Chinnor 2 Finchampstead 3
Sport Italia Hellenic League Division 1 East
At: Station Road
Kick-off: 2-00 pm
Attendance: 72
Weather: cold, dry , misty
Duration: first:half: 48:25; second-half: 46:23
No Stafford Rangers game today, so a rare opportunity for a new ground in a different league. With us heading south for a pre-Christmas family gathering, this fixture proved handy down the M40 and not too far from a cinema near to junction 4 (for dropping off Diana and Sarah).Chinnor’s Station Road ground was about three miles from M40 junction 6. From the B4009, it was left at the roundabout next to The Crown with the ground on the right just past the Black Boy. It was a classic roped off pitch with no spectator cover.
Home side Chinnor (26 points from 17 games) went into the game in 6th position in the table, some 15 points behind leaders Kintbury Rangers. Visitors Finchampstead (18 points from 18 games) occupied 13th position in the 18-team division.
There was a flurry of early goals after Finchampstead got the game underway attacking the ‘changing rooms’ end in the first half. Chinnor took a 3rd minute lead. James Ford’s low cross from the left was flicked into the roof of the net at the near post by Gary Marshall. The visitors were back on level terms within three minutes. Ryan Adger fed Anthony Parsons who fired home a low shot into the bottom left corner via the hands of diving keeper Ben Marshall. A foul on Stuart Barr by Russell Carter on the edge of the area led to Chinnor regaining the lead in the 10th minute. Stuart Braun played the resulting free-kick towards goal and Adam Brooks nipped in to head home.
Finchampstead were awarded a penalty in the 41st minute when Ben Marshall brought down Parsons inside the area. Danny Harris stepped up only to see his spot kick saved by Marshall diving to his right. However, referee Chris Wilkins ordered it to be retaken as the keeper had moved but Harris fired his second attempt wide of the left-hand post.
After the break, the visitors pressed for a goal and Marc Boyle had a shot cleared off the line. The deserved equaliser came in the 68th minute. Parsons fed James Wilkinson who lobbed Marshall. A draw looked the likely outcome until Finchamptead scored an injury-time winner. Wilkinson found Parsons and the striker netted his second goal of the game with a low shot under the body of the diving Marshall.
The three points moved Finchampstead up three places to 10th while Chinnor dropped to 7th.
Chinnor (blue/blue/blue): 1. Ben Marshall, 2. Jake Saunders, 3. Richard Avery, 4. Colin Bird, 5. Richard Carr, 6. Adam Brooks, 7. Stuart Barr, 8. Gary Marshall (capt), 9. Stuart Braun, 10. Ryan Davis, 11. James Ford. Subs: 12. Michael Byrne (not used), 14. Paul Beagle (for Ford, 87), 15. Luke Cozens (not used).
Finchampstead (sky blue and white stripes / sky blue / sky blue): 1. Stuart Harris, 2. Adam Reading, 3. Russell Carter, 4. Danny Harris (capt), 5. Gary Gowers, 6. Dean Boultwood, 7. Sam Wyatt, 8. Ryan Adger, 9. Anthony Parsons, 10. James Wilkinson, 11. Marc Boyle. Subs: 12. Nicholas Matthews (not used), 14. Lawrence Stephenson (not used), 15. Scott Bursill (not used).
Referee: Chris Wilkins.
Goals:
1-0 Gary Marshall (3)
1-1 Anthony Parsons (6)
2-1 Adam Brooks (10)
2-2 James Wilkinson (68)
2-3 Anthony Parsons (90+1)
Cards:
Chinnor: James Ford (YC, 72)
Finchampstead: Adam Reading (YC, 45)
