Reading Chronicle | Sport | Marlow keep title hopes alive

Friday, 16th May, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 16th April, 2008 12:00

Marlow keep title hopes alive

On Saturday they eased to a 3-1 success over West Reading whose consolation came from James Pheby. And they followed this with a 4-0 win against AFC Corinthians on Monday evening with Alan Hale (2), Dan Flint and James Killick finding the net.

The two wins moves them to within eight points of leaders Cookham Dean Res with two games in hand but with the sides due to meet on the final day of the season the destination of the title is still up for grabs.

Division One

Despite dropping only their third point of the season in a 1-1 draw at Sonning Common it proved to be an excellent day for Division One champions-elect South Reading as closest challengers Ashridge Park slumped to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of REME (Arborfield).

The Army side, who now have their Berkshire Trophy Centre Intermediate Cup final to look forward to, struck through Alex Charles and Ben Read.

Park’s defeat means that South only have to collect four points from their four remaining games to clinch the title. The in-form Danny Seward netted their goal against Common with Will Graham on target for the villagers.

Division Two

Berinsfield FC clinched the Division Two championship with a hard-fought solitary goal victory against Woodley Town Res.

In a scrappy encounter of few chances, Berinsfield enjoyed the greater possession in the early stages. The Reading side came more into the game as the first half progressed with Paul Wilder heading a Darren Arvington corner wide.

But it was Berinsfield who finished the half on top and they struck the Woodley crossbar as the first period ended goalless.

The second half was little better and the game appeared destined for a stalemate. But Berinsfield’s Chris Murphy had other ideas and when a free-kick was knocked into his path his fierce effort flew past the flat-footed Gary Amor in the Woodley goal to clinch the title for his side.

The Cup Scene

The final of the Berkshire Trophy Centre Junior Cup on May 9 will be contested between Barton Rovers and Wokingham & Emmbrook B after both edged through two very closely fought semi-finals at the weekend.

Barton had won the Division Three title while Bell & Bottle had done likewise in Division Four and the pub side held their more senior opponents to a 3-3 draw after extra-time.

But it was Rovers who held their nerve in the penalty shootout as they edged through 4-2 on spot-kicks.

Jamie Piercy, Martin Campbell and Steven Lee had earlier notched for Rovers, with Richard Lane (2) and Michael Jeffries replying for the pub side.

There was another Division Three against Division Four clash in the second semi-final when Wokingham & Emmbrook B met Berinsfield FC Res – and it was Wokingham who progressed with an odd goal in seven success.

Peter Clarke, Ricky Hastings and Ashley Brind struck for the unlucky Oxford side.

Division Two outfit Woodcote/ Stoke Row Res put their league woes behind them to advance into the semi-finals of the Reading Evening Post Jubilee Cup with a narrow 2-1 win against Division Three Highmoor/Ibis A.

Player manager Graeme Storey and Antony Murnane-Bell struck for Woodcote, with Matt McDonnell replying for the Scours Lane side.

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