18th Feb
Shinfield Boro 3 DC Steamers 3
This game nearly didn't go ahead. Due to pitch problems at Cantley
Park, the fixture was quickly transferred to Wargrave. Steamers started
off very slowly and soon found themselves on the back foot when Shinfield
took the lead from a corner. Steamers then got back into the game and equalised
when Jensen Langford ran onto a lovely weighted pass before rounding the
keeper and slotting the ball in from an angle. Steamers then took the lead
minutes before half time when a great bit of play was finished off by Steve
Bell after a flick through from Jensen. Shinfield came back into the game
early on in the second half when their striker took advantage of no defensive
clearance and hammered the ball past the despairing dive of Rory O'Neill.
This set back did not stop the Steamers from taking the lead for a second
time when Nick Smith took advantage of some bad defending to volley the
ball into the net from a difficult angle. Shinfield battled on though and
their persistence paid off as they equalised for a second time from another
corner. If anyone should have a special mention, it would be Rory, in goal
for a second time, who made some good saves and well timed clearances and
Howard who put in a strong, solid performance and kept things tidy at the
back. The starting lineup was as follows: Rory O'Neill; Chris Taylor, Howard
Cooke, Stuart Brown, Steve Danby. Richard Jordan, Nick Smith, Steve Bell,
Mickey Sheehan, Paul Allen; Jensen Langford. Subs: Duncan Glen for
Steve Bell
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25th Feb
DC Steamers 2 Salisbury Club 2
Conditions were perfect and the pitch firm in what turned out to be a
fiercley competetive fixture. Sailsbury club took initital control and enjoyed a
good deal of the early possession, although DC looked most likelyto score with
some strong counter attacking play. In one attack Jensen picked up the ball on
the half way line on the left hand side making a direct run to the goal, having
done the hard work cutting inside the coverering defender he scuffed his shot
wide of the post. DC made another couple of good scoring chances with Jordan in
collition with the keeper which perhaps was the first of many niggling battles
that went on culminating in 1 booking for Danby and Two for Salisbury Club. It
was the Steamers that eventually broke the deadlock after 30 minutes with some
excellent wing play resulting in a short cross from Smith to Jensen and Bell.
Bell ignored the call from Jensen and cooly slotted the ball into the back of
the net. SC missed an excellent chance to equalise with some good closing down
work, and a bit of over confidence by Brown who lost the ball trying to flick it
over the approaching forward, the ball broke free and the attacker was1-on-1
with the keeper who pulled off an outstanding save. Some valiant defending by
the Steamers saw then take their one nil lead into half time. The second half
continued in the same vain, although SC created few real goal scoring chances,
however the sustained pressure led to a corner which resulted in the ball
breaking free to a Salisbury player about 10yrds from goal who volleyed the ball
into the botton left corner. The Salisbury club increased their lead 10 minutes
later with another well worked goal. With about 15 minutes to go the Steamers
showed their true fighting spirit with another brilliant strike from bell under
pressure from two defenders. The Steamers had one more chance to seal a victory
when a long cross found Smith on the far post with a clear site on goal, but he
was closed down and the chance was gone. In the end a gritty performance by both
teams, with honours shared which was probably the right result. Top
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