Hayden nets brace as Goring United maintain fine form

FRIDAY’S heavy rainfall led to eight league fixtures being postponed last Saturday, including Henley Town’s Premier Division clash at AFC Winkfield.

Of the matches played, GORING UNITED secured all three Premier Division points as they ran out 2-1 winners at WOKINGHAM TOWN RESERVES.

The home team started the stronger of the two sides and the vast majority of play was in the Goring half but good defensive work from Rob Ellington and Ben Storey meant that goalkeeper Will May, despite being busy, was not seriously tested.

After 25 minutes Goring produced a fine counter-attacking move. Calvin Nicholson fed Chris Pocock who beat his fullback before crossing a low ball to the far post where Matt Hayden scored from close range.

Wokingham continued to press but Goring defended resolutely turning round with a 1-0 half-time lead.

The second half was a more even affair and after 60 minutes Wokingham equalised when hesitation in the area allowed a home forward a clear shot on goal which took a huge deflection off Storey, giving May no chance. Within five minutes Goring regained the lead when good work from Josh Monk and Sully Akers gave Hayden the chance to fire home his second goal from 20 yards.

Several half chances occurred at both ends, Wokingham thought they had equalised from close range with 15 minutes remaining but the goal was ruled offside.

For the remainder of the match Goring managed the game well to secure the points.

In Division 1, ROTHERFIELD UNITED came from 2-0 down to level the scores before eventually going down 3-2 at HYPE TRAIN. The hosts raced into a 2-0 lead before Harry Green netted twice to level the scores at the break. Hype Train netted the winning goal eight minutes into the second half.

HENLEY EXILES went down to a heavy 6-1 defeat at YATELEY UNITED B in Division 2.

The visitors got off to a disastrous start when they conceded the opening goal after just two minutes.

The Exiles managed to steady the ship in the first half and remain competitive and conceded once more to trail 2-0 at the break.

In the second half a more aggressive Exiles side pulled a goal back through Connor Gough direct from a free kick.

Henley started to lose their defensive discipline chasing the game, resulting in giving away a penalty that was saved by Aaron Bishop keeping them in the match.

The jubilation was short-lived as the Exiles went on to lose Gough to a red card before conceding a further four goals.