The Men’s section will be looking for a positive reaction follow losses for four of the six teams last weekend. The Ladies section are currently showing the men how it’s done and will strive to continue how they’ve started.

Its set to be an overcast weekend on Sonning Lane and here’s how the games are lining up.

Home Fixtures

The Ladies 1s remain unbeaten so far this season after taking all 9 points from their
opening 3 fixtures. Last week’s victory away to West Hampstead has put them 3rd in the
table. This week they take on Slough at 10.30am on home soil. Ladies club captain, and current joint club top goal scorer, Francesca Knight will be looking to continue her fine form in front of goal in the 1s pursuit for promotion.

The Men’s 2s are at home this weekend against Harrow 1’s with the 12pm Pushback. The 2s have had a tough start to the season following 3 defeats on the bounce and find
themselves second bottom of MBBO Regional 2. Harrow are currently 6th in the league and will be full of confidence following last week’s 5-0 thrashing of bottom of the table Oxford Hawks 3s. It’s time for Nathan and Harvey to rally the troops and get those first points on the board against a team many of the 2s have fond memories of playing in the past.

Sonning’s Men’s 6s host Bicester 4s at 1.30pm. Like the Men’s 2s, the 6s are yet to register any points on the board so far this season. The 6s, currently 10th in the league have found the back of the net in both of their previous two fixtures.

This week’s fixture of the day sees the Ladies 2s take on Reading 4s at 3pm in a local derby. The 2s had an exciting game last weekend against Windsor which was drawn on short corners. The last being awarded to the Sonning girls in the dying seconds of the game with the ladies 2-1 down. Lucy Faulkner slotted the ball home, achieving a well-deserved draw that felt close to a win.

The Men’s 4s are at home to Reading 7s at 4.30pm in the second local derby of the day. The 4s got their first points on the board last weekend following a 2-2 draw away to Wycombe 4s. The goals came from Richard Smith on his first game as captain and new signing, Liam Pullin, who is starting to show the fans why the club were so eager to bring him in over the summer period.

Away Fixtures

The Ladies 5s are away to Maidenhead 5s at 10am following a difficult fixture last
weekend. They will be looking to recover following a 5-0 defeat against Thame. The result
was not reflective of the game and the girls can be commended for the fighting spirit and ‘Sonningness’ shown in the 2nd half. The chances were being created which is hugely
promising for their game this week away against Maidenhead.

The Sonning Men’s 3s are away to West Hampstead 4s at 12pm. The 3s, unbeaten so far this season, sit 5th in the MBBO Division 3. Their first win of the season came last weekend at home against South Berkshire following a goal from Colm Hanlon. There was a man of the match performance from Charlie Hankinson who is starting to cement himself into the 3s line up this year.

The Ladies 4s travel to Amersham for a 1pm Pushback. Last week the 4s gave a slick team performance against Amersham & Chalfont 5s at home. Helen Davies scored the only goal of the game to lead the team to a win. They now sit at 3rd in the table with a game in hand – an excellent start to the season! Unfortunately, they have two Amersham & Chalfont teams in their league so need to travel away to their ground again this week to face the 4s. Fingers crossed for an Amersham whitewash.

Sonning Men’s 1s travel away to Eastcote 1s for a 1.30pm pushback in the MBBO Regional 1 mid-table battle. Sonning currently sit 6th in the league, a place above Eastcote on goal difference. The men will be looking for a reaction following a disappointing result against rivals South Berkshire last weekend. A questionable penalty flick was awarded to the visitors with only minutes left to play. The conversion left the Sonning men 3-1 down. An absolute ‘worldy’ goal from Callum Richardson in the final play of the game was little consolation following a frustrating end to the game for the men’s side.

The Ladies 3s take on Witney 2s at 2pm following last week’s unlucky result. A narrow 1-0 loss against Marlow 4s sees them currently bottom of the table still searching for their first points of the season, but with a game in hand.

The Ladies 6s travel away to Marlow to play a 2.15pm. The 6s had to struggle through the rain in the graveyard slot at home last weekend. Two magnificent straight strikes from Anneliese ‘AJ’ Churchill led to an eruption of celebrations on the side-line as she turned a 2-1 loss into a 3-2 victory. The ladies 6s were hugely appreciative of all the support on the side-lines from the various members of the ladies’ section. Great cheering girls!

The mighty Men’s 5s are away to Thame 4s with a 4pm pushback. The 5s have slipped down to 3rd in the league following last week’s 3-2 defeat against Wallingford. The 5s will be looking to get back on track this weekend against a Thame side currently sitting 5th in the table, both level on points. The 5s have been Sonning’s hottest team in front of goal this season scoring 10 in their opening 3 fixtures.

To all, all the best for the weekend ahead.

#COTN

Sonning Club Captains