Wycombe 2nd XI 1 – 6 Sonning 1st XI

Sonning travelled to Bisham knowing that a win against Wycombe would see them sitting top at the Xmas break. Nick Leach missed the game following a broken finger against West Hampstead and with shortages across the club, skipper Jonty Rider also lost Callum Richardson and Steve Ridley to the 2nd XI, while seeing Huw Thomas unavailable for selection. However with real strength in depth to call upon, Rider was still able to bring a strong 13 man match-day squad for his side’s last game of 2019

Sonning started well and found themselves 1-0 up with a penalty stroke well converted by Ian Gallagher for the second week running, after a foot on the goal line kept a penalty corner effort out. Wycombe to their credit came back swinging, and their mostly young side showed pace and determination to pull a goal back shortly afterwards. 1-1.

Wycombe had their tails up and took the pressure to Sonning but Pat Thomas in particular, playing in Leach’s sweeper role was a standout performer, along with Ian Finlayson’s pace in the centre of the field was key to Sonning eventually swinging momentum back into their favour.

Gallagher got his hat trick before the half was out with 2 more goals of varying quality, before Noel Plant inevitably got on the score-sheet after a driving run by Steve Crowther and some selfless play goal by Jimmy Manser, who got two assists in the half.

4-1 at the break and the result largely assured, Sonning went off the boil in front of goal. They continued to create a hatful of chances, but could only convert two. The first was Pat Thomas completing a great all round performance, before Manser volleyed in the sixth and final goal for 6-1.

So at the halfway point of the season, Sonning find themselves in great shape, sitting at the top of the table (by either 3 or 6 points depending on the result of South Berkshire’s rescheduled away trip to Banbury). They’ll be hoping now to carry that form into 2020 with their first game a home fixture against neighbours Reading. #COTN

Squad: Ben Sully, Jonty Rider (c), Neil Pursell, Sam Terry, Pat Thomas, Ian Finlayson, Ed Williamson, Jon Sharp, James Lockhart, Ian Gallagher, Noel Plant, James Manser, Steve Crowther

Scorers: Ian Gallagher (3), Jimmy Manser, Noel Plant, Pat Thomas

MOTM: Jimmy Manser
DOTD: Jonty Rider