Wokingham Wanderers F.C.

Ashridge Park 2 Wanderers 3

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24th September 2006 - Division 2 - Barkham Rec, Wokingham.

Wanderers fought back from two goals down to inflict a first defeat of the season on Ashridge Park.

 

The Blues lined up with only one change from the crushing victory over with 3M, with Paul Martin starting and Richard Scott on the bench.

 

The first half saw Wanderers create very little in the way of chances, as Tom Soane was frustrated by erratic refereeing and questionable offside calls.

 

At the other end Ashridge's hardworking forward caused Wanderers a few problems, without creating any clear-cut opportunities.  He was fortunate to escape unpunished following a seemingly obvious foul on Clint Falcus.

 

Ashridge gave away many free-kicks in the opening period, but Anthony Prior, Jamie Ryall and Dave Griffiths were all unable to give Wanderers the lead as their efforts missed the target.

 

As the half came to a close, both Prior and Ryall were denied by the Ashridge 'keeper, before Paul Martin fired wide from the edge of the box.

 

In the second half the match really came to life.  Ashridge took the lead when Chris Orbell was left exposed down the right, and a cross was fired across goal and smashed past Nick Harding at the near post.

 

Wokingham looked for a way back into the game, and introduced Richard Scott in place of Steve Martin.

 

Soon the Blues' task was made harder as their defensive line was exposed and Harding was lobbed for 2-0.

 

Despite the deficit the Blues remained patient and tried to pick out the right passes.  Good work from Paul Martin down the left saw him cross for Scott to pull the score back to 2-1 with a firm header from an acute angle.

 

In his deeper role, Scott was afforded more time on the ball, and picked out a fine thirty yard pass to find the run of Tom Soane.  Soane produced a clinical finish which dropped down and into the net via the far post.

 

Both sides pushed for the winner, but it was Wanderers who looked most likely.  The Blues introduced Phil Soane and Ian Griffiths to provide extra energy on the wings.

 

With fifteen minutes remaining, a foul on Wanderers' left saw a free-kick awarded just inside the Ashridge half.  Scott caught Ashridge napping, with a well flighted cross which Dave Griffiths forced beyond the goalkeeper from close range.

 

The Blues held strong to keep their advantage, and could have scored a fourth when Scott headed over Ian Griffiths' late corner.

 

This victory was as pleasing as the emphatic win again 3M the previous week.  To have battled back from two goals down shows great quality, and serves well to underline Wanderers' promotion credentials.  

 

TEAM: Nick Harding, Chris Orbell, Chris Hillsdon, Clint Falcus, Darren Wakley, Jamie Ryall, Steve Martin, Dave Griffiths, Anthony Prior, Tom Soane, Paul Martin.

SUBS: Richard Scott (for S Martin), Ian Griffiths (for Ryall) and Phil Soane (for Prior).

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