Sonning 1st XI 5 – 2 Banbury 2nd XI

Following a disappointing 3-1 defeat, away at Oxford Hawks, Sonning were desperate to bag some points and get themselves back on track and in the hunt for promotion. The visiting side this week would be a Banbury 2nd XI who have posted some large scores and are always a threat. So, missing joint top-scorer Matt Poulton, along with midfield stalwart Callum Richardson wasn’t ideal, but they approached the game with a renewed hunger that had been missing one week prior. With captain Jonathan Sharp finally back in the fold in midfield after a long term injury, they came flying out the traps.

After a good warm up, and with just 2 minutes on the clock, Jimmy Manser latched on to a first-time ball from James Lockhart on the right wing after some quick breakdown play by Sam Terry at left back. This was an ideal start, but it would get better still, just moments later. At times, Sonning are guilty of switching off after bagging goals, but this wouldn’t be the case today. This time it would be aggressive defending from Matt Sloper that broke down play on the left wing, before skipper, Sharp fed Manser on the left wing. Manser went from scorer to provider, with a neat ball in for Ian Gallagher to deflect in at the near post.

After being winded by such a quick start from their hosts, Banbury picked up their play to good effect. They got their first goal after a strong spell of possession, with a lifted cross deflected in at the near post after a break down the right wing. 2-1.

Sonning, to their credit didn’t lose their heads at this point, as would have been all too easy. They went back to work, and dominated the midfield space in particular; with Tom Sampson and Ian Finlayson doing a fine job mopping up any turnovers and quickly feeding their teams’ forward line. Ollie Waddington also had an impressive game on the right side of midfield. A new position for him, but surely not the last time we’ll see him there.

Sonning restored their two-goal lead, shortly before the half-time whistle, once again through Jimmy Manser, who picked up his second on another fast break, dragging in a loose ball after the original crash ball from Sloper was deflected and saved. Manser could have then got his name on another assist almost immediately after this, with Alex Littleboy rushing from deep to deflect in Manser’s cross, his effort skimming the near post, agonizingly close.

After the break, Sonning picked up where they left off. Neil Pursell orchestrating tidily from the back and Sonning building patiently until Manser unleashed a shot from Top-D, after a flowing move through Rob Crackles, Jonathan Sharp and Ian Gallagher. 4-1.

Banbury got themselves back in the game quickly following this, where Sonning will be thoroughly disappointed to allow a simple crash ball and dribble through the middle for an early shot, defended by only meek effort in goal by the constantly frustrating Alasdair Allan. He shows flashes of competence, sandwiched between moments of such mediocrity that it is impressive he retains his place in the side. 4-2.

Sonning spent a short phase looking slightly punch-drunk after this blow, and even with a two-goal cushion, things got a bit frantic. Some loose passing allowed Banbury a foot-hold and for 5-10 mins, Sonning were chasing shadows and needing last ditch tackles to keep their opponents out. But they got rewards for putting in a defensive shift, with Manser putting the game out of reach by bagging his 4th of the game, putting in the finishing touch to a fast break from a turnover deep in the Sonning half. 5-2 it finished.

Next up, Sonning travel to RAF Halton to take on a Tring side who have had mixed results so far, but who are bound to be a very physical side to face, particularly playing at home. #COTN

Goalscorers: Ian Gallagher, Jimmy Manser (4)
MOTM: Jimmy Manser
DOTD: Rob Crackles

By James Lockhart