WITH the majority of BTDSFL Premier Division sides in County Cup action there was only one league game played, writes Nick Carpenter.

FC Meta took advantage to close the gap at the top with a 2-1 home win against Golden Farmer as they moved above their opponents and up to third spot.

The game was goalless at the break on a boggy Locks Ride pitch and in blustery conditions.

Meta took a fortuitous lead in the 65th minute when Farmer keeper Lee Barefoot’s punched clearance from a corner hit the back of Meta’s Liam Trillow and rolled into the net. George Hobden levelled soon after with a cross-shot that evaded the excellent Sam Short and went in off the far post.

But Meta grabbed a vital winner when Sam Angel’s low drive flew past the despairing Barefoot and into the far corner.

The top four Division One sides all won again and WAB still sit six points clear after a 4-2 home win over Hurricanes with goals from Tom Smith (2), Ryan Watkins and George Lovel.

A Toby Angel brace plus goals from Rory Angel and Jake White saw Raglan beat Winkfield 4-0 AFC Crowthorne beat bottom side Sandhurst FFC 2-1 with goals from Steve Morris and Dan Barnes to stay third on goal difference.

Fourth-placed Loveman United thrashed Ashridge Park 8-0. Alfie Sparrow (4), Ben Poynter (2), Lee Blackman and Perry Roberts were on target.

Bracknell News:

Players from Crowthorne Inn (yellow) and Wokingham & Emmbrook TMW get stuck in.

In Division Two, Athletico Ascot closed the gap on leaders Warfield United with a 4-1 home win over Bracknell Athletico.

Player-manager Nathan Bingham, Matt Leigh, Greg Taylor and James Smith were on target for Woodley United as they beat Bracknell Saint-Germain 4-2 to stay third.

Newbold College and Berks County were involved in an incredible 5-5 draw. Tom Fraser, Matt Pietrasik, David Amey, Brad Hoy and Steve Bland scored for County.

Braybrooke Athletic lost 3-1 at home to AFC Crowthorne Reserves to remain bottom. George Tilbury, Joe Walters and Joe Henry scored for Crows.

In Division Three, WAB Reserves moved closer to leaders Woodley Saints with a 3-0 win against Bracknell Corinthians. Codi Taylor (2) and Gary Barham got their goals.

Bracknell Falcons had a Phil Molyneux hat-trick plus goals from Callum Streatley, Olly Lane and Sam Casella to thank in a 6-2 home win over Berkshire United, while Bearwood Wanderers won 3-0 against Winnersh Rangers.

Silver Birch A lead Division Four, crushing bottom side Bracknell Titans 5-1. Justin Swyer, Ben Parsons, Alan Boxall, Luke Morris and Adam Spiers all found the net.

Former leaders Crownwood Dukes suffered a third straight defeat, losing 3-2 at home to Finchampstead A whose goals came from Sam Hunt (2) and Jake Edwards.

Bracknell Royals move up to second with a 4-2 home win over Bracknell Cavaliers Reserves, whilst FC Harmanswater defeated Whitegrove Pythons 2-0 for the second week running.

Bracknell News:

Wokingham & Emmbrook TMW (orange) prevailed 3-1 in the cup clash with Crowthorne Inn.

In the BTDSFL Senior Cup, Bracknell Cavaliers earned a quarter-final home tie against Golden Farmer after a 3-2 win against Berkshire All Stars in round two. Cavs had James Andrews, Nick Cooper and an own goal to thank for the win. Tyler Purdey and Ben Lawrence replied for All Stars.

In round two of the BTDSFL Junior Cup, Woodley Saints romped to an 8-1 victory against 3M. They will meet Ashridge Park Royals in the quarter-finals following Ashridge’s 5-3 home success against Winnersh Town.

Cup favourites Warfield United beat Hope & Anchor 3-2 and will now face Division Two rivals Athletico Ascot in their quarter-final.

The other two ties are between Newbold College and Bracknell Saint-Germain plus Silver Birch and Bearwood Wanderers.

BTDSFL sides progressed in all four Berks & Bucks Intermediate County Cup ties our sides, although Wokingham & Emmbrook TMW at the expense of fellow Premier Division club Crowthorne Inn 3-1.

FC Fernhill overcame Beaconsfield Arms FC 4-1 while Finchampstead won 2-1 against Magpies 91.

Twigg Vets won 2-0 at home against Maidenhead Nomads so, if Morale Madrid can beat Real Milan this Sunday, it would mean an unprecedented five of the last 16 sides will be from the BTDSFL.