EMMER GREEN threw the Premier Division title race wide open after beating league leaders HENLEY YMCA 3-0 at the Recreation Ground.

Emmer Green went in front early in the game with a goal from top scorer Richie Froude. The hosts doubled their lead with a chip from Richard Bennett just before half-time.

The hosts sealed the points with 20 minutes to go when Bennett fired home a 25-yard shot into the top left-hand corner.

KIDMORE END remain in relegation trouble after suffering a 3-1 defeat against TILEHURST YM at Gallowstree Common.

HENLEY TOWN maintained their challenge for the Division 1 East title with a 4-1 home victory over 116 EXILES.


Howard Olley, with a left-footed shot to the top corner, gave the Lilywhites the lead before an Ollie Maskell shot doubled the lead by the half-hour.

After the interval Paul Nobes picked up a loose ball to make it 3-0. Nobes added his second as a result of good work by Andrew Crouchman and Sam Bell junior. With 10 minutes remaining, Exiles pulled back a goal — the second Henley have conceded in the league all season.

At the other end of the table YMCA UNITED picked up their second point of the season as they drew 3-3 at LODDON VALLEY RANGERS.

With a threadbare squad, United started the game well with Aymer Wilson going close early on with a low shot just past the post.

In an open first half there were further chances at both ends before good interplay from Sam Taylor and Jack Taylor ended with a cross entering the box, which was converted by Ricki Keeley.

As the first half drew to a close Sam Taylor received a through ball from Wilson and held off the close attention of his marker before deftly chipping the ball back across the goal over the keeper and into the bottom corner.

As the second half progressed, with some United players playing on despite suffering injuries, due to the lack of substitutes, the pressure on the YMCA goal grew as Loddon Valley pulled a goal back. Soon after the hosts equalised through a goalmouth scramble. United retook the lead when Sam Taylor played in Keeley who was brought down in the area.

Jeremy Hughes stepped up to score the resulting spot kick.

As the game entered the final minutes, consistent pressure from Loddon Valley resulted in the hosts netting an equaliser. GORING UNITED’S promotion hopes in Division 1 West took a knock as they suffered a 6-0 home defeat against PURLEY JUBILEE at Sheepcote Recreation Ground.

MAPLEDURHAM CAVALIERS crashed to a 7-0 defeat at home to Division 3 East promotion-chasers HOBNOB.

Published 18/03/13