Peter Raynbird Cup review

There were plenty of goals at the King George V Playing Fields in Hook where visitors AFC Aldermaston ‘A’ defeated Hook FC Reserves 6-5 in the Preliminary Round of the Peter Raynbird Cup. And there could have been even more goal but for brilliance of Dan Nocella, in the visitor’s goal, who saved two penalties as well as a match winning save near the end of play. An own goal from Charlie Page put Aldermaston infront in the 11th minute. Nocella made the first of his two penalty saves in the 25th when Mark Beagley failed from the spot kick and Hook paid for this error when Ashley Jones made it 2-0 to Aldermaston in the 31st. Just before half time Jack McKee reduced the arrears following a Stuart Charles cross to make the score 2-1. Andy Hynes made it 3-1 to Aldermaston and Bradley Nicholson scored against his old club to further stretch the Aldermaston lead to 4-1. Ryan Williams scored for Hook in the 59th to make it 4-2 but back came Aldermaston a minute later when Vince Kennedy made it 5-2. The next action came within a minute when a second penalty kick was awarded when Beagley was fouled. This time Jack McKee was entrusted with the kick, but again Nocella saved. Hynes headed the sixth for Aldermaston before Hook amounted a late come back. Stuart Charles, Mark Beagley and Jack McKee all netted to make the score 6-5 to Aldermaston, setting up an exciting last four minutes. Nocella made a fine save in the last seconds of the match to put Aldermaston into the First Round. Aldermaston will now meet Hampshire Irons FC away in the First Round Proper.

Winklebury Wizards FC had no problem beating the previously unbeaten Overton United FC ‘B’ 4-1 at Berrydown and will now meet Division One side Basingstoke Labour Club FC in the next round. It was Overton ‘B’ who took a tenth minute lead from a Kyle Buckland penalty following a mistimed tackle by Liam Grainger. Two minutes later Buckland was through again, his lob beat keeper Gavin Alexander but the ball hit the bar and fortunately for Wizards, bounced back into the keeper’s hands. Overton held their lead throughout the remainder of the first half, but came under severe pressure after the break. Former Overton United player Scott Winterbourne was the main perpetrator, scoring the first of his three in the 61st minute. It was another ex-Overton player, Danny Costen who was fouled on the edge of the box. Winterbourne took the resulting free kick, the ball hit the wall, but he followed up well to make it 1-1. In the 65th minute Alex Stevens went on a good run, his slick pass found Connor Stratton, who beat Howard to give Wiazrds a 2-1 lead. In the 74th a Dan Goodyear corner was not cleared and Winterbourne patrolling the Overton penalty box like a shark, made it 3-1 as he popped up to score. With Overton now well beaten, Winterbourne completed his hat trick with a minute to go following an assist by Jack Arthur.

Tron FC are safety through to the First Round after beating Herriard Sports FC 2-0 away, but this was no easy ride against a strong Herriard team that held their own until well into the second half. Tron had outfield player Kevin Beaumont in goal and he did well keeping out efforts from Chris Dobbie and Sam Cato in a very tight first half. Tron looked more organized in the second period with the introduction of substitutes Lorne Howard and Richard McCoubrie, but it took them until the 75th minute to take the lead. Ben Nicholls found McCoubrie in space on the half way line, he played Joe Harris in down the right flank and his cross fell nicely for Ben Nicholls who beat keeper Dave Purt from 16 yards. It was three minutes later when Tron made sure of a meeting with AFC Berg in the next round. Again three players were involved. Barney Powell started the move with a cross to Harris, his strong header 25 yards from goal found Howard on the right wing, and another good cross into the box was meet by Jamie Ballantyne heading home with his first touch of the match.

TDI Group FC met Bounty United FC at Newfound and found the opposition much too strong and ended up 7-1 losers. Matt Love was on terrific form and helped himself to a hat trick. It took Bounty just three minutes to go ahead through Love and his second was bundled in from a corner kick. Mitchell Stokes converted a penalty for the third and Love scored his third, a lob over keeper Russ Hancock from outside the box soon after. Stokes scored again to make it 5-0 from a Darmody pass just before the break. TDI changed from three at the back and came straight back with a goal through substitute Josh Bushell. But Bounty increased their lead when Darmody scored following a corner kick. The final goal came late on, as Arkadiusz Besztzrdal scored. Bounty will now play Hook FC First Team in the First Round Proper at Castle Fields on 31st October.

Basingstoke Athletic FC Reserves conceded their tie against Basingstoke United FC as they were unable to raise a team. United now have a walk over and will meet Tadley Calleva FC ‘A’ at home in the next round.