Step 6 review: AFC Aldermaston surge to the top of the league

Philip John. Photo: Richard Claypole.
Philip John. Photo: Richard Claypole.

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AFC Aldermaston produced a stunning first half performance to blow away their hosts Chinnor and lift themselves to the top of the Hellenic League Division One East. The Atom Men took the lead after 10 minutes when an Alex Badshah through ball was put away by Josh Blackwood.

Five minutes later Blackwood returned the compliment as his corner was headed home by Badshah. Soon after, Blackwood was on the scoresheet again as he cut in from the left and drilled a low strike past the home side’s goalkeeper.

The next player to get in on the act was Philip John who took on two players, cut inside and beat the goalkeeper to make the score 4-0 after just 25 minutes. 10 minutes later Blackwood completed his hat-trick when he turned in a Jay Welch cross. There was no further score in the second half as Aldermaston sat on their lead and recorded an impressive victory away from home.

Another local side who recorded a big league win were Holyport. The Villagers, who were entertaining Chalvey Sports, took the lead after just 6 minutes through their top scorer Fabian Driffill, and Daniel Rapley made it 2-0 shortly after. Chalvey got back into the game before half time, turning in a rebound after an initial shot was saved by Jake Quelch. In the second half Port’s pressure was eventually rewarded when Alan Akerman scored his third goal in three games to extend their lead, and substitute Kris Drake completed the scoring by rounding the keeper and slotting home.

In the Combined Counties League Division One Sandhurst Town had to settle for a share of the spoils in their match with high flying Dorking Wanderers Reserves at Bottom Meadow. An entertaining game finished 2-2 with Tom Cooper and Mitchell Cooper on the score sheet for the Fizzers. Both sides also had a player sent off, as top scorer Charlie Oakley saw red for Sandhurst.

Away from league action two local sides were had very different fortunes in their matches in the second round of the Bucks & Berks Senior Trophy. Wallingford Town travelled to face North Berkshire Premier League side and current Trophy holders, Saxton Rovers. Despite the pedigree of the hosts, goals from Luke Williams, Euan Aitchison and Charlie Silkstone saw Wally run out 3-0 winners, and progress to the next round.

A depleted Wokingham & Emmbrook side did not have the same success as they faced Thames Valley Premier League side Wrightchoice & Unity CSA at Cintra Park, Reading. The Sumas were 3-0 down at half time and conceded a fourth straight from the kick off in the second half as the home side recorded a well-deserved 4-0 victory.

Combined Counties League Division One

  • Sandhurst Town 2-2 Dorking Wanderers Reserves

Hellenic League Division One East

  • Chinnor 0-5 AFC Aldermaston
  • Holyport 4-1 Chalvey Sports

Bucks & Berks Senior Trophy

  • Saxton Rovers 0-3 Wallingford Town
  • Wrightchoice & Unity CSA 4-0 Wokingham & Emmbrook

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