Dearlove Double Sends Athletic Through

Buckingham Athletic’s development side have secured a place in the last 16 of the Berks and Bucks Junior Cup as they saw off Wing Village in a well fought encounter. Lower league opposition coming to Stratford fields always made Buckingham favourites but seeing the job done was a still an achievement to reach the next stage of the competition.

Total control was visible throughout the game as the technical superiority was in full force as the players of Wing went for more of a all action, physical approach to the game. The hosts took the game to their opponents as they went in with a positive attitude to try and outplay their opponents. Without much luck in the first 20 minutes, the goal came from a great price of build up play as a one-two between Paul Dearlove and Tom Kennard allowed Dearlove to strike from 20 yards.

After the first goal they seemed to be cruising to the next round, however a defensive error from the boggy surface allowed Wing to capitalise and draw level out of nothing. Much to Athletic's disappointment, they went on to make another mistake as they lost the ball in the middle of the pitch and the counter led to a penalty as Nathan Hawkins debatably tripped the man. After crushing five minutes before they were now behind for the first time in the match.

It looked as if they would now go into the half 2-1 down but just a few moments later Dearlove popped up in the box at the far post to head in a vital touch from Luke McAndrew’s cross. Going into the break at 2-2 their was still plenty of work to do for Athletic.

The second half began and straight away Buckingham were on the front foot as they went in search of a winner. They limited Wing to chances and early in the second half Buckingham managed to take the lead as Jamie Carter was brought down in the box, allowing Jordan Tavener to slot the penalty away sending the keeper the wrong way. There was a scare for Buckingham as Richard Tiller in goal gave away the third penalty of the game and the second for Wing, however the spot kick only rattled the post.

Buckingham went on to take the victory quite easily as they have their opponents a hard time trying to break past the defence. The victory places them into the last 16 and they will face Olney Reserves looking to reach the quarter final. The game will be played at home on the 21st January.

Paul Dearlove's double helped to fire Athletic into the next round