NORTH BERKS LEAGUE

GROVE Rangers were thankful for the heroic efforts of stand-in keeper Mike Davies after beating Sutton Courtenay 4-2 on penalties in the quarter-finals of the War Memorial Cup, writes Phil Annets.

Alex Lynch twice gave Division 2 side Grove the lead in normal time, but their Division 3 opponents hit back through Dan Cox and – deep into injury time – Dave Otero to make it 2-2 after 90 minutes.

After a goalless extra-time, Chris Slevin scored the winning penalty for Grove immediately after Davies, who normally plays in midfield, had saved his second spot-kick.

East Hendred Res produced the shock of the day in the Nairne Paul Trophy quarter-finals when thrashing their Division 2 opponents Saxton Rovers Res 5-1.

Shaun Russ, Marc Merritt, Jason Fisher, Andrew Salt and Nicky James all found the net for Hendred, with Saxton replying through an own goal.

Shrivenham A won 3-0 at Harwell Village Res thanks to Mark Belcher, Matt Hampson and Paul Sanders.

In the all-Division 4 tie, Marcham Res beat Coleshill United Res 4-3 on penalties after the sides drew 1-1 following extra time.

James Head’s goal was equalised by Phil Stokes for Marcham, before Christian Barrett produced two saves in the shoot-out to steer Marcham into the semi-finals.

Saxton Rovers maintained their 100 per cent record in Division 1 with a 2-1 victory at home to Lambourn Sports.

Goals from Tom Larman and Paul Churchouse cancelled out a Terry Wood penalty to give Saxton an 11-point lead.

Harwell International stretched their lead at the top of Division 2 to seven points with a comprehensive 6-1 home win over East Hendred.

Mike Yardley hit a hat-trick, with Lee Chapman, Jamie Clark and Wayne Robins also scoring. Lee Hedges replied.

Bampton Town went second in Division 3 with a 6-1 win at home to Drayton Res.

George Seacole and Nathan Beckett scored two apiece, with Mark Carrington and Dan Oyston netting the others.

Benson Lions needed a spectacular solo goal from Chris Armstrong to salvage a 2-2 draw against bottom-placed Harwell International Res.

Tom McGregor and Calum Hodnett scored either side of the break for the visitors after Liam Wilkinson had given Benson the lead.

OTHER SCORERS

Div 2: Botley Utd 4 (C Potter, A Potter, D Witchall, M Penner), Lambourn Spts Res 1 (S Crame).

Div 4: Appleton Stars 0, Stanford-in-the-Vale 16 (S Holde 5, J Evans 4, J Baker 2, D Bradbury, J Hopgood).

Div 5: Challow Utd Res 2 (N Inns, B Hummel), Bampton Town Res 5 (T Madden 2, D Paintin, T Boot; Sutton Courtenay Res 3 (W Grant, J Ivey, I Dingwall), Benson Lions Res 1 (J Day).

  • FARINGDON Town’s hopes of reaching the last four of the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup were dashed when they lost 3-1 to Hellenic League Division 1 East leaders Wokingham & Emmbrook.

Peter Soane scored their goal.