Old Challoners v Old Challoners vs Hambelden Reserves
Berks & Bucks Cup - First Round

Team: Raithatha, Dias, Gardner, Redpath, Walsh, Croucher, Powell, Lowes. Fallon, Brown (Fuz), Baker

Score: 13:1
Scorers: James Baker 5, Fuzz 3, Dave Croucher 3, Fallon 1, Matt Allen 1
Ground: Hervines Park, Amersham, Bucks
Att: 6

As the new season picks up momentum the 1st XI begin their cup campaign in the Berks and Bucks with high hopes. The "Weisz Out" chants from the Hervines terraces have simmered over recent weeks but expectations are high with the home supporters and Captain Rob Weisz is in need of some outstanding results to quash rumours of his imminent dismissal.

Going into the game little was known of the opposition (chief scout Matt Walsh has been fined three weeks wages) but as always the team took a semi-professional approach with a full warm up and some technical top-spin toe punt passing. With Rob Weisz stepping out of the kit and into the sheepskin, there were changes to the back line with "Jack of all trades" Craig Dias in at right back and "Jill of some trades" Will Gardner stepping in at centre half.

With the game underway Old Challoners took control of the contest with some quality possession and swift attacking play, which shows what can happen when Weiszy's not in the side. After dominating the play and creating a number of chances Challoners scored their opener in traditional style, with a Ben Fallon corner from the right flying into Dave Croucher's head at the near post (which is handy as Dave's head is far more accurate than his feet).

The second goal was the beginning of a journey for James Baker. Without a goal this season, trailing Lowes by 3, missing the target time after time after time after time, Walshy having more on the board than him!!! An embarrassing state of affairs. A Chris Powell delicate hoof over the top for Croucher to head (see the theme) towards the penalty spot, Baker clinically bundled the ball into the back of the net. The third was a Fuz cross from the left to the waiting Baker. However, the hatrick was sealed after twenty minutes as Fallon sent over a fantastic cross from the left and the Baker volley was too much for the keeper. Back on form!

Number five for Old Challoners was a Fallon sent through by Baker for a well finished one on one with the keeper, as Fallon makes up for his poor first half performance the previous week. Six saw Baker get his fourth after tapping in another Fallon cross. The seventh was a through ball from Lowes to Croucher with a tidy finish for his second of the game.

At this stage of the match Chris Powell decided that he was never going to get on the score sheet so, deciding to have a bit of a sit down, Weisz sent on Matt Allen to take over doing the midfield donkey work. With Powell out of the way the team went into overdrive and finally gave Fuz an opportunity to open up his account for the game, going in on goal and finishing with style. At the half time interval Old Challoners were ahead 8-0.

The second half started as we left the first. A shock to the team with Croucher finishing into an open net with the team hoping desperately for him to miss and the abuse to begin (you can't have everything). This was the stage at which Lowes let the side down. His attempted nutmeg of Hambelden's central midfielder, who's Mrs is by all accounts tougher than the whole Challoners first team (scary), set up their first decisive attack of the game resulting in a goal. Punishment - report writing!

Normal service resumed soon afterwards with James Baker smashing his fifth from the edge of the box and capping a fine display (who said he's a poor man's Peter Crouch? At least Jimbo gets goals!). Number eleven for Challoners was a pinpoint 4cm drill from Fuz after a Baker shot. Matt Allen made his mark on the game by copying Bakers edge of the box strike and making it 12-1. The game was concluded with a Croucher cross for Fuz to score with a sublime header making the final score 13-1 to Old Challoners. There was one final opportunity for Redpath to make it onto the score sheet but his lacklustre header from a Fallon corner was followed by a half hearted "sorry".

A fantastic result and performance from Challoners, which needs to be taken through to the next round of the competition. Weisz can sleep easy for another week as the crowd go home satisfied. Special mention to Sunil for abusing the opposition when they were 7-0 down (a true sportsman). Great performances from all but special mention to Fuz and Baker for a great partnership performance.

Man of the match: Couldn't decide between them so... Fuzz and Baker

Bring on the Cup Fever!!! Wembley should be available this summer!!