Thames Valley Church Football League 2011/12

Canny Courtenay too Clever for Greyfriars 

Courtenay Isaacs scored two and made two as Brookside Saint Laurence secured their first win in four games over an improving Greyfriars FC.  With the blustery wind preventing both sides from playing fluid passing football, the first half seemed destined to remain a goalless war of attrition until Isaacs unlocked the Greyfriars defence with a neat near-post free-kick, deftly headed in by Steve Magness.  Within a minute, Isaacs himself had doubled the advantage, cleverly turning his man and firing low past Rob Tebby in the home side's goal.  Early in the second half another Isaacs cross found the head of Chris West at the back post and the ball in turn found the back of the net.  Even though Greyfriars responded almost immediately via a thirty-yard belter from skipper John Ellaby, Isaacs had the final word, sealing the 4-1 victory that maintains their position in the top four.  Tilehurst Albion kept hold of top spot after a comprehensive 9-0 rout of Vineyard FC.  Richard Delecia and Danny Lawrence each bagged doubles while the scoring was completed with goals from Bradley Lilley, Steve Hannah, Josh Baines, Lewis Wigginton and Toby Briggs.  Kerith Community Church kept in touch with the leaders after a closely fought, tough encounter with Wycliffe Wanderers.  With the league's two leading scorers going head to head, Neil Healy struck the first blow to put the visitors ahead early on, only for Ben Findlay to equalize soon after.  Healey capitalised on a defensive error to restore Wycliffe's lead but Findlay tied the scores again before half time.  Just before the break, Jonathan Ellis scored a 25-yard screamer as Kerith wrestled a lead they would not relinquish.  The second half was a cagey affair, as both sides struggled to take control, but a left-foot volley from Lee Berry settled the match for the home side, 4-2.  Despite goals from Carl Wyatt and Nick Matthews, reigning champions Warfield FC suffered their first league defeat of the season, losing 3-2 at home to Bethel United.  Nerko scored twice for the visitors, with the other contributed by Craig Hutt.  Jamie Carstairs hit a fabulous five goals as West Reading CFC thrashed Real World Corinthians 10-2. Joining him on the scoresheet for the home side were Sam Ward, Mark Lyons and Chris Hayman (2), along with an own goal. Robin Shaw and George Welsteed replied for Corinthians.