AFC Aldermaston slipped to a 2-1 home defeat to Finchampstead in Division One East of the Hellenic League, writes Richard Ashton.

The visitors started brightly and Freddie Barron had a shot blocked, before another effort was saved by Aldermaston goalkeeper Dan Smith.

The stopper denied Kylo Atkinson shortly after, but the hosts then took a 23rd-minute lead when Dan Alliston’s shot beat Neil Griffith and nestled in the right-hand corner of the net.

Aldermaston began to take control as the half wore on and went into the interval with a 1-0 advantage.

The Atom Men nearly doubled their lead early in the second period when Pete Wareing forced a fine save out of Griffith, but from the resulting corner Finchampstead broke swiftly and Atkinson was unfortunate to have a shot blocked before his reflex attempt went wide.

But Finch levelled through Chace Jewell on 63 minutes, but Aldermaston could have retaken the lead when Karl Hanks fizzed a ball across the Finch goalmouth.

However, Finches snatched the winner when Dan Blatchford found Barron, who hit the back of the net in the 80th minute.

Finches were forced to defend a succession of Atom Men free-kicks late on but stayed resolute to take all three points.

AFC Aldermaston visit Chinnor on Saturday (3pm).

  • IN the Hellenic League Premier Division, Highmoor Ibis’s difficult campaign continued with a 2-0 home defeat to Royal Wootton Bassett, Dale Richards and Steve Robertson on target.

Highmoor Ibis visit Tuffley Rovers on Saturday (3pm).

  • RAIN decimated the majority of Reading & District League Sunday games, although a handful did take place.

In the Premier Division, rock bottom The County conceded their game at title-chasing Kidmore End/The Mod Reserves, while Athletico Forest drew 1-1 with 116 Exiles in Division One.

Polonia Reading reached the quarter-finals of the Berks & Bucks Junior Cup with a 4-1 victory at home to Richfield Rovers Reserves.

Loxwood slumped to a humiliating 9-2 defeat at home to Charvil in one of their worst ever performances in Division Two of the Reading Sunday League.

A bog of a pitch at Laurel Park was no excuse as they completely fell apart, conceding four goals in the first 15 minutes.

It was 5-0 at half time and the second half wasn't much better with goals from Steve Barter and Dan Pringle of little consolation.

Table-toppers Pangbourne & Basildon Barbarians smashed Wokingham & Emmbrook 6-0.

In Division Three East, 116 Exiles Reserves won 5-3 at Loddon Valley Rangers.

Division Four West leaders Southcote Colts battered Kennet Valley 9-1, Calcot Royals beat The Bugle 5-2 and Burghfield Reserves toppled New England 3-1.