Charsley strikes to seal crucial victory
TADLEY CALLEVA took a giant step towards the Combined Counties Southern Premier play-offs with a 2-1 win over AFC Croydon Athletic on Tuesday.
But Tadley still face the prospect of playing five games in seven days in their bid to book a top-five spot.
That gruelling programme kicks off tonight when Tadley will have to field two teams for the league game at home to Fleet Town and the cup clash against Woodley United.
On Saturday Tadley are at home again when they face Guildford City before finishing the campaign with home and away games against basement side Colliers Wood United.
Tadley had seen their form dip in recent weeks – not surprising given the relentless amount of games they have been forced to play.
But their crucial win over Croydon – who beat Tadley 6-1 last month – leaves them perfectly poised for the play-offs.
They made the ideal start when Ross Cook fired them ahead after only six minutes.
Croydon hit back to level three minutes into the second half.
But five minutes later Andrew Charsley struck to earn Tadley a vital win.
On Saturday they needed a late Keiran Rodgers goal to earn them a 2-2 draw with relegation-threatened Sheerwater.
The visitors looked on course for a shock win, but sub Ross Cook struck in the 69th minute then Rodgers grabbed the equaliser three minutes from time.
■ Kintbury Rangers missed a golden opportunity to take the upper hand in the race for the Corsham Print Wiltshire Premier League title.
Rangers needed long-time leaders Amesbury Town to slip up on the run-in – and they did, going down 2-1 at home to Shrivenham.
Unfortunately, though, Kintbury couldn’t cash in as they were edged out 2-1 by third-placed Pewsey Vale.
Two goals from Connor Marsden sent Rangers crashing to defeat and they remain eight points behind Amesbury with two games in hand.
■ It might be too late to avoid relegation from the Velocity Wessex League Division 1 – but AFC Aldermaston are going down fighting.
They gave themselves hope of climbing above Andover Town after romping to a superb 7-2 win over Newport (Isle of Wight).
Simeon Weekes did the damage for Aldermaston with a hat-trick, while Ryan Alexander (2), Eldad Adjei and Marcus Richardson were also on target.