FINCHAMPSTEAD FC still lead the fight for second place in the Thames Valley Premier League after they won their 11th league match of the season.
A beautiful sunny day set the scene for a classic at the Memorial Ground as Finchampstead FC hosted Wraysbury Village.
The hosts were looking to make it three wins on the bounce after two impressive performances that consisted of eight goals and two clean sheets.
The visitors travelled in search of some consistency, some impressive results over the course of the season have shown Wraysbury can mix it with the best when they want to. George Dewhurst has played a major part in that as he leads the goal scoring charts with 18 goals in just 13 games.
This was to be the final game of the season at the Memorial Ground for Finchampstead and it certainly did not disappoint.
A strong wind on the day set the tone for both sides making it a very difficult opening 20 minutes as they struggled to get a firm hold on the game.
The visitors started off the better side with a flurry of set pieces that forced Jones into a string of great saves.
The deadlock was broken despite Jones’ best efforts after a double save from an in-swinging corner, which was smashed home by Dewhurst at the third time of asking on seven minutes.
The early goal had sprung life into the hosts as they started to create chances from their wide play in search of an equaliser.
They did not have to wait too long to find it, as a lovely ball from Weir put Day free on the right, and he picked out an unmarked Woodhead with a fizzing cross who slotted it home to fire the hosts level on 21 minutes.
Following the equaliser the game stayed evenly matched, both sides producing promising attacks but struggling to make it count in the final third.
The visitors regained their lead in the 34th minute as they dispossessed Finchampstead on the left hand side and the danger man Dewhurst was able to produce a great finish past Jones for his 20th goal of the season.
The visitors kept their foot on the gas in search of a third, and despite some good play in the half the hosts were looking to get to half-time with only the one goal to claw back.
They managed to achieve that before the half time whistle as they stunned the visitors with some slick play to find Day again bearing in on goal from the right hand side. Day kept his composure and rolled the ball across the goal for Butt to tap into an empty net.
The whistle called an end to an exciting half as the sides went in level at 2-2.
The tempo was stepped up a notch from the hosts at the start of the second half as they gained control of the game with a large percentage of possession.
They took the lead for the first time in the match on 53 minutes, following some tricky wide play from Parmer, who picked out Joel Day with a great cross who headed home to the relief of the hosts.
The goal gave new life to Finchampstead who continued to control the game, making the visitors chase them all over the pitch.
Woodhead was played through on goal only to lift the ball just over the bar which would have put the game beyond doubt. He didn’t have to wait long to make amends as seconds later he was played through again on goal by Day, and this time he slotted it home with a lovely finish to make it 4-2
on 72 minutes.
The hosts continued to retain the ball as they looked to see out an important three points, they managed to catch the visitors napping late on as Day again the provider put Collins through on goal who fired past the keeper in clinical fashion.
There was still time to put the final touch on Day’s performance as he managed to dispossess the keeper moments later after the fifth and slot home to make it 6-2 in added time.
Joel Day finished the game playing a part in all six goals for Finchampstead with two goals and four assists.
The result leaves the hosts in second place in the Thames Valley Premier League as they continue to battle it out with Reading YMCA and Burghfield FC.
Next time Finchampstead are in league action is a huge clash with Burghfield on Saturday, April 8.
Next week Finch travel to SB Phoenix in a repeat of last year’s Charles Twelftree semi-final.
Finchampstead: Jones, Parmer, Hunt, Finch, J Payne, Weir, Collins, N Payne, Day, Woodhead, Butt
Subs: Howe, Lacy, Hanley
Goals: Woodhead 21′, 72′, Butt 44′, Day 53′, 90′, Collins 86′
