Faringdon Thursday Memorial Cup Final
Wantage Town Development 2 Letcombe 0 (away view)
Letcombe were beaten by local rivals Wantage Town development in the Faringdon Thursday Memorial Cup final. The Wantage squad contained 8 players who had played for Letcombe in the past.
The opening exchanges were even, but Letcombe had two free kicks in dangerous positions but put the ball too close to Wantage keeper Harry Whitehead who handled cleanly. Letcombe`s best chance of the match fell to Ben Hummell after 17 minutes, but his cross cum shot went wide of the far post. Mid way through the half, keeper Danny Joyce did well to turn a long range shot from Kieran Kerby round the post. Letcombe were giving away too many free kicks, and Wantage were starting to get on top.
Their pressure told on the half hour when Kerby beat his defender with great skill, and his precise cross was turned into the net by Jordan Davies. Kerby hit the bar with a long range free kick before Wantage increased their lead on the stroke of half time. An inswinging corner from Luke Faircloth bounced in front of the near post and somehow found its way into the net through a host of players.
The second half saw few goal scoring opportunities. Luke Stone blocked a shot from Josh Fowler, and at the other end, Joyce did well to hold a low cross from Kerby. Chad Abrams shot over the bar, but a well organised Wantage defence allowed Letcombe few sights of goal. Defender Nathan Haresnape was pushed into attack to provide more height and Joe Blackwell replaced the injured Ben Hummell, but Wantage held firm for a deserved victory.
Letcombe host Tuffley Rovers Development in the Bateman Sports Chairmans cup on May 8, kick off 3.00pm.
Herefordshire FA County Challenge Cup – Semi Final
Wellington 0 Westfields 3 (away view)
Westfields last night went through to the final of the Herefordshire County Challenge Cup where they will meet Hereford Lads Club on Thursday 20 May at Edgar Street, kick-off 7.45pm.
Westfields had to overcome a hard-working Wellington side on a beautifully prepared pitch which was conducive to good football which both sides displayed.
Westfields took an early lead when Sam Hunt fired in a terrific free kick over the Wellington wall to give Westfields a 1-0 lead and then Aidan Thomas also went close to extending the lead before Wellington came back and Steve Sarkodie in the Westfields goal had to make a couple of good brave saves as Wellington looked to equalise before the break.
After the interval both sides had opportunities and Wellington in particular put pressure on the Westfields defence that defended superbly and in particular Paul Hurrell and Henry Dyde were outstanding at the heart of the Westfields defence.
Westfields extended their lead when Ben Miller put in a fine cross from the left and Basit Umar raced in to slam the ball into the roof of the net to give Westfields a 2-0 cushion.
Westfields then began to dictate play but had a scare late in the game when Wellington hit back and only a goal-line clearance prevented the home side pulling a goal back before Westfields made the game safe with the 3rd goal when Keanu Cooper who had been hard working for Westfields throughout the game seized on a hesitant defence to slam the ball home to give Westfields a fine 3-0 away win.
The game was played behind closed doors
