Peter Raynbird Reviews Cup Matches played on 28th February 2016

Division One

Hook FC retake top spot in the Division One table after a 3-0 home win against Basingstoke Labour Club FC. Although fielding a make shift side, Labour had quite a good first half and only some very good saves from Greg Archer prevented Cameron George and Paul Gadson giving Hook a fright. It was in the 20th minute when Hook opened their account when Andy Parker scored following a Jack McKee assist. They were then awarded a penalty, but Aaron King fired high over the bar, but he atoned for his error when he made it 2-0 just before half time. George forced another save from Archer before substitute Steven Price set up King for the third.

Tadley Calleva FC ‘A’ are still in the hunt for the title, even with three defeats, and accounted for visitors DJS Telecoms FC with a 6-1 victory at Barlow’s Park. This Saturday however they go in search of a place in the Final of the Hampshire Junior ‘A’ Cup on a trip to the Isle Of Wight to face Ryde Saints FC. It was again Kye Theodore in the limelight with another four goals and so taking his tally of the season to an incredible 39 already. His first came on sixteen minutes after he beat the offside trap from a Gary Hibbs pass. In the 39th he put away a cut back from Michael Abbott and after he completed his hat trick from another Hibbs assist, Hibbs himself made it 4-0 at the break. Still in control Tadley went 5-0 ahead after Stephen Burgess sent Theodore through. It was from a Peter Lomax penalty that DJS Telecoms made it 5-1, but the sixth for Tadley near the end was scored by Peter White.

The short reign of Sherborne St John FC as leaders was halted when they were beaten 2-1 at a windy, cold Charles Chute Playing Fields. I watched the first half when visitors Twentyten FC, also on route to the IOW this Saturday in the Semi Finals of the Hampshire Junior ‘A’ Cup, built up a 2-0 advantage. It was in the tenth minute when Jake Tanner won a vital tackle in the box and it led to Joe Hill picking up the loose ball and giving keeper Darren Gary no chance. The second came in the 38th when the Sherborne defenders were caught too far up field and the lofted free kick from Tanner left keeper Gary exposed. He ran some 40 yards in an effort to clear; fell short and Jack Clarke had the easy task of running on to place into the empty net. It was mostly Sherborne after the break and in the 60th a corner kick taken by Alex Izzo, avoided by all in the box and ended up in the net. After this Jack Nicholson in the Twentyten goal made one on one saves from Cobi Judd and Sachin Rae and handled well to stop any equalizer.

Overton United FC ‘A’ picked up maximum points against Hampshire Irons FC, with the winner scored in the last minute by Ben Peirce. It was a goalless first half and then early in the second half Craig Hopper headed in a free kick from Ben Haskins for the Irons lead. Overton equalized from a penalty kick, taken by Sammi Aldoori and it remained level until the final minute when Jack Rickard did well to save the first shot, but was unable to keep the ball out as it bounced nicely for out for Ben Peirce to fire into the Irons net.

Division Two

As the previous leaders Basingstoke United FC had their Division Two match against Basingstoke Athletic FC Reserves called off by their opponents, it is Bounty United FC back on the top of the table after beating AFC Aldermaston ‘A’ 3-2 at Castle Field. It was Aldermaston taking a 15th minute lead through Tony Johnson after keeper Richie Vinn mishandled. Bounty soon levelled when Andy Darmoody played Matt Love through, he then took on two men and slotted home. In the 55th minute Steven Horton was bundled over and Darmoody scored from the spot. The lead was increased two minutes later when a cut back by Love led to a tap in from Horton. Johnson had two good chances in one on ones with Vinn but failed and there was just three minutes left when Brad Nicholson managed to beat the Bounty keeper.
Overton United FC ‘B’ keep their interest in the title, a point adrift, by beating AFC Berg 3-2 with the winner from Paul Ralph coming in the last minute. A back pass led to Rob Perrett playing through for Liam Randall to give them the lead after eleven minutes. Perrett put them 2-0 up at the interval after being set up by Richard Spiers. The Berg come back came when a free kick from Lance Forster was put away by Vincent Mundane. There was five minutes to play when Berg were awarded a penalty, dispatched by Forster to level and then came the late winner. Tita Martins with the free kick and headed firmly into the net by Ralph.