FOOTBALL: Wallingford held on league debut (From Herald Series)

FOOTBALL: Wallingford held on league debut

12:01pm Wednesday 3rd September 2008

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AFC Wallingford started life in Division 1 of the North Berks League with a goalless draw at home to Drayton following their self-imposed demotion for financial reasons, writes Andy Wells.

o Wallingford's Andy Gibbons had a header cleared off the line in the first half by Nathan Smith, while Drayton's Andy Cummings hit a post.

In the second half, Drayton's Danny Curran saw a header cleared off the line by defender Johnny Hammond, while Wallingford's Steve Collins saw a shot blocked by keeper Gary Clark in the last minute.

Ben Sutton's breakaway goal saw Saxton Rovers open their campaign with a 1-0 home victory over local rivals Steventon.

Benson AFC made the perfect start to the season in Division 2 with a 5-0 home win over East Hendred.

Jim Oliver (2), Rob Lyon (2) and Dave Polley were on target.

Didcot Casuals opened up with a 2-0 home win over Kingsclere, with a goal apiece from Lee and Jamie Newport.

Sutton Courtenay's home game against Lambourn Sports Res was abandoned after 50 minutes following a serious knee injury to Sutton keeper Stuart Jones. Lambourn were leading 2-1.

Danny Hogan scored twice as Childrey United tamed Benson Lions 2-1 in Division 3.

Liam Wilkinson replied for the home team.

Botley United served notice they could be a force to be reckoned with by hammering Harwell International Res 5-0.

Andy and Chris Potter both bagged a brace, with Kieron Ellis also netting.

Relegated Shrivenham A started on a brighter note as they came from behind to win 3-1 against Grove Rangers Res.

Paul Whitewood, Neil Sutton and Alex Webb netted for Shrivenham after an own goal had put Grove ahead.

Jon Eldridge netted both goals for Drayton Res in their 2-2 draw against Long Wittenham.

In Division 5, newly-formed Didcot Casuals A thrashed Challow Res 15-0.

Kevin Oates scored seven with Nick Guiry (3), Tom Bagshot (3), Nick Townsend and Matt Thomas (pen) completing the rout.

Sutton Courtenay Res were another side to find the back of net with great regularity as they won 7-0 against Hagbourne Res.

Pat Clarke (3), Alan Welman (2), Alan Wisdom and Dave Tulley netted to get their season off to a flyer.

f=Helvetica s=6q=cOTHER SCORERS q=fDiv 3: Grove Rangers Res 1 (og), Shrivenham 3 (P Whitewood, N Sutton, A Webb).

Div 4: Benson AFC Res 4 (J Passey, I Abbott, M Newbold, T Millard), Hanney Utd 1; Challow Utd 2 (M Turnbull, T Hartley), East Hendred Res 0; Hagbourne Utd 7 (L Jones 2, C Burns 2, C Bowler, G Shears, P Loughlin), Steventon Res 1.

Div 5: Sutton Courtenay Res 7 (P Clarke 3, A Welman 2, A Wisdom, D Tulley), Hagbourne Utd Res 0.

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