Fanstone brace helps villagers claim Charity Shield win

WOODCOTE Development achieved an impressive win at home against high-flying Marcham in the round robin series of the North Berks Charity Shield last Saturday.

The home side took the lead in the third minute when Klay Fisher supplied a pinpoint through ball for Zak Fanstone to make it 1-0.

This stung Marcham into action and in their first attack Chris Bark made a good save to deny them a goal. Things got better for Woodcote Development as, after spurning a couple of good chances, they made it 2-0 with Kartel Barlow taking advantage of Marcham’s failure to clear a corner to score from close range.

Marcham narrowed the gap five minutes before half-time when the ball slipped from Chris Bark’s hands into the net.

The expected Marcham onslaught in the second half didn’t materialise and Woodcote restored their two-goal advantage on the hour mark. Adam Harper chased a through ball and was brought down by the onrushing keeper and Fanstone stepped up to score emphatically from the spot kick.

Ten minutes later the result was put beyond doubt when Adam Harper met a good cross from the left to score from close range.

In the last 15 minutes Woodcote Development had four good chances to increase their lead, but the closest they came was a shot which rebounded off the crossbar.

This win puts Woodcote Development in fifth place in the round robin league and with two games to play they have an outside chance of making the semi-finals by finishing in the top four.