Reports Season 2004/2005

Grove Rangers suffered their second defeat of the new season in Division One, as they succumbed 3 - 1, against the greater desire and finishing of Marcham. Strangely, Grove played the first 25 minutes with only ten players but they coped well with Marcham at this stage and indeed forced a good save from Marcham keeper Matthew Launchbury. However, on 35 minutes Marcham's Wes Costar was allowed too much space, moving in from the left to pick out the far corner of the net. Grove responded and Ben Eltham saw his shot cleared off the Marcham line by Phil Jeacock. Marcham doubled their lead when Gary Van De Mortel centred for Martin Parsons to head back across goal and Luke Westall finished from close range. Grove pulled a goal back through player-manager Chris Lynam and Ian Gordon struck the goal angle with a powerful shot as Grove finally stirred. Marcham clinched the points when Tommy Cousins went on a good run down the right and crossed for Martin Parsons to steer the ball into the net. read more

Over at Grove Rangers, there was tragedy for Grove's Stuart Bristow in sustaining a compound fracture of his right tibia. The 4 - 3 win for visitors Marcham and the manner of the fourth and winning goal not helping anyone's mood, after Barry Mulcock (2) and Kevin Pryde had struck for Grove read more

2 Oct. 2004

Luke Westall score twice to give Marcham a 3 - 1 win at Sutton Courtenay. Martin Parsons was also on target for Marcham while Jimmy Mills netted for the home sideread more

Lee Shann (2) and Stuart Armstrong were the hit men as Steventon produced a fine 3 - 2 victory at Division 1 Marcham, for whom Luke Westall netted. read more

Marcham needed a late equaliser to thwart Sutton Courtenay's bid for their first league win. Ex-Sutton player Dave Carter gave Marcham the lead on 10 minutes but Gary Bolton levelled things with a long-range drive on 75 minutes. Wayne Bolton then put Sutton Courtenay ahead until a superb volley from substitute Chris Bedford screamed into the net five minutes from time. read more

Ardington & Lockinge lost ground in the chase for the Division 1 title, as they threw away a 3 - 1 lead at Marcham, eventually settling for a draw after being reduced to ten men.Early in the game young Ardington keeper Levi Dodd made a fine point blank save to deny Wes Costar, while at the other end veteran John Culley had a goal ruled out for a foul on the keeper.
The home side struck on 25 minutes when Gary Van De Mortel hit a shot from 30 yards that found its way in the bottom corner of the Ardington net. The lead lasted only two minutes though as Matt Searis also shot from distance, looping the ball over Marcham's Gary Harris for 1 - 1. Right on half-time, Alan Haines got up to head Ardington in front and the same player emphasised Marcham's lack of height when he headed his second on 50 minutes. Just as Ardington were looking comfortable, Luke Westall struck to make it 3 - 2 and an Ardington player received a red card for abusive language. Martin Parsons thumped a half-volley to equalise for Marcham on 86 minutes but had to thank Harris for a fine save in the dying seconds. read more

Two Will Westall goals gave Marcham the edge over Wootton & Dry Sandford read more

Five points behind though are Faringdon Town, who comfortably saw off the challenge of Marcham. Lee Moss (2), Chris Benson (2), John Lovegrove and Robbie Harrington scoring in their 6 - 1 success. read more

For the first time in nearly 30 years, Marcham Football Club have reached the final of a major cup competition, after defender Gary Van De Mortel netted twice to give them a 2 - 0 victory over a shot-shy Harwell International. In a game that presented few goalscoring opportunities, Van De Mortel put Marcham in front before half-time, after a well worked move. Wes Costar knocked a long ball into the Harwell area for Will Westall to head on and Van De Mortel hooked in.

Fielding a weakened team, due to injuries and other commitments, Ardington & Lockinge were still good enough overcome Marcham by 2 - 0 and lift the North Berks Charity Shield for the first time since 1928.
Ardington controlled the game to such an extent that Marcham did not have a worthwhile shot on target during the game. Outstanding at the back were 16-year-old Adam Learoyd and the more experienced Rob Winfield and it was Winfield who stooped low to head in a free-kick at the far post in the 43 rd minute to break the deadlock. Much of Marcham's best work came through Will Westall and he put over some good crosses during the game with nobody able to take advantage. Brother Luke probably had their best chance when he took the ball around two players on the edge of the box but miscued his shot. The second Ardington goal came midway through the second half from a short corner, with Joe Harvey cracking a 20 yard shot which Marcham's keeper Gary Harris could only parry and captain Alan Haines gleefully lashed home the rebound. read more