Match report Archive
Taplow Utd A 0
Reading YMCA 1
Reading
League Division 4
15 Mar 2008
For the second week running Taplow stuttered in front of goal and ended up on
the wrong end of a tight score line.
A strong Reading side exerted considerable pressure on
Taplow and but for a man of the match performance by Hassan Mirza and Dan
Wilks at the heart of the defence the home side would have been overrun.
Failure to hold up any ball up front and poor defensive midfield play meant
that Taplow spent the first half literally being battered. With
both wide midfielders too deep and often alongside the defenders Reading
rained in cross after cross and a series of shots on Dean Hubbard's goal.
Wilks and Mirza snuffed out a lot and Hubbard did the rest with a series of
good stops. After a series of tugs, pulls,and pushes which went
unrecognised and seemed to set the standard, it was somewhat unfortunate to
say the least to find a relatively innocuous barge as Adam Reynolds jumped
with a Reading forward should be deemed a foul with a few minutes to go to
half time.
The tables turned at half time and on the first attack Micah Oboh found the
goal at his mercy only to rush his shot and scuff it at the keeper.
Taplow dominated possession and with Mirza dominant at the back they seemed
secure but the home side did not take their few chances. Oboh with more
purpose and belief could have had one or two and then honours seemed to be even
when he broke down the right and Rob Haynes rushed through from midfield to
sweep home. The Reading players knew it was a good goal and the supporters
could see the run was made from deep but the linesman decided otherwise without
any apparent remorse. Taplow pushed more players up front and had a late
chance as Trevor Hilling scuffed a header wide; but a concerted Reading
rearguard action and a real lack of quality in midfield play and passing
thwarted the home side.
Winnersh
2
Taplow Utd A 1
Lynden Dolby
Reading
League Division 4
8 Mar 2008
A young Winnersh side proved too much in the end for a workmanlike Taplow side
which lacked any real cutting edge.
Taplow continued their recently gained habit of started timidly, failing to
press the opposition and granting too much space. Winnersh took
advantage and played a series of balls through the Taplow lines forcing them
to retreat further and when they then failed to tackle and close space the way
was open for shots at the Taplow goal. Fortunately Winnersh's ineptitude
and another resilient performance from Dean Hubbard in the Taplow goal kept
them at bay until a howler from Matt Stoddart allowed Winnersh an easy passage
to the first goal. Taplow were at sixes and sevens for the remainder of
the first half but somehow held out.
The second half was
a different story with Winnersh constantly defending their penalty area and
working on the break. Taplow's lack of continuity in passing and
movement off the ball was a hindrance, but nonetheless they got into the box
several times and were only undone by an unwillingness to shoot on sight of
goal or last ditch defending. When they did escape the clutches of the
defence with sufficient time Lynden Dolby looked a threat and eventually
turned in an equalising goal.
Taplow looked good for the point and perhaps three when Dolby failing to pull
the trigger in front of goal only fore the ball to be swept upfield catching
the whole defence in a stupor and horribly exposing the veteran left back
Salisbury for pace as the Winnersh winger ran in to score. Winnersh had
one or two additional breaks which might have resulted in goals but for woeful
finishing. Nonetheless Taplow were harshly done by to come away without
a point.
Turnpike Sports 3
Taplow Utd A 1
M Stoddart
Reading
League Division 4
1 Mar 2008
Blustery conditions led to an at times scrappy game, but Taplow's lack of
preparation showed as for 25 minutes they were not at the races. Perhaps
intimidated by the difference in league positions no-one seemed to have any
appetite for pressing or tackling the opposition. As a result Turnpike
raced to a two-goal lead with their forwards runing the length of the pitch to
score. But for woeful finishing and Dean Hubbard in goal the score line
might have doubled.
Instead Taplow rode their luck and worked their way gradually back into the
game. As the midfield got tp grips with their counterparts possession
was shared and Miro Olah and Nathaniel held the ball up and stringing together
passes which tuned a hesitant Turnpike defence and both nathanile and Miro
went close with shots, Miro poking over a good chance to score.
Turnpike had their moments to but it was Taplow who scored as Matt Stoddart in
a rare foray up front chested down the ball and prodded the ball forward
dropping over the advancing 'keeper into the net.
Both sides set up good attacks with Turnpike having more clear cut chances but
poor finishing or a poor final ball and good cover down the flanks at
full-back thwarted them. Taplow Utd struggled most in making the final
ball count as the midfield was unable to win clean enough ball and make a
telling pass. Then a slip at back allowed Turnpike in for a third.
To their credit Taplow fought on and scored a second goal as the goal keeper
fumbled a long free kick fired in the box by poor by Ian McDonough, only to be
denied by an outrageous piece of gamesmanship which even the red-faced home
players had not anticipated.
Taplow Utd A 0
Corinthians Res 1
Reading
League Division 4
23 February 2008
A re-jigged Taplow Utd team put in a strong performance to revenge the defeat
in the away match and should have emerged from this game with one if not three
points.
Corinthians applied considerable pressure in the first half and had several
half chances which were replied by last ditch defending by the veterans at the
heart of their defence. Taplow gave as good as they
got and how Miro Olah did not score
remains
unclear. Thereafter Taplow's lack of confidence in front of goal showed
as they failed to take shooting opportunities quickly enough or the
Corinthians keeper intervened. Even an outrageous dive conning the
referee into giving a penalty was not enough to separate the sides as Paul
Hilling saved to keep Taplow in the game.
Despite his great efforts to keep Taplow in the match a dreadful mix up
between the brothers Hilling gifted Corinthians a goal at the near post.
Corinthians were restricted to two half chances as the defence worked
tirelessly to close them down. At the other end good opportunities went
begging and taw were consigned to an unwelcome and undeserved defeat.
Goring Res 3 Taplow Utd A 1
Reading
League Division 4
16 February 2008
Another week another major reshuffle in defence and midfield. Taplow took 20
minutes to get some cohesion with a reformed back line in which time Goring
were able to exert pressure, force a scrappy goal and take advantage of lack
of pressure on the ball and a fortuitous on-side ruling for the second. A
third was heroically denied by Dan Hubbard from close range.
Taplow gradually got a grip of the game and started pressing in midfield but
it was not until the second half with the defence re-shuffled that they gained
the ascendancy. The ball played out from the back and down the wings exposed
Goring on countless occasions but Taplow's lack of precision in the final
foward pass meant that the threat fizzled out all too often. When Taplow did
get it right the ball from Miroslav Olah to Lynden Dolby resulted in a right
foot strike past the 'keeper.
Taplow pressed and pressed but could not get enough good quality passes to the
strikers to get on even terms and conceded a penalty wonderfully saved by dean
Hubbard and then a breakaway goal at the end.
Taplow Utd A 0 Turnpike
Sports 5
Reading League
Division 4
9 February 2008
Despite a good warm up Taplow started poorly failing to press the ball
conceded two silly goals in the first few minutes. Lethargy all over the
pitch allowed the visitors to attack at will and expose the defence.
Poor commitment and decision-making on the flanks meant that Turnpike were
allowed to spray shots at Dave Salisbury converting 3 more chances.
Pointed observations and changes at half time re-focused the side. More
commitment restricted a less ambitious Turnpike to very few chances while
taplow had three or four golden opportunites to score as Garteth Greenaway
lobbed just over and Andy's shot hot the post. Lynden Dolby had two good
chances to score but lacked conviction at the crucial moment.
Man of the match performances by Adam Reynolds and Dave Hodgson contributed to
a better performance in te second half but Taplow's lack of fitness was the
main problem for the home side.
Berinsfield 6 Taplow Utd A
2
Lynden Dolby, Nathan Holder
Reading League
Division 4
5 January 2008
A lethargic
Taplow Utd side started slowly and paid the penalty conceding two early goals.
Taplow recovered
having one good attempt on goal from Mark Pearson Hall. After an even period
Taplow conceded again just before half time. The match then moved beyond
Taplow as in the opening exchnages of the second half the ball squirmed under
the 'keeper. A couple of substitutions brought Taplow back into the game
as Lyndon Dolby fired in a bullet from the edge of the area and then Nathan
Holder squeezed in a shot from a tight angle after a scramble in the
Berinsfield penalty area. Tiring toward the end Taplow conceded
two late goals to give the scoreline a slightly imbalanced look.
Taplow Utd A 1 Newbury FC
Res 4
Michel
Neves
Reading League
Division 4
24 November 2007
Taplow Utd got off to the worst possible start conceding a first minute goal
when the Newbury right winger evaded the whole of the Taplow defence to hammer
home the opener.
Taplow Utd recovered and, despite holding Newbury at bay and restricting them
to long-range shots, the second was always on the cards, coming midway through
the half. Slowly Taplow fought their way back into the match and a rare
period of pressure resulted in Michel Neves beating a couple of defenders
before cooly firing into the net The fight back was short-lived as Newbury
then scored three more times to build an unassailable lead.
The second half was less of a spectacle as Taplow dug in and fought but could
not make any headway against a resilient Newbury team.
Taplow Utd A
2 Newbury FC Res 3
Reading
League Cup
17 November 2007
Taplow Utd were left to rue a few missed chances in the first half as the
fitness of a young Newbury side paid off in the second half.
Taplow started well and had the better of the possession for most of the first
half. Foraging runs by Trevor Hilling proved to be Taplow's most potent
weapon together with the penetrating runs of Davin Samms. Taplow's first
goal came from Hilling's run down the right, Davin Samms cross shot appeared
to be slipping by the post until in came Sean Ryan at the back post to score.
The early strike rocked Newbury and bolstered Taplow's confidence. Solid
midfield play and more foraging down the wings brought Davin Samms back into
the game in Newbury's box and he calmy slotted home.
Newbury fought back probing to find a weak spot in the Taplow defence and it
was a series of missed clearances from a weak cross that allowed the visitors
back into the game. Taplow regained their composure and again outplayed
their opponents with Nathan Smith and Davin Samms having good chances to
extend the home side's lead.
The second half saw the tables turn. Taplow played solidly and for 20
minutes held their own but gradually the visitors gained the upper hand and
continually bombarded the Taplow box. They slipped through twice the
first the result of over load in the Taplow box and the second a fortunate mis-hit
that evaded the lunges of a despairing defence. Tiring Taplow mounted a
sporadic attacks but could not produce the final ball required to equalise.
Lee Woodbridge repelled attacks from a now dominant Newbury as Taplow emerged
with great credit from a competitive game.
Taplow Utd A
7 Goring Utd Res 3
Reading
League Division 4
10 November 2007
Taplow Utd returned to a near
full strength side to record their second victory of the season over Goring.
Taplow started brightly and one of several forays into the Goring penalty area
was handled by the defence gifting Taplow Utd a penalty, from which Gareth
Greenaway gave Taplow the lead. A slight mix up in the Taplow Utd
defence resulted in the Goring number 9 lobbing the unfortunate Lee
Woodbridge. Taplow returned to the charge and created several chances
where any of Davin Samms, Ian McDonagh or Stuart Coole could have scored.
In the end Stuart Cole popped up to rifle in a shot via the cross bar and the
Goring goalkeeper's eye. Further pressure led to Taplow Utd going 3-1 up
as a cross was cleared to Lyndon Dolby and he rifled the ball into the net
from just outside the box.
After conceding a deflected goal at
the start of the second half, Taplow played to their strengths and a quick
ball through to Ian McDonough allowed him to bulldoze through the pedestrian
Goring defence and fire in the fourth. The game became more open as
players tired but Taplow's composed wing play continued to open up the Goring
defence and Lyndon Dolby claimed his second when his cross shot deceived the
stand in keeper. More pressure and several corners followed one of which
allowed the mercurial Dave Hodgson to open his account for Taplow.
Despite now being firmly under the cosh Goring then had one of their best
patches of free flowing passing before gaining a nonetheless fortunate third
when Mark Pearson Hall was adjudged to have handled attempting to clear a ball
played into the box.
This only sparked a further reaction from Taplow and Mark Pearson Hall atoned
for his handball with a firm drive from within the box to open his account for
the season. A deserved win after a vastly improved performance.
Linear Utd 3 Taplow Utd A
2
Reading
League Cup
27 October 2007
Taplow Utd played exceptionally well and for 70 minutes looked like emerging
victorious but the last 20 minutes Linear used their reserves of strength and
fitness to over power the visitors.
Taplow exerted pressure from the beginning making good attacks down both
flanks and playing better football. Trevor Hilling proved highly
effective as he drove in two good crosses, one which Ionut Luca finished after
the 'keeper fumbled , and the other an inch perfect back-post cross for the
diminutive Jack Moran to head home. Both forwards led the line
well and kept Linear pinned back and the rest of the team led by Tom Hiscock
and Dave Hodgson repelled the muted threat from the home side.
Taplow began the second half as they left off with Lyndon Dolby and Gareth
Greenaway competing well in midfield and Sean Ryan and Trevor Hilling policing
the flanks. Taplow's inability to hold the ball up front for any length
of time meant that the midfield were worked very hard as Linear scrapped to
get back into the game. A mistake on the left allowed Linear to cross,
the goalkeeper came and flapped and for once the stalwart taplow defence was
wrong-footed. The withdrawal of both Lyndon Dolby and Trevor
Hilling led to Taplow being over-run and Linear equalised from another cross
and then went ahead as they broke through the Taplow lines in the same spot.
Taplow battled it out to the end but were unable to conjure up another goal
having given a relieved Linear side a major fright.
Taplow Utd A 0
Sonning Res 1
Reading
League Division 4
13 October 2007
A well-prepared Taplow side started well and found themselves in an even and
tightly contested encounter. Taplow's midfield gradually got a grip of
the game and foraging runs by Trevor Hilling down the right exposed the
Sonning flank. Unfortunately it proved difficult to get crosses in early
and Taplow were limited to one clear cut chance when Ionut Luca fired wide the
keeper but not wide enough to avoid his legs.
Sonning were limited to very few opportunities by the strong pairing of Tom
Hiscock and Dave Hodgson. It took a silly foul on the left to
give Sonning an opening. The resulting cross drifted beyond Dave
Salisbury's reach in the top corner of the goal.
From there on in Taplow battered away relentlessly down both wings and through
the middle but the killer pass came only once as Mark Pearson-Hall got behind
the Sonning defence and spooned a difficult high bouncing ball over the bar
with the goal at his mercy. Taplow pounded away but desperate
defending and good fortune worked for Sonning. Right at the end with Taplow
chasing the game they exposed the defence for the first time on the match and
hit the bar and then fired over. Poor reward for Taplow having
played so well.
Taplow Utd A 4 Hurst A 0
B Jawandha, J
Moran, S Ryan, T Hilling
Reading
League Division 4
13 October 2007
Taplow Utd started well passing and moving and had a large amount of
possession. Hurst eventually found their feet and came back into the game
and from then on the game ebbed and flowed with action at either end. Hurst
came closest hitting Taplow Utd's crossbar and Ian McDonough then had two good
headed chances both of which went wide.
After the break the game continued to flow with chances at both ends.
The breakthrough came for Taplow as the wide men finally started to exploit the
space behind the full backs. A corner was won and from Trevor
Hilling's cross Billy Jawandha headed into the top of the net.
TaplowUtd started to play with more confidence and the central midfield began
moving the ball quickly and with more pace. Hurst were repeatedly
stretched but the game hung in the balance for a while and Taplow survived a
close shave saved only by the post.
Once Jack Moran finished off a strong Lyndon Dolby surge, chipping over the
'keeper as he sprawled on the ground, Taplow were in the driving seat.
Lyndon Dolby moved the ball first time through the gaps in the Hurst defence at
will and Sean Ryan and Trevor Hilling rampaged down the wings exposing Hurst
flanks.
From the left Sean Ryan cut in to fire past the Hurst 'keeper then a Lyndon
Dolby switch pass put Trevor Hilling through to fire in off the keeper.
Hurst had finally run out of steam in a highly competitive game.
Taplow Utd A
0 Winnersh 8
Reading League
Cup
6 October 2007
A depleted Taplow side came up against a young Winnersh side and did
themselves no favours by starting badly and handing the opposition freedom of
their half conceding the an early goal.
Taplow offered little or no bite and created very few chances and only a Dave
Salisbury free kick and Ian McDonough's header the only chances on target.
After the visitors had taken the lead Taplow's defecne gifted them two further
goals with poor clearances and back passes.
Taplow conceded further goals after half time then had a decent enough spell
in possession which led to a few half chances especially a shot by Ian
McDonough but all of which came to nothing. Taplow gradually lost
confidence and their poor work rate let them down. The defence
were repeatedly exposed as the game wore on conceding further goals and
showing little resilience in the process. Taplow's attitude and
application need to improve dramatically to overcome a very disappointing
result.
Goring Res 0 Taplow Utd A
2
Chris O'Sullivan 2
Reading League
Cup
29 September 2007
A nightmare away journey had a happy ending as Taplow progressed to the
next round of the league cup.
With the M4 closed Taplow reached the ground 35 minutes late and with no
warm up and the briefest of team talks Taplow found themselves under the cosh
from the start. 6 corners in the opening minutes forced Taplow into
desperate defending and only superb keeping from Lee Woodbridge kept the home
side at bay.
To Goring's consternation and in only their second meaningful attack Taplow
Utd took the lead when a free kick from Chris Hancocks outside the box floated
in and eluded everyone drifting into the far corner. The goal visibly
rocked Goring and settled Taplow. With the game becoming more even good
saves by the home keeper denied Ian Mc Donough and Chris Hancocks before half
time.
The second half started well for Taplow and after 55 minutes a mix up in the
Goring defence allowed Chris O'Sullivan to slam the ball into an empty net
doubling Taplow's advantage. Goring tried to get back inot the tie but
solid defending and impeccable keeping by Lee Woodbridge kept them at bay for
the remiander of the game.
A very good result from a Taplow Utd team missing a number of regular players
Team:
Lee Woodbridge, Dave Salisbury, Pau Hilling, Mike Brooker, John Head-Rapson, Rob Daniel, Naresh Chamdal, Matt Stoddart, Lyndon Dolby,
Gareth Greenaway, Ian McDonagh, Mark
Pearson Hall, Chris O’Sullivan
Sonning 1 Taplow Utd A
0
Reading League
Divison 4
22 September 2007
Taplow Utd started brightly finding gaps in a ponderous Sonning defence.
Sonning were all over the place as Mike Fountain broke through for what looked
like a certain goal and the Sonning goal keeper stuck out enough of a leg to
deflect the shot. More pressure was piled on as Taplow surged forward
and another good cross from Naresh Chamdal fell to an unmarked Mike Fountain
whose shot proved a little too hurried and over the bar it went.
From there Taolow failed to pay attention to the warning reeceived at half
time about work rate and continuity and Taplow started to descend to the home
sides' level. Passes went astray and players seemed to think the game would be won without running and work rate and Sonning took heart testing the
defence. All held firm until late in the second half and lack of
midfield cover as Sonning broke through enabled the Sonning forward to fire
the ball past the hapless Dave Salisbury in goal.
Taplow's play disintegrated with basic mistakes and lack of belief and poor
decision making under no real pressure all over the pitch, culminating in an unnecessary and frustrating defeat. A
sharp reminder of the need for a stronger mental attitude throughout the team.
Taplow Utd A 0
Berinsfield Res 6
Reading League
Divison 4
8 September 2007
Taplow Utd got off to the worst possible start to the new season when in
the first few minutes a defensive clearance fell to an unmarked Berinsfield
midfielder and a speculative shot found the top corner.
Taplow soon composed themselves and attacked frequently in what proved to be
an open game. Michel Neves and Lynden Dolby had the ball in the Berinsfield
penalty area on several occasions but could not get their shots away quickly
enough. At the other end two bad mistakes in the Taplow defence gifted
Berinsfield the comfort of a considerable lead and from there they did not
look back.
An enforced half time substitution changed the balance of the Taplow side and
despite some strong periods of play where once again Taplow failed to convert
several clear cut openings - virtually open goals - Taplow conceded a further
three goals as the stretched defence tired.
This game could have ended with each side scoring more than five such was the
dominance of the attacking play. Taplow need to work on improving their
strike rate.
Taplow Utd A 1 Woodley Town A 1
Jack Moran
Friendly
18 August 2007
Jack Moran came on to whip in a cross from Dale Bowden and converted one and
only of the many chances Taplow Utd created.
Taplow and Woodley contested and even and lively game. Both sides tried
to use their mobility to good effect and penetrate down the wings.
Woodley used the decline to good effect seeking ways behind the Taplow defence
but Russel Hood and the full back stood firm denying them clear opportunities.
The deadlock was broken as Taplow switched off and failed to pressure the
ball, bu tit still took a wicked deflection to beat Paul Hilling in goal.
As the game wore on debutantes Gavin and Kingston in midfield began to run the
game. Quicker release of the ball caused problems for Woodley and they
were fortunate to escape as Jack Moran and Dale Bowden exposed their defence
and goal. The best chances probably fell to Sam Smart who shot wide on a
few occasions when he had cleverly beat the defence. Woodley had their
chances too but they were less clear cut or snuffed out by the defence.
Taplow applied more pressure in the second half and had the lion's share of
the possession but proved a little shot shy. The best chance fell to Ala
Zair who shot wide with the goal at his mercy. Good continuity play
produced more chances and reduced the threat from Woodley to nothing, but
insufficient shots on target proved their downfall.
