Historical News Reports

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Meehan and Sercombe seal the double for Drayton (02-05-2026)       Drayton Reserves last night kept their hopes alive of the treble when they lifted the North Berks League Cup when they recorded a 2-0 victory over Marcham Reserves at Abingdon United Football Ground in front of over 200 spectators. Starting in damp conditions due to the downpour an hour earlier both sides struggled to carve any openings as both defences held firm which only saw long rage efforts go wide of the target. Then on Twenty minutes Drayton took the lead when following a fine move on the right the ball was crossed low where Luke Meehan hit a first-time half volley past the diving Peter Fox and into the net from just outside the Marcham box. Moments later Marcham came close to levelling the scores when following a corner, a close-range header in a crowded six-yard box went inches over the Drayton cross bar from close range. Drayton’s Chris Hunt then saw his snapshot go wide of the target when in a good position which followed with Drayton’s George Crowley heading over the Marcham cross bar following a corner. Both sides then saw half chances go begging before just on half time Drayton’s Foley Sercombe saw his shot go just wide of the Marcham far post when in a good position. The second half stated like the first with both defences holding firm which chances few and far between until just after the hour mark Marcham’s Sam Gillett found himself in space just inside the Drayton box but fired his shot wide of the target when a clean shot at goal. Both sides saw long range efforts go wide before Marcham’s keeper Peter Fox produced heroics when performing a superb triple save at close range to keep Drayton at bay. Drayton then doubled their lead when Sercombe gathered a loose ball, took a touch and fired his shot towards goal which took a wicked deflection over the outstretched keeper Fox and into the back of the net. Then with ten minutes remaining Marcham were awarded a penalty for handball in the box and up stepped Jack Smith to send Drayton keeper Jordan Key the wrong way and fire the ball home from twelve yards. Marcham pushed to level the score in the final moments, but Drayton stayed solid at the back to collect the trophy and now look to complete the treble in the coming weeks. Man of the match was presenting to Drayton’s Chris Hunt for his endless running and effort throughout the ninety minutes.       Berinsfield complete four timer when beating Compton (16-05-2026)       Berinsfield last night completed the four timer when they posted a 3-0 victory over Compton in the North Berks Cup Final in front of around 250 spectators at the Abingdon United Football Ground. Both sides started slowly in rainy conditions and clear chances were rare as both defences held firm until Berinsfield brought out a fine double save from Compton keeper Kieran Toop the first saving a Luke Holdsworth free kick then tipping away a Charlie Lee rebound. Compton’s Ashley Beckett then saw his low drive when in a good position deflect just wide of the Berinsfield near post and out for a corner which followed moments later with Charlie Lee seeing his curling shot go just over the crossbar. The Compton keeper Toop was called upon again this time denying Max Palmer at close range saving low down before then saving a low drive from Owen Pearce. Then just after the half hour mark Berinsfield took the lead when Toop was alleged to have brought down Palmer in the Compton box and up stepped Holdsworth to fire home from twelve yards sending Toop the wrong way. Both sides then had half chances which were either saved or missed as the half time whistle blew. The second half started and Compton started well but pressed the destruct button early on as from their own corner they lost possession only for Berinsfield to build a quick counterattack that following a few fine passes found Palmer on the edge of the Compton box and he calmy struck the ball past the outrushing Toop and into the net. Berinsfield’s Charlie Lee then saw his snapshot from ten yards out go just wide of the Compton far post before both sides saw long range efforts go high and wide of the target. The game then went into a period where neither side created worthwhile chances to note as there seemed to be more yellow cards than chances. Then Berinsfield made it 3-0 when a fine through ball found Jack Hinkin in space and he took a touch a fired the ball past Toop and into the corner of the net. Berinsfield saw out the remaining minutes of the game to then lift the North Berks Cup and complete the quadruple and a fine season.