LONG Wittenham Athletic were crowned North Berks Cup winners for the third time in four years, beating Saxton Rovers 5-3 after extra time at Northcourt Road, writes Phil Annets.

Rovers, beaten by Berinsfield last year in the North Berks League’s showcase event, had led at half-time, but were unable to hang on.

Matt Saunders twice gave Athletic the lead in the first half, opening the scoring in just the second minute and then restoring their advantage from the penalty spot after JR Willis had been tripped by goalkeeper Callum Oakley.

Tom Stanley cancelled out Saunders’ first goal and equalised a second time with a penalty after Gary Hartley was upended in the Wittenham box.

Hartley then headed Rovers into the lead before the break, but Willis levelled early in the second half to force the game into extra time.

Within a minute of the restart, Willis had put Wittenham ahead and victory was assured three minutes from time when Tom Aldworth powerfully headed home.

The AG Kingham Cup final also went to extra time, where East Hendred Res were beaten 3-2 by Kintbury Rangers Res.

Liam Eltham and Tom North were on target for Hendred

OTHER SCORERS

Div 1: Abingdon Tn 1 (F Pinkerton), Wallingford tN 2 (J Webber, A Searle); Faringdon Tn 1 (C Wills), Crowmarsh Gifford 2 (J Fanstone, P Hedges).

Div 5: Burghclere Res 11 (A Baillie 3, B Kirkham 2, D O’Hagan, D Stockwell, J Stockwell, S Phipps, E Weedon, M Ray), Hanney 66 Club 0.