two impressive performances that consisted of 8 goals and two clean sheets. The visitors
travelled in search of some consistency, and some impressive results over the course of the
season have shown Wraysbury can mix it with the best when they want to. George Dewhurst
has played a major part in that as he leads the goal-scoring charts with 18 goals in just 13
games. This was to be the final game of the season at the Memorial Ground for
Finchampstead and it certainly did not disappoint.
A strong wind on the day set the tone for both sides making it a very difficult opening 20
minutes as they struggled to get a firm hold on the game. The visitors started off the better
side with a flurry of set pieces that forced Jones into a string of great saves. The deadlock
was broken despite Jones best efforts after a double save from an in-swinging corner, which
was smashed home by Dewhurst at the third time of asking on 7 minutes. The early goal had
sprung life into the hosts as they started to create chances from their wide play in search of
an equaliser. They did not have to wait too long to find it, as a lovely ball from Weir put Day
free on the right, and he picked out an unmarked Woodhead with a fizzing cross who slotted
it home to fire the hosts level on 21 minutes. Following the equaliser the game stayed evenly
matched, both sides producing promising attacks but struggling to make it count in the final
third. The visitors regained their lead in the 34th minute as they dispossessed
great finish past Jones for his 20th goal of the season. The Visitors kept their foot on the gas
in search of a third, and despite some good play in the half the hosts were looking to get to
halftime with only the one goal to claw back. They managed to achieve that before the half
time whistle as they stunned the visitors with some slick play to find Day again bearing in on
goal from the right-hand side, Day kept his composure and rolled the ball across the goal for
Butt to tap into an empty net. The whistle called an end to an exciting half as the sides went
in level at 2-2.
Finchampstead had not been their usual selves and they looked to improve in the second
half, and that they certainly did. The tempo was stepped up a notch by the hosts at the
start of the second half as they gained control of the game with a large percentage of
possession. They took the lead for the first time in the match on 53 minutes, following some
tricky wide play from Parmer, who picked out Joel Day with a great cross who headed home
to the relief of the hosts. The goal gave new life to Finchampstead who continued to control
the game, making the visitors chase them all over the pitch. Wraysbury continued to battle
their back line on a more consistent basis. Woodhead was played through on goal only to lift
the ball just over the bar which would have put the game beyond doubt. He didn’t have to
wait long to make amends as seconds later he was played through again on goal by Day, and
this time he slotted it home with a lovely finish to make it 4-2 on 72 minutes.
The hosts continued to retain the ball as they looked to see out an important 3 points, they managed
to catch the visitors napping late on as Day again the provider put Collins through on goal
who fired past the keeper in clinical fashion. There was still time to put the final touch on
Day’s performance as he managed to dispossess the keeper moments later after the 5th and
slot home to make it 6-2 in added time. Joel Day finished the game playing a part in all 6
goals for Finchampstead with 2 goals and 4 assists.
The whistle went to end a fascinating matchup between the two sides, both teams played
their part in a great game in the last time we would see the hosts at the Memorial Ground
this season. The result leaves the hosts in 2nd place in the Thames Valley Premier League as
they continue to battle it out with Reading YMCA and Burghfield FC. Next time
Finchampstead are in league action is a huge clash with Burghfield, Saturday 8th April. Next
week Finch travel to SB Phoenix in a repeat of last year’s Charles Twelftree semi-final.
Finchampstead bowed out on penalties at this stage last season, they hope to make amends
and book their place in this year’s final.
Finchampstead FC 6 –Wraysbury Village 2
Goal Scorers:
Finchampstead:
Alex Woodhead 21,72
Aqeel Butt 44
Joel Day 53, 90
Nathan Collins 86
Wraysbury:
George Dewhurst 7,34
Finchampstead Squad
1. Dom Jones
2. Dylan Parmer
3. Stephen Hunt
4. Ryan Finch
5. James Payne
6. George Weir
7. Nathan Collins
8. Nick Payne
9. Joel Day
10. Alex Woodhead
11. Aqeel Butt
Subs:
14. Casey Howe
15 Alex Lacy
16 Luke Hanley
