Sonning vs Banbury

After a positive win against Oxford Hawks last week, Sonning travelled to Banbury, where 3rd place would play 5th place in the league. Despite the lengthy drive, the team arrived in good time and in high spirits. We arrived with 12 men with the prospect that coach Simon Briscoe could have made an appearance.

With plenty of time before the match was due to get underway and some added peer pressure, we were finally able to see the 100 meter showdown between Jimmy Manser and Callum Richardson. With the wager being 5 vodka shots both men were keen to win, not only to avoid the vodka but also the shame that would come with losing in-front of the team. With the technological prowess of Ian Gallagher the sprint-off was able to be broadcast around the world via Facebook Live. We won’t ruin the ending for everyone as I’m sure this will be making its way to the end of season dinner.

With all the excitement from the warm up antics, Sonning started the game well and were able to create chances with good ball transfers around the back and pin point accurate passing down the line. The speed of restarts caught the opposition unaware and more clever play led to chances in front of goal. It all led up to a short corner being awarded to Sonning. With the short corners working a treat last week, we hoped the same would hold true in this game. A good save from the goalkeeper denied Sonning the first goal of the game.
Banbury were awarded some short corners of their own with what could be described as some “interesting” umpiring decisions. Still undeterred, Sonning held firm without conceding. Banbury came close to scoring in open play moments later, only to be let down by one of them kicking it rather than passing the ball into an empty net.

With pressure getting to Banbury, a clumsy and late tackle earnt one of their players a deserved yellow card.
With our tails up Sonning pushed on to find the first goal. Some great vision from Callum Richardson, he was able to pass the ball from the left side straight into the D for Jonathan Sharp to get a neat little touch past the keeper to make it 1-0.
Half time came with Sonning 1-0 up. The first 15 minutes of the second half was even with both teams having the chance to score. Despite being a forward, Rob Crackles was back doing his defensive duties. Aiming to play the ball down the line, he was only able to find the dugout. With our only spectator in the dug out, Mrs Ed was very lucky not to be killed by this stray ball only to be saved by a stick left propped up on the bench. This incident would come back to haunt Rob later on.

Banbury once again were awarded multiple short corners and they were finally able to make a break through and score. Then soon scored again from another short corner to turn the scoreboard in their favour.
It was at this point two Sonning players saw yellow cards, which once again could be highly contested to be only free hit fouls. With a least one Sonning player down Banbury went on the offensive and managed to score another two making the score line 4-1. Still playing with tempo, Sonning tried to cut the deficit but full time came with it ending 4-1.

Despite not picking up any points this weekend, Sonning remain in 3rd place and looking forward to taking on Tring at home next weekend.

MoM – Jonty Rider DoD – Rob Crackles