Reading Chronicle | Sport | Rangers book Mad Stad date

Published: Friday, 29th February, 2008 16:45

Rangers book Mad Stad date

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The Cup scene

Whitley Tavern4

Whitley Tavern Res2

Whitley Tavern will take on old rivals Dee Road Rangers in the Tilehurst Charity Cup Final at the Madejski Stadium in May after they narrowly overcame their reserve side 4-2 after extra time.

Both sides showed great commitment in a fiery opening period with chances falling to both sides. Raymond Spence eventually broke the deadlock to give his side the advantage at half-time.

But Tavern (res) deservedly hit back through Rio Francis who finished off a cross from Paul Peacock to level the scores.

However, his side suffered a setback when Shane Maskell received his marching orders after picking up a second yellow card.

Tavern regained the lead thanks to Justin Somerville, but the reserve side battled gamely despite having 10 men and Glenroy Yearwood grabbed an equaliser to take the match into extra-time.

Both sides hit the post in a frantic finale before Danny Ward took the score to 3-2 and Timmy Swift wrapped up the tie late on.

Dee Road Rangers4

Emmer Green1

Dee Road Rangers stormed into the final with an emphatic 4-1 win over Senior Division newcomers Emmer Green.

Both sides created scoring opportunities in an open match but it was Rangers who took a 2-0 lead at half-time.

Green keeper Lee Johnson pulled off several fine saves to deny Rangers further goals and the underdogs came out for the second period in determined mood.

They reduced the deficit with a well-taken header from Mark Winters who dived to meet a superb cross from Andy Hathaway.

The prolific Winters had scored in every round of the competition and Green hoped that they might cause an upset. Jon Mills and Robbie Jack worked hard to break up the Dee Road attacks supported by Dave Mills and Dan Donegan.

Adam Tombs marshalled the Green defence well but despite several promising moves it was Rangers who restored their two-goal cushion thanks to Adie Wickham who nodded home a neat cross from Jermil Johnson.

Green pushed men forward as they tried to salvage something from the contest but Anthony Alleyne sealed the tie for Rangers after cutting in from the right.

Loddon Valley Rangers2

The Sun1

In the Berks & Bucks Junior Cup, Loddon Valley Rangers edged out The Sun 2-1 in a closely fought encounter.

Rangers put their disappointing league form behind them as they powered ahead with Ricardo Riccio heading home a cross from Gianlucca Riccio.

Ian Pulfer levelled the scores five minutes later to take the teams in at half-time with the score at 1-1. Loddon Valley pushed forward in search of the winner but stand-in keeper Simon Bowman pulled off a series of excellent saves to keep them at bay.

Then midway through the second period Chris Moyise cracked a tremendous 20 yard drive into the top corner of the net to earn his side a semi-final clash with Ruscombe.

Ruscombe5

Wallingford Exiles0

Ruscombe joined Loddon in the semi-finals after thumping Wallingford Exiles 5-0.

James Holledge opened the scoring after just 10 minutes following good work from Carl Garstang. John Rimmer took the score to 2-0 with a brilliant solo effort, beating three defenders before sliding the ball past the Wallingford keeper.

Ruscombe added a third at the start of the second half. James Holledge picked up possession on the left flank and whipped a low ball across the edge of the box. John Rimmer stepped over and Garstang fired home from the edge of the box.

The influential Rimmer notched the fourth while Holledge wrapped things up after good work from Mark Oldfield.

In the Berks & Bucks Junior Trophy, Whitley Athletic beat Cable & Wireless in a penalty shoot-out.

James Barlow had scored for Whitley in normal time to take the game into the extra 30 minutes, while Scott Richardson notched the crucial penalty in the sudden death 4-3 shoot-out victory.

Burghfield enjoyed an impressive 5-3 success over Woodley Airfield in the other semi-final.

Kieron Rosier led the way with a double blast while Callum Rosier, Andy Turner and Kaiser Chaudhary also found the back of the net.

Aaron Brown, Richard Bennett and Chris Waring replied for Airfield.

Senior Division

League leaders Stevie B’s increased the gap at the top of the Senior Division as they overpowered Abbey Rangers 5-1.

The influential James Suarez set up Aston Robinson for his first goal after just eight minutes while Matty Angell nodded home a cross from Matt Belcher to take the score to 2-0.

Gordon Richards set up Robinson for his second goal five minutes into the second period before Rangers pulled one back.

The lively Robinson completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot 15 minutes from time before Gordon Richards rounded off the scoring.

Misfits secured a crucial 2-1 win over Henley Town, earning maximum points in their bid to move away from the bottom end of the table.

However, it was Town who opened the scoring following a mix-up in the Misfits defence and Ollie Maskell took advantage to slot home after 25 minutes.

Misfits responded superbly and 10 minutes later they were back on level terms thanks to a Daniel Newman strike.

Misfits enjoyed more of the ball in the second period and were able to exert pressure on the Town defence.

Midway through the half they were awarded a free-kick 35 yards out and Tim Sidwell’s curling cross eluded everyone to nestle into the corner of the net. Town went close with a last minute free-kick but Misfits held on for victory.

Richfield Rovers and Southcote Video shared a goalless draw in their clash at the weekend.

In a scrappy affair very few scoring opportunities were created with John Donegan heading over the bar for Richfield, while Matty Seymour had a half-chance blocked by keeper Peter Barnes.

Richfield’s Dave Corder nearly snatched the win but his header sailed over the bar and the teams settled for a share of the spoils.

Premier Division

In the Premier Division, Shinfield RBL hit top form as they romped to a 4-0 win over Southcote Video (res).

Bulmershe OB had to work hard for their narrow 2-1 success at Theale.

Zain Tibble headed home a Charlie Higgs cross to put his side ahead. Richard Bicknell then hit the bar as the Old Boys looked set to build on their early breakthrough.

Then at the start of the second period Bicknell headed home another fine cross from Higgs to take the score to 2-0.

Theale pulled a goal back with 10 minutes left to play but Bulmershe held on for maximum points. Damian Masarella enjoyed a fine match for the Old Boys.

Division One East

In One East, 116 Exiles shared a 1-1 draw with West End. Exiles came back from a 1-0 deficit to clinch the draw thanks to a Paul Wescott penalty.

West End pushed hard for the winner but Exiles centre-back Richard Bookless was outstanding at the heart of the defence and gave little away.

Woodley Hammers (res) produced a fine performance to edge out high-flyers Wrightchoice 2-1.

Division One West

County Arms eased to a 3-1 win over strugglers Riverside in One West.

Man of the match Gavin Waters bagged a couple with Chris Taylor the other marksman on target.

Barton Rovers narrowly overcame Trentonians 2-1 to boost their bid for honours.

Lee Noble opened the scoring with a great first time shot after good work from Kharis Lavine.

The impressive Lavine set up Jason Hyde to volley home for a 2-0 advantage but a Martin Dodds handball gave Trentonians a late penalty to set up a lively finale.

Division Two East

In Two East, Earley Home Guard stormed to a 9-2 win over DC Steamers.

Johnny Adey led the way with a superb treble, Damian Adey and Nick Seymour bagged two goals apiece while further strikes came from Ricky Pelham and Matt Holland.

Division Two West

Curzon FC shared a thrilling 4-4 draw with Kennet Valley in their Two West clash.

Curzon squandered a 2-0 lead at the break to fall 4-2 behind.

However, a late rally earned them a share of the points. Dominic McKenzie notched a couple while Jay Haswell and Jody Arthurs were the other marksmen on target.

Top of the table Diamond Black powered their way to a 5-0 win at home to strugglers Pangbourne.

Division Three East

In Three East, Chalfont Park and Meadow Rangers shared a 2-2 draw.

AFC Southfield enjoyed a closely fought 2-1 victory away to RAS Rovers.

The Southfield outfit dominated possession and eventually broke the deadlock when top scorer Dave Beakhouse fired home.

An own goal took the score to 2-0 before Rovers netted a consolation from the penalty spot five minutes from time.

A second half double by Kevin Glenton secured a vital 3-0 win for Loxwood Park Rangers away at Bulmershe OB’s Res.

Title-chasing Loxwood took a first half lead when Steve Barter’s poorly struck shot somehow squirmed past the goalkeeper.

But Glenton finished off two flowing moves after the break to put the issue beyond doubt, while 15-year-old right-back James Grant had an outstanding game for the visitors.

Division Three Central

In Division Three Central, a double blast from Gary Trussler kept Misfits (res) in the hunt for honours as they drew 2-2 with Southbank (res).

Caversham Park produced a superb performance to overcome Purley Social 3-0.

Park opened the scoring midway through the first period when Andy Hawley set up James Hancock to fire home.

Mark Tongue added a second goal after good work from Danny Hinton. Purley had the opportunity to pull one back from the penalty spot, but Park keeper Mark Giles pulled off a brilliant save to deny them.

Then James O’Malley sealed the victory with a neat finish in the later stages of the contest.

Division Three West

In Three West, Victoria Park out-gunned Victoria Arms 4-1 while The Lamb (Theale) powered to a 3-0 success over Meadway.

Division Four East

AFC Earley battled out a six-goal thriller against Arborfield in their Four East encounter.

An own goal and a Craig Neale strike had given the Earley side a narrow 2-1 advantage at the interval.

However, Arborfield hit back with two quick goals to lead 3-2. Then 10 minutes from time Sean Makepeace found the net to earn his side a share of the spoils.

Division Four West

Calcot Lokomotiv were crowned Division Four West champions after snatching a late winner against neighbours Calcot.

In an error-strewn match, both sides squandered scoring opportunities. The game looked to be heading for a draw when top scorer Kieron Titus pounced on a defensive error to score at the far post.

Lokomotiv secured the title after rivals 116 Exiles (res) lost 3-0 at home to Fox and Hounds (res).

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