Sonning 1st XI 9 – 1 Milton Keynes 2nd XI

Sonning 1st XI took to the field carrying some good momentum after back to back wins saw them rise to second in the league. Welcoming back Ben Sully, Sam Terry and Noel Plant, they had a squad at full strength and full of confidence. Their opponents have had mixed results, but are usually a well drilled and solid side so the onus was on a quick start, an aggressive press and good rotation of the 15 players selected.

Never have Sonning executed a game plan more precisely. From the first whistle, Jimmy Manser received possession on the halfway line, before using his speed to beat two men and calmly finding a foot inside the circle to win a penalty corner. This was dispatched with aplomb by Nick Leach for 1-0, and Sonning found themselves 1-0 up after less than a minute.

The pattern of play didn’t change for the whole half. Leach bagged himself another 3 short corner goals, with additional goals from Noel Plant and James Manser adding to the tally. Ian Gallagher also found the net with a neat deflection after strong work down the right wing from Callum Richardson, who finds himself in a real purple patch of form.

Sonning went in 8-1 at half time, with the result all but assured. Manser added a 9th in a second half that was slightly more disjointed, but ultimately professionally closed out for a 9-1 victory.

Other results went Sonning’s way, and they now sit atop the MBBO Regional 2 league, with South Berkshire 1st XI just 2 points in arrears. Next up, a tough away fixture at Marlow 2nd XI. #COTN

Squad: Ben Sully, Jonty Rider, Neil Pursell, Sam Terry, Nick Leach, Pat Thomas, Ian Finlayson, Callum Richardson, Jon Sharp, Ed Williamson, James Lockhart, Ian Gallagher, Noel Plant, Jimmy Manser, Huw Thomas

Goalscorers: Ian Gallagher (2), Nick Leach (4), Jimmy Manser (2), Noel Plant

MOTM: Nick Leach
DOTD: Pat Thomas