bottom corner of the net. Blewbury were now in full swing and added a fourth on seventy minutes when McCabe found Chapman just inside the Faringdon box and he fired his first time shot on the run past the diving Draper.Blewbury’s Robinson and Gray then had shots from just outside the box which were saved by Draper low down as Faringdon were struggling to keep Blewbury at bay. Then with minutes remaining Blewbury added a fifth following a low corner which was met by Gray who took a touch and fired past the diving Draper which sealed the victory for Blewbury. Then the Faringdon keeper got his marching orders after a he was adjudged to of kicked out at Gray which the referee had no option than to send him off and Blewbury still had time for both Gray and substitute Charles Jamieson both squander glorious chances when in front of goal. Blewbury saw out the final moments of the game out to claim a 5-2 victory and to move into the final where they will meet fellow Division Two side Ardington.

North Berks War Memorial Cup Semi-Final
Letcombe Reserves gave a spirited performance against their more experienced opponents with Ardington dominated the first half and only the brilliance of Letcombe keeper Ben Beasley kept his side in the game. Ardington took the lead early in the game with a close range header from Luke Faircloth by which time keeper Beasley had already made two outstanding saves. Ardington extended their lead just before half time when Jamie Gregory`s added a second but followed with Tom Eatwell being sent off for Ardington for a dangerous tackle and the momentum of the game changed as the second half saw Letcombe take more control and many low crosses went across the Ardington six yard box without a Letcombe player supplying the finishing touch. Will Edwards and Lewis Ralphs were now controlling the midfield and Letcombe reduced the arrears with twenty minutes remaining with Charlie Knight heading home a corner from Zachary Pettifer.Half chances then came and went and Letcombe almost equalised in added time as a through ball deflected off a defender to Charlie Knight who controlled the ball and shot on the turn from eight yards but the Ardington keeper Craig Payne bravely threw himself at the ball and blocked the shot with his body.

North Berks Cup Quarter Final
Saxton Rovers maintained their unbeaten record in all competitions when they travelled to Westminster and posted a thumping 7-0 victory with top scorer Tom Stanley and Oliver Nadin both claiming hat-tricks with Patrick Mannix also finding the target. Saxton now go on to meet either Compton or Lambourn Sports in the last four.

Division One
East Hendred moved four points clear at the top of Division One when they claimed a 3-1 victory over in form Lambourn Sports at Mill Lane thanks to goals from Liam Eltham,Ty Lee and James Bowsher whilst Lambourn scored through their leading scorer Jonathan Peachey Score. Berinsfield moved into the shadow of the leaders when they posted a 5-3 victory over Hanney United thanks to a hat-trick from Max Palmer with further goals coming from Harvey Moore and a superb diving bullet header from player manager Steve Masterson whilst Hanney replied through Andy Hope, Chris Hunt and Jack Jennings. Long Wittenham were surprisingly held to a 2-2 draw at home to North Oxford with Wittenham scoring through Arran Colley and Cain Harper with Filip Marius Loan and Alex Amuza scoring for North Oxford.

Division Two
Saxton Rovers Reserves missed the chance to go back top of the league when they were beaten 2-1 at Kintbury Reserves with both goals coming from Luke Connor whilst Watlington Town claimed all three points in a narrow 1-0 victory over Wallingford Town Reserves with Chris Swales scoring the only goal of the game.
Division Three
Marcham came back from two goals down to collect a point against Long Wittenham Reserves in a 2-2 draw with Stuart Armstrong and Alex Meakin scoring for Marcham whilst Wittenham scored through Callum Bowler and Callum Green.

Division Four
Cumnor Minors U21 were crowned champions of Division Four when they claimed all three points in a fine 3-1 victory over Ardington Reserves thanks to goals from James Large, Cameron Pomroy and Ben Branton whilst Ardington replied through Dale Cameron. Faringdon Town A went goal crazy when they posted a high scoring 7-5 victory over Berinsfield Reserves with Jason Evans claiming a six timer with James Tyler also finding the target whilst Berinsfield replied through two goals from Jon Welch with Kai Dixon, Chris Baldwin and Adam Harris also scoring. Hanney 66 Club continued where they left off last week with claiming another three points with a narrow 3-2 victory over Hagbourne United Reserves with goals from Ben Stone, Matt Doig and John Green whilst Hagbourne replied through Keiran Beesley and Tom Holloway.

Roll of Honour
Blewbury and Ardington reach the War memorial Cup Final.
East Hendred go four points clear in Division One
Cumnor Minors U21 are crowned champions of Division Four
Saxton Rovers hit seven away at Westminster
Faringdon Town A hit seven against Berinsfield Reserves
Jason Evans hits a six timer for Faringdon Town Reserves
Tom Stanley and Oliver Nadin hit hat-tricks for Saxton Rovers
Max Palmer hits a hat-trick for Berinsfield
Player manager Steve Materson scores a rare bullet header for Berinsfield