HURST Reserves crashed to a 4-2 home defeat to Goring United in their opening Division Two game of 2019, writes Richard Ashton.

Goals from Josh Monk, James Williams and substitutes James Pearson and Angus Williams did the damage for the away side, who climb out of the bottom two.

Leaders Mortimer Reserves are now eight points clear at the summit after they secured a 3-1 victory at Marlow United Reserves, Andrew Johnstone-Archer bagging a brace with Craig Haylett also on target for the table-toppers.

Second-placed Woodcote Stoke Row Reserves salvaged a point in their 3-3 draw at home to Phoenix Old Boys, despite trailing 3-0 at the break.

The introduction of Daryl Potter proved key, with his long throws setting up two of the hosts' goals, which were scored by Josh Millar, Andy Taylor and Andy Mantle.

Darryle Wearn was on target for Maidenhead Town Reserves, but they went down 2-1 to AFC Corinthians, who move up to fourth in the standings.

Stefan Allen scored twice in the five minutes before half-time as Mortimer inflicted just a second defeat of the season on Marlow United in a clash between two of the Premier Division title-chasers, the Villagers coming away with a 2-0 victory.

Leaders Cookham Dean continued their good run with a seventh win in eight unbeaten games, overcoming hosts Burghfield FC 4-0.

Laurence Henry, Bradley Blue, Jordan Brown and Joseph Newman got the goals for the Dean.

Fourth-placed Woodcote Stoke Row hit the woodwork on a number of occasions during their 0-0 draw at Westwood United, although the visitors' goalkeeper Jamie Froude was also called into action to ensure Sam Tucker's men collected a point to start the year.

A Sam Cooley strike earned Wokingham & Emmbrook Reserves a share of the spoils in their 1-1 draw at home to Berks County.

Michael Holder and Sam Trumper were on the scoresheet for Reading YMCA Rapids as they moved out of the Division One bottom two with a 2-1 home win against Maidenhead Town.

Ryan Pownall and Ross Gordon got the goals as Hurst triumphed 2-1 at Cookham Dean Reserves 2-1, leapfrogging their opponents as they jumped from seventh to fourth in the table.

In Division Three, Jack Page-Smith, Daniel Reynolds and Sam Simmonds were all on target for Goring United Reserves, but they were hammered 8-3 at home by Twyford & Ruscombe.

Maidenhead Town A came from behind to snatch a 3-2 victory at Pangbourne.

William Hambridge gave the home side a 19th-minute lead, only for Joe Park to equalise just after the half-hour mark.

Luke Stroud ensured Pangbourne were in front at half-time, but goals from James Akerman and substitute Sam Evans in the second period gave all three points to Maidenhead.

Harry Bennett and Charlie Hill netted for Taplow United A in their 2-2 draw at home to Cintra Park Rovers, while Woodley United A squeezed past Henley Town 2-1.

Datchet Village made it seven wins from seven in Division Four as they stayed second in the table following a 2-0 victory at Phoenix Old Boys Reserves, while AFC Corinthians A downed Harchester Hawks Development 2-1.

Isaac Sedu was on target for FC Imaan Lions, but they were thumped 5-1 at Reading City U23 in the Reading Junior Cup. Lions had missed a penalty with the score at 0-0.

Woodley United Royals progressed with a dramatic 5-4 penalty shoot-out win at home to Rotherfield United, the two sides having drawn 1-1 with Ross Blakemore on target for the hosts.

Player-manager Danny Langford scored a brilliant hat-trick to help Newbury thrash Finchampstead 6-0, the other goals coming from Carl Self, Rocky Rowbotham and Jesse Bowers.

Berks County Rovers edged out Stokenchurch 1-0 following a gutsy display, and in the Jubilee Cup, Chalvey Sports A beat Berks County Rovers 3-1.

Ciaran Crean got the only goal of the game as advanced in the Diamond Cup as Farnham Royal Mavericks picked up a 1-0 win at Taplow United Reserves, while Westwood United Development eased past Henley Town Development 4-0.