Long Crendon produced a powerful performance to overwhelm Slough side KS Gryf 7-0 in the fourth round of the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup.
Manager Ryan Davis was handed a boost when striker Oli Lethbridge declared himself fit and, along with Ben Sykes, he returned to the side after missing the midweek loss at Abingdon Utd.
From the off it was clear that Crendon’s pace was going to trouble the KS Gryf backline and they should have gone ahead inside two minutes when Harry Pettingell latched on to Nathan Brownsword’s raking long pass but the keeper turned it behind for a corner. Another good move saw James Hawkes set up Eliot Farley at the near post but he miscued his shot wide. However, on 13 minutes, Harry Pettingell headed in Alex Farley’s pinpoint free kick and from there on it was more a case of how many than anything else. Harry Pettingell was terrorising the KS Gryf defence with his speed and movement, and on 29 minutes he was hauled down in the box. Brownsword converted from the spot, slotting it high into the net. The KS Gryf keeper then made saves from Oli Lethbridge and Hawkes, as they battled to stay in the game.
Half-time: 2-0
The only real issue for Crendon was whether any complacency would creep in but that never looked likely as they pressed down the slope looking for further goals. Eight minutes after the break, KS Gryf found themselves penned into their box as they were unable to clear after a corner and when the ball found its way to Brownsword, unusually out on the right wing, he crossed for Harry Pettingell to tap in this second. Four minutes later Brownsword notched his second penalty of the game after Oli Lethbridge was clumsily bundled over from behind. Ryan Davis was then able to ring the changes, bringing all three substitutes on, and they all had a lively impact. The fifth goal arrived when Archie Pettingell, up from an unfamiliar centre back role, fired in from another Alex Farley delivery and it was six when Hawkes, an ever present threat at set pieces, headed in off the underside of the bar, this time from an Eliot Farley corner. Oli Lethbridge and Eliot Farley both had opportunities to add further gloss to the result but the scoring was rounded off in bizarre fashion when Brownsword closed down the KS Gryf goalkeeper’s clearance and it ricocheted in off his midriff to make it 7-0.
Full-time: 7-0
An entirely convincing win from start to finish but given that KS Gryf have knocked out two sides from our division before this, the performance from the boys is not to be underestimated. The win sees Crendon into the hat for the quarter finals, with the next round to be played in January. Not all the last sixteen games were played on Saturday but other teams through to join Crendon so far are Bletchley Park, APBS, Buckingham Athletic Development and Eldon Celtic, with three ties outstanding.
Team: Collingwood, B Sykes (Hawthorne), Russell (Lane), T Lethbridge, A Farley (c) (Thomas), Brownsword, E Farley, H Pettingell, Hawkes, A Pettingell, O Lethbridge.
Goals: H Pettingell 2, Brownsword 3, A Pettingell, Hawkes.