Faringdon youngsters hit by two body blows (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Faringdon youngsters hit by two body blows

NORTH BERKS : Phil Riding and Oliver O'Hanlon hit a goal apiece in as many second-half minutes to give Ardington & Lockinge a 2-0 victory over last season's Division 1 runners-up Faringdon Town.

Both sides contributed richly to the game but it was the young Faringdon team, prompted by Steve Olphert, who started brightest with Matthew Pill and Robbie Owen unable to beat veteran Ardington keeper Simon Bunce when in good positions.

Faringdon's keeper Mike Kelly did just enough to deflect Tom Weeks' shot wide early on.

At the start of the second period, Town's Chris Benson had a shot cleared off the line by Adam Learoyd after a tricky run.

Just as the game needed a goal Riding struck, finding space and squeezing a shot under Kelly.

Moments later Faringdon could scarcely believe it as O'Hanlon tried a 30-yard shot, which Kelly got fingertips to, but could not keep out of the net

Ten minutes from time, Faringdon's frustration culminated in Robbie Harrington being shown the red card for a dangerous tackle.

Saxton Rovers also fielded a young side and they gave a determined display to defeat Harwell International 2-1, with both goals coming from Kevin Giddings.

Meanwhile, Lambourn Sports had the edge over East Hendred with a Craig Hill goal settling matters.

Coleshill United received an almighty shock in their first game in the top flight as they went 3-0 down in the first 25 minutes to Marcham.

They recovered however to rescue a point in a 4-4 draw, with a hat-trick from Garry Sutton and a goal from Steve Reeves.

In Division 2, Shrivenham A have started well and top the early table after an 8-0 win over Northcroft. Liam Humphreys grabbed a treble with others from Danny Prescott (2), Neil Sutton (2) and Marc Pugh.

Harwell Village have also won two out of two, returning from Lambourn Reserves with a 2-1 success thanks to second half goals from Damon Smith and Martyn Luker.

Lambourn had taken a first-half lead through Gareth Brown but crucially Simon Fisher was unable to convert a penalty chance.

Appleton (Abingdon) have the other perfect record following two games, completing a good 3-1 win over Kintbury Rangers Reserves.

Charlie Austin was once more on target for the visitors but goals from Andrew Cooper, David Cookson and James Sherwood sealed the points for Appleton.

Young Kevin Thimbleby let fly with a 30-yard screamer for East Hendred Reserves but it wasn't enough as they went down 2-1 to goals from Faringdon Reserves' Mike Marsh and Darryl Curtis.

Plenty of goals in Division 4 as early leaders Botley United rattled Sutton Courtenay Reserves 8-1.

Nick Buck got his second successive hat-trick but he was outshone by Kieran Ellis, who got four. James Goddey completed the Botley scoring.

Kevin Pryde claimed a hat-trick for Challow United in their 6-3 win over Uffington, for whom Luke Welland scored a consolation three-timer.

Yet another hat-trick came in Harwell International Reserves 4-3 win over Bampton & Buckland Reserves through Harwell's Mark Porter.

In Division 5, Michael Channon scored three for Uffington Reserves' 6-3 win over Harwell Village Reserves, while Ian Williamson (3), Steve Hedges, Andrew Taylor and Mark Whitley netted in Didcot Casuals Reserves' 6-1 win over Challow Reserves.