Step 6 review: Wokingham win and an FA Vase replay for Holyport

Sam Whiting challenges for the ball. Photo: Neil Graham.
Sam Whiting challenges for the ball. Photo: Neil Graham.

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There were two local Step 6 sides involved in FA Vase fixtures last weekend. Eversley & California faced a stern test when they hosted Step 5 side Horndean, a team who had won ten out of their last eleven games in all competitions.

True to form, the visitors enjoyed most of possession in the first half but failed to create many clear-cut opportunities, until a sustained period of pressure just before the break lead to them scoring from a rebound after an initial shot was saved by Charlie Lusty.

The second half was much more even but despite some nice passages of play, the Boars were not able to find an equaliser. Despite the defeat this was the furthest progression in the FA Vase in the club’s history and Eversley can be proud of a competitive performance against a strong side.

Charlie Lusty makes a great double save. Photo: Richard Milam.
Charlie Lusty makes a great double save. Photo: Richard Milam.

The other FA Vase match saw Holyport make the 404-mile round trip to Devon to face Ivybridge Town. The game was played in difficult conditions with Port playing into a strong wind in the first half. Despite there being some good chances at both ends of the pitch, the two sides played out a goalless draw after both normal and extra time. The home side missed a golden opportunity to win the match with the last kick of the game but on balance the draw was a fair result.

The tie was replayed at Port’s Summerleaze Village ground on Tuesday night. Ivybridge felt no ill effects from the long journey and put Holyport to the sword, running out 3-0 winners and progressing to the next round.

Fizzers fight back

In the Combined Counties League Division One Sandhurst Town twice came from behind to eventually leave with all three points from their match at Chessington & Hook United. The Fizzers were 1-0 down at half time but goals from Carl Prestige, Tom Cooper and substitute Gregory Beckett gave them a 3-2 victory and their first league win in five games.

At Larges Lane, Wokingham & Emmbrook continued their good run of results in the league with a win over Milton United in a competitive fixture. Milton took the lead early in the first half but goals from Joshua Harris, Ellis Day and a penalty from Jake White gave the Sumas a 3-1 lead at half time. In the second half Milton scored a penalty of their own but despite a tense finish, Wokingham held on to take home all the points.

Josh Harris. Photo: Neil Graham.
Josh Harris. Photo: Neil Graham.

The Wallingford Sports Ground saw a proverbial game of two halves as Wallingford Town came from behind to defeat Penn & Tylers Green and continue their undefeated start to their league campaign. Despite being two goals down at the break, Wally ran riot in the second half with two goals each for Jack McLaughlin and Charlie Silkstone and another for Tom Baptie giving them a 5-2 victory.

In the Challenge Cup, Woodley United ended their long wait for a first win of the season in spectacular style with a 4-1 victory over Cirencester Town Development at Scours Lane. Two early goals from Kai Parton-Edey and a Jonathan Malone header gave the Kestrels a 3-0 half time lead which they added to shortly after the break through a great strike from Edward Thomas. Cirencester did score late on, but it was no more than a consolation. Woodley will now travel to face Clanfield (85) in the next round.

FA Vase First Round Proper

  • Eversley & California 0-1 Horndean
  • Ivybridge Town 0-0 Holyport

Combined Counties League Division One

  • Chessington & Hook United 2-3 Sandhurst Town

Hellenic League Division One East

  • Wallingford Town 5-2 Penn & Tylers Green
  • Wokingham & Emmbrook 3-2 Milton United

Bluefin Sports (UHL) Challenge Cup

  • Woodley United 4-1 Cirencester Town Development

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