Wokingham Wanderers F.C.
Tin Hut Ascot 5 Wanderers 3
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16th February 2003 - Division 4 - King's Lane, Englefield Green

Wanderers travelled to Englefield Green knowing that Tin Hut wanted revenge for their shock Gowrings Cup defeat last October.

 

Wokingham lined up with Alan Mellor in goal with Hillsdon, Falcus, Van der Laan-O'Donnell and Orbell in defence.  Jamie Ryall, Andy Kinch, Scott Ford and Alan Pearce made up the midfield and Tom Soane started in attack alongside Anthony Prior.

 

For the opening twenty minutes Wanderers battled well and there was an early chance when Kinch headed to Prior whose lob went just over the bar.  Wanderers Achilles Heel this season has been dealing with crosses and so it proved again as a low ball across goal was smashed in beyond Mellor.  Seconds later a long ball over the defence was held up in the turf and the Tin Hut forward was able to nip in before Mellor to put Tin Hut further ahead.

 

Following a positive team talk from manager Lewis Trusty, Wanderers looked to get back into the game in the second half.  Within a minute of the re-start Ryalls freekick towards Van der Laan-ODonnell was deflected into the net by a Tin Hut player.

 

Just as it seemed a repeat of Octobers 3-2 scoreline could be on the cards another long ball from Tin Hut left Mellor exposed and a tidy finish underneath him gave the Ascot side a two goal lead once again.

 

In a frantic spell where both teams had chances Anthony Prior picked up a pass from Ford and burst past a Tin Hut defender.  As the keeper came out Priors shot was parried into the path of Tom Soane who cleverly turned the ball home.

 

It was once again a case of one step forward and two steps back for Wanderers as Tin Hut replied with two more goals from crosses, giving the home side a rather flattering 5-2 lead.

 

A lifeline seemed to come from Alan Pearce who shot home following a long Scott Ford throw.  By this time Phil Soane had been introduced and he epitomised Wanderers battling qualities with dogged determination and tough tackling.

 

That was to be as good as it got for Wanderers as the referees reluctance to show a red card following a foul on Prior added to their collective frustration.  This was however their best performance for some time and it is hoped that they can take this forward into their future matches. 

 

TEAM: Alan Mellor, Chris Hillsdon, Clint Falcus, Dan Van der Laan-O'Donnell, Chris Orbell, Jamie Ryall, Scott Ford, Andy Kinch, Alan Pearce, Anthony Prior, Tom Soane.

SUBS: Phil Soane (for Kinch), Lewis Trusty (for Pearce)