Alpha Tachbrook v Wellesbourne Wanderers 13/02/10

Back to league action for Wellesbourne after last weeks cup game and facing a team they have not played before on a big pitch with small goals and long grass. It could go either way!!

Important changes to the support staff with a new match reporter stepping up to do the crucial match report (if his fingers didn’t go numb by the end of the game!). The sun had threatened to come out just before the start but then disappeared leaving it feeling a bitterly cold morning for players and spectators alike.

First KO to Wellesbourne with George doing his stint in goal and Roger moving to the back from his normal midfield position.

The long grass is making passing difficult and the first few minutes are a scrappy midfield affair with breaks by both teams being snuffed out early and particularly good defending in numbers by both sides. Ben is called into action early to make a good block to keep an Alpha attack at bay.

It is 5 minutes before George first needs to gathers the ball and a goalie finally gets a touch. Alpha midfield then manage to get the ball back in to the box and Wellesbourne fail to clear allowing them a shot on goal which flies in. 1-0 to Alpha on 10 minutes.

This finally wakes up Wellesbourne and they realise it isn’t going to be as easy as last week. A positive restart results in a few minutes of pressure on Alpha but they break back and Dan makes a crucial tackle to stop them getting through on goal. Straight back to the other end and a shot by James threatens to bobble under the Alpha goalie but just doesn’t quite get over the line. Wellesbourne now starting to play football and on 12 minutes they get their first corner. The ball goes back out for a throw in which finds its way to James who fires it in to make it level on 13 minutes. Wellesbourne keep up the pressure and on 16 minutes nearly make it 2 as Joe works hard to keep the ball in the corner and whip a cross in but it gets hit just wide.

Zac comes on after 15 minutes and immediately makes an impact with some clever footwork and good runs up the right. Solid defending by Roger snuffs out any counter attack by their big number 6 but Alpha are starting to put on a bit more pressure. Matt comes on after 20 minutes and Wellesbourne keep pushing forward on the break and when a shot is deflected by their goalie after 23 minutes it is Zac there to pounce and make it 1-2 and 2 in 2 games for him. Max comes on to support the midfield but for a few minutes him, Roger. Matt and Zac make an impenetrable defensive back four as Alpha surge forward. Wellesbourne break and on the stroke of half time Joe gets in a great position and shoots just missing the goal by inches. Half time and 1-2 to Wellesbourne but the game could still go either way.

2nd half and Roger in goal and Dan is back on in defence. Wellesbourne attack quickly and when a shot from Joe comes back out, James puts it in the net to make it 1-3. Parents’ pulses settle a little but still a long time to play yet. Alpha come back at Wellesbourne and Roger makes a good save look comfortable from an on target Alpha shot. Back to a midfield battle for a few minutes but Zac and James link up well on the left to get a cross in to Joe who makes no mistake this time and 1-4 after 35 minutes. Joe now takes over goalkeeping duties and Ralph goes back up front. Alpha aren’t beaten yet and a mix up in Wellesbourne defence allows them to shoot going just wide. More pressure by Alpha and Max covers well to allow Joe to safely scoop up the ball. Alpha come back at the Wellesbourne goal and force a fine save from Joe pushing the ball away from the top corner and on to the bar and away. But the ball comes back in and Wellesbourne concede a corner. The ball runs along the ground through everyone and it is Alpha who are first to it , poking it home to make it 4-2 after 40 minutes. Ben comes back on to help keep Alpha out and James shoots just wide from a break but good play by Alpha forces more fine saves from Joe. The team are fighting hard now with Roger added to the defence, George back on and battling hard in midfield setting up for Dan who shoots just wide. Wellesbourne still fear they could be caught out and Alpha sense a chance so both teams have their share of pressure and more good defending by both sides helps their keepers out. Ralph turns well and manages to squeeze a shot away but their goalie puts in a good save to deny him.

Last few minutes and Alpha still press, winning a free kick just about in shooting range. It’s on target but kept out by Ben and the resilient Wellesbourne defence. Then it’s a corner to Alpha, nervous stuff but Roger clears it straight back out for another corner (where is that final whistle!!). Second time Joe safely gathers and starts off a good move with the ball to James who lobs it through to Ralph on the break who this time cant quite get the shot away but wins a corner. The ball comes in and Dan sets himself up for a shot but it is well blocked by Alpha. At last, the final whistle goes and it’s a scrappy but deserved win for Wellesbourne 2-4.

Manager’s man of the match goes to Dan for his determined and solid defending at all times and to Joe for his well taken goal but more importantly for the (at least) 3 goals he saved superbly at the other end.

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