AFC Wallingford Official Website

AFC Wallingford beat a good Lambourn side 4-2 to make it two wins out of two in their North Berks Campaign. Jordan Brown (2), Tom Collins and a Sean Kelleher penalty secured the points in a game that could have had many more goals.

Picture: (1st Goalscorer Tom Collins recieves the ball on saturday) 

Wallingford looked in good form on Saturday although they made hard work of a game that should have been over at half time but credit to Lambourn as they battled to keep themselves in the game. With some solid defending from the back four and a few good saves from Bovingdon (including a late penalty stop) Wallingford held firm to take all 3 points.

Wallingford started the sharpest and were in the lead after only 7 minutes when Collins was released through to poke home his 4^th of the season. A long spell of pressure saw Wallingford win a number of set pieces but a Butcher header from a Kelleher corner failed to find the net. Lambourn were full of energy but struggled to find a way past Amos in midfield and a determined performance from Wallingford’s back 4 of Lewis, Lee-Brown, Butcher and Sanashee. On 26 minutes the Lambourn keeper saved well from Collins and 3 minutes later Brown fired over after another trademark run. Brown managed to grab his first goal of the season minutes later though when Kelleher guided a fantastic cross-field pass from Lewis into the path of Brown who was bundled over but still managed to squeeze the ball home. On 38 minutes Butcher thought he had made it 3-0 after breaking forward but was ruled offside as Brown squared the ball across goal for him to finish. Wallingford then disappointingly conceded on the stroke of half time as they fell asleep after a clearing a Lambourn corner and the resulting delivery was headed home at the far post.

A stern half-time team talk was needed and it helped as after the break Lambourn pressed for an equaliser. Chadbone replaced Baker early in the second half but is was lambourn who had the first good chance of the second period. Lambourn’s central midfielder attacked a cross and when the ball seemed to be passing Bovingdon the big keeper got down quickly to save low to his right. Collins could have then made it 3-1 but shot wide when well placed but it was Wally who were to grab the next goal. On 63 minutes Jordan Brown picked the ball up 25 yards from goal, he weaved his way past 2 defenders to smash the ball low past the Lambourn keeper. On 68 minutes a Lambourn free-kick was deflected wide and they made it 3-2 from the resulting corner with another free header. But it was yet again Brown’s magic feet that secured the points for Wallingford as he won his side a 3^rd penalty in 4 games. Kelleher fired the ball high into the net for his 4^th of the season on 71 minutes. Wallingford then created numerous chances to extend their lead, many through young substitute Campbell’s excellent passing but they failed to convert and with 9 minutes to go they were nearly made to panic. Lambourns lively wide man skipped past Lewis into the box but was scythed down with Lewis lucky to escape a second booking. Bovingdon saved well from the penalty to seal Wallingfords second win of the season. Lambourns centre forward was sent off in injury-time for consistent abuse of the ref but Wallingford took a deserved 3 points.

Match Squad:

1. Nick Bovingdon

2. Gareth Sanashee

3. Tristan Lewis

4. Courtney Amos 

5. Jordan Lee-Brown 

6. Michael Butcher 

7. Jordan Brown

8. Sean Kelleher 

9. Tom Collins

10. Ben Gladwin

11. Ross Baker

12. Ben Chadbone

14. Tristan Campbell