JFC Upton North 5 v 4 AFC Waverton Wasps

Chester & District League (9^th October 2011)

 

Waverton Scorers (season's total in brackets)

 

Brandon Garland  -  2 (3)

Aaron Hassall  -  1 (5)

Charlie Jones  -  1 (4)

 

Report

 

Despite dominating the Chester & District League for the last two seasons Waverton have always managed to throw in the odd under par performance, and this was very definitely one of them! Although they staged a brave attempt at a come back late on, the result was a 5-4 defeat to an Upton team who played well on the day. Other results mean that the Wasps still look comfortable at the top of the table, but they can't afford many more performances/results like this one!

 

Waverton started the game slowly, but still managed to take an early lead as Charlie Jones finished after an earlier shot had struck the bar. The team's normal passing football (and the domination it brings) never really materialised in this match though, and Waverton didn't really look like adding to their advantage. As a result Upton started to come back into the game and it was no surprise when they first equalised, as Ollie Knight converted a loose ball that the Wasps should have cleared, and then took the lead just before the break.

 

Waverton again started the second period sluggishly, and had no more than half chances to equalise, and were frequently (rightly or wrongly) getting caught offside. Meanwhile Upton were gaining confidence, particularly their pacy central striker, and in quick succession around the middle of the half they added three more goals (two from breakaways) to make the score 5-1, a scoreline the Wasps could hardly complain about.

 

This team does though have character and the prospect of a "thrashing" against their old rivals at last galvanised the team into action. In the final 15 minutes Waverton finally came to life and started to push forward strongly, with Brandon Garland, playing in a more advanced role, particularly influential. Having scored a good solo goal he was then fouled in the box, with Aaron Hassall converting the penalty to make the score 5-3. When Brandon then added a fourth with 3 minutes still remaining it looked like a highly unlikely point might get saved, but despite the Wasps doing all the attacking Upton held out for what was probably a deserved victory.

 

No real harm done (given other results) to the campaign for a third successive title, but Waverton need to make sure this "off day" is a "one off" if they want to keep pushing for another "treble", particularly next time out in the Cheshire Cup.