Newton Athletic 2 v 5 AFC Waverton Wasps

Chester & District Junior Football League (11 October 2009)
Waverton Scorers;
Matt Sheen 4 (20)
Alex Wilkinson 1 (3)
(season total in brackets)
Coach’s MoM Award: Matt Sheen
Supporters MoM Award: Jorge Percival

Match Report

Another “down and up” performance from the Wasps with, as usual, the “down” bit coming at the start before a recovery later. In the end however they ran out 5-2 winners, although it was nowhere near as comfortable as the scoreline suggests, to maintain their position at the top of the division.

Having won the toss Newton used some local knowledge to play with the very strong winds behind them, and within 5 mins had used this to their advantage to take a 1-0 lead. Although it was difficult to play in these conditions the Wasps were also contributing to their difficulties by playing well below par in the first half. With the team having missed several chances to equalize Matt Sheen eventually levelled things 5 minutes before the break, only for Newton to take the lead again almost straight away from another long clearance bouncing awkwardly into the Waverton box.

With nobody taking much credit from the first half performance it was necessary (again!) for the team to stage a recovery in the second half. With the strong wind now behind them now though it was a totally different game after the break, with Newton only really having one chance in the whole half, which was well saved by Ollie Tyler. While they were bombarding the Newton goal however Waverton were still not putting their chances away well enough, and with 10 minutes left it still stood at 2-2, after just one further goal (again from Matt Sheen).

Having decided they'd given the Coach (and all the supporters!) enough heart palpitations though the Wasps finally came good in the final ten minutes, playing much better football and adding three late strikes, two more from Matt Sheen, making four in total (and earning him the Coach’s MoM award) and one from Alex Wilkinson. For a solid performance in defence (especially in the second half) and some strong forward runs the supporters gave Jorge Percival their award.

Not a great performance then, but in the end it was enough to keep the winning run going and keep the team at the top of the league table. Bookmakers are however beginning to lay ever longer odds on Waverton scoring the first goal in a game (any game!).

Barnton Youth 3 v 12 AFC Waverton

Cheshire FA Minor Cup – Round 2 (4 October 2009)

Barnton Youth 3 v 12 AFC Waverton Wasps

Waverton Scorers;

Matt Sheen 6 (16)

Sam Jones 3 (8)

Alex Wilkinson 2

Jordan Coxall 1

(season total in brackets)

Coach’s MoM: Alex Wilkinson

Supporters MoM: Robbie Foster

Match Report

Another solid all round performance from the Wasps saw them, eventually, run out comfortable winners in this Cheshire Minor Cup second round match against Barnton, with a final scoreline of 12-3.

A slow start, yet again (this is becoming too much of a habit!) saw the Barnton team take an early two goal lead. The first came from a fast break from one of their strong players in midfield (who was definitely the Barnton MoM) and the second came from a long range free kick which was allowed to bounce on the penalty spot and loop over Ollie into the net. Pleasingly though the Wasps didn’t panic at this point, but continued to play some very good passing football showing confidence that they’d get themselves back into the game. A quick reply from Matt Sheen, followed by a close range effort from Sam Jones saw the Wasps back on level terms after 15 mins, and at this point they started to dominate the game.

The final 20 minutes of the first half was the Wasps best period and they reaped the benefits, with two more calm finishes from Matt Sheen, a good strike from Alex Wilkinson and a close range effort from Jordan Coxall after running the length of the field to support an attack. Suddenly the Wasps were 6-2 up, and despite another goal late in the half from a fantastic Barnton free kick they finished the half well in command at 6-3.

The second half was a calmer affair all round (particularly in defence!) and Waverton controlled the game throughout. A second half hat-trick from Matt Sheen (to add to the one he’d already scored in the first!), two more from Sam Jones (one from chasing a lost cause) and a rare headed goal from Alex Wilkinson meant the final score was 12-3 to the Wasps.

This result puts Waverton into the final 32 of the Cheshire Minor Cup, and on the performance overall they should be confident they can go further still, especially once they start playing for the full 70 minutes and not just the final 65!