Sonning Mens 1's 5-2 Wallingford 1's

SONNING - 5
WALLINGFORD - 2

Sonning travelled to Wallingford this weekend in confident mood after the news that franchise player Tom Sampson had put pen to paper on a new bumper four year deal.

The fixture saw a return to the side for James Lockhart after serving a 6 match ban and academy prodigy Matthew Denham made his first team debut.

The game started with Sonning on the back foot early on. Wallingford were in control of possession and broke at speed on a number of occasions in the opening exchanges seeing keeper Allan called into action and making two good saves.

Sonning saw off the early pressure from Wallingford and as they enjoyed more possession started to create chances themselves.

The deadlock was broken midway through the half after some good pressure from the Sonning front line saw the ball turned over and an early ball into the D from Matt Poulton was deftly deflected past the reach of the Wallingford keeper by veteran striker Ian Gallagher for 1-0.

The second half began with Sonning mounting pressure on the Wallingford defence culminating in a short corner being awarded awarded. Sampson confidently finishing low to the keeper’s right. 2-0.

Sonning's third came soon after. Matthew Denham was at hand from close range to stroke the ball home after a period of sustained pressure from the visitors. A goal on debut for Denham and Sonning were now in total control.

Wallingford pulled one goal back shortly after against the run of play and two moments of madness from senior players Neil Pursell and Matt Poulton saw Sonning reduced to nine men momentarily for respective green and yellow cards.

Sonning managed to see out this dangerous period in the game and it was Ian Gallagher who got the next goal and his second of the game to make it 4-1.

Wallingford again threatened to make it competitive, breaking through Sonning’s back line and finishing low to Allan's right. 4-2.

With the clock winding down stand in captain Callum Richardson threaded a sumptuous pass through to Jimmy Manser in space on the right hand side of the D. As the Wallingford keeper advanced, Manser calmly lifted the ball into the roof of the net for 5-2.

A strong performance and good win for Sonning ending their preseason preparation for next week’s league opener against British Airways.

MOM: Tom Sampson
DOD: Matt Sloper

Written by: Tom "China" Sampson