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AFC Wallingford came from behind to hand Faringdon Town their first defeat in 20 games

Another goal for top-scorer Collins and a  sublime strike from Lewis in a battling performance put Wallingford into the Quarter Finals of the North Berks Cup

Wallingford went into todays game with no less than 7 key first team players out either through suspension, injury or being rested.

The first half was a closely contested 45minutes with little chances. Faringdons wide man almost broke the deadlock after 20 minutes when he cut inside and curled the ball past Bovingdon and onto the bar. Down the other end Jordan Brown was getting lots of joy against Faringdons left back but saw his crosses narrowly missed and his shots creep wide. On 28 minutes it was a freak goal that broke the deadlock. Faringdons right Winger crossed from deep and somehow from 20 yards out Butcher managed to head over Bovingdon and into his own net. This however did not affect Wallingfords play and just before half time they should have levelled. Josh Springer, making his debut, hit a diagonal out to Brown who yet again twisted the fullback in knots and cut into the box past two players and only a good save from the Faringdon keeper kept the unbeaten side ahead.

A positive performance that deserved more than Wallingford had to show at half time. A positive team talk and a key substitution at half time put Wallingford on the front foot.

Wallingfords young side stepped up their game and begun to show their credentials as they forced Faringdon to defend for long periods. Ross Baker, Tom Collins and Jordan Brown were causing numerous problems for Faringdons defence and it was only a matter of time before they equalised. The goal came on 57 minutes when Brown cut in from the left and found Baker at the back post who lost out in a 50/50 but the ball fell to Collins who sat down a defender and drove the ball home. Wally continued to push forward and Faringdon were now struggling to cope with the ability of Brown and Baker. When Faringdon did get forward they found a defence in good form as they struggled to get past the impressive Rolfe and Duncan. Wallingford went 2-1 up when a quick break saw Baker release Butcher on the right who looked to strike from 25 yards out but was clipped from behind by the tracking midfielder. Tristan Lewis set the ball and with a touch of class in a tough game he sublimley curled the ball beyond the despairing dive of the Faringdon keeper into the top corner. This was only what Wallingfords performance deserved. Faringdon then tried desperatley to get back into the game but were kept at arms length until the 88th minute when a set piece was misjudged by Bovingdon and when it seemed that the ball was going in Baker cleared and Wallingford saw the game out. Baker broke deep into injury time but could not find the target after good work on the left.

This was a strong battling performance from Wallingfords young side showing great charecter which will only put them in good stead for the remainder of the season.

Manager Lewis said "It was nice to get the winning goal today (and even if i do say so myself, it was good!!!) but even more pleasing was the determination and charecter of our young team. Not only did they come back from a goal down but they fought to see the game out"

Match Squad:

1. Nick Bovingdon

2. Michael Butcher

3. Tristan Lewis

4. Josh Springer

5. Matt Rolfe (c)

6. Craig Duncan

7. Jordan Brown

8. Tristan Campbell

9. Tom Collins

10. Komal Llewelyn-Reid

11. Ross Baker

12. Omar Mohamed (on for Campbell)

14. Ashur Caynes (on for Collins)

15. Greg Beckett 

GOALS: Collins (57) Lewis (68)

BOOKINGS: BROWN, COLLINS

Wallingford travel to league leaders Saxton Rovers in high spirits next week.