Thames Valley Premier League FA Cup Semi Final.
With two hours between the two semi finals and the weather getting hotter as they day went on; it was a light relief to head into the bar area where it was at least a little cooler. I had met Stuart Cripps from Reading YMCA early on at the gate and had the pleasure of his company during the first match along with a lovely chap whose name I didn’t get sadly, who was part of the Woking academy set up. It was really good talking to both throughout the day.
During my bar break I also had the pleasure of meeting up with the guys from Non-League Chronicles, a group of non-league enthusiasts who travel around London and the South East going to new grounds. If you have Facebook, their page is well worth a follow. They have pictures and more from their escapades from grounds around the South, and groundhoppers adding reports from matches throughout the UK and beyond to their page so check them out, they’re also a great bunch!
This semi-final was to be between the two top sides in this season’s Thames Valley Premier Division. Westwood Wanderers had already tied up the 25/26 league title for the third year running going through the season unbeaten, and they recently added the Berkshire Trophy Centre Senior Cup to their trophy collection by beating Tadley Calleva Reserves 3-2 at Reading FC’s Select Car Stadium.
Wargrave for their part pushed Wanderers all the way in the league finishing second, themselves only losing one league game so this was all set to be a hard-fought affair between local two rivals who know each other well.
Once again apologies if I get any names wrong on here, I was going on the team sheets supplied so just let me know if any amendments are needed.
As you would expect it was end to end in the early stages with Wargrave putting Westwood under pressure from set pieces. It was from a corner Wargrave took the lead, Stuart Moss floated the ball into a great area where Joe Wigmore rose highest and powered his header into the net to give Wargrave the early lead. 1-0
Wanderers responded well and had a shout for handball in the area waved away by the referee. In their next foray forward Devonn Reid hurled a long throw from the right which was cleared to the edge of the Wargrave box and be picked up by Zak Barnett, he threaded a pass inside the full back to Jordace Holder-Spooner. He lifted a cross in from the left byline into a dangerous area but Wargrave’s Dan Patterson was first to the ball and headed clear.
Westwood were now forcing Wargrave back and after a long free kick which wasn’t cleared, Holder-Spooner guided it goalwards only to see it blocked on the goal line and hacked clear.
Wargrave always looked dangerous on the break and a long ball from deep bounced on the edge of the box. Callum Brighton held off the defender and, with his back to goal, managed to hook the ball past keeper Steven Fairchild who was rooted to the spot, and into the net to double their lead. 2-0
Another Reid long throw signalled trouble for the Wargrave defence, they managed to clear but only to Rocco Sofroniou 25 yards out and his strike went low through the packed box and was well turned around the post by the diving Peter Brown.
Just before half time Westwood were back in the game. A corner was awarded to Wanderers which was contested by the Wargrave players but upheld by the referee, with the resulting set piece lifted in towards the near post. It wasn’t cleared and Jack Clift was on hand to stab the ball home and halve the deficit. 2-1
H-T: Wargrave 2 Westwood Wanderers 1
Wargrave started the second period well and a long ball over the top was picked up by Charlie Douglas and his first time effort was well blocked by James Porter.
In a replay of their first goal, an early corner from the left was floated into the six-yard box almost under the crossbar where Bradley Hoy leaned in to nod the ball into the net and restore their two goal advantage. 3-1
Once more Westwood pushed their opponents back but the defence held firm, eventually Wanderers made space for a shot but Holder-Spooner’s effort curled just wide.
Another long ball clearance from Wargrave saw Callum Finlay race clear but his early shot went wide of the post.
Westwood continued to pile forward, first Sam Poulter cut in from the left and fired a shot across Brown which just went wide of the far post, then Poulter again picked up the ball after a nice move but a great sliding block in the area snuffed out that chance.
Still the pressure mounted on Wargrave as Wanderers looked for a way back into the game. A corner was flicked on in a packed six yard box which somehow Brown got a hand to, to deflect it away and the ball was hacked clear.
More long throws, corners and long balls rained in on the Wargrave defence in the final minutes as Westwood desperately looked for a way through but it just wouldn’t fall for them as the Wargrave back line managed to head clear, get an important nick away, or Brown in goal coming out to claim in the box.
After a tense last few minutes and added time, it was Wargrave celebrating as the referee blew the final whistle.
F-T: Wargrave 3 Westwood Wanderers 1
Wargrave defended superbly over the 90 minutes against a very good side and took their chances when they came up. Westwood will probably think they made enough chances to get back into this but they never really recovered from conceding the third goal early in the second half after working so hard to get back into the game with the goal just before half time.
Both sides struggled with the dusty and very bouncy surface in this tough encounter. Wargrave probably adjusted better to the conditions with Westwood struggling to play their usual passing game.
All in all, it was a fine win for Wargrave who will have enjoyed winning against their big rivals and can now look forward to the final against Tadley Calleva Reserves on Friday back at the Rivermoor Stadium. Westwood look a good side and you can see why they have been so dominant in the league this year but on this occasion, they just couldn’t find a way through their opponents resolute defence on the day.
Good luck to Wargrave in the final, judging by the two games here it should be a cracker!
A cracking day out although it could’ve been a little cooler (we Brits are never happy are we?) and with two enjoyable games. Hats off to all four teams for giving it everything in that heat and to the officials who couldn’t have found it easy on the day. Thanks to all the great people I met on the day, the TVPL members on duty and all the staff at Reading Town for their hospitality, I heard good reports for the Chinese Selection Box so that’s obviously still a crowd pleaser!
Same time next season?