Woodcote and Tadley Calleva battle out six-goal thriller

WOODCOTE and visitors TADLEY CALLEVA RESERVES picked up a point apiece from a 3-3 draw in the Premier Division clash at the Recreation Ground last Saturday.

Woodcote got off to the perfect start when Sam Primmer had the ball in the net after a couple of minutes, only for the linesman’s flag to intervene.

When the play switched to the other end, Ben Lallament made a good save from a close-range effort and then in Woodcote’s next attack, Toby Nowell headed wide from a good cross by Henry Leadbetter-Hart.

Tadley broke the deadlock on 25 minutes, scoring direct from a corner from the right. The lead lasted for seven minutes as Woodcote equalised through player-of-the-match Matt Webber. Henry Leadbetter-Hart’s cross was headed back into the path of Webber who scored with a right foot shot which the goalkeeper got a hand to but was unable to keep it out.

Five minutes later Woodcote could have been in the lead as Sam Primmer was put through and rounded the keeper but then shot wide of an empty net.

The second half was even and goalless until the 70th minute when Nowell gave Woodcote the lead. His shot was deflected by a defender and looped over the keeper into the net for 2-1.

The lead was short-lived as Tadley equalised through a cross shot which eluded everyone and went in at the far post. Then it was Tadley’s turn to take the lead with a powerful shot ending a good flowing move for 3-2. The final goal was the second goal scored direct from a corner. This time it was Woodcote’s Andy Taylor who struck the corner which was helped into the net by the keeper and a defender, although the ball may already have crossed the line before their intervention.

A couple more chances were created at both ends but the match ended all-square with no further goals.

READING CITY RESERVES leapfrogged visitors GORING UNITED into fourth place after running out 3-1 winners in a game that could have gone either way.

Reading started the stronger of the two teams but the Goring defence, with Oli Rayner and Leo Vrapqani solid in the centre, well supported by Josh Monk and Ben Storey were in control.

After 35 minutes Reading found a way through with a well-taken goal that gave Will May in the Goring goal no chance.

With Harry Voice in fine form in midfield, well supported by Rob Millsop Goring fought back, after 50 minutes good work on the right by Sully Akers, Monk and Voice allowed Thomas Wibberey to fire home for his first premier division goal.

With 10 minutes remaining Reading regained the lead with a deftly placed header from a right wing cross.

Goring stormed back in search of an equaliser and created several half chances, but none were converted before, in injury time, with the whole Goring team in offensive positions, Reading broke clear to wrap up the scoring.

ROTHERFIELD UNITED secured all three points as they defeated Division 1 league leaders COOKHAM DEAN 2-0 at Bishopswood Sports Ground. Joe Beville put the visitors ahead after half an hour with Justus Larter adding the second on 74 minutes.

In Division 2 HENLEY EXILES picked up their second points of the season after drawing 1-1 at AFC CHARVIL.

The game started with both teams playing well with chances at both ends but neither team could capitalise as the score was goalless at half-time.

Henley started the better team in the second half but it was the home side that took the lead when they punished a loose pass in Exiles’ defence.

Henley refused to give up and their persistence was rewarded when Mike Dowling beat the keeper to a 50/50 ball, went round him and placed it into an empty net.

GORING UNITED RESERVES went down to a 3-0 defeat at home to BERKS COUNTY ROVERS in Division 3, with all three goals scored in the second half.