THAMES VALLEY PREMIER LEAGUE: Acrobatic overhead kick not enough for Goring

THAMES Valley Premier League Premier Division league leaders WARGRAVE were held to a surprise 2-2 draw at home to WOKINGHAM TOWN RESERVES last Saturday.

Wargrave controlled most of the game and were denied several times before taking the lead through a Joe Wigmore penalty.

Wokingham had their first shot on target just before half-time which was deflected in for 1-1.

Wargrave controlled the second half and made it 2-1 when Ben Dobson turned home from inside the box with 14 minutes remaining.

Wokingham had their second attempt on target in the last minute of normal time, an overhead volley from 15 yards to make it 2-2.

Wokingham had the final chance of the game but were denied the winner by Wargrave keeper Michael Adams.

Elsewhere in the division, GORING UNITED slumped to a 3-1 home defeat against WINKFIELD.

The hosts made a good start and were on the front foot from the first whistle. After just two minutes, Matt Hayden tested the Winkfield goalkeeper with a low drive that was well saved. Goring’s early pressure paid dividend as Josh Monk opened the scoring on four minutes, acrobatically dispatching an overhead effort into the top corner.

The visitors drew level after 20 minutes with a good finish from a well-timed through ball.

Goring thought they had regained the lead just before half-time when Thomas Wibberley struck a volley but the goalkeeper saved brilliantly to his left.

Any hopes of a second-half response from Goring failed to materialise. The hosts were lethargic after the restart, with the defence regularly found wanting as they struggled to cope with Winkfield’s direct approach.

The visitors took full advantage, scoring twice more as Goring failed to trouble the goalkeeper. As the game wore on, Goring ran out of ideas going forward, while Winkfield looked increasingly dangerous and could have added further goals. In Division 2, HENLEY EXILES lost 2-1 at home to OLD SALESIANS despite leading 1-0 at the interval.

Henley took the lead with a good team move. Albie McCullough drove down the right-hand side and played a nice ball into Will Sheard, who fed Musa Saidybah and he drove the ball past the keeper. Henley carried their lead into the second half and were continuing to look good but tiredness started creeping into their game which allowed Old Salesians to equalise.

With the match looking to be heading for a draw a ricochet found its way into the back of the net to give the visitors all three points.