Devels show their Steel to move top

Published 27 Oct 2009 11:00 0 Comments

SANDHURST Devels moved top of the Senior Division for the first time thanks to a fine 3-2 success over Cookham Dean.

Ever-improving Devels had to be on top of their game to see off their battling hosts and secure an important win in the enthralling title race, which now sees the top six separated by just five points.

Both sides showed their attacking intent from the off, with Dean arguably having the better of the opening half hour.

But it was Devels who moved in front after Ben Pyle was fouled just outside the box. Richard Steel took the free-kick quickly and steered the ball home as Dean's defence was still organising itself.

That was enough to give the visitors the lead at the break, but Dean started the second period more brightly, with Sean Gavagan looking particularly dangerous.

However, he failed to apply the finishing touch, and Devels took advantage as they doubled their lead on the hour mark.

Devels broke quickly after Gavagan had seen his shot saved by Richard Ball, and an excellent move culminated in man of the match Steel tapping home Dave Shearman's cross from six yards.

Dean hit back straight away, with Ollie Webb going close from the restart. And within six minutes they had pulled one back, Webb's free-kick deflecting in off a defender.

Sub Richard Jones nearly grabbed an equaliser with his first touch as his stinging volley flew inches wide.

But as the home side pushed for the equaliser, Devels hit them on the break again 10 minutes from time, Steel supplying Pyle who finished in sensational style.

Cookham continued coming forward and saw two opportunities slip away as Scott Allen saw his header chalked off for offside, before Gavagan headed wide with the goal gaping.

But Allen was not to be denied a second time, as he buried his header from Reece Richardson's corner to make it 3-2.

And Dean nearly snatched a point with two minutes on the clock, as the unfortunate Gavagan saw his free header loop agonisingly over the bar.

But Devels hung on to make it back-to-back victories - a sequence they will be looking to extend when they travel to struggling Berks County Sports this weekend.

THE game of the day in the Premier Division saw Unity get the better of fellow promotion hopefuls West Reading in a five-goal thriller.

Shane Gibson's double and a Prince Mussaquoi strike proved enough to send Unity into second place in the table and condemn Wests to a second straight league defeat.

For the rest of the news from the Reading League, including up-to-date tables, see this week's Reading Chronicle.

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