Tadley Calleva enjoy great start to Wessex League (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Tadley Calleva enjoy great start to Wessex League

8:00am Friday 14th September 2012 in Sport By Graham Merry

TADLEY Calleva produced the result of the opening weekend of the Sydenhams League division one season as they won at East Cowes Vics. Few gave Tadley a chance as they headed to the island to face a side who finished fifth last season.

However, Cowes were unable to handle the pace of Ed Hall and Jason Graham and it was Graham who opened the scoring after 13 minutes.

The home side equalised before the break as a home forward brought the ball down with his arm to score, but it was the wrong side of both the referee and linesman so the goal stood.

The Tadley winner came as centre back Les Wood found Graham and the striker beat three defenders before hammering the ball home.

From there the visitors shut up shop with midfielders Mario Nurse and Matt Aslett turning in excellent performances.

Boss Danny Dolan said: “This was a massive win and everyone has put in a good shift and we have got the result we deserved. Tadley are next in league action on Tuesday night when they open their home campaign with a visit from US Portsmouth.

On Tuesday night, there was no giant killing for Tadley in Hampshire Senior Cup.

They lost at Cove 5-1, but their cause was not helped when goalkeeper Darren Maunder was sent- off and outstanding centre-half Wood had to take over in goal.

Maunder was dismissed for bringing down a forward in the area and the resulting penalty made it 3-0. Hall pulled a goal back in the second half, but Cove beaten only once this season scored twice more.