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Wallingford eased their way into the quarter finals of the cup on Thursday night with a hard fought victory over a well organised Wokingham side from Hellenic division 1 east requiring a final minute strike from Simon Barlow to settle an entertaining encounter.
Wallingford were forced into several changes at the start due to recent injuries, Musa Mannah making his debut in goal Carl Gordon slotting in on the right whilst Zinzee Taha and Danny Leggett started up front with Aaron Baker taking a seat on the bench and top scorer Abdouli Taha out due to work commitments. The home side started the stronger and took the game to their opponents, Andrew Styles going close early on and Paul Massaquoi looking lively down the left and it was no surprise when Wallingford took the lead 20 minutes in when a through ball from Styles found Zinzee Taha who unleashed a cracking first time finish low into the corner. The game was end to end and AFC could have added another moments later as Leggett was clean through but a last ditch tackle from the visitors Cheale forced a corner whilst Needhall had an effort wide at the other end. Styles then brought a fine save from Douglas Bond after good work from Captain Ross Tyler. Wallingford started the 2nd half the brighter and had several chances to extend the lead, Gordon went close, Taha had an effort well blocked and Leggett shot just wide after a mazy run from midfield. Aaron Baker, on as a sub then hit a superb effort from the edge of the box which was well saved and AFC then rued their missed chances as Wokingham drew themselves level, an in swinging corner from the left was met by Kevin Prentice who planted a firm header into the centre of the goal. Wokingham began to grow in confidence and pressed the play well, both Rice and Prentice going close before an Aaron Baker header drifted inches wide after an excellent Ross Tyler cross for the home side. The game looked to be heading for extra time but in injury time one final run from Baker eluded the Wokingham defence, the ball broke to Simon Barlow who pounced from 12 yards to give Wallingford victory in this entertaining end to end game and see them through to the next round. AFC Wallingford: Mannah, Gordon, Lovegrove, Ingram, Barlow, Tyler, Touray, P (Fenn 75), Styles, Leggett (Baker 54), Taha, Z (Darsouni 86), Massaquoi. |
