Published: Sunday, 13th April, 2008 12:00
Shinfield dent Cholsey title hopes
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Stuart Milne, Kees Howard and Scott Varney struck for Legion and the three points moves them to the top of the division.
However, the real winners are third-placed Whitley Tavern Res who are just four points behind Legion and with the advantage of five games in hand following their 3-1 victory over Woodley Saints.
After a goalless first half Tavern introduced substitute Ray Spence who had an immediate effect netting their first two goals. Mark Scotland added a third before Saints notched a late consolation.
Division One East
Division One East leaders Wrightchoice increased their advantage at the top of the table to a very healthy five points with a 3-1 win over third placed Eastern Rangers while closest challengers Woodley Hammers Res were slumping to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of AFC Twyford.
Billy Pritchard gave Twyford an early lead but Hammers had forced an equaliser before the break. But the villagers were not to be denied and midway through the second half Pritchard notched his second goal of the game and his side defended stubbornly to hold onto the thee points.
Division Two East
Relegation haunted Wokingham & Emmbrook caused a huge shock in Division Two East as they travelled to champions elect Earley Home Guard and came away with a 3-0 victory.
After a goalless first half Wokingham produced a dominant second half display and cruised to the points through two Russell Jackson efforts and a further Craig Parker strike.
But Earley Home Guard had some consolation when they learnt that closest challengers Rifle Volunteer had failed to make up ground as they slumped to a 5-1 loss against Polish Social.
Division Two West
With runaway Two West leaders Diamond Black without a fixture second placed Victoria Arms had an ideal opportunity to close the gap. But they failed to take it as they went down to an odd goal in five reverse against AFC Crowmarsh.
Paul Howell gave the pub side an early lead and they appeared on course for the three points. But the villagers had other ideas and three quick goals put Victoria on the back foot and although Lee Norton reduced the arrears they failed to find an equaliser.
That defeat allowed third placed Oasis to move into the promotion places as they returned from Barton Rovers Res with a 3-2 victory with James Croft helping himself to a hat-trick.
Croft fired his side into a two goal lead before Rovers clawed their way back into the game before the break.
Croft was again on target early in the second half and although Rovers again reduced the arrears Oasis held out for a vital win to move to within 14 points of Diamond Black with five games in hand.
Division Three East
With Division Three East leaders AFC Southfield and Meadow Rangers both without fixtures, Loxwood Park Rangers moved to within touching distance of the title after outgunning Reading Piranhas 4-1.
Victory over closest rivals Southfield this Sunday will see them crowned champions and cap a superb season for the Laurel Park club.
Loxwood had a full strength squad to choose from for the first time in months but it was Piranhas who made the better start and took an early lead with a free header from a free kick.
But gradually Loxwood started to take control and they drew level before half-time when Steve Barter broke clear to slam home the equaliser.
The second half remained tight with Loxwood struggling to break through until the introduction of top scorer Jason Ivil turned the game.
After a three month lay-off through injury, Ivil scored with his first touch as he latched onto a through ball and coolly lobbed the advancing keeper.
It was then a case of how many more Loxwood would score and they settled for two with Barter bagging his second and Kevin Glenton slamming in the fourth near the end.
The man of the match award was shared between the outstanding Jonny Austin and Mike Flatman.
Division Three Central
With the two leading sides in Division Three Central Mapledurham Cavaliers Res and FC Ole both enjoying a weekend off, third-placed Misfit Res kept their slim promotion hopes alive with a 3-1 success at Purley Res to move to within a point of second place.
Division Three West
A four-timer from Stuart Davis led Fox & Hounds to a 5-0 victory at New England and the three points lifts them to the top of the Three West table above Burghfield who were on cup duty.
Davis struck the first two goals before Ben Butler joined in the fun with his side’s third and Davis added two further efforts after the interval.
Division Four West
YMCA Utd completed their Division Four West season in fine style as they clinched runners-up spot with a 4-1 victory over 116 Exiles Res.
Two goals in the space of 30 seconds on the quarter hour mark from Simon Gray and Sam Taylor gave YM a perfect start. And a 40 yard strike from captain Paul Emery increased their advantage to three before 116 reduced the arrears before the break.
But YM kept the pressure on after the interval and with man of the match Adam Henley controlling matters they completed the scoring on 55 minutes with Taylor notching his second goal of the game following good work from Lee Chaffey.
The Cup Scene
It was a poor day for Reading Sunday League sides in the two Berks & Bucks finals played at the weekend as both The Sun and Burghfield slumped to heavy defeats.
The Sun met Pitstone in the Berks & Bucks Sunday Junior Cup final at Aylesbury Vale and crashed to a 5-0 defeat.
Meanwhile Burghfield did a little better in their Junior Trophy final but still failed to collect the silverware as they went down to a 3-1 loss to Impressions.
Any new teams that want to enter the Reading Sunday League next season need to apply for an application form, available from league secretary Dave Marshall on 0118 941 7122.
No new applications will be considered after Wednesday April 30.
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