​After spending the morning coaching my under 10 girl's team, I had an unexpected opportunity to take in a Saturday football match. A quick glance at the local fixture list revealed the perfect opportunity. Cropredy's Williamscot Road ground has been on my list for well over a year and today The Crop, sitting top of the league and unbeaten, were at home to second-placed Hanborough, also unbeaten and only below Cropredy on goals scored. Too good to be missed, and less than half an hour from home. Perfect.

The Ground
Cropredy's ground, on Williamscot Road, is situated just South of Cropredy - a village a few miles North-East of Banbury - and, as the name suggests, on the road towards Williamscot. The football team share the location with the local cricket team and the tennis club. There is a large car park from which you could probably watch the game on a really bad day. Adjacent to the car park is a club house that serves both the football and cricket club. The pitch is open on one side where it is shared with the cricket pitch but does have one the most unusual and quaintest stands that I have ever seen. I am not even sure that it can be classed as a stand as it only has a capacity of six or seven (at a push). What is for sure is that it is a fine example of what makes non-league so enjoyable for me. The opposite side, next to the tennis club, is where the dugouts are situated and the club has also made great use of the wooden surround fencing by selling advertising boards all along the side of the pitch. The pitch looked to be in good condition and the entire sports ground had the appearance of a well cared for facility. This may have been my first visit but I don't think it will be the last.

Now a short history lesson; Despite the football club being founded in 1967 the club badge bears the date 1644. This was the year the the Battle of Cropredy Bridge took place between the Parliamentary forces led by Sir William Waller and King Charles' Royalist Army. Waller's forces suffered a number of casualties leading to the remainder of his men becoming demoralised and conceding defeat to the Royalists. The aforementioned bridge is literally yards from Cropredy's ground.

The Background
As I said, Cropredy and Hanborough started the day as two of four undefeated teams in the Oxfordshire Senior League, so barring a draw, something had to give this afternoon.
Cropredy, formed in 1967, came up through the Banbury & District League and were promoted into Step 8, Oxfordshire Senior League Division One, in 2015. They finished as runners-up in their first season, gaining promotion to the Premier League, where they have stayed ever since. The Crop drew their first game this season, 3-3 with Launton Sports, but have won every game since.
This is Hanborough's first season in the Premier League after promotion from third place in Division 1 last season. The team came up through the Witney & District League, having won the Premier Division on no fewer than seven occasions since 1949, the last time in 2017 when they moved into the Oxfordshire Senior League Division 1.
It's been a great start for Hanborough, only dropping two points in their first four games and that was a 2-2 draw with last season's champions Freeland.​

​The Game
On a very blustery day, the opening encounters of the game were very representative of two sides looking to hold on to an unbeaten start to the season. It was tight, it had a little edgy undercurrent. No quarter was being given as the sides tested each other out but, as we progressed towards the ten minute mark it was clear that the home side were gaining the upper hand and were starting to exert some pressure on the Hanborough defence.
That said, with just under 20 minutes on the clock, it was the visitors who engineered the first major opportunity of the game. Following a fee-kick on the left, the ball wasn't fully cleared and Cropredy were happy to see the resultant drive flash narrowly over the bar.It was a warning to the home side who, up until that point, had looked the more likely to take the lead. 
Cropredy did come close on 34 minutes when the Hanborough spilled a tame effort near the goal line. A Crop striker was quick to react but the keeper made up for his mistake by just getting a fingertip to the effort and turning it out for a corner.
Six minutes later, however, the home side finally made their possession count but it took a moment of individual brilliance to unlock the Hanborough defence. Jack Welch picked the ball up some 25 yards or so out from goal then weaved his way, with some quick footwork, around there Red's defenders before slotting the ball past the keeper to make it 1-0

HT Cropredy 1 Hanborough 0. The correct scoreline based on the balance of play. The windy conditions caused plenty of problems for both teams.

​After savouring a glorious individual goal in the first half, one minute into the second half Cropredy treated us to a really well worked team goal. Some good interplay in midfield led to the ball being spread wide to captain Dan Reeves who proceeded to play the ball across the six yard box, handing a goal on a plate for Aaron Dineen. 2-0.

The game was over as a contest just before the hour mark and, again, it was a goal worthy of any setting. Harry Walters, who had been buzzing around the Hanborough defence all game, pulled a ball out of the air with superb skill, beat his man and then produced a calm finish to seal the victory. 3-0.

Despite being well beaten, Hanborough heads did not drop. In fact, within three minutes of going three goals behind they had two very good opportunities to pull a goal back. First a low drive got a slight touch from a defender which sent it inches wide the their Number 9 had a snap shot just about held on the line by the Crop keeper.
Following that brief flurry from Hanborough the game quietened down a little. Cropredy obviously knew that the points were in the bag and Hanborough were not going to be able to pull three goals back in the remaining time. The game didn't peter out as such but there was an air of inevitability about it for the final 15 minutes or so. Nevertheless, it was certainly an enjoyable game to watch.

FT Cropredy 3 Hanborough 0. A well deserved victory for Cropredy sees them maintain their place at the top of the table and retain their unbeaten record. Hanborough may have been well n=beaten on the day but they played their part in the overall entertainment and looked to be a good side who should continue to do well this season.


Att: 23 (my count)
Ground Number: 214
Entrance: £0
Programme: N/A

​Tuesday matches are much like buses. You go a few weeks without and then two come along consecutively. This Tuesday, despite the torrential downpours that had been on and off all day, I headed around the M25 towards Addlestone Moor for an FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round replay between Combined Counties Premier outfit Abbey Rangers and Essex Senior League Walthamstow.

The sides drew 1-1 at Wadham Lodge last Saturday. Marcus Cousins put Rangers in front with a header before Billy Jones equalised early in the second-half. Abbey captain Tom Bentley was then dismissed after picking up a 2nd yellow, but Abbey held on for the replay.

The Ground
Abbey's Addlestone Moor ground is situated on the South Eastern edge of Chertsey, adjacent to Chertsey High School. There is a reasonably large car park and off road parking nearby. Access into the stadium is via a gate alongside the main facilities building, which houses changing rooms, clubhouse and snack bar. The front of the bar has a covered patio area directly behind one of the goals. There are two small stands to the left, on the High School side of the ground, both are seating areas. There is also a small lean-to, for covered standing, at the far end of this side of the ground. The far end of the ground backs onto a 3G pitch and the opposite side of the pitch is fenced off from another school playing field.
With a decent PA system in full flow and a good crowd already building, the lights on and a pitch made slick from the day's rain, it felt like a proper FA Cup venue.

​FA Cup History
This season is only Abbey's fourth time of entering the FA Cup. In fact, their replay win against Loxwood in the Extra Preliminary Round was their first ever victory in the competition, making this the furthest they had ever been. Two Step 4 sides have already been disposed of this season too. Both East Grinstead Town and Whitehawk have been beaten 1-0 on their own grounds.
For Walthamstow it was just their second season in the competition, reaching the 1st Qualifying Round last season and already beating that record this term. In a previous incarnation, as Waltham Forest, the club has reached the 2nd Qualifying Round three times before, the latest being in 2016-17. If you go back even further, to when the club was Leyton FC, they made a 3rd Round appearance in the 1909-10 season, going down 1-0 to Leicester Fosse.

​The Game
Walthamstow started the game very quickly, easing into their stride from the kick-off and looking very sharp as they pressed forward. The approach paid off as early as the 7th minute when Callum Ibe latched onto a neat Dwade James flick, catching the Abbey keeper in two minds before deftly lobbing the ball lover him into the net. 0-1. Cue celebrations from the Waltham Rabble behind the goal, including a sparkly party popper. Fantastic.

Shortly after the goal the Walthamstow Twitter feed posted this 'We may be 1-0 up, but an Abbey Rangers fan has just reminded us we've not got a dog track anymore. Very somber mood.' Note the use of the singular, fan. Although there were plenty of Abbey supporters around, only one of their fans was trying to match the noise made by the Stow supporters. It was the beginning of an evening of friendly banter between the 'Rabble' and the fan.

​Abbey immediately looked to get back into the game and, except for a brilliant reflex save from James Bransgrove in the Walthamstow goal, would have drawn level. The keeper got down low to his left from a close-range header, pushing the ball round the post. He was called into action again from the resultant corner, making another good save to keep his team in front.

Walthamstow, with their direct style, were still putting pressure onto the Abbey back-line and went very close to making it 2-0 when only a good save from Rangers stopper Liam Stone prevented Jack Folan from scoring. The follow-up was then sliced out for a corner by Tim Pitt.

Abbey's most dangerous moments had come from set pieces, which Walthamstow appeared to be very shaky when defending. So, after 39 minutes, it was no surprise when Marcus Cousins was left unmarked to power home an equalising header from a right-wing free-kick. 1-1.

HT Abbey Rangers 1 Walthamstow 1. The away side had more of the ball and played with the greater intensity. However, Rangers always carried a threat and will be happy to go in level at the break. On cue, the rain starts to come down.

​Walthamstow were out early for the second-half and, as with the first 45 minutes, they started very quickly. Only a minute into the half, Callum Ibe was inches from grabbing his second when he saw his rasping drive beat Stone but smack against the crossbar and rebound to safety.

Despite their quick start and continued advantage in terms of possession, Walthamstow found themselves behind just before the hour mark and again it was the result of a set-piece. This time a left-wing corner caused some trouble in the Stow box and, when an attempt was made to clear the ball at the same time as an Abbey head tried to get a touch, the referee, after a brief glimpse at his assistant, pointed to the spot, awarding the penalty for a high boot. It looked harsh from the other end of the pitch, but the referee and assistant had a much better view than I did.
Bradley Sweeney stepped up and lashed the ball past Bransgrove to make it 2-1.

The banter with the Abbey 'fan' continued in the second-half, with the Rangers supporter joining the Stow Rabble behind the Abbey goal for a while. Good to see plenty of smiling faces and lighthearted comments from both sides.

Walthamstow piled on the pressure after going 2-1 down. They play a very direct style of football, getting the ball up to the front players as quickly as they can. It's certainly not hoofball though and is entertaining to watch as a neutral.
However, the more they pushed forward, the more they left gaps at the back and Abbey were quick to exploit them on a couple of occasions, one of which almost led to a third goal but, incredibly, the ball stayed out when it looked easier to have scored.

There was still time, in the dying minutes, for Walthamstow to have the ball hacked off the Abbey line but it was not to be for the E17ers and, after a fairly long spell of added time, the referee drew proceedings to a close.

FT Abbey Rangers 2 Walthamstow 1. A history making victory for Rangers as they reach the 3rd Qualifying Round for the first time in their history. Walthamstow will be disappointed with the result after taking the lead and looking the more likely side for most of the game. Rangers, however, were always dangerous and took the chances that came their way. 

Abbey Rangers: Stone, Pitt, ?, Collins, ?, Bentley(c), Frith, ?, Cousins, ?, Hoppitt. Subs: Kersley, ?
Walthamstow: Bransgrove, Crilley, Gulliver, Folan, Murphy(c), Douglas, McCullock, Jones, James, Ibe, Gebral. Subs: Bennett, Fortune, Yexley, Aiken, Symons, Ramos

Att: 
Ground Number: 213
Entrance: £7.00
Programme: Included

​Finally! Back to normal with a Tuesday evening game, the first of the season. There were a good few matches to chose from but the lure of the FA Vase proved to be the decider as I headed off to just South of the river and a re-arranged FA VAse 2nd Qualifying Round game between Molesey and Greenwich Borough. The initial game, on the previous Saturday, had been abandoned after 80 minutes, at 0-0, when the Borough keeper picked up a serious injury. The good news is that, from all accounts, he is OK and on the road to recovery.

The Ground
Molesey's Walton Road ground sits between East and West Molesey, just South of the Thames and not much more than a decent goal-kick away from Hampton Court Palace. It's very much a residential area and, as such, parking at the ground is fairly limited (maybe 30-35 cars), although I managed to get one the two remaining spots). Access to the ground is via a double turnstile entrance which brings you into a corner of the ground. Immediately to your left is the clubhouse - also accessible from the car park - and the rather unique main stand which has seating on the upper level and the snack bar on the lower level.
There is cover on all four sides of the ground, with identical covered standing areas behind each goal and a similar structure opposite the main stand.

​The Background
This was an FA Vase clash between two Step 5 sides who were both in Step 4 last season. Molesey were relegated from the Isthmian League Division 1 South Central after spending four season at that level. They have started life back in the Combined Counties League quite well and are currently in sixth spot, but would be in second were it not for a 3 point deduction (issues on the day of this game).
Borough, who had spent three seasons in Step 4, dropped down from the Isthmian League Division 1 South-East. Their return to Step 5 has not been quite as smooth and, before this game, they sat in 16th spot with only one win from their five league games. However, that said, their one win was their last league outing and they remain unbeaten in their last five in all competitions, so maybe things are turning around.

The sides have met in the FA Vase before, in the 2014-15 competition, when Borough won 2-1 at Walton Road. There was also an FA Cup meeting between the teams in 1993-94 in which Molesey won 4-0 at Greenwich before going out in a replay to Tooting & Mitcham United.

​The Game
There was a good pace and competitive edge about the game from the first minute.
Molesey settled into their rhythm quickly and were playing some nice football up until the final third. They got in down the right on several occasions but, each time, the final ball let them down. Greenwich had a little less of the ball but when they did break forward they too looked dangerous.
Moles striker Reis Stanislaus was causing some concern for the Borough defence with his pace and strength. However, the two Greenwich centre-halves were well capable of looking after themselves, which led to an intriguing, on-going battle throughout the half. Credit to the players that, even after a few hefty challenges and heated exchanges, it never really threatened to boil over.
For Borough left-back Billy Muckle was always willing and able to push forward. A lot of their more dangerous looking forays into the Molesey half came down the Borough left-flank, with Muckle pulling the strings.

Despite the fact that there were no goals the half seemed to pass by very quickly, a testament to the entertainment value of the game.

HT Molesey 0 Greenwich Borough 0. The Moles edged a fairly tight half, certainly on possession. Neither side has been able to find a cutting edge and Molesey's final ball has let them down on a several occasions. A better cross, or a better passing option in the final third may well have got them a goal.

​After being slightly second best in the first-half, Borough certainly stepped it up in the second and, with only six minutes gone, they took the lead. A long ball from goalkeeper James Boughtflower eluded the Moles defence. Richard Jimoh latched onto it and tried a lob over the advancing keeper. The ball had plenty of height but was not going in. A Moles defender tried to clear the ball but only succeeded in scooping it up in the air for Jimoh to seize his second chance and roll it into an empty net. 0-1

After setting up the first goal, it was now Boughtwater's turn to shore things up at the other end. First of all he reacted well to tip a stinging Reis Stanislaus drive over the bar then, in the 69th minute, he produced a a superb point-blank, reaction save to somehow keep it at 0-1. This for me may well have been the deciding moment of the game. Molesey were on the up at the time, pushing Greenwich deeper as they searched for the equaliser. If that effort had gone in the balance of the game could well have completely shifted. As it was, eight minutes later, Fred Obasa was left alone on the edge of the home penalty area and fired home a rocket to make it 0-2.

Molesey again tried to rally and, in the final minute, had the opportunity to set up a nail-biting added time for the visitors when they were awarded a penalty. Joe Pratley-Jones stepped up but once again was denied by Boughtflower in the Greenwich goal.

FT Molesey 0 Greenwich Borough 2. An entertaining game with both sides playing some good football at times. The difference between the sides in the end was Borough's goalkeeper James Boughtflower. Two excellent saves from open play, the second of which was as good a save as you will see anywhere, and a penalty save. Greenwich will now face Fisher FC in the next round.

Molesey: Allen, David, Meyers, Lewington, Pratley-Jones, Wales(c), Windsor, MArklew, Stanislaus, Gumbs, Di Guissepi. Subs: Grobler, Champion, McShane, Majembe, Jno-Baptiste

Greenwich Borough: Boughtflower, Amoam, Muckle, Foster, Josepgh(c), Fitzgerald, Obasa, Nelson, Darboe, Jimoh, Ita. Suns: Green, Richard, Zepo


Att: 
Ground Number: 212
Entrance: £8.00
Programme: £1.00

After drawing another blank Tuesday evening, I decided on a long trip down the M4 to the West Country on Wednesday evening for the Western League Division One clash between Oldland Abbotonians and Hengrove Athletic.

The Ground
Oldland Common is a village on the far eastern outskirts of Bristol. Once completely separate from the city, a glance at the map shows that urban sprawl is rapidly consuming the village. However, Oldland Abbotonians ground, off Castle Road, still has a village feel to it. Situated at the end of a very narrow single track road, there is a small clubhouse and car park, with an adjacent field used for overflow parking. The ground itself is surrounded by a new-looking green meshed fence with a gate and small hut in the corner of the car park end. There are two covered stands. The Alan Bush stand which sits on the right hand side of the ground as you look from the car park, provides covered seating nestled under trees that run the full length of the pitch. On the opposite side of the ground, along with the dugouts, there is a small box-shaped structure providing sheltered standing. This is apparently the Reg Hamblin Stand although, it seems, it is rarely open to the viewing public. For the reason behind this follow this link (Two Toe Tony).

​The Background
Oldland have alternated between good and bad seasons in recent years. A top four finish in 2016 was followed by a 17th spot in 2017. An improvement the following year saw the club gain 7th place before, last season, they dropped to third from bottom. This season, in keeping with the pattern, they have started well and, coming into this game, were top of the pile albeit having played a game more than most. Their only blip so far came in a 2-2 draw at Wincanton.
Hengrove lost a lot of players following last season's relegation from the top flight. This has meant that they have had to completely rebuild their squad and early results have reflected the Summer upheavals. Sitting second from bottom, they have massaged just one point so far, a 0-0 draw at Amesbury. They have also gone out of both the FA Cup and FA Vase. A trip to the league leaders is probably not what they would have wanted to face next. However, the game is a local derby and we all know that derbies can throw up some unexpected results.
The last time the sides were in the same league was Athletic's promotion season of 2016-17. Hengrove won 1-0 on their own patch before easing to a 4-0 victory in the corresponding fixture to tonight's game.

​The Game
Under already darkening skies - Autumn really is upon us now - Hengrove, in their change kit of all grey, were actually quite hard to pick out. Their kit blending in with the background. Shades of Manchester United at Southampton a few year's back? However, unlike United, Athletic didn't need to blame their kit for the way they played. In fact, as we progressed into the first half it was clear to see that they were not just here to make up the numbers. 
Neither goalkeeper was being unduly threatened but, despite the home side winning the possesion battle, it was Hengrove who looked slightly more dangerous on the attack.
Around midway through the half Oldland striker Joe Beardwell and Athletic defender Luke Crewe clashed whilst challenging for a ball in the air. The coming together left the defender on the ground and his team-mates claiming that Beardwell led with his elbow. The striker claimed that it was accidental and the referee agreed with him. I've definitely seen red cards brandished for less than that and the striker can count himself a little lucky to get away with it, accidental or not.

HT Oldland Abbotonians 0 Hengrove Athletic 0. Hengrove will be much the happier of the two teams. The rebuilding of their squad could well be coming together and they have more than held their own against the league leaders so far.
​

​As the second half wore on a certain amount of nervousness seemed to creep into the away team. They were still hanging in for a point but they had definitely started to drop deeper and were relying more and more on long balls out of defence to ease the pressure. Having said this, Carl Bush in goal, still had clean knees as we went into the last 15 minutes. He was to earn his corn at the very death of the game however.

Oldland brought on winger Owen McCallum quite early in the second half and he immediately pepped things up for the home team. His runs down the right flank, unfortunately for him often missed by his team-mates, were worrying the Athletic defenders. Twice balls were played inside the full-back and twice the winger got past his marker and was able to put a cross in. One of these crosses led to oddly muted appeals for a penalty when the ball appeared to be blocked by an outstretched Hengrove arm. It was a clear hand-ball, in front of the assistant but not given and hardly appealed for by the home side. A let off for The Grove.

As the clock ticked onto the 90th minute, Oldland almost snatched the points when a dangerous ball was played deep into the Hengrove area. A group of players tussled for the ball, with a head making final contact directing the ball towards the lower right-hand corner of Bush's net. The keeper, however, was having none of it and threw himself sideways to make a brilliant save, parrying the ball away for a corner.

FT Oldland Abbotonians 0 Hengrove Athletic 0. A deserved point for the away side who, overall, probably had the more clear cut chances in a game that wasn't overflowing with goalmouth action. The O's stay two points clear at the top but, having played two games more than most, coudl be caught by anyone down to tenth.

Oldland Abbotonians: Carter, Hyslop, Mills, Symonds, Vinall, Robson(c), Summerhill, Beazer, Beardwell, Taylor-Fox, Hart. Subs: McCallum, Hoyle, Dempsey, Cains, Bright
Hengrove Athletic: Bush, Crewe, Lock, Shorney, Trott, White(c), Parsons, Bond-Kendall, Knight, Burton, Jones. Subs: Ratcliffe, Hubbard, Mancini

Att: 55
Ground Number: 211
Entrance: £6.00
Programme: Included in entry

​We are into September and, for some reason, my normal modus operandi of watching games on Tuesday evening has yet to transpire this season. Once again Tuesday was forsaken in favour of a fixture later in the week, in this case a Wednesday evening Hampshire Premier League fixture between Overton United and Colden Common. Overton had popped up on my radar last season but I hadn't managed to get to a game, so seeing that they were at home this week, it seemed like am opportunity too good to be missed.

The Ground
Overton pay at the Overton Recreation Ground, a facility shared with the cricket team. It is on the Northern edge of Overton village, situated just over the Hampshire border from Berkshire and historically famous for producing the paper for banknotes (as well as being practically next door to the Bombay Sapphire Distillery, housed in an old paper mill). There is a small car park on site and a fair amount of on=road parking nearby (beware, the streets are quite narrow). The ground is open all round, no fencing, no turnstiles and is opposite a church that tolls it's bells every hour giving the rather pleasant feeling that you are watching football on a typical British village green. There is no cover at the ground although there is a bar on the first floor of the recreation centre itself. There are also a couple of benches on a rise at the car park end of the ground should you fancy resting the legs at any point. I have to say that the pitch looked to be in extremely good condition and has no pronounced slope.

​The Background
Coming into then game the visitors, Colden Common, had certainly had the better start to the season. Currently sitting in sixth spot with 13 points from their 7 games. Overton, admittedly after one fewer game, were down in 13th position having picked up just one win and two draws - their last two games, the latetr of which was a 4-4 draw at Sway. However, Overton had also played all six of their league games away from the village. This, presumably, is because they have to wait for the cricket season to finish before they can play at home.

Both clubs are founder members of the Hampshire Premier League (2007-8 season) and, again, it is Colden Common who have the historical upper-hand. They have won the league twice, in 2008-09 and again the following season. Overton's best league finish came last season when they managed 4th spot.
Last season saw the teams play out a 1-1 on the outskirts of Winchester, whilst Common triumphed 3-0 in the corresponding fixture to this evening.

Overton would need to be on their guard against Common's prolific forward-line. Sam Adams (7) and David Paskins (6) had already scored 13 goals between them in their seven games. 

​The Game
Common started like a team unbeaten in their last three games, pushing Overton backwards from the first whistle. However, in an early example of how the game would develop, it was the home side who were first to come really close to a goal when Amiable's cross looked to be looping in at the far post before the Common goalkeeper touched it onto the woodwork and clear.
One minute later, with around eight on the clock, Common showed their dominance of p the ball when their number 10 weaved through a number of home defenders before laying the ball off for David Paskins to even up the top-scorer chart with a low, driven finish. 0-1
After the goal, Common continued to press forward urged on by their vociferous coach, and it looked like it was a matter of time before they put the game to bed. However, it was a further 15 minutes before they managed to add to the score. Overton gave the ball away inside their own half and were immediately made to pay when a sharp exchange of passes set up Sam Adams to make it 0-2 and take the lad in the team scoring charts again.
At this point it looked as if the result was already in the bag for the away side, and it was just a matter of how many goals would they rack up. Aside from the cross that struck the post, Overton had rarely threatened the Common goal and they were clearly struggling to string their passes together.
Then, just after the half-hour mark, the game changed. It was hard to tell if Colden Common took their foot off the pedal or if Overton gained some confidence, I suspect a little of both. Whatever the case, on 34 minutes the home side were back in with a shout. A great run down the right from full-back Finley Hall produced a low cross which was controlled by Ben Nicholls, who swivelled and fired a shot into the far corner. 1-2.

HT Overton United 1 Colden Common 2. A strange half in a lot of ways. Colden Common were so much in control for the first half an hour that they could, and should, have been out of sight. However, they dropped their concentration and United, to their credit, came back at them and have given themselves a fighting chance.

​As I said before the ground has no fencing or entrance gate so there is no way that they can charge for entry. However, as half-time drew to a close a man appeared with what looked like a collection box from the church and began collecting some donations from the assembled supporters. I remember a similar system at Olney Town a few years ago. It's a vital way for the club to raise a few pounds towards running costs.

The second half was only seven minutes old when it burst into life. Common came very close to extending their lead when Paskins' snap-shot came back off the post and directly into the arms of Burrows. The keeper immediately started an Overton break, and then a lofted ball over the top of the Common defence saw Ben Nicholls go clear through to bury his second and the equaliser. 2-2. What a turn around from the home side after looking dead and buried in the first half, they were suddenly level.

The game, as well as the score, was now much more even. Confidence had re-appeared in the home ranks and we had a real game on our hands.
Just past the hour mark Colden Common re-established their lead when their Terry New volleyed in a superb effort from the edge of the box. 2-3. Could the away side have finally killed off Overton's resistance? It was certainly beginning to look that way as we approached the final 10 minutes.

However, Overton were not just going to sit back and wait for the final whistle.  They pressed forward and won themselves a corner on the right. When the ball was played in it was met by the head of Craig Williamson at the near post, who sent the ball into The Commoners net for the third time. 3-3
Seven minutes later a speculative low cross from the left was spilled by the Colden Common keeper. First to react was Finley Hall, who rolled the ball into the empty net to put Overton in front for the first time in the game. 4-3.
The home side hung on for the final few minutes of the game for a very unlikely (after the first 30 minutes) three points.

FT Overton United 4 Colden Common 3. For the neutral, a very entertaining game of football. Both managers will have plenty to address before their next game but United must be pleased with the way they stuck at it. All in all, a very enjoyable evening of football. Best of luck to both sides for the remainder of the season.

Overton United: Burrows, F.Hall, Swan, Williamson, Mellos(c), Reynolds, S.Nicholls, Rudge, B.Nicholls, Aimable, N.Hall. Subs: Jones, Darmody, McCann

Colden Common: 

Att: Approx. 40?
Ground Number: 210
Entrance: £0.00
Programme: N/A

Game three of the FA Vase mini-marathon weekend. After two trips North, into Leicestershire and Derbyshire, it was time to head South and the market town of Wokingham as the local side Wokingham & Emmbrook (The Satsumas) took on another market town, Chipping Sodbury Town (The Sods).

​The Ground
Lowther Road is situated in Emmbrook, a suburb of Wokingham. The football club share the facilities with the local cricket team so, as with my childhood team Stourbridge, the ground is effectively three sided, leaving one side open for the cricket outfield to expand over the football pitch.
The club has only recently returned to Lowther Road following an enforced nomadic period whilst the ground was upgraded to include floodlights (an extended period due to some complications with planning permission for the lights I believe, but this is not the place to get into that subject). Thankfully, the club is now back in the town and today signified a very special occasion, being the first time 20 years the The Town's Team, as they brand themselves, are playing an FA competition back in Wokingham. A great achievement to all associated with the club.

​I parked on Lowther Road, but there was ample, well-marshalled parking available within the sports ground itself. The clubhouse and main facilities are situated a short walk from the football pitch, presumably as they were originally built for as the cricket pavilion. I'm not sure if it was a special occasion foe the FA VAse but there was also a barbecue in full swing (I immediately regretted eating before I set out).
On the far side of the ground are the dugouts and a small covered seting area. theer are no other covered areas around the perimiter, not that it mattered on a warm late Summer's Sunday afternoon.

The Background
As far as I could see, this is the first meeting between these sides in any competition. Neither side has that much history in the FA Vase either. The Sumas did make Round 1 in the 2015-16 competition but after beating Shrivenham 6-1 to qualify they went down 3-1 at Hartley Wintney. The Sods have never made it out of the qualifying rounds, losing all three of there previous Vase matches.

The Game
The opening encounters of the game were pretty even with the sides testing each other out and getting used to the fairly blustery conditions. We were 15 minutes into the match when Sods winger Jack Parker saw his shot come back off the post with Woodward beaten. To make matters worse, Sumas then immediately broke through the middle. A long ball caused some confusing between defence and goalkeeper allowing Jake White to benefit from the hesitation, take the ball around the keeper and slot it into an empty net. 1-0
The game then ebbed and flowed with both sides playing some good football. Luke Scope and Jake White were a constant thorn in the side of the Sods defence. The home defence looked well organised but had to be constantly on  guard to snuff out threats, especially from Sods captain Sam Makepiece and left-sided player Jack Parker.
Just before half-time Sumas thought they had taken a two goal lead when, after a free-kick, Eagles' header was turned into the net only for the assistant to flag for offside.

HT Wokingham & Emmbrook 1 Chipping Sodbury Town 0. A fairly even game across the park in terms of possession. However, the difference has been the forward lines. The Sumas' strikers caused all sort of problems for the Sods defence. The same coudln't be said at the other end.

​Chipping Sodbury were out early for the second half and immediately looked like they were on a mission to hit back early in the second half. Wokingham, however, were equal to the task, quelling any Sodbury storm before it even began. Maybe this led to complacency setting in because, after 10 minutes of the second period they suddenly seemed to take their foot off the peal and began to sit back deeper and deeper, allowing Chipping Sodbury to push forward. It was not a good tactic because on the hour mark they were made to pay. A superb, threaded pass from Nuevo-Draper, following a free-kick, put Makepiece through and the captain made no mistake wit the finish. 1-1.
Conceding the goal seemed to shake Sumas from their slumber and we were then treated to a period where both sides were looking to get their noses in front again.
Chipping Sodbury came very close to scoring again after 84 minuets when a shot crashed against Woodward's bar and flew to safety. Then, almost immediately after that incident The Sods found themselves down to 10 men when Ben Chick picked up a second yellow, presumably for something he said to the referee. To be fair, this had been coming. All through the game there had been some very strange decisions from the official and, especially in the second half, there were constant breaks for his whistle and for him to have a word with various players. I'm all for referees keeping a strong hold on games but this seemed to be overly picky to me and the players, on both sides, were getting more and more frustrated with the decisions.
Sodbury saw out the remaining few minutes of normal time and we were set for an extra 30 minutes.
FT Wokingham & Emmbrook 1 Chipping Sodbury Town 1

The first half of extra-time passed with very little incident. To be fair to The Sods, going down to 10 men didn't seem to affect them too much, or maybe it should be said that Wokingham didn't take advantage of their extra number?
Whatever the case, the first 15 minutes of extra-time produced no change to the scoreline.
Six minutes into the second period extra-time came the deciding moment of the game. A corner from the Sumas left was cleared only as far as Elliott Rushforth on the edge of the box. His low drive flew past Parker's out-stretched right-hand and hit the back of the net. 2-1.
There was no coming back forChipping Sodbury after the goal. Heads didn't go down. They certainly gave it a go, but being down to 10 on a hot day after nearly 2 hours of football, there just wasn't enough left in their tank.

FT ET Wokingham & Emmbrook 2 Chipping Sodbury Town 1

A superb result for The Sumas and my first 'cupset' of the weekend. Wokingham will now entertain Thornbury Town in the next round after the Gloucestershire side beat Cheltenham Saracens 6-2 on Saturday.
Chipping Sodbury can focus on pulling themselves clear of the Western League premier relegation zone.

Wokingham & Emmbrook: Woodward, Carter, Broadhurst, C.Eagle, Day, L.Eagle(c), Harris, Bateman, Scope, White, Holland. Subs: Rushforth, Edwards, Guest, Dean, Byrne
Chipping Sodbury Town: Parker, McMillan, Barrett, Chick, Benzer, Nuevo-Draper, Burman, Brown, Muhammed, Makepiece(c), Parker. Subs: Invernizzi, Ahmed, Henderson, Naylor

Att: 220
Ground Number: 209
Entrance: £6.00
Programme: £1.00