Oxford OBU 2nd XI 3 – 7 Sonning 1st XI

Sonning brought themselves one step closer to promotion and the possibility of a first league win in six years with a comprehensive victory over 4th placed Oxford OBU, who rallied well in the closing stages, but were in truth blown away in the first half. Sonning got a bonus on the day as local rivals South Berks slumped to a 2-3 home defeat against league strugglers Wycombe 2nd XI.

The game began well for the visitors, who penned back their opponents through the hard work of the front line of Plant, Manser and Gallagher, all of whom are in serious patches of form. Their interplay was a joy throughout the game, but particularly in the early stages, where they hit top gear almost from the first whistle.

Sonning were 3-0 up within 15 minutes. The first and third of these goals were from Nick Leach, fully fit and back in form, converting twice from penalty corners in inimitable style. His ability to seemingly pick out any part of the goal has been undoing keepers throughout this season. Sonning’s second goal also stood out, with an Ed Williamson solo effort of real class. He drove from left half and beat two men to get to the baseline, before cutting back and finding the back-board, between the keepers legs.

Sonning added a 4th through Noel Plant, with Gallagher instrumental in the build-up, and Huw Thomas with the assist, before Oxford worked their way into the game and onto the scoresheet before half time. Keeper Ben Sully made a good initial save, but couldn’t keep out the rebound effort. It did appear that an Oxford player was stopping Sully from getting to the ball, but umpires gave the goal and Oxford a lifeline before half time.

The second half started as the first had with Sonning quickly adding to their tally. Jimmy Manser almost replicated Williamson’s earlier effort when he turned over possession in midfield, beat his man and got a shot away from the left side of the circle.

Two more goal followed in quick succession to kill the game entirely midway through the half. First, Ian Finlayson was in the perfect place for a regulation tap-in after the keeper saved Ian Gallagher’s initial strike, before Noel Plant closed the scoring for Sonning with an absolute ripper on the half volley from the top of the circle, which almost tore the roof of the net clean off. 7-1.

Oxford scored 2 further consolation goals near half time to bring the score to 7-3 but Sonning were probably already focused on their next game – a potential title decider against South Berks at the Doombar Arena. #COTN

Squad: Ben Sully, Jonty Rider (c), Neil Pursell, Pat Thomas, Nick Leach, Ian Finlayson, Ed Williamson, Callum Richardson, Steve Ridley, Jonathan Sharp, Ian Gallagher, Jimmy Manser, Noel Plant, Huw Thomas
Goalscorers: Ian Finlayson, Jimmy Manser, Nick Leach (2), Noel Plant (2), Ed Williamson
MOTM: Nick Leach
DOTD: James Lockhart