FOOTBALL: Ames strike sets up Bracknell showdown

8:00am Thursday 21st August 2008

A goal from skipper Dan Ames secured Bicester Town a tough Preliminary round trip to Southern League side Bracknell Town on August 30 after a 1-0 win against Bristol Manor Farm.

Although the visitors dominated possession they lacked a cutting edge.

Bicester did ride their luck at times, but defended well.

Goalkeeper Tom McNamara made a number of good stops, the best of which was a stunning close-range save from the visitors' midfielder Brad Abrahams.

Five minutes after the break, Ames bundled home the winner from a flick-on, following a well-worked corner.

Ardley United tumbled out of the cup despite scoring three goals in the last five minutes as they went down to a 4-3 defeat at Chalfont St Peter.

Although that goal flurry made for an exciting climax, the match will be remembered by a freak Chalfont goal.

With the score 3-1 with five minutes left, Ardley keeper Lee Patrick assumed a ball had gone out of play by the corner flag. It hadn't. As he was walking back to his goal, the ball was passed to a Chalfont player who tapped into an empty net.

Earlier Barry Brosnan gave the hosts the lead as half-time approached.

Chalfont doubled their advantage with a tidy free kick, and then Ardley conceded another soft goal.

Ricky Bridges pulled one back for Ardley, then Patrick had his nightmare.

Jason Costello added Ardley's second, before Adam Beckett's lofted shot crept in as time ran out.