Cherry Red Records Hellenic League round-up (October 12)

Gloucester keeper Adam Bennett tips the ball over the bar during Saturday's 3-3 draw against Bicester

Bishops Cleeve 1, Didcot Tn 0

DIDCOT lost their un- beaten Premier Division record after an indifferent display at Bishops Cleeve on Saturday.

Neither side really got going, and while Didcot probably created the better chances, they can have no complaints about the result.

Chris Johnson, Ian Concannon and on-loan striker Steve Jenkins all went close for Didcot, but the only goal arrived three minutes after the interval.

Town's Jamie Heapy handled in his own penalty area, and although Didcot keeper Jeff Simmonds did well to save the resulting spot kick from John Hills, the same player followed up to knock home the rebound.

Abingdon Utd 2, Highworth Tn 5

ABINGDON were caught cold as they were exposed by Town's pace, and they never really recovered from two goals in the fourth and fifth minutes.

Mills and Saye scored the early Highworth markers, and Saye made it 3-0 before Andy Marriott pulled one back.

Saye notched his hat-trick five minutes before the break, but United were not out of it, and keeper King made three good saves to deny them.

Richard Peirson's 25-yard free kick, which went in off King after hitting a post, reduced the deficit, but a late breakaway goal from Jack killed United off.

Hook Norton 2, Almondsbury 1

HOOKY were out of the blocks fast with a goal after just five minutes against Almondsbury.

Karlton Stratford put over a testing cross which was handled inside the area, and Stratford slotted home the penalty, before leaving the field with an injury five minutes later.

The second half saw Hooky apply early pressure, and defender Arron Parkinson was unlucky when his 35-yard free kick struck the woodwork.

Veteran Garnet Thomas, 38, deftly volleyed home Hooky's second, before an Anton Sambrook own goal reduced the arrears with ten minutes remaining.

Pewsey Vale 1, Brackley Tn 1

THE home side shaded the first half as Brackley found it difficult to get their passing going.

Pewsey were awarded a free kick and after two headers came back off the bar, veteran Barry Flippance poked the ball home.

Brackley's response was immediate, and they equalised three minutes later.

Paul Eldridge saw his header saved by the home keeper, but Brackley skipper Vinny Byfield lashed home.

North Leigh 1, Henley Tn 1

NORTH Leigh left it late to claim a share of the points against Henley.

After a goalless first half, Henley went in front in the 62nd minute through Danny Isairw when North Leigh needlessly lost possession on halfway.

In a rousing finish, North Leigh equalised three minutes from time with a low shot from substitute David Cross, and the home side could have snatched victory but for a flying save from Sean Bott by Henley keeper Stuart Gosby.

Shortwood Utd 4, Wantage Tn 2

WANTAGE made a woeful start, conceding a free-kick deep in their half after only two minutes to go behind.

On seven minutes, the visitors found themselves 2-0 adrift after some poor marking at a corner, but they managed to claw a goal back in the 12th minute when Alex Lynch netted Ben Spiero's cross.

Shortwood added another before the break and made it 4-1 on the hour, before Lee Newport's powerful 25-yard drive gave Wantage some consolation.