Holders Star crashed out of the Aubrey Cup at home to Sandridge on Saturday.

They went behind five minutes into the game, when the Sandridge number nine hit a shot from 25 yards that was deflected in by a defender's boot.

Three minutes later Star were level when the Sandridge keeper made a hash of kicking the ball clear, and live-wire Ben Taylor slotted home the equaliser.

The goal galvanised Star and Adam Bell ran round two Sandridge defenders, but his weak shot was easily cleared.

Buss, a busy bee for Star in midfield, then had to come off due to injury, and was replaced by Matt Lennon. The passing from both sides was pretty woeful, due to heavy ground conditions, and fitness was going to be a big factor as the game wore on.

Plumb took a free kick from 30 yards out, and his long, deep, high ball found Reed, but his header brought out a great full-length save from the Sandridge keeper.

Ben Taylor then found himself in a good shooting position, but he put the ball tamely into the keeper's arms.

Plumb then took another free kick, which was flicked on by Bell for Taylor to give Star the lead.

Flahive and Wicks, on a joint right hand drive, conspired to do a quick one-two which left Flahive firing a blank.

Sandridge then broke away and equalised to make it 2-2.

Wicks hit back but his super, low cross was missed when all it needed was a toe end.

After the break both sides hit the woodwork and Lennon was unlucky to see his 30-yard thunderbolt tipped brilliantly over the bar by the Sandridge keeper.

Sandridge, with ten minutes to go, were awarded a free kick. Star were still protesting to the referee when the ball ended up in the net for the winner, and to rub it in Wicks was sent off for arguing.

In a last desperate throw Star's manager Renphrey brought on Luke Reed and Alan Bennett, for Phil Reed and Adam Bell, but it was too late and a sad way to go out of the Aubrey Cup for the holders.

Star: Mason, Plumb, Day, Love, Flahive, Phil Reed, Armitt, Buss, Bell, Taylor, Wicks. Subs: Luke Reed, Matt Lennon, Bennett.

Star 2 Sandridge 3

Aubrey Cup

*Next week Star are at Heston in the the first round of the Cherry Red Cup.

November 7, 2001 14:05