FORTUNES IMPROVING FOR REDS

Posted on Thursday, 30 June | Comments

NEWS //                                      

A string of positive results across all three grades is feeding a positive atmosphere within the club. Matches against Tenambit and Beresfield have seen The Reds push hard for decent results; edging all three grades closer to the top-four and reflecting to earnest efforts of the clubs’ players.

For the first time in several years, W.F.C. have completed a clean-sweep of results against their opposition, this time in the form of Tenambit Sharks. From the earlier washed out Round Two fixture at The Gardens, both Third and Reserve Grades managed to complete 5-1, and 3-1 wins, respectively. Subsequent rain put end to any hope of First Grade competing during that week, but an improvement in the weather in recent weeks has seen the rescheduled match take place.

In a very scrappy affair, W.F.C. managed to get on top early with several decent chances but failed to capitalise. Both teams struggled to maintain a passing rhythm, with errors and mistakes occurring frequently to disrupt the quality of the match. The less said of this match, the better. However, the main moment, only minutes from full-time, arrived when a woeful cross-field ball by the Tenambit defender found and unmarked and surprised Reece Wright, who buried the one-on-one with a great deal of composure. That goal sealed the 1-0 win, and gave the defence its first clean-sheet of the season - one that was much deserved.

The round at the weekend, the first of the second-half of the season saw Beresfield come to The Gardens. On a very positive day, Third Grade hammered the opposition 3-0 thanks to goals from Daniel Hanson, and two other players who I’ve forgotten [sorry, guys!]. While, in Reserves, W.F.C. came out on-top after securing a priceless 4-3 win in a classic, attacking match. Leading goal-scorer, Sam Paradisi, defender-to-striker extraordinaire buried a screamer, which was the pick of the bunch.
Both Reserves and Thirds should acquire some confidence from these results and push hard to continue this run of good form.

After losing 4-2 in the corresponding fixture, one that W.F.C. felt a little aggrieved by as they ought to have won it, similar patterns emerged. After wrestling for dominance in the first half, Beresfield took an early lead through a wobbly long-ranged effort. Not to be outdone, Wallsend replied with periods of sustained pressure to equalise through Anthony Koch, who buried a loose ball from a corner after some dirty work from Callan Medcalf.

On the stroke of half-time, a flashpoint occurred when a foul was committed and subsequent rough play should’ve been penalised but wasn’t. An injured Wallsend player laid on the ground while the opposition ran past to score a very contentious goal to make it 2-1 to Beresfield. This brought a lot more passion into the game with Wallsend feeling cheated and hard done by.

The second half was owned by the Reds, and as Koch finished his second of the game to level it up at 2-2, Beresfield were struggling to keep up. An excellent midfield showing by Mark Walker, Trent Milton, and James Devon made chances frequently, and with the inclusion of Daniel Craig into the midfield, W.F.C. were running all over their counterparts.

Unfortunately, after a few missed chances, the match finished at a 2-2 draw. The team should be pleased with their commitment and desire to twice come from a goal down to get back on level terms. Jake Pegler had an excellent game at the back, and made it hard for Beresfield to gain any ascendancy towards the dying minutes of the match.
The Reds take on Tenambit again this Saturday, 02/07/11, at Beryl Humble Complex.

RESULTS //                                      

First Grade: Wallsend F.C. 2 Beresfield 2

Reserve Grade: Wallsend F.C. 4 Beresfield 3

Third Grade: Wallsend F.C. 2 Beresfield 1