AFTER reaching three successive finals of the Senior Cup, in which two were victorious, WOODCOTE/STOKE ROW crashed out of this season’s contest at the first hurdle on Saturday after going down 1-0 at THEALE.

After a goalless first half a controversial 83rd minute penalty broke the deadlock and put Theale into the next round.

Both sides put up a battling performance but Woodcote were the more dominant side and could have wrapped up the game well before the penalty.

In the first half Gareth Evans hit the bar from a direct free kick while James Worsfold, Toby Nowell and Paul Knox all had decent chances.

It was a similar story in the second half with Paul Knox hitting the bar from a direct free kick.


The deciding moment of the game came when Theale played the ball over the defence and Adam Burgess made a good recovery to make what Woodcote thought was a clean tackle but the referee awarded the spot kick which was duly converted. Still Woodcote had chances at least to take the match into extra time, but both Mike Higley and Jim Hancock failed to hit the target.

Substitute Arjuna Soysa came off the bench to score an injury time winner to send ROTHERFIELD UNITED into the second round thanks to a 4-3 home win against WOODLEY TOWN RESERVES at Bishopswood.

Guy Bickerton and a Ben Keable double were the other scorers for United.

Extra-time was needed in the Junior Cup match between SONNING SPORTS and SONNING A, with the Sports making progress thanks to a 6-5 win.

Steven Rodic (2), Andy Rolfe, Ashley Smith and Luke Walden were the scorers for Sonning A.

Graham Bettes netted twice for WARGRAVE as his side lost out 5-2 away to TAPLOW UNITED RESERVES in the Intermediate Cup.

WOODCOTE/STOKE ROW RESERVES suffered a heavy 10-0 defeat away to COOKHAM DEAN RESERVES.

Published 08/10/12