TRIBUTES have flooded in for Mortimer FC chairman Ady Keep who died on Monday following a short battle with cancer.

Keep performed a host of roles for the Villagers over many decades from committee member to groundsman and first-team manager.

He was one of the most popular figures on the local football circuit and clubs from all over Thames Valley were keen to pay their respects.

Binfield boss Roger Herridge tweeted: ‘Such sad news, thoughts with his family, friends and all at Mortimer FC. A club man, a football man and above all a top man.”

Thatcham Town player Gareth Thomas tweeted: ‘Ady was a top man and a credit to football.’

Hungerford Town tweeted: ‘Sad news. A gentleman in football has left us. RIP Ade.’

Frilsham & Yattendon FC tweeted: ‘Such a genuine, honest and kind man. Local football has lost one of the best.’

Berks County FC tweeted: ‘All our thoughts are with our friends at Mortimer.’

Mortimer, under the new management of Steve Melledew, completed a league double over Premier Division rivals Berks County with a 3-0 win at the John Nike Stadium in Bracknell on Saturday.

Two goals by new signing James Croft, one of them a penalty, and another from Harry Spratley secured all three points for the Villagers one week after their win in the reverse fixture. Berks had Lewis Grant sent off and five other players cautioned.

And Melledew dedicated the victory to Keep’s memory. “Our thoughts are with his lovely family just now,” he said. “We only hope Mortimer carries on the way Ady would have wanted it to.

“He spent decades devoted to the club and village life and is a true legend in his own right.”

Elsewhere, Premier Division leaders Marlow United exited the Berkshire Trophy Senior Cup after a 4-3 defeat at Highmoor Ibis Reserves, while third-placed Newbury lost 2-0 at home to Winnersh Rangers.

Phil John and Ryan Kingsbeer got the goals for Winnersh, who will host Woodcote Stoke Row in round three of the competition after their 4-3 win at Unity.

Jonny Summers scored a late winner for Woodcote, his second of the tie, while Daren Russell converted a penalty and James Worsfold also hit the back of the net.

Hurst held Woodley United Reserves to a 1-1 draw before losing 3-1 after extra time. Steve Burgess scored while Aaron Williams was shown a straight red card.

Cookham Dean are through following their 3-1 win at Wraysbury Village. Jordan Sinclair, Jean-Claude Etienne and Jamie Handscomb scoring the goals.

Division One

MORTIMER Reserves became the first team not to beat bottom of the table AFC Corinthians this season after a 1-1 draw at the Alfred Palmer Memorial Playing Fields.

Maidenhead Magpies secured second position in the league table with a 2-1 victory over Westwood United. Ross Storrar scored for the losing team.

FC Imaan Lions won a thrilling cup tie at Finchampstead Reserves 6-5 on penalties following a 1-1 draw, with Muqaddas Rajput on target.

Mitchell Burley scored twice as Maidenhead Town beat their own Reserves team 3-1. Dan Hoskins also netted in the win with Matt Clements bagging a consolation goal for the losers.

Division Two

WHITE Eagles have moved within a point of the league leaders after an 8-2 win away at Wargrave on Saturday.

Goring United moved up a place to eighth in the table with a 3-1 victory at Woodcote Stoke Row Reserves. Carl Smith was on the scoresheet for Woodcote.

There was nothing to separate the bottom sides as Taplow United Reserves and Highmoor U21s drew 1-1. Sam Croft scored for Taplow while Junior Michaels netted for Highmoor.

Maidenhead Magpies Reserves were beaten 2-1 away at Ashridge Park in the Berkshire Trophy Intermediate Cup.

Burghfield won 3-1 at home to Harwell Village.

Division Three

BERKS County Reserves maintained their perfect winning record with a 4-0 victory against White Eagles Reserves at Mapledurham.

George Lloyd and Alex Hills scored before the break with Sam Clark and Jack Kennedy netting after the interval.

Hurst Reserves moved up to fifth in the table following their 4-3 win over Harchester Hawks at East Park Farm.

In the Berkshire Trophy Intermediate Cup, Woodley United A were beaten 3-1 at home by Newbury Reserves. Thomas Hitchcock scored twice for Newbury and Aaron Susans got the other.

Division Four

THERE was little change in the league standings as leaders South Reading beat The Hop Leaf 7-1 at the Lower Whitley Recreation Ground.

Ryan Jansen, Sean Kelly and Paul Mulvaney were amongst the goals as Twyford & Ruscombe enjoyed a 4-2 win at Goring United Reserves.

Arron Burch bagged a brace as Hurst A beat Woodley United B 3-1. Peter Jones got the third goal.

Taplow United A and Berks County Reserves were involved in a 10-goal thriller with the Bracknell side eventually winning 7-3. Richard Cumner grabbed a four-goal haul, with Matt Swain scoring twice and Dave Amey also on target. Peter Gajdus, Jack Shea and Thomas Buckle scored for Taplow.

AFC Corinthians A remain third in the table after a 4-3 victory at Wargrave Reserves.

Christopher Gengasamy and Harry Levey found the back of the net but Braybrooke lost 3-2 at Sandhurst Town Reserves.