North Berks Football League Roundup - 21st April 2018
 Richard Underwood, NBFL Media Relations Officer

Saxton remain on track for the clean sweep

Saxton Rovers claimed their second trophy of the season when they lifted the North Berks Charity Shield by beating Westminster 2-o at Abingdon United in front of around two hundred spectators. In a game where clear cut chances were few and far between it was Westminster that started slightly the better of the two teams with winning a few corners which never troubled the Saxton defence. Saxton started to get things moving and created a few half chances with firstly Louis Bloomfield firing his snapshot wide which followed with Patrick Mannix shooting over the Westminster crossbar when in a good position. Then moments later Mannix had a fine chance to open the scoring when following a Saxton corner Niall Hodgkins fired the ball back across the six yard box where Mannix could not direct the ball goal wards with the goal at his mercy. Westminster’s keeper Leigh Furze was then called into action producing a fine double save with firstly saving Frankie Haines drive from ten yards out which Furze saved low down to his right and then got back up to turn Mannix rebounded header over the crossbar. Westminster then created their first real chance of the game when Andy Younie collected the ball mid way through the Saxton half and ran beat a couple of defenders only to see his shot go straight at keeper Jack Absolom which quickly followed with Westminster’s Mike Hooton firing high and wide from just outside the Saxton area. Then just after the half hour mark Westminster’s Rory Griffiths was on hand to make a fine block to deny Bloomfield a shot at goal from around ten yards. Westminster then finished the half well with Cameron Lagan going on a fine run and his shot was saved low down by Absolom turning the ball around the post which then followed with a few corners which Westminster could not find anyway through the Saxton resolute defence. Westminster started the second half well with Younie seeing his shot blocked on the edge of the Saxton area following a jinxing run and then Lagan firing the ball over the Saxton crossbar when in a fine position. Moments later Saxton’s Haines saw his snap shot saved low down by Furze which then followed with good linking play from Saxton’s Hodgkins and Tom Stanley which eventually the ball was played into the path of Dan Parry whose shot went inches wide with Furze beaten. Westminster’s Younie then saw his shot curled just over the Saxton cross bar following good work from Dan Hill and minutes later Saxton scored the first goal of the game on the seventy minute mark when they were awarded a free kick just outside the Westminster area and Bloomfield curled his free kick through the crowded penalty box and into the far corner of the net deceiving keeper Furze.Saxton did not have to wait long to go further ahead when from a carbon copy of the first goal Bloomfield fired his free kick from almost the same position but this time finding leading scorer Stanley on hand to tap the ball home from around six yards out.Saxton were now in full swing and Jack Bernasconi should of extended Saxton’s lead when getting on the end of a Bloomfield corner only to see his header sail over the Westminster crossbar from close range with the goal gaping. Saxton’s substitute Ollie Nadin then fired just wide following a fine run which then saw Westminster keeper Furze make a fine point blank save denying Joe Pratley from close range.Saxton saw out the remaining minutes of the game to claim the Charity Shield in a game that won’t go down as a classic but Saxton won’t mind as they remain on track for the clean sweep.

Division One
East Hendred missed the chance to go back top of the table when they travelled to Hanney United and were beaten narrowly 1-0 with Nicholas Christodoulou scoring the only goal of the game. Berinsfield kept their slim hopes of regaining the title alive with a fine 4-2 victory over Long Wittenham thanks to a four timer from Max Palmer whilst Aaron Colley and Ryan Scott scored for Wittenham. North Oxford claimed their second victory of the season with a 3-0 victory over Steventon thanks to two goals from John Malin and with Ben Scrivener also finding the target.

Division Two
Ardington went five points clear at the top of Division Two when they travelled back from Watlington Town with a narrow 1-0 victory with Nick Wilkins scoring the only goal of the game with five minutes remaining. Kintbury Reserves maintained their fine run of form with a 4-0 victory over Faringdon Town Reserves thanks to a hat-trick from Luke Connor with Tom Head also hitting the target.

Division Three
Drayton kept their promotion hopes alive with a fine 5-1 victory over Letcombe Reserves thanks to a hat-trick from Nathan Merry with Ben O’Hara and Josh Dennis also hitting the target whilst Letcombe replied through Angelo Fragata.Lambourn Sports Reserves got back to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Long Wittenham Reserves thanks to a Jonathan Peachey Score penalty and a Robbie Hicks strike.

Division Four
Champions Cumnor Minors U21 signed off with their final home game of the season with a ten goal thriller in a 6-4 victory over Hagbourne United Reserves thanks to two goals from leading scorer Jordan Howe and Ben Branton with Levi Webb and James Large also scoring whilst Hagbourne replied through Ben Drabble, Jake Lee, George Smith and Kieran Beesley.Hanney 66 Club clinched promotion and finished runners up with a narrow 2-1 victory over Steventon Reserves with John Green and Dylan Myerscough-Harris scoring for Hanney whilst Stuart Coppock scored for Steventon.

Roll of Honour
Saxton Rovers win the North Berks Charity Shield
Ardington go five points clear in Division Two
Hanney 66 Club finish runners up in Division Four
Luke Connor hits a hat-trick for Kintbury Reserves
Nathan Merry scores a hat-trick for Drayton