Six months after a ball was kicked in anger in the Thames Valley Premier League the real business of competitive football began once again. However, torrential rain across Berkshire and the south-east of England led to only two games taking place in the top division.
Maidenhead Town were due to face Finchampstead at Bisham Abbey on Saturday, however after the inclement weather on Friday and Saturday morning the game was switched to Finch’s Memorial Park. It proved to be a good decision as the pitch was in immaculate condition.
Despite the almost half a year lack of football some footballing cliches still apply as much as they ever did with the match at Memorial Ground being a game of two halves. It was Maidenhead Town who took the initiative in the first half by going two goals ahead with Alex Mugan and a smart turn and shot from Bliss Dideola giving Town a two goal lead at the break. Half-time gave Finch a chance to regroup and the home side were in the ascendency during the second period, Thomas Symss and the prolific James Payne goalscorers for Finch as they salvaged a point. The game ended in a 2-2 draw, probably a fair result as both teams adjusted to their first competitive football after a long pre-season.
The only other game in the Thames Valley Premier League on Saturday came at Cookham Dean where Westwood Wanderers emerged 2-1 victors. Cookham Dean travel to Finchampstead next Saturday, while Westwood Wanderers host Reading City U23s.
Berks County, whose first-ever game at Binfield’s Hill Farm was postponed on Saturday have reacted to their lack of football by arranging a behind closed doors friendly against Combined Counties Division One club Eversley & California for Wednesday evening. County will have to wait until the 24th of October to make their competitive bow at Binfield FC when they host Westwood Wanderers.
