Langford fumes as Town lose out late

Newbury Town’s unbeaten start to the season came to an end following a 2-1 defeat to Thornbury Town in the Bluefin Sports Challenge Cup.

Town were taking on opposition two levels above them but acquitted themselves well and went ahead in the second half when the prolific George Armstrong cut in from the left and found the top corner as it looked as though an upset was on the cards.

However the game turned on its head in an agonising final five minutes when the referee twice pointed to the penalty spot.

With the visitors pushing for a second, the man in the middle made a controversial decision at the other end when he awarded a controversial spot-kick which Jack Sheppard-Cozens stepped up to score and level the tie.

Then three minutes later the referee repeated the feat and Sheppard-Couzens made no mistake from 12 yards again to send the hosts through to the next round.

“It’s a tough one to take,” assistant manager Danny Langford said.

“We paid £160 to travel and hour and 40 minutes and the game gets decided by two pathetic decisions.

“We won’t dwell on it, we win together and we lose together.”

Meanwhile, Luis Beauchamp and substitute Stefan Allen were on target as Mortimer picked up a 2-1 win over Hellenic League Division Two East rivals FC Beaconsfield.

Hungerford Town Swifts difficult Hellenic League Division Two South season continued as they were thumped 5-0 by league leaders Swindon Supermarine Development.

Elsewhere, Harvey Beales struck as Burghfield drew 1-1 with SB Phoenix as the Thames Valley Premier League Premier Division returned.

A Tiago Andre Lopes Moreno hat-trick fired Tadley Calleva Reserves back to the top of the Division One table as the Tadders thumped Windlesham United 3-0.

George's O'Brien's goal just after the hour was enough as seventh placed Goring United beat Maidenhead Town Reserves 1-0 to pick up a much-needed three points.

Burghfield United Reserves consolidated their hold at the top of the Division Two table thanks to a 2-1 win over Slough Heating Laurencians Reserves.

A second half brace from Elliot Telford made the difference for the hosts, who extend their lead over Reading YMCA Rapids to four points.

Kintbury Rangers were dumped out of the County Cup as a late Maidenhead Town penalty saw the hosts progress following a narrow 1-0 win.