Stoppage time heartbreak for Tadley
TADLEY Calleva were denied a vital victory by a 96th-minute goal at Knaphill on Tuesday night.
Tadley looked set to be cruising to a win over second-placed Knaphill that would have given their Combined Counties Premier South play-off hopes a real shot in the arm.
They led 2-0 until the game changed in the 61st minute when Connor Thorne picked up two yellow cards in quick succession and was sent off.
Knaphill reduced the deficit 12 minutes from time, then six minutes into stoppage time Jake Hawker snatched a dramatic equaliser.
Brad Neal had fired Tadley ahead five minutes before the break, then in the 50th minute Kieran Rodgers struck again to make it 2-0.
But Tadley’s 10 men couldn’t hold on. The result leaves Tadley in ninth place, but, despite a recent stumble in form, they are still well placed for a top-five spot as they have games in hand on all their rivals.
Fitting in six games between now and the end of the season is going to be the major obstacle though.
On Saturday Tadley host struggling Sheerwater, and on Tuesday they’re back in action at Barlow’s Park for a crunch game against another of their promotion rivals, AFC Croydon
Athletic. n TERRY Patton grabbed the vital goal as Kintbury Rangers kept their Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League title hopes alive.
Patton hit the only goal of the game as Rangers edged out promotion rivals Royal Wootton Bassett 1-0.
Kintbury kept up the pressure on Tuesday night when they scored a hardfought 1-0 win over Calne Res.
The result leaves Kintbury eight points behind leaders Amesbury Town, but they have two games in hand.
And they face a crucial clash on Saturday when they host third-placed Pewsey Vale. n AFC Aldermaston will be looking to end a 13-game winless streak at home to Newport (IoW) on Saturday.
The Atomics have been without a win since December 20 and have slumped to the foot of Wessex League Division 1.