1st team make a late come back in the cup

Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup

Frilsham & Yattendon FC  1  -  4   v Penn & Tylers Green FC  (aet)

Along the valley of the Pang lies Frilsham, a small West Berkshire parish surrounded by woods and meadows.

Looking west of the village across distant views of rolling countryside is St Frideswide church, named after Princess Frideswide.  The late 7th century legend of St. Frideswide says that the church stands on the site of a ruined temple used as a pig-sty.  It was that pig-sty which provided cover for the princess as she fled from the unwanted attentions of a Mercian prince. St. Frideswide hid there for some time, sustained by a nearby well, which is preserved to this day in the wooded common.

Well, these are the surroundings of Frilsham & Yattendon Football Club who entertained our first team in the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup this afternoon. In fact this was the third attempt of getting this fixture played as the previous Saturdays fell victim to the ice and snow.

The founder members of the Reading League gave Penn & Tylers Green FC a run for their money. The first half belonged to the hosts. We looked rusty after the enforced break and we were up against opponents who, in the first half just wanted it a little bit more then us.

Our passing game on a very heavy and small pitch just did not get going and any crosses were either under- or over hit. So it was not at all surprising when the hosts took the lead early in the first half with a stunning shot into the top corner from a long way out. John Harding could not do anything to stop it. Despite all of this, one thing this season shows is that the team never gives up and always works hard, even when not playing all that well.

Half Time: Frilsham & Yattendon FC 1 – Penn & Tylers Green FC 0

We do not know what the gaffer said at half time but the second half belonged to Penn & Tylers Green FC and we created a number of chances. We just could not finish and when we found the net the goal was ruled out (correctly) for off side. We started to find space on the flanks with Gary Crick on the right and Ricci Putnam and Kieran Latta on the left. Chris Hurst and Danny Robertson together with George Moleski and Jack Dean started to dominate the centre of the park. Dan Arnett, Aiden Taylor and James Louison in particular, were solid at the back.

The substitutions injected more pace into the game when Matt Miller and Jamie Hunt came on for Jack Dean and George Moleski. The hosts started to get tired but somehow they hung on and it looked a lost course when the last minute of injury time approached. A foul in the box during the last attack resulted in a penalty which Chris Hurst tucked away confidently to give us a deserved equaliser.

In extra time the extra fitness showed and Matt Miller and Jamie Hunt combined well for Jamie to score our second with an excellent header. Tempers flared after a tough challenge in the middle of the park by Gary Crick (resulting in a booking) but football commenced soon after that. In the second half of extra time Jamie Hunt got his second and Matt Miller got his well deserved goal and Penn & Tylers Green’s fourth soon after that. We could have had a few more but just could not finish. Although there were four bookings in the game it was not a dirty game and Penn & Tylers Green FC are pleased to come through this tie against a good and honest Frilsham & Yattendon FC.

Man of the Match: James Louison

Match report by Andreas Latta