The SLN Aylesbury Sunday Football Combination

News, results and some match action from today's league games that survived the weather
Sunday 23rd March 2008

HEADLINES -
  Weather causes many postponements for the second week running
  In the games that did go ahead, VTS beat Rockwood in The Prem, Elm Farm thump Ickford Reserves and Excel Dents come unstuck away at Padbury AFC

So where do we start??

From as early as 7.30am this morning, efforts were going on to get games played after yet another weekend of awful weather.

A quick peep out of the bedroom window at 4am this morning and the predicted snow was non existent.  However, at 7am it was coming down heavily and starting to settle across Aylesbury Vale.  In an effort too improve the chances of Nags Head FC having their County Cup semi played, the game was moved from a soggy Meadowcroft in midweek despite ADL games taking place their yesterday!  It was then moved to Walton Court and despite the pitches being in perfect playing condition, the council closed down the changing rooms late in the week - reasons unknown!  It was eventually set for Edinburgh Sports Ground which was then declared waterlogged at 8.30am.  Therefore the game was postponed for the second week running and the game could now end up being switched to MK under County FA rules - more on this in the week.

Our two Tony Higginson Challenge Cup Semi Finals were set for Fairford Leys this morning.  League Secretary George Key was down their at 8am liaising with the Council and it wasn't the snow or the rain that lead to both games being postponed.  Unfortunately, the lines were non existent.  League Vice Chairman and Referees Secretary Jim Wallace, who was supposed to be officiating in one of the semis, was also down their early armed with a broom brushing away the snow and the water, but despite his efforts, there were still no lines!

Not to be beaten, efforts were made to get both semis switched, but a combination of the weather and an enforcement of league rules (which state that these games must be played at neutral venues) meant that both games were eventually postponed.

In the end, only three games went ahead.

In Div Two, leaders Elm Farm go three points clear at the top of the table with several games in hand and now look certain to take the title in their first season.  They thumped Ickford Reserves 9-0 this morning.  Excel Dents have been the form team in this division of late and they could have expected to take all three points from Padbury AFC this morning.  It was not to be though as the home side ran out 4-2 winners in the end.

There was just the one other game this morning and it came at the most unlikeliest of places - remember this from just 7 days ago?

Haywood Way only 7 days ago - home of VTS FC.

The flood waters receded enough for the visit of Rockwood FC - here's some of the action:

Aylesbury Vale FC in the background.
Underwater last week, but looks ok today - only a month before the day our two main cup finals take place there.

After a close first half an hour, Rockwood keeper Steve Clarke lets this weak effort from VTS's Pat Callaghan slip through his hands to make it 1-0 to the home side.

Luke Norris makes it 2-0 moments later.

Keeper Clarke atones for his earlier error by saving Pat Callaghan's spot kick.

VTS FC's Paul Foley.

Lee Parrack ran from the halfway line and beat several Rockwood defenders before making it 3-0.
Troops stand by with the stepladder to make emergency net repairs!

Former Aylesbury United star Roni Jo in action for Rockwood this morning.

Steve Clarke saves at the feet of Craig Hayward who would have a golden chance moments later...

...but his unchallenged effort at the far post goes wide.

The Rockwood lino/ballboy.

Lee Parrack (out of shot) makes it 4-0...

...and moments later, Rockwood's Andrew Hird scores a consolation goal to make the final score 4-1 to VTS.

Here are all of today's results:

The Berks & Bucks FA Sunday Junior Trophy Semi Final

The Tony Higginson Challenge Cup Semi Finals

Premier Division

Division One

Division Two