Chester & District League (15th September 2011)
Waverton Scorers (season's total in brackets)
Matt Sheen - 1 (4)
Raynor Gray - 1 (3)
Charlie Jones - 1 (1)
Report
Given that this was a game against opponents who, on paper, looked like Waverton's most serious title challengers, it was in the end won very easily, by a 3-1 scoreline which really should have been more convincing. So, while it's early days yet, the Wasps squad (with its added depth) appear to be well on course for a third consecutive title.
A rare evening kick off, and some late arrivals, resulted in an unfamiliar look to the Wasps starting line-up. As a result the team, while gaining the early initiative, often looked a little disjointed early on and couldn't turn their domination into any advantage on the scoreboard. It took around 20 minutes for the deadlock to be broken, with Charlie Jones turning in a Sam Jones cross to score his debut goal for Waverton (hopefully the first of many).
As the half progressed, and some substitutions started to help build the team's usual shape, the Wasps began to dominate even more. In what became the story of the evening however, the team were too often guilty of over-complicating their forward play, and didn't make the most of the many chances created. Just before half-time they could have paid for this, as Ollie Knight, in a rare Upton opportunity, struck a great free-kick, but it couldn't beat Jack Minshull who pulled off a great save to turn it onto the bar and over. The game got to half-time then, unbelievably given the balance of play, with just a slender 1-0 lead for Waverton.
The second period was more of the same. Strong Waverton defence, right across the backline, restricted Upton to no more than half chances, while going forward the Wasps had all the possession, but failed to turn it into the number of goals they should have done. After ten minutes of the half, there was an exception to this trend as Matt Sheen struck a great long range shot from wide left to make the score 2-0, but this still didn't prompt the opening of the floodgates that Waverton were always threatening but never quite delivered. The game always looked safe though, with the defence only really breached on one occasion and even then Jack made a great "one on one" save.
The game looked to be settling at 2-0, until a couple of very late goals. Firstly a good run and cross by Jonny Lee was turned in by Raynor Gray to give the Wasps a 3-0 lead, only for the defence to go to sleep for the first time (it was getting dark!) allowing Upton a consolation virtually straight from the kick off and just before the final whistle blew. It may say 3-1 on the report, but anybody watching will wonder why it wasn't 7 or 8, which on possession and chances it really ought to have been. While it didn't matter in the end for this game, Waverton may live to regret it if they're not more clinical with their finishing later on in the season, particularly when it comes to the Cheshire Cup.
Nonetheless, in the end it was a comfortable victory against opponents who might have been expected to provide a tougher challenge. Next up it's Groves on Sunday, a team who always present a physical challenge.
Coach's MoM: Alex Abraham
Supporters MoM: Jack Minshull & Jordan Coxall
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