JFC Upton North 1 v 1 AFC Waverton Wasps (AET – Upton won 3-1 on pens)

Chester & District Cup (4^th March 2012)

 

Waverton Scorers (season's total in brackets)

 

Raynor Gray  -  1 (6)

 

Report

 

The Wasps mixed form we've seen in recent weeks continued, and despite another close, hard fought, game against their strongest local rivals, they eventually lost, in the lottery of a penalty shoot out, to crash out of the Chester & District Cup.

 

Waverton kicked off with a strong wind behind them in the first half, and the conditions seemed to affect both sides, with far less chances being created than we've been used to seeing in recent encounters between the two teams. With both sides cancelling each other out in the middle of the park, and each defence seeming to have worked out how to neutralise their opponents' attacking strengths, it was no real surprise to reach the break with the game still goal less.

 

If anything Waverton had shaded the first half in terms of possession and chances (with a good penalty shout also turned down) so the half time talk was all about keeping this up, and taking the rare chances when they came along. It was pleasing therefore when this was followed through, 15 minutes into the second period, as Raynor Gray was first to an Aaron Hassall shot which the keeper could only parry, slotting home the rebound to give the Wasps a 1-0 lead.

 

It was still clear this was not going to be a high scoring game, and as the minutes ticked by, with Waverton still holding strong in defence, it started to look like they might hold on for a narrow victory. That changed though with just ten minutes to go when Ollie Knight (always Upton's biggest threat) out jumped the Wasps defence and powered home a strong header to bring the scores level at 1-1. Both teams looked tired at this point and there were few chances created at either end to win the tie, either up to full time or in the 20 minutes of extra time added on. That eventually brought a penalty shoot out in which Upton were the more clinical team, securing themselves a semi-final place. 

 

Waverton are still clears favourites to retain their league title, but the biggest challenge facing them between now and the end of the season is to find a way to get the "spark" back in their game which seems to have been missing for the last few weeks. It's not just about winning the league now, but making sure they do so in the "style" we all know the team is capable of.