Newbury 1st XI 1 – 1 Sonning 1st XI

Coming off the back of decent wins at West Hampstead and at home to Tring, Sonning started their clash at Newbury in good spirits. Despite missing both of their first choice centre backs, skipper Jon Sharp has a large pool of players to select from, and this was used to great effect to keep a strong XI on the field.

Sonning started brightly, and in the opening 10 minutes they pinned back their opposition, enjoying the lion’s share of possession but unable to create clear cut chances in an often congested Newbury half.

Newbury worked their way into the game, and it was the home side that struck first. 1st XI debutant Ben Sully made the first save well, but couldn’t prevent the follow up from hitting back-board for 1-0.

Sonning upped the pace again, and Jimmy Manser thought he had scored with a top D strike, but unfortunately he had used a line more often associated with football, so the goal was obviously disallowed… His teammates supported him admirably though. A couple more chances came and went but the score remained 1-0 at half time.

After the break Sonning came out hard and Newbury’s keeper, and one-time Sonning friend, Pete Asher made a series of saves to keep his side in the lead, with reverse strikes from Colm Hanlon and Adam Pusey the pick of the bunch. He was also able to make saves from Ian Gallagher and Manser, and while Sonning kept up the pressure it seemed like it wouldn’t be their day.

Newbury did a brilliant job of slowing the pace, and with both sides receiving a handful of green cards, the game became broken. However, Sonning got their reward within the final 10 minutes, when a free hit was quickly taken by Poulton deep in Newbury territory. He quickly drove 5 yards before playing in Manser for a trademark deflection that made the score 1-1.

Both sides played end to end for the last 5 minutes but with fatigue setting in, neither side looked much like forcing a winner and 1-1 it finished. Next up, Sonning host South Berkshire 1s at the Doom Bar Arena (rumour has it a new sponsor is incoming, and a name change will possibly be required… News to follow) #COTN

Goalscorer: Jimmy Manser
MOTM: Jonty Rider
DOTD: Jimmy Manser