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.