Kingsclere keep the pressure on with big win in Newbury Sunday League

There were only three matches in the latest round of Newbury Sunday League fixtures, but no shortage of action.

Kingsclere would have been feeling some pressure, as they hosted The Crickets AFC at Headley Playing Fields.

Due to their fantastic cup record, Kingsclere held two games in hand on league leaders NWX, who sat nine points clear at the top.

NWX have made no mistakes this season, winning fourteen out of fourteen games.

Kingsclere know they have to be perfect to stand a chance of winning the title, and they showed their ruthless streak on Sunday.

They stormed to an 8-0 win over their Thatcham-based opponents.

Seth Fowler opened the scoring for the hosts, followed by a flurry of goals from Shawn Foster, Reece Goater and Dan Bonner, before Fowler bagged a second.

Kingsclere showed great tenacity in midfield, dominating the game with an energetic performance.

Fowler completed his hat-trick in the second half, before Callum Hutchinson, a professional jockey for Andrew Balding’s yard, scored a brace.

The 8-0 win keeps the title fight alive and well, while The Crickets will have to regroup.

Olly Bernsten received praise for an immense showing on the day, putting in a spirited effort in spite of the scoreline.

Elsewhere, Aldbourne Royals rose to sixth with a 1-0 win over Plough on the Green.

This was their first win since January 26th, seeing them overtake the Crickets and move to second in the race to be crowned ‘best newcomer’.

Archie Bishop scored the only goal of the game, keeping Plough on the Green winless in 2025.

Thatcham Tornadoes consolidated their spot in fourth with a 2-1 win over AFC Aldermaston Sunday ‘B’.

Aldermaston were on a good run of form, winning five games out of six in recent weeks.

This has helped them rise to fifth, currently ‘best of the rest’, and three points clear of Aldbourne who hold multiple games in hand.

This Sunday they’ll face the biggest test possible, as they travel to NWX.

Kingsclere will travel to Douai Abbey to face Thatcham Tornadoes, while Frilsham host Aldbourne as the league races towards its conclusion.