The FTL Futbol Hellenic LeagueWednesday, 11th March, 2009.
Wantage end losing sequence in hard fought game.
Harrow Hill F.C.(0)Wantage Town F.C.1(1)
The Harrow Hill squad’s endeavour and enterprise ensured that this was never going to be a one-sided game. But their hard work was matched by Wantage, who turned in one of their better performances. From the start Wantage took the game to Harrow. On a flat pitch both teams attempted to play flowing, fast moving football and produced an entertaining encounter, sadly witnessed by only 15 people, seven of whom had made the long journey from Wantage. Wantage dominated in the first half hour, new signing Richard Guy showing enterprising movement off of the ball. In the 10th minute, the new striker was desperately unlucky to see his diving header, from Giving Jones’ pin-point cross, glance the wrong side of the Harrow goal’s upright. Harrow were fortunate to survive a goal mouth scramble in the 15th minute as the ball rattled around the box as several Wantage attempts were blocked and finally cleared. Next to show was Ellis Langford, whose energy and drive through the Wantage midfield was a feature of the game. In the 19th minute, Langford’s precise shot passed inches just the wrong side of Harrow keeper Ricky Beckett’s post. The Wantage pressure was rewarded in the 29th minute, when Sam Belcher’s corner was headed past Beckett by Adam Learoyd. The goal sparked a response from Harrow, Chris Smith drawing a great save from Wantage keeper Darryl Simms, the big keeper quickly getting down to save a well hit shot. The half ended with another goal mouth scramble in the Harrow box, with Beckett and his hardworking defence repelling several close-in attempts from Richard Guy and Danny Keen.
The second half was a mirror reflection of the first, Wantage having most of the possession but unable to break down a resilient and well organised Harrow defence. But for all their pressure, Wantage could not increase their lead. The half started with an amazing left wing run from Captain Gary Swann, whose cross was driven wide of the goal by Danny Keen. In the 33rd minute Harrow were denied some reward for their hard work, when the alert Simms in the Wantage goal, saved well from Matt Freed. Paul Day came on for the last twenty minutes and held up the ball well, but despite several attempts could not quite get the ball on target.
This was an entertaining game, well handled by Referee Mark Niemirski and his team, the official’s positive communication with the players throughout the game, paying dividends in terms of reducing the number of bookings.
This was a much better performance from Wantage, and a very important three points secured as they seek to distance themselves from the bottom four.
Team :- Darryl Simms, Tom Rowe, Andy Wallbridge, Adam Learoyd, Gary Swann, Sam Belcher,
Liam McCullough, Gavin Jones, Danny Keen, Richard Guy, Ellis Langford.
Substitutes :-Liam Illsley, Paul Day, Tom Doig.
This was a great night for the Club as the Reserves beat Swindon Supermarine 4 – 2 to secure a quarter final place in the Chairman’s Reserve Challenge Cup competition, and the veterans beat Old Hooky
2 – 1 to maintain their place at top of their league.
welll done to the first team, lets use this as a springboard to push up the table. tough place to go and get a result, well done!! also well done to the reserves good luck in the semi final, lets make the final for a good day out and another trophy. and finally well done 2 the vets for another win and wot looks like another title. good day for the club!!
