The FTL Futbol Hellenic League.

Premier League.

Saturday, 11^th April, 2009.

Wantage overcome bogey neighbours with a couple of sharp finishes.

Shrivenham F.C. 0 (0) Wantage Town F.C. 3 (0)

With neither keeper really under threat in the first half, it was Wantage who failed to capitalise upon the few chances that occurred. In the first ten minutes, a couple of well delivered crossed zipped across the face of the Shrivenham goal, untouched by defender or attacker. Neither side covered themselves with glory as the play was scrappy, not helped by an unyielding and lumpy surface. It would be much more conducive to football at this level, and safer for players, if Clubs were encouraged to improve their pitch surfaces, rather than spend thousands on empty seats and concrete paths where nobody wants to stand. The nonsensical ground enclosure fence, and presumably expensive fence, which now separates the public park from the pitch has spoilt the natural amphitheatre, which made this ground so attractive. As the first inconclusive half drew to an end, Wantage were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Shrivenham box, Ellis Langford’s quickly taken kick zipping past the wrong side of the Shrivenham post. Both sides would need to raise their games in the second half in order to get a result, particularly Shrivenham as they strive to distance themselves from the relegation places.

It was Wantage who were the first out of the blocks in the second half. With Sam Belcher, Captain Ellis Langford and Liam Illsley stepping up the pressure in midfield, Wantage were the first to show, winning a corner in the 50^th minute. Matty Horsell’s inswinging corner beat Shrivenham’s ex Wantage keeper Luke Alford and the rest of the Shrivenham defence, and was nudged over the line by the alert and unmarked Liam Illsley, to put the away side 1 – 0 up. Ten minutes later Alford saved brilliantly from a well struck drive from by Illsley, as Wantage continued to press. Wantage’s midfield effort and defensive stability was further rewarded in the 80^th minute, when the game’s outcome was secured for the visitors, Danny Keen finishing well past Alford, when put through by a precision pass from Ellis Langford. As the minutes ebbed away, with Shrivenham showing little sign of breaching the Wantage defence, Wantage went 3 – 0 up in the 89^th minute, substitute Sean McKeon unlucky to see his opportunist shot rebound off of the post, but as the Shrivenham defence spectated, the alert Keen arrived first on the scene to drive the ball past Alford to give Wantage a 3 – 0 away win.

This was a good away win for Wantage verses a team they rarely get a result against. This sets up nicely the last four games of the season, with Wantage striving for a top ten finish, when not too long ago, the relegation places beckoned. The next game is away to Bicester on Tuesday evening, followed by an away trip to Hungerford on Saturday, 18^th April. Then home to Shortwood on Wednesday, 22^nd April, and winding up the season with a home game against Pegasus on Saturday, 25^th April. Wantage may even have a say in the battle for the top of the table.

Team. Darryl Simms, Tom Rowe, Andy Wallbridge, Adam Learoyd, Sam Belcher, Ellis Langford,

Richard Guy, Danny Keen, Gavin Jones, Liam Illsley, Matty Horsell..

Subs. Sean McKeon, Liam McCullough, Richie Bourne.