FREDDIE Barron scored the only goal of the game as Finchampstead ended their three-match Hellenic League Division One East losing streak with a battling 1-0 success at Rayners Lane, writes Richard Ashton.

The home side had an early chance when Damilola Thomas shot wide, but there was little goalmouth action until Harry Swabey forced Przemek Mierzwa into a good save in the Rayners goal.

Chace Jewell then had an effort which failed to hit the target, an act repeated by Oliver Leslie when he was gifted an opportunity by the hosts.

Swabey had a shot blocked by a defender and Jewell was denied by Mierzwa as the sides played out a goalless first period.

The crucial goal came on the hour mark, Barron finding acres of space before finishing coolly from a cross from the right.

Substitute Rob Dunbar had the opportunity to double the advantage but blasted over, while at the other end, Saleh Zaheer headed the ball over Neil Griffith’s bar.

A Dee Williams free-kick then sailed over the bar for Rayners Lane, while Dunbar shot wide for Finch.

The hosts nearly snatched a point right at the death, but Dwayne Cole-Parker missed by an inch from in front of goal.

Finchampstead travel to Woodley United in the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup on Saturday (1.30pm).

  • SANDHURST Town are due to visit Royal Wootton Bassett in the Floodlit Cup tonight (7.45pm), before travelling to Chalvey Sports in the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup on Saturday (1.30pm).
  • BRAD Brown, Sam Hutchings and Lewis Robson got the goals as Eversley & California cruised past Ash United 3-0 in their Combined Counties League Division One clash on Saturday.

Last Tuesday, Alimamy Kamara was on target for the Boars but they were knocked out of the Cherry Red Records Premier Challenge Cup following a 5-1 defeat at Walton & Hersham.

Eversley & California are at home to Cobham in the league on Saturday (3pm), before visiting Lingfield in the Surrey Premier Cup on Tuesday (7.45pm).