Match Report
Match Report - 14 Feb 2009, Wadhurst United Junior Football Club Team not current beat Ashurst
Our first game since November was always going to be an uncertain result and performance… would the team be nervous and hold back, would they know how to play as a team again, or would the rest have done them good. To make it even harder Ashurst Wood had already got 3 games under their belt since Xmas.
Well the answer soon came with Oak and Beech gracing the spectators with games they can be proud of. We have always known that our players play with incredible fight and determination… but now they also play with great teamwork and skill in passing and positioning.
If these games were anything to go by, we will all be looking forward to the rest of the season.
Oak v Ashurst Wood – Man of the Match Daniel O’Neill
Match 1 – Wadhurst 2 – 1 Ashurst (Scorers Henry 1, Luke 1)
The first half of the games saw Joe Fuggle and Angus Craig providing a solid defence with Daniel O’Neill and Henry White fighting in midfield to get the ball through to Luke Curtis and Toby Wallace. The danger was that Ashurst always looked strong on the break. Oli Langridge didn’t have too much to do, but when faced with a one-on-one break, which looked certain to open the scoreline, Oli was there to make a fantastic save.
The first goal came from a cross by Dan, Luke had a shot blocked, but Henry followed up to convert the goal. Wadhurst then showed a moment of weakness to let Ashurst break down the wing, where they scored the equalizer from a lucky shot!
The second half saw Dan move back to form an attacking defence, something we’ve not tried before. but it provided the team with a force that could break through the midfield at pace, allowing everyone to move up into the box.
Masher Muldoon and Joel Hoggins were now on the pitch providing fresh legs. Joel blocked everything that came his way and Johnny made strong surging runs forward.
The winning goal came from Dan’s break down the wing, a perfect pass to Toby, a cross in and a combined shot by Luke and Henry (which Luke has claimed and as Henry already had a goal, he said Luke could have it!).
Match 2 – Wadhurst 0 – 0 Ashurst
The scoreline does not reflect what was, a very exciting game. Our team had the upper hand throughout but could not find the net… a great team performance. Plenty of shots on goal and goal mouth scrambles, although a good show by the visiting team’s keeper prevented us scoring. Shots by Luke, Joe, Dan and Johnny were all blocked. Next match let’s see Henry, Toby and Masher try using their heads… then goals from corners will be easy.
The end of the second half we saw some amazing skill from Joe, with 3 or 4 twisting runs from the back, through a midfield that couldn’t touch him, finished with powerful shots.
Our passing game has certainly improved since November, although we nearly got caught out in the last minute with a forward attacking our goal at great speed. But a good interception by Dan kept the score at 0-0.
Beech v Ashurst Wood – Man of the Match James Anstee
Match 1 - Wadhurst 1 – 2 Ashurst (scorers og)
The first game for Beech was close, but we lost by the odd goal. With Sam Fairweather and Kit L-P unavailable, Felix was pressed into service in an unfamiliar role as striker. He adapted really well supported by strong running from midfield by Kit Ross and James Anstee.
We fought back from being a goal down and equalised through an own goal after a superb corner on the left from James. This was well deserved and a good reward for James who was man of the match for his hard work and skilful play in midfield. Unfortunately we conceded another goal and were unable to convert some good moves into what would have been a fair draw overall. Harry skippered the side from central midfield and ensured we kept going for the full 30 minutes. Sam, Ed and Ricky played solid games at the back meaning Fred had very few saves to make.
Match 2 – Wadhurst 1 – 0 Ashurst (scorer – Kit Ross)
This was very even match throughout. The first half was quite uneventful with neither side having too many attempts, but the Wadhurst defence were kept busy, and Fred Milsom was there when needed. The whole team did a tremendous job in helping the defence with Harry Latham Cole always dropping back from midfield and James Anstee, Kit Ross and Felix Godwin all helping out when the team was under pressure.
During the second half Wadhurst started to come under pressure, but Ricky Alikhani and Sam Bruce combined very well in defence to keep the opposition at bay. Ed Sewell (who played as goalkeeper for the half in place of Fred Milsom) showed confidence and made a superb save from close range that kept us in the match.
Despite the players looking tired and finding it difficult to create too many chances, they never dropped their heads and kept going. Late in the second half Ricky Alikhani made a good tackle that resulted in Wadhurst winning a throw in close to the half way line. He took a good throw in down the line to James Anstee who controlled the ball well and went past some players before crossing it and finding Kit Ross who squeezed the ball in from close range.
The victory was deserved on the balance of play and proved a great result for the team who battled well throughout.
Wadhurst United Junior Football Club Team not current 4 - 3 Ashurst (4 goals to 3 )