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PICTURE: Southcote finished as runners-up in the Premier Division last season and got the new campaign off to a winning start, beating the returning Hype Train 7-2. PHOTO: Paige Alexander.
A new era for the East Berkshire League began with fireworks when 35 goals were netted across six matches on the opening night of the season.
Both Frontline and Southcote hit a magnificent seven while Old Windsor bagged five without reply as the attacking players were well on top of opposing defences this Wednesday.
Frontline welcomed Chalvey Sports Reserves to Burnham Grammar School and despite the scores being level at 1-1 at the break, the home team taught their guests a lesson under the floodlights in the second period. Both Anwar Alzebir and Imran Kassim received gold star awards for their hat-tricks, with Nathan Shamuyarira also on the scoresheet in the 7-2 win. The Chalvey responses came through Reece Warwick and Charlie Parkin.
Southcote impressed when finishing runners-up in their first season at Premier Division level last year and taught the returning Hype Train some harsh lessons, routing their opposition 7-2. The headline performer was Rocco Sofroniou who hit the back of the net three times, with further goals from Bradley Hyde, Maxwell Lawrence, Joe Partridge and substitute Kane Billing. Hype Train are the 2022 Presidents Cup winners and will take some positive from their return to the EBFL with both Padraig Gorman and Kie Longmate bagging consolation efforts.
There were five different goals scorers as Old Windsor got their new campaign up and running with a 5-0 success over Sandhurst Reds, runners-up in Division One last term. Both Joseph Allen and Lewis Corney found a route to goal in the first half, with Bradley Birchmore, Dylan Harbridge and Mark Beale competing the victory after the break at the Recreation Ground.
PICTURE: Hype Train suffered a 7-2 defeat at Southcote upon their return to the EBFL on Wednesday evening. PHOTO: Paige Alexander.
Prestwood Reserves are new members to the EBFL this season and would have been confident a first win was close when goals from Jake Bradshaw and Noah Johnson gave them a clear lead over Pundit. The visitors fought back however to leave with all three points thanks to Ryan Partington hitting the back of the net as well as substitutes Tyrone Markman and Drew Scott.
A clash between Britwell United and Singh Sabha promised fireworks and the match at The Chicken Ranch did not disappoint, ending with the scores even at 2-2. Luke Mann scored twice for the home team, whist both Pritpal Raju and substitute Harry Laflin found a route to goal for Singh Sabha. The visitors’ chances of leaving with all three points were dealt a blow when Jusvir Garcha received his marching orders.
There was just one match in Division One on the opening night in the season, newcomers South Reading overcoming Reading Tigers 2-1 thanks to strikes from both Harrison Evans and substitute Louie Soares. The Tigers’ goal came via sub Daniel Amponsah.
PICTURE: Prestwood Reserves meet Hype Train in the first Showcase Match of the season at the award-winning 1878 Stadium in Burnham on Bank Holiday Monday (midday kick off).
The pick of the action of the Bank Holiday Weekend sees Prestwood Reserves meet Hype Train in the first Showcase Match of the season at the award-winning 1878 Stadium in Burnham on Monday (midday kick off). The turnstiles and bar will open from 11am with hot and cold food available for spectators. The entry fee is £5 for adults and £1 for both concessions and Under 18s.
Elsewhere, Virginia Water Reserves make their EBFL debut at home to Singh Sabha, fellow newcomers East Reading travel across Berkshire to Old Windsor, and Stoke Poges, Division One champions last season, welcome Chalvey Sports Reserves.
KS Gryf were relegated from the top flight last season and get their bid for a return to the Premier Division under way with a visit from new members, Real Saracens. FC Baylis United won the Presidents Cup last season and will want to challenge for promotion this time around, they travel to Stoke Poges Reserves in the early kick off on Saturday.
Saturday 26th August
Premier Division
Britwell United v Pundit
Old Windsor v East Reading (3pm)
Prestwood Reserves v Hype Train
(Showcase Match at Burnham F.C. on Monday 28th August)
Stoke Poges v Chalvey Sports (3pm)
Virginia Water Reserves v Singh Sabha
Division One
KS Gryf v Real Saracens
Reading Tigers v FC Riverside
Sandhurst Royals v Berks Elite
South Reading v AFC Reading
Stoke Poges Reserves v FC Baylis United (11.30am)
Old Windsor Reserves v Braywood Beavers (1pm)
To enter the East Berkshire Football League ahead of the 2024/25 season, or for further information about the league, or an entry form for the upcoming season, please email the team at contactebfl@gmail.com
