AFC Waverton Wasps 8 v 0 Princes Villa

Chester & District League (11^th March 2012)

 

Waverton Scorers (season's total in brackets)

 

Jonny Lee  -  3 (10)

Matt Sheen  -  2 (24)

Raynor Gray  -  1 (7)

Alex Wilkinson  -  1 (7)

Sam Jones  -  1 (10)

 

Report

 

This was a very straight forward, regulation victory for Waverton, something which we've seen too little of in recent weeks. Right from the outset the Wasps played some good, controlled, passing football, which was always too good for Princes Villa, creating lots of chances (and for once taking a good number of them!) to keep the scoreline ticking over regularly.

 

There was also, thankfully, no repeat of the undisciplined performance the team had turned in last time against Princes Villa, instead, right from the kick-off Waverton simply kept hold of the ball and outplayed the opposition. The deadlock was soon broken, as Princes Villa conceded a penalty, which Alex Wilkinson converted, and shortly afterwards Jonny Lee made it 2-0 converting from close range after the opposition defence failed to clear a corner. A Matt Sheen goal, and a further penalty conversion (this time from Jonny Lee) made it a very comfortable 4-0 score line at the break, with the Waverton defence restricting their opponents to no more than half chances.

 

The second half followed a very similar pattern and, as a result, the steady flow of goals continued as well. Jonny Lee completed a hat-trick, Sam Jones got himself on the scoresheet, and there were particularly well taken goals from both Matt Sheen and Raynor Gray, the latter with a free kick from the edge of the box which went in off the under side of the cross-bar. Once again the defence looked completely in control, and despite going down to just three at the back for the final 20 minutes they kept a very well deserved clean sheet.

 

The 8-0 scoreline is an accurate reflection of just how much Waverton dominated this game, and after a few set-backs in recent weeks it was really encouraging to see the side back to the type of form they were showing regularly earlier in the season. MoM awards went to Alex Wilkinson (from the coach) for an excellent all-round Captain's performance, and Raynor Gray and Alex Abraham (from the supporters). 

 

With it now rumoured that there will only be 3 games against each opponent in the League, or 18 matches in total, it now looks like the Wasps will just need 1 point from their remaining 4 games, and should therefore secure their third consecutive title against Nomads next week.    

JFC Upton North 1 v 1 AFC Waverton Wasps (AET – Upton won 3-1 on pens)

Chester & District Cup (4^th March 2012)

 

Waverton Scorers (season's total in brackets)

 

Raynor Gray  -  1 (6)

 

Report

 

The Wasps mixed form we've seen in recent weeks continued, and despite another close, hard fought, game against their strongest local rivals, they eventually lost, in the lottery of a penalty shoot out, to crash out of the Chester & District Cup.

 

Waverton kicked off with a strong wind behind them in the first half, and the conditions seemed to affect both sides, with far less chances being created than we've been used to seeing in recent encounters between the two teams. With both sides cancelling each other out in the middle of the park, and each defence seeming to have worked out how to neutralise their opponents' attacking strengths, it was no real surprise to reach the break with the game still goal less.

 

If anything Waverton had shaded the first half in terms of possession and chances (with a good penalty shout also turned down) so the half time talk was all about keeping this up, and taking the rare chances when they came along. It was pleasing therefore when this was followed through, 15 minutes into the second period, as Raynor Gray was first to an Aaron Hassall shot which the keeper could only parry, slotting home the rebound to give the Wasps a 1-0 lead.

 

It was still clear this was not going to be a high scoring game, and as the minutes ticked by, with Waverton still holding strong in defence, it started to look like they might hold on for a narrow victory. That changed though with just ten minutes to go when Ollie Knight (always Upton's biggest threat) out jumped the Wasps defence and powered home a strong header to bring the scores level at 1-1. Both teams looked tired at this point and there were few chances created at either end to win the tie, either up to full time or in the 20 minutes of extra time added on. That eventually brought a penalty shoot out in which Upton were the more clinical team, securing themselves a semi-final place. 

 

Waverton are still clears favourites to retain their league title, but the biggest challenge facing them between now and the end of the season is to find a way to get the "spark" back in their game which seems to have been missing for the last few weeks. It's not just about winning the league now, but making sure they do so in the "style" we all know the team is capable of.   

Princes Villa 1 v 3 AFC Waverton Wasps

Chester & District League (26^th February 2012)

Waverton Scorers (season’s total in brackets)

Aaron Hassall  -  2 (13)

Charlie Jones  -  1 (12)

Report

Waverton took another step nearer retaining their title, with a 3-1 win over Princes Villa in a bad tempered game, but once again the team were far from their best, and will certainly need to “up their game” before taking on Upton in the Cup next week.

The game kicked off in good sunny conditions on a big wide pitch that should have suited Waverton’s passing game. Despite dominating the early possession though, the team continued to struggle to put together their normal quality of football, and the game remained goalless until Aaron Hassall struck a good free kick half way through the half which went in under the keeper (who’d have expected to do better) to put Waverton 1-0 ahead.

With the amount of possession they had, Waverton should have been 3 or 4 ahead, but too often players took on too much themselves and even when chances were created they were wasted, continuing a trend the team have been showing for some weeks now. Games against Princes Villa are always “niggly”, but with 10 minutes to go before half time one of the Waverton players lost their discipline in retaliating, resulting in the team’s first ever sending off.

When Princes Villa then equalised, with a scrambled goal from a corner, it looked like Waverton may be made to pay for going down to ten men, onlyfor them to be saved by a Princes Villa team who themselves lost their cool and had two players sent off. It was disappointing though that the Waverton team didn’t learn from this, and also picked up a further three bookings for avoidable offences later in the game. This lack of discipline is something the team need to sort out, quickly!

In a second half with ten men (Waverton) versus nine (Princes Villa), there was even more room to be had on the big pitch, but the fact that Waverton could only add two more goals, from Aaron & Charlie Jones, showed that there were still not at their best, and really couldn’t string together the high quality passing football we know they’re capable of. The one area that remained calm and controlled though was the defence, where Jorge Percival, Charlie Nicholson & Jordan Coxall all had strong games, as acknowledged by the supporters who voted them joint MoM.

This wasn’t a good warm up for Upton next week, but hopefully it was a wake up call!    

AFC Waverton Wasps 2 v 3 Ridgewood Rangers

Cheshire Junior Cup (12^th February 2012)

Waverton Scorers (season’s total in brackets)

Matt Sheen  -  2 (22)

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Despite a brave effort, Waverton fell just short of reaching their second consecutive Cheshire Cup final, losing out 3-2 to a Ridgewood team who played better in the parts of the pitch that matter, and were more clinical finishing their chances. Waverton couldn’t make their greater possession count, and will now need to concentrate on retaining their Chester & District League & Cup double.

Waverton started the better of the two teams, despite kicking uphill, and had a couple of very good chances early on to take the lead against a Ridgewood defence that looked shaky, but the home team didn’t put either of them away. It was clear from the early exchanges that Ridgewood’s tactics were going to be to soak up the pressure and break quickly, and it was just this approach which led to a breakaway goal after 15 minutes, allowing them to take the lead against the run of play. The Wasps have kept their heads well when falling behind in earlier rounds, and did so again, keeping the pressure on until a loose ball fell to Matt Sheen to strike an equaliser. For the next ten minutes Waverton dominated, but again didn’t take any of the chances they created to get into the lead.

With ten minutes to go in the first half Ridgewood regained the advantage, after hesitation in the Waverton defence, allowing a long throw to bounce and letting a forward in to head home from close range. Once again though Waverton “upped a gear” after falling behind, and created a long period of pressure. After good work from Raynor Gray on the right, followed by a good cross, a Robbie Foster shot was blocked but fell to Matt Sheen to slot home his second equaliser.

2-2 at the break, it was anybody’s game in the second half. In the sticky, tiring conditions though there was much less goalmouth action in the second period (at both ends). Waverton never really got their passing football together, and Ridgewood started to dominate the midfield, particularly through their two strongest players, one sitting just in front of the defence and mopping everything up and the other playing just behind the strikers, continually finding the room to use his pace and skill. Halfway through the half, it was the latter player who again ran on to a through ball slotting the ball past Jack and into the corner of the net to put Ridgewood in front for the third time.

Waverton pushed hard in the last 20 minutes to get another equaliser, but couldn’t find the right quality of final ball. Their team spirit didn’t waver though, and for the final 5/10 minutes they played some strong pressing football, but once again they just couldn’t take advantage of any of the half chances created.

It’s always disappointing to go out of a big cup competition at the semi-final stage, but once again Waverton have proved themselves to be one of the best U15’s teams in the County, and (hard as it is!) they should look back and be proud of their efforts.

Coach’s MoM: Matt Sheen

Upton JFC North 3 v 3 AFC Waverton Wasps

Chester & District JFL (29^th January 2012)

Waverton Scorers (season’s total in brackets)

Matt Sheen  -  1 (20)

Charlie Jones  -  1 (11)

Jonny Lee  -  1 (7)

Report

Despite their long run in the Cheshire Cup, it’s definitely Upton that Waverton have found to be their toughest opponents so far this season. After another hard fought contest this one finished “honours even” at 3-3, and although Waverton could count themselves a bit unlucky with a couple of decisions, it’s probably also fair to say that Upton deserved to get something out of the game with another good battling performance.

The game started very evenly, in very cold conditions, with both sides defending well and very few clear chances being created. Upton though took the lead in controversial circumstances after about 15 minutes,  as a header from a corner seemed to be cleared off the line by Raynor Gray only for the referee to rule it had crossed the line. Waverton fought back strongly but were held at bay by some strong Upton defending, and as a result the home team were able to take a 2-0 lead from a breakaway.

When the Wasps then had a perfectly good headed goal from Jonny Lee ruled out for offside (with the ref admitting afterwards he’d made a mistake) it began to look like it might not be Waverton’s day. The team remained positive though and continued to push hard to get themselves back in the game, and Jonny Lee eventually opened up Waverton’s account, after a strong run and a good strike, to make it 2-1 at the break.

Upton seemed to set themselves up more defensively for the second period, but it was always likely to be hard for them to hold out against the Waverton attack for a full 40 minutes, and so it proved. Having held out for about 20 minutes there was then a mix up between an Upton defender and his keeper which saw the ball run loose to Charlie Jones who calmly slotted the ball home into an empty net to equalise. The Wasps pushed on again though, looking to win the game, and with ten minutes remaining they finally got themselves in front (for the first time) at 3-2 as Matt Sheen poked home a through ball from Aaron Hassall for his 20^th goal of the season.

Waverton had a couple of half chances to settle the game soon afterwards, but couldn’t take them, which left them vulnerable to a late fight back from an Upton team who’d started throwing more bodies forward. Having lost possession by hanging on to the ball too long in midfield they did, as a result, allow Upton a breakaway chance, with their striker beating the onrushing Jack Minshull to secure a 3-3 draw.

Although it was a little disappointing to lose points, by not allowing their nearest challengers to “catch up”, this was still another positive step towards a third successive title for Waverton. With seven games remaining they now need just 10 points (three wins and a draw) to be uncatchable at the top of the table.

Coach’s MoM:  Jonny Lee

Groves Athletic 0 v 6 AFC Waverton Wasps

Chester & District JFL (22^nd January 2012)

Waverton Scorers (season’s total in brackets)

Matt Sheen  -  2 (19)

Charlie Jones  -  2 (10)

Sam Jones  -  1 (9)

Brandon Garland  -  1 (4)

Report

After their cup success last week, Waverton finally got back to their League campaign, with their first match in the competition since 20 November! Without ever really getting out of second gear the Wasps ran out comfortable 6-0 winners, moving another step closer to retaining the title once again.

For once, Waverton started the game quickly, creating two clear chances in the opening minute, with Matt Sheen heading home an Aaron Hassall cross from the second of them to put the Wasps into the lead. When, after ten minutes, Aaron then threaded through a good ball for Brandon Garland to run onto and slot home a second it looked like Waverton may run up a big score. Despite dominating possession though, Waverton never really over ran a Groves side (who stayed strong and competitive throughout as usual) and they added just two more goals before the break (from Matt Sheen & Charlie Jones) to take a 4-0 lead.

With the game largely over as a contest at this point, the second half proved to be just more of the same, with Waverton dominating but not making the most of their possession. They just added two more goals in the second period, with Charlie Jones converting a ball which had ping-ponged around the Groves box and Sam Jones scoring after a great solo run.

At the other end of the pitch the Waverton defence looked just as strong as usual, with typically solid performances in the centre from Charlie Nicholson and Jordan Coxall. The deserved clean sheet however was only finally delivered because of Jack Minshull pulling off two great saves on the rare occasions Groves did break through. Just 22 goals conceded in 15 matches, so far, is playing a big part in Waverton building another very promising season.

With the Wasps now having lost just the one league game, and their nearest opponents having suffered five defeats, a third consecutive league title now looks assured, unless the team suffer a spectacularly bad run of form (which at the moment doesn’t look too likely).

Record season to date:  P15, W14, L1. Goals for 81, Goals against 22.

Coach’s MoM: Aaron Hassall

Supporters’ MoM: Jack Minshull

AFC Waverton 2 v 2 Liscard Panthers AET (Waverton won 5-4 on Penalties)

Cheshire Junior Cup (15^th January 2012)

Waverton Scorers (season’s total in brackets)

Matt Sheen  -  1 (17)

Jonny Lee  -  1 (6)

Report

After a difficult match, against tough opponents, Waverton deservedly took their place in the Cheshire Cup semi-finals, but only after winning their first ever penalty shoot out.

The game had been in doubt earlier in the day, after a sharp overnight frost, but kicked off in sunny conditions but with a pitch which was still firm underfoot. Right from the start it was clear that this was going to be a tough match against a strong and resilient Liscard Panthers side. Waverton had the better of the early possession, but found it hard to carve out any clear chances against a strong Liscard defence. As the half continued the home side continued to enjoy the majority of the possession, and created a couple of half chances which they weren’t able to convert.

Approaching the break Liscard had their best spell of the game, and nearly took the lead from their first clear chance, but were denied as Jordan Coxall made a goal line clearance with the keeper beaten.  Liscard’s spell of pressure did pay off though as they took a lead five minutes before the break, against the general run of play, with their tall striker heading in a free-kick cross. Waverton responded very positively though, and it was well deserved when Matt Sheen cleverly headed in a Sam Jones cross/shot in the last minute of the half to make the score 1-1 at the break.

The pattern of the game was similar in the second period with Waverton enjoying most of the possession, but Liscard still looking strong and dangerous on the break. With fifteen minutes to go it was still level (with extra time looming) when Waverton looked to be denied a clear penalty after Sam Jones was brought down when clear through. To rub salt into the wounds, Liscard then took a 2-1 lead shortly afterwards, again from a free kick. Waverton had 10 minutes left to salvage their Cheshire Cup run.

Again though the team showed great character, with no heads dropping and they pushed forward hard for an equaliser, getting what they deserved when Jonny Lee glanced in a Sam Jones corner with five minutes to go. With little further incident it was still 2-2 at full time. Both sides played a bit more cagily in extra time, with very few clear cut chances, although Waverton could easily have won it in the very last minute, but a great Aaron Hasall cross somehow evaded three Waverton attempts to turn it in from close range.

So it was on to Waverton’s first ever 11-a-side penalty shoot out. The first 8 penalties were all converted (by Aaron, Charlie J, Brandon & Matt for the Wasps), making it 4 each. When Liscard missed their 5^th penalty though, Sam Jones had the chance to put Waverton through, and proved as reliable as usual from the spot to book a semi-final place,  causing a mass celebration from a Waverton team who, on balance, deserved their victory.