Thames Valley Church Football League 2011/12

Tilehurst Albion kicked off the new Thames Valley Churches Football League season in style by smashing seven goals past last season's basement side Reading Saints at Woodford Park.  Josh Baines led the scoring with four goals, earning him a deserved man-of-the-match award.  Toby Briggs (2) and Richard Delecia added the others, with a Matt Blake brace the only consolation for the home side.  Last season's leading marksman Jamie Carstairs began the season where he left off, finding the net twice in his West Reading CFC team's 4 nil victory over league newcomers Vineyard FC.  Player-manager Chris Hayman also bagged a double in his side's comprehensive win.  Bethel United also scored four away from home against Greyfriars FC; Sean Deoliveira firing a hat-trick and Siarhei Bahdanovic adding the other as the Coley Park team demonstrated their superiority in attack.  The Bulmershe team battled bravely and keeper Rob Tebby made some excellent saves throughout the game but was unable to prevent his team's 4-1 defeat; Greyfriars' sole consolation a smart shot across the keeper from Dan Thompson.  Bulmershe also played host to, arguably, the league's game of the day.  In a pulsating match, last season's runners-up, Brookside Saint Laurence twice came from behind to beat Wycliffe Wanderers, with Matt Nash's winner coming deep into stoppage time.  Neil Healy's early opener was quickly cancelled out by Kieran Knight, but Ross Thompson restored the visiting Wanderers' advantage before half time.  Steve Magness pulled Brookside level for a second time before Nash's timely strike took home the points.

C Barltrop 11/09/11