Finishing proves key as Peters progress
Berks and Bucks Cup round-up
It took two goals in the final five minutes for New Bradwell St Peter to eventually see off Aylesbury-based side Hale Leys United and book their place in the Intermediate Cup third round.
The result was never really in doubt but a combination of poor finishing and excellent goal keeping meant Peters were made to endure a nervier last few moments than was probably necessary.
The game could and maybe should have been all over by half time such was Peters' dominance. The biggest surprise was that it took Steve Tucker's men half an hour to open their account.
That goal came when Dave Holloway was in the right place to bundle the ball home after Craig Townsend's effort had been cleared off the line.
But the hosts hit back to equaliser through a deflected free-kick in what was their only notable attack of that first period.
And Hale were lucky to go into the half time rest on level terms as they were left to thank their keeper for a string of fine saves, most notably from Holloway and Ben Hill.
Five minutes into the second half Gary Flinn went close for Peters, before Hale stunned their SML Division One visitors by taking the lead on 53 minutes, with the ball eventually fired home after a couple of attempts had been blocked at close range.
Parity was restored when the in-form Joey Acheampong won a free-kick and Hill floated it in for Lea Coulter to do the rest and head home from six-yards.
Hill and Coulter then had further chances, with the former seeing one effort cleared off the line before Coulter shot wide. But with time running out Peters finally put the game beyond Hale.
On 85 minutes Ed Wheatley's cross was neatly put away by Hill, and just a minute later Holloway's pressure gave Acheampong the chance to score and he duly obliged to seal the tie.
Goals flow for Olney at Taplow
A potential banana skin was avoided by Olney as they eased past Reading League side Taplow to make the third round of the Intermediate Cup.
The south Bucks side were eventually undone by a strong second half display from their United Counties Division One visitors, but only after the Nurserymen were given a scare.
The first half was a struggle for Mark Kerr's men as they were prevented from getting the ball down and playing their normal game.
But somewhat against the run of play they took the lead two minutes past the half hour through Clarke Abrams. Although a Guy Stewart own goal six minutes later squared the tie.
Taplow then went in front three minutes into the second half thanks to a Dan Wilks strike, but unfortunately for the home side that sparked Olney into life and they took control from them on.
Danny Wilkinson equalised less than five minutes later and top scorer Stewart Allan gave the Nurserymen a 78th minute lead.
Wilkinson then extended the lead with seven minutes to play before Abrams completed the scoring three minutes from time.
Assistant manager Marc Brown is now hoping the side can take the cup win into their league campaign.
"This was a game we should have won on paper but was always a potential banana skin," he said.
"But the third round now awaits and the recent revival continues. The spirit has been excellent and we are beginning to look more confident."
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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