Long Wittenham Athletic FC

Long Wittenham Athletic 2 - 0 Berinsfield

Ellis in Wonderland

Ellis Cooper sealed victory for Second Division Long Wittenham Athletic in the NBFL War Memorial Cup Final with a late opportunistic goal capitalising on a lapse in defence from their Fourth Division opponents Berinsfield.

It was a fine Spring evening, seemingly perfect for a great contest for the nigh on 300 supporters to enjoy, but unfortunately the first half failed to spark into life as both sides took an age to settle into the match. For the first half an hour any chances that did come about were all tamely executed with neither goalkeeper severely tested. Berinsfield did become more assured as the half went on and did create one quality move on 33 minutes. Five players were involved with moving the ball out of defence up to David Murphy on the edge of the Long Wittenham box, who fired it just over the crossbar. Aside from this move the only other action worthy of comment was on the stroke of half time when Chris Murphy tried an audacious effort from 40 yards that went just past the Wittenham right hand post.

Straight from kick off in the second half, though, a defensive error by Long Wittenham presented the ball to David Murphy on the penalty spot who shot first time with power only to see Joe Betteridge clear off his line as he ran back across the face of his goal. At the other end Berinsfield keeper Dean Dixon had to improvise with a header just outside his box only to see the ball returned by an Andrew Marriott half volley that just went wide of the post. A minute later Dan Osborne was clean through for Wittenham but fired the ball hard and low straight at Dixon to save.

Dixon was called into action again a few minutes later when a long kick upfield by the Wittenham keeper put Tim Barton through, but Dixon came rushing out and bravely spread his body to save the shot at source. Half way through the second period Berinsfield came closest yet to breaking the deadlock when Chris Murphy delivered the perfect corner right onto the head of Luke Saunders who saw his looping header bounce off the top of the crossbar with Betteridge well beaten.

However, the deadlock was eventually broken on 73 minutes. A Berinsfield clearance out of defence was punted back by Chris Bowler from his own half. Tim Barton allowed it to bounce once and then cleverly headed the ball over Dixon, who found himself in no man’s land, and into the back of the net. And five minutes later it was two nil. Ellis Cooper capitalised on a Berinsfield defensive error to slot the ball under the advancing Dixon.

Berinsfield almost pulled one back immediately but a certain goal was somehow blocked on the line by a desperate defensive lunge. However, there was no way back for Berinsfield and it was Long Wittenham’s captain Darren Hill who delightedly received the War Memorial Trophy from NBFL President, Mr. Bill Gosling.

COME ON WITTENHAM!!!!!!!!!