A BEN White double and goals from Danny Pilcher, George Dewhurst and Gary Ashton fired Wraysbury Village to a 5-1 win at Burghfield FC on the opening day of the Thames Valley League Premier Division season.

Billy Margetts grabbed the consolation.

Ashley Searle, Dan Donegan and Ryan Adams netted for champions Reading YMCA in their 3-1 win at Mortimer, James Croft grabbing the reply.

Brandon Baker-Timms and Jon Schaaf goals helped Cookham Dean beat Reading City Under 23 2-1, while debutant Ed Gadd got the only goal as Woodcote Stoke Row won 1-0 at Richings Park.

WSR player-manager Sam Tucker was pleased with victory in his opening game in charge, stating: “It was great to start with a win in a hard-fought game against a team who will certainly do well this season.

“The whole team from back to front were superb and every man put in an unreal shift.

“Dazza (Darren Russell) and Tyler (Brandon-Lee) were solid as a rock at centre half, and Kane (Roberts) produced a great save to keep it 0-0.”

He continued: “A special mention has to go to both Frank Dillion and Jonny Adey, who I thought were outstanding. Man-of-the-match, though, for the goal, and who worked his socks off from start to finish, was Ed.”

  • NEWBURY Ladies slipped to a 3-1 defeat in their pre-season friendly at Barton Rovers.

Ellie Reed put an early chance for the visitors over the bar, but it was Barton Rovers who took a 19th-minute lead before doubling it before the break.

Reed brought Newbury back into the contest in the 56th minute when her 40-yard free-kick evaded everybody to end up in the back of the net.

However, Reed went from hero to villain when she conceded a penalty which Barton Rovers converted to secure victory.