Newbury’s first-half blitz sinks United
NEWBURY FC bounced back to form by thumping Woodley United Development 4-1 in Division 1 of the Thames Valley Premier League.
The previous week, Newbury had seen their title hopes suffer a serious blow as they were beaten 5-0 by rivals Tadley Calleva Res.
But Newbury proved far too strong for basement side Woodley, cruising into a 4-0 interval lead before seeing a host of chances go begging after the break. Newbury had the bare XI for the game, but it took them only five minutes to break the deadlock as James O’Doherty – making his comeback after 18 months out with an ACL injury – set up George Mowat to fire home. Tom Beal added a second and Ryan Allen made it 3-0 before Ty Driscoll completed the scoring before the break.
O’Doherty said: “The title is not in our hands now. We need a few results to go our way and, but all we can do is keep winning. “It was really pleasing to keep a clean sheet on Saturday.
“We have made things hard for ourselves at times this season by conceding too many goals, so it was important to keep another clean sheet.”
Tadley, though, are still hot favourites to lift the title after cruising to an 8-0 win over lowly Hambleden.
Lors Nicholas did the damage with a hattrick, while Charlie Cunningham (2), Luke Maclean, Tyrell Reid and Jacob Rolfe were also on target to sink Hambleden, who had Miguel Ballon sent off on the stroke of halftime.
Burghfield returned to form in the Premier Division with a 5-0 win over Reading City under-23s.
Two successive defeats had seen the villagers’ title hopes evaporate, but they packed too much punch for City.
The race for the North Berks League Division 2 title is going down to the wire. Four teams are separated by just two points – and it was Frilsham & Yattendon who hit the top this week after a hardfought 4-3 win over Sutton Courtenay Res. That put them a point clear of Kingston Colts and two ahead of Lambourn Sports Res and Letcombe Res.
The title is in Lambourn’s hands, though, and wins in their final three games against Drayton Res, Sutton Courtenay and Woodcote Development would see them crowned champions.
Compton remain in relegation trouble in Division 1 after losing 5-1 at Berinsfield, despite a goal from Ben Fedrick