Wokingham Wanderers F.C.

Wanderers 7 AFC Nam 2

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9th October 2005 - Division 2 - Langborough Rec, Wokingham

Wanderers cruised to victory against AFC Nam, although their performance in the first thirty minutes did little to suggest that such a big scoreline was on the cards.

 

With Andy Corless still injured, Jamie Ryall continued at right back.  Dave Griffiths' absence saw Lewis Trusty start in the centre of midfield.

 

After a shaky opening ten minutes, Wanderers made their mark on the match and took the lead.  After a Paul Martin cross flashed across goal, Anthony Prior collected on the left-side of the penalty area and beat two players before crossing for Ian Griffiths to bundle the ball over the line.

 

This should have seen the Blues' dominate the half, but instead they were put under pressure by Nam.  Within ten minutes the sides were level as Mark Timms was beaten from close range, following a cross from the Nam right.

 

Wanderers had Timms to thank for not going behind, as he produced two outstanding saves to deny AFC Nam.  The crossbar also saved the Blues, as a corner evaded four Wanderers' players.

 

Wokingham searched for their second goal, and came close as Tom Soane and Martin combined to see the latter shoot just wide of the upright.

 

Finally Wokingham turned their game around in the last ten minutes of the half.  Tom Soane crossed and Prior controlled well before lifting the ball past the diving Nam 'keeper and into the net.

 

2-1 quickly became 3-1, following a good tackle from Chris Orbell.  Chris Hillsdon cleared to Prior, who flicked the ball towards Martin.  After evading the goalkeeper, Martin cut back from a narrow angle to fire into the net.

 

With two minutes of the half remaining, Wanderers scored a fourth goal.  Prior's corner was met by a powerful Dan van der Laan O'Donnell header, which the 'keeper did well to save.  Darren Wakley reacted fastest to the rebound, and lashed the ball high into the net.

 

Half time saw the introduction of Clint Falcus in place of Trusty. 

 

In the early part of the second half, Wanderers struggled to reach the same level at which they finished the first.  AFC Nam continued to cause problems, but the Blues' defence stood firm.

 

Ten minutes into the half Wokingham scored a fifth, to seemingly clinch the match.  Hillsdon brought the ball out of defence to release Martin, who unleashed a powerful left-footed shot into the corner of the net.

 

A sixth goal quickly followed, and it was a deserved one for the hardworking Tom Soane.  Prior pulled the ball back from the left, to allow Soane to tap in from six yards out.

 

The Blues were given a slight scare, after indecision between Hillsdon and Timms saw the Wanderers' goalkeeper concede a free-kick on the edge of the box, and pick up a yellow card in the process.  Timms redeemed himself with a good parry from the resulting shot.

 

With twenty five minutes remaining, Phil Soane came on for Paul Martin, as he continued his comeback from long-term injury.  Soane's introduction saw Wanderers play some of their best football of the match, as some flowing passes allowed the Blues to keep possession for long periods.

 

Despite this, they did concede a second goal with twenty minutes to go.  A corner was headed away by Wakley, only for an AFC Nam player to volley beyond Timms from the edge of the area.

 

The five goal advantage was quickly restored, as Wakley's right wing cross allowed Prior to shoot home for this second of the game.

 

In the last quarter of an hour, Wanderers had chances to extend their lead.  Falcus had a shot saved, and then Tom Soane's shot was tipped onto the bar, with Ian Griffiths shooting the rebound over the bar.

 

Twelve points from five matches is a great return for the Blues, who now take a break from the league to face Second Division rivals Royal Hunt in the County cup next week.

 

TEAM: Mark Timms, Jamie Ryall, Dan van der Laan O'Donnell, Chris Hillsdon, Chris Orbell, Ian Griffiths, Darren Wakley, Lewis Trusty, Anthony Prior, Paul Martin, Tom Soane.

SUBS: Clint Falcus (for Trusty) and Phil Soane (for Martin).

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