ATOL Cup Semi Final (10 April 2001)
Waverton Scorers (season's total in brackets)
Matt Sheen - 3 (32)
Sam Jones - 3 (27)
Aaron Hassall - 1 (15)
Alex Wilkinson - 1 (8)
Jorge Percival - 1 (4)
Charlie Nicholson - 1 (4)
Will Doerr - 1 (2)
Report
After beating Newton 14-0 earlier in the season, in the President's Cup, this never looked like being the trickiest of semi-final draws, and so it proved with Waverton coasting through 11-2 to face Nomads in the final next month, to be played at Chester's stadium.
For the first ten minutes or so though the match started as a fairly even contest. Newton are a big physical team and in the opening exchanges they gave as good as they got, and even had a couple of half chances to take a surprise lead. The Wasps had started a little bit nervously, perhaps beginning to realise that the chance of three trophies is getting ever nearer, but once they settled into their full passing game they began to take control of the match.
As usual it was the sixth or seventh clear chance before Waverton eventually took the lead, with a calm finish from Aaron Hassall, but then the floodgates opened. Matt Sheen and Jorge Percival added the second and third goals within the next five minutes, and from 3-0 the match was virtually over as a contest just half way through the first period. Waverton continued to add to their lead at regular intervals through the remainder of the half, with a second strike from Matt Sheen, a great long range effort from Will Doerr, and two goals from Sam Jones, the second from a long through ball from Matt Banaghan who performed very solidly as a stand in keeper. At the break the Wasps had taken a commanding 7-0 advantage.
The second period started with a rare Waverton defensive lapse, allowing Newton to open their account, but soon settled into a similar pattern to the first half with Waverton dominating both possession and territory. Both strikers completed deserved hat-tricks, with Matt Sheen in particular dominating the Newton defence throughout. Alex Wilkinson joined the scorers with a fine left foot strike into the top corner, and Charlie Nicholson kept up his recent fine record of scoring with a back post header. The defence looked strong throughout, with Jordan Coxall covering solidly for an occasionally "missing in action" left back, and Newton were only allowed one further consolation goal, late on, to make the final scoreline a very comfortable 11-2 to the Wasps.
With the retention of their league title almost secured (barring a number of mishaps) and two Final appearances booked, Waverton can, if they keep up this level of performance, go on to complete their best season yet. As somebody said today they just need to avoid "doing an Arsenal" from here on in!
Coach's MoM: Matt Banaghan
Supporters' MoM: Matt Sheen & Jordan Coxall
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