Wrington Redhill 1 Ilminster Town 1.

The first team were in action for the second time on the Easter weekend with a home game against Ilminster Town. Following on from the impressive performance at Watchet Player/Manager Leigh White had to make enforced changes in the absence of Chris Bradley (injured), Mike Rowcliffe (bitten by dog on morning of game requiring hospital treatment) and the unavailable Joe Moore and Jason Potter. In came Tom Sage and Adam Caulfield as the central defence partnership and Rory Thomas and Ben Griffiths in midfield. All played their parts in another entertaining game with the squad showing their commitment to the Club despite the impending relegation at the end of the season.

The home side were on the front foot from the start with Griffiths much involved as were his young team mates Joe Creese on the right flank, Ethan Williams leading the attack and Jake White joining in from his midfield role. Sage and Caulfield were firm in holding the visitor’s attack and full backs Ollie Clements and Ethan Johnson were supporting the attacking moves well. Leigh White was at the heart of midfield directing the play and Rory Thomas enjoyed a lot of the ball on the left flank.

IWrington Redhill took the lead soon into the second half with Rory Thomas producing a rare goal with an assured strike beyond the away team’s ‘keeper Chris May. Ethan Williams had two glorious chances to have put the game beyond Ilminster. The first came to him a great pace after Joe Creese outpaced his full back and fired in a cross that Williams could only deflect over the bar. The second chance was beautifully curled past the visiting keeper and was heading its way into the right hand corner until a defender, sprinting towards his own goalmouth managed to slice it over via the top of the crossbar.

Unfortunately a late free kick was awarded and Matt Hill made a splendid diving save low down to his right but the ball was collected on the left and quickly played back towards the far post and was bundled in for the equaliser at 1-1 which was how the game ended.

Ethan Johnson picked up what appeared to be a nasty injury and was carried from the field and taken to hospital for an X-ray. All that the Club wish him well and hope the severity of the injury is not as bad as first seemed.

Bill Gough man of the match: For his goal and attacking play this was awarded to Rory Thomas

GK, Matt Hill

Defence: Ollie Clements, Adam Caulfield, Tom Sage, Ethan Johnson

Midfield: Ben Griffiths, Jake White, Leigh White, Rory Thomas

Forwards: Ethan Williams, Joe Creese

Subs: Callum Briggs (for Ethan Williams), George Martin (for Jake White), Sam Clements (unused), Mark Brown (unused)

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Having to travel to highly league placed Watchet on an Easter Saturday was always going to be a tough fixture but the whole team could hold their heads up high following a spirited performance and deservedly came away with a point.

Wrington Redhill took the game to their opponent’s right from the start winning a succession of early corners with Leigh White twice going close from deliveries by Ollie Clements and Jake White. Mike Rowcliffe had a shot blocked and Jake White and front man Ethan Williams were linking well in the wave of attacks into the host’s area. An excellent passing move came from Joe Moore, Ethan Johnson and Jake White combining to set up Leigh White whose final shot went just wide of a post.

Watchet always looked dangerous on the counter attack and a long ball found Tom Sparks with only ‘keeper Matt Hill in front of him but somehow Rowcliffe got back and made a superb block tackle to avert the danger. Shortly after Hill appeared to have been impeded in clearing a ball at the edge of his box the ball reaching Billy Jones whose lob into the goal area just sailed over the bar with Hill being left stranded.

Chris Bradley saw his crashing effort rebound off underside of the cross bar for safety before Jake White’s deft pass found Williams whose lob evaded home ‘keeper Adam Bishop but bounced agonisingly wide. As the half time break approached it was end to end play with Ethan Johnson making some good runs down the left flank and Joe Creese terrorising his marker on the right. The visitors also had some defending to do, Goalkeeper Hill made a good save from an Eben Harding strike and Jason Potter coming to the rescue with a saving tackle to keep the score level at 0-0 at the interval.

Callum Briggs replaced the injured Bradley early into the second half and settled in at the right back position releasing Ollie Clements to move forward to the midfield and he and Leigh White kept probing the home side ensuring that the lively Jake White, Joe Creese and Ethan Williams were given the ball as much as possible as they were causing the home defence all sorts of problems well supported by Joe Moore himself having a fine game. However a defensive mix up needed Leigh White to race across the penalty area to take the ball off the Watchet danger-man Aaron Deeks about to let fly.

Wrington Redhill’s next attack saw Joe Moore curl a shot into the net but celebrations were quickly curtailed when it was ruled out for an off side infringement. And so the game went on to the finish with both sides seeking a winning goal but fittingly it ended all square having provided good entertainment for the large crowd.

Bill Gough man of the match: There were a number of contenders but it was awarded to Mike Rowcliffe for his dominant display at the heart of the defence.

Team:- 

GK, Matt Hill

Defence: Ollie Clements, Mike Rowcliffe, Jason Potter, Ethan Johnson

Midfield: Joe Moore, Jake White, Leigh White, Chris Bradley

Forwards: Ethan Williams, Joe Creese

Subs: Callum Briggs (for Chris Bradley), Sam Clements (unused), Mark Brown (unused)

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This was the last chance for Wrington Redhill to realistically get a winning result to keep them in the Premier Division of the Uhlsport Somerset County League. Their visitors are one place above them and this was the proverbial six-pointer fixture and failing to secure the needed victory will almost certainly see the team relegated at the end of the season.

The home side really went for the victory and had the major share of possession during the first half with some excellent passing approach play but the story of the season has been the inability to convert this into goals. Chances came involving the lively Jake White with one cross just eluding Joe Creese and then another drifting from the left which looked to have deceived Westfield’s goalkeeper Joshua Matthews but he managed to back track and collect the ball. The best chance came following a good run down the left flank by Ethan Johnson who fed Ethan Williams then on to Ollie Clements whose effort rose over the crossbar. Matthews smothered a shot from Creese and Ben Griffiths saw his shot go wide of a post.

Despite this dominance warning bells rang late on in the half when twice Westfield broke away from defence and Ryan Allen headed straight to home ‘keeper Matt Hill and followed up with a ‘goal’ which was disallowed for an offside decision. It was all square at the break with strong performances from Leigh White and Mike Rowcliffe marshalling the midfield and defence units respectively.

Within ten minutes of the restart Wrington Redhill’s fate was sealed as defensive lapses allowed Westfield to score twice in the space of a minute. Ryan Allen was allowed to race through on goal and slot past Hill and quickly after Chris Tucker added another following poor defending. At 2-0 down hopes were briefly raised when Leigh White’s overhead strike found the top corner of the net. 

Adam Caulfield and George Martin replaced Chris Bradley and Jake White and the home side desperately sought to get back on level terms and half chances were created for Ollie Clements, Rowcliffe, Williams. This all out attack left them open to the counter attack and Hill made a point blank save from Adam Pugsley’s strike and very late on Ethan Johnson was penalised for a late tackle conceding a penalty which was blasted into the net by Darren Gibbs to end the game at 3-1 to the visitors.

Bill Gough man of the match was awarded to Mike Rowcliffe.

GK, Matt Hill

Defence: Chris Bradley, Tom Sage, Mike Rowcliffe, Ethan Williams

Midfield: Joe Creese, Ben Griffiths, Leigh White, Ollie Clements

Forwards: Ethan Williams, Jake White

Subs: Adam Caulfield (for Ethan Williams, George Martin (for Jake White), Sam Clements (for Joe Creese)

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This was a game between the bottom two sides of the League and Wrington Redhill needed all three points in their fight to avoid the drop with their hosts already relegated. New signing Tom Sage made his debut in defence with anattacking line up selected by Player/Manager Leigh White which resulted in an encouraging first half. Early on a Leigh White free kick was blocked by the defensive wall with the ball finding Ollie Clements and his long range effort was collected by home ‘keeper Cameron Shipway. Further half chances came from two corners from Jake White and another Clements free kick. The lively duo of Ethan Williams and Ben Griffiths were causing the home defence problems and both were continually being brought down which eventually led to James Payton being yellow carded for one too many on Griffiths. It was fitting that on the half hour mark Griffiths fed a slide rule pass through the defence into the path of Chris Bradley who fired an unstoppable shot past the ‘keeper to take a 1-0 lead.

The back line held firm against the odd counter attack with Tom Sage and Mike Rowcliffe forming a good central pairing and full backs Callum Briggs and Ethan Johnson, back from injury, both supporting well. Rowcliffe’s cross field ball to Jake White just eluded him as he was shaping up to strike at goal but despite pressing for another goal Wrington Redhill had to settle for a 1-0 half time lead.

Odd Down started the second half very lively and Briggs headed clear a cross from Martin Smith for a corner which was cleared by Matt Hill and at the other end Williams and Jake White combined well without getting the final shot in at goal. John Elliot blasted over when Hill punched a corner away tohim. Chris Holland came on to provide some extra physical presence in the place of tiring Williams to keep the pressure on the defenders.

With twenty minutes from the end Wrington Redhill were stunned when Odd Down were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area which seemed a very harsh decision. Substitute Curtis Dunn line up his effort to perfection and the ball sailed over the defensive wall and into the top left corner of the net leaving Hill no chance to get close.

Late on Adam Caulfield and Sam Clements replaced Leigh White and Briggs as the last chance to seek the winning goal. It looked like the tactic had paid off when Ollie Clements fired in a corner with his brother Sam rising to head the ball down and then saw it cleared off the line by a desperate lunge from a home defender.

The final score was 1-1 and with results elsewhere going in their favour this point might well yet be vital to stay in the top division of the Somerset County League. Next week’s home game against Westfield one place above Wrington Redhill becomes yet another vital clash for the battling squad.

Bill Gough man of the match was awarded to Ben Griffiths.

GK, Matt Hill

Defence: Callum Briggs, Tom Sage, Mike Rowcliffe, Ethan Johnson

Midfield: Chris Bradley, Ben Griffiths, Leigh White, Ollie Clements

Forwards: Ethan Williams, Jake White

Subs: Chris Holland (for Ethan Williams, Adam Caulfield (for Leigh White), Sam Clements (for Callum Briggs)

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Another decent performance from relegation haunted Wrington Redhill but, once again they’re left with nothing to show for their efforts. The first half was an evenly contested affair, Brad Miles twice went close for Ilminster with 2 towering headers and a fierce drive from Taylor Jefferson was tipped around the post by Matt Hill in goal for the visitors. Wrington Redhill’s Leigh White almost got on the end of a loose ball in the Ilminster box to put the visitors ahead but his effort was smothered by home keeper Chris May. The best chance of the half fell to Ben Griffith who instead of shooting tried to pass to Jake White who was better placed but the pass was blocked and the ball was cleared.

Ten minutes into the 2nd half Ilminster went ahead when the visitors defence froze allowing Jefferson to score with a close range overhead kick which flew into the net giving Hill no chance. Things got worse for the visitors on 71 minutes when Miles let fly from outside of the box to find the bottom corner of the net. Wrington did pull a goal back with 5 minutes remaining when Griffiths pounced to bring hope to the visitors. It was all systems go for the last 5 minutes but the Ilminster defence held out blocking shots from Rowcliffe and Griffiths and clearing their lines effectively.

One positive for Wrington Redhill came from youngster Jake White who made a very promising full debut.

Bill Gough Wrington Redhill man of the match Leigh White.

Team

Goalkeeper. Matt Hill

Defence. Callum Briggs, Chris Bradley, Jason Potter, Ollie Clements

Midfield. Leigh White, Ben Griffith, Adam Caulfield.

Strikers. Williams, Mike Rowcliffe, Jake White.

Substitutes. George Martin (for Caulfield 45) Andy Lilley (for Briggs 65) Mark Brown (for Potter 82)

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As you can imagine the football club was very well represented this morning at the funeral of our great friend and No1 supporter Bill Gough. Players, directors, managers and supporters joined the large crowd of family and friends who had assembled at South Bristol Crematorium to wish him a final farewell . A very tearful message was received from ex manager ‘Smudger’ Smith who was stranded in Coventry and physio Gary Rickets contacted us from Tenerife where he was sipping a G & T in honour of the great man. Fittingly Bill’s son Mike told a couple of his trademark jokes as part of the Eulogy and we really didn’t know wether to laugh or cry! God bless you Bill R.I.P.

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This was another tough fixture away to mid table Middlezoy Rovers, the ground very open to the very strong wind which blew from one end of the pitch to the other making ball control difficult for both sides.

Although facing the wind it was the home side that won a corner from the start although Dan Luce headed well wide and soon after Mike Rowcliffe sawhis shot rise high and wide on the wind.

As in recent games Wrington Redhill created a number of chances but fell just short of converting them into goals which will surely come before much longer. Player/Manager Leigh White with Adam Caulfield alongside him continued to drive his team on from midfield ensuring his young guns Ben Griffiths, Joe Creese and Ethan Williams had as much of the ball as possible. It was this trio causing the home defence problems with Williams picking up a throw in and his strike pass a post and a cross from Griffiths just too deep for Creese to stab home.

Further chances came Creese a little short of getting onto White’s pass and then Griffiths took the ball off a defender runs clear at goal only to be smothered by home ‘keeper Greg Turner as he shot. Williams from the left flank cut in on his right and fired a drive which passed the far post on the wrong side and another chance was lost as the ball ran away on the wind when again only the ‘keeper to beat. The last chance of the half came when Callum Briggs broke up play and fed White whose shot was deflected away for a corner so no score at the break.

It was Wrington Redhill’s turn to face the wind in the second half and it could not have got off any worse when Jed Williams pounced on a clearance got to the right bi-line before drilling the ball across goal and found Callum Laird who had escaped from his marker and side footed the ball past Matt Hill to take a 1-0 lead. Conceding so soon and with the elements against them there was the familiar sinking feeling from the loyal band of supporters but the team held its resolve. Jason Potter fought for every ball at the heart of the defence, Callum Briggs was tackling fiercely and Chris Bradley and Ollie Clements playing their parts as Middlezoy were resorting to long ball tactics to take advantage or the wind.

When possible Wrington Redhill mounted their own attacks with White heading a Clements’ corner at the ‘keeper and Bradley heading wide from a Clements’ free kick. Laird broke on the right for Middlezoy but his shot went across goal and Potter and Briggs combined to clear from their goal line. Jake White was introduced with 15 minutes remaining and immediately made an impact with his control, movement and passing as the team went all out to seek an equaliser that would have been deserved. It was Middlezoy hanging on. Their biggest scare came when Clements fed a ball through to substituteGeorge Martin his shot deflected to White with the goalkeeper frantically diving at his feet although a flag for off side had already been raised. 

Despite these heroics a long ball out of defence got beyond the defence and Jed Williams raced onto to it and coolly slotted past the advancing Hill to clinch the game with a harsh looking final 2-0 result.

Next week the team are on the road again to Ilminster Town in search of valuable points in their fight against relegation and on this showing can have confidence that survival is possible.

Bill Gough man of the match was awarded to Jason Potter who was back to his best at the heart of the defence.

GK, Matt Hill

Defence: Callum Briggs, Chris Bradley, Jason Potter, Ollie Clements

Midfield: Joe Creese, Ben Griffiths, Leigh White, Adam Caulfield

Forwards: Ethan Williams, Mike Rowcliffe

Subs: Jake White (for Mike Rowcliffe), George Martin (for Jason Potter), Andy Lilley (for Callum Briggs)

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No one could have predicted the final score line at half time in a game away to Fry Club who are vying for the league title and with this result moved to the top of the table. With three players unavailable changes had to be made to Wrington Redhill’s starting eleven with Sam Johnson and Mike Rowcliffe coming in with another promising youngster Jake White on the bench.

Both sides contended with strong windy conditions and tried to keep the balland play controlled football. The visitors were belying their lowly league position and taking the game to Fry’s upsetting their rhythm. However it was the hosts who took the lead on 10 minutes when Jakob White raced down the right flank picking up the ball before cutting in and striking across goal and finding the net off the inside of a post giving ‘keeper James Williams no chance to save. 

Wrington Redhill kept to their own game plan and created a number of chances with Ollie Clements just wide with a shot from distance and Ethan Williams through on the home ‘keeper Lewis George who managed to smother the ball. Ben Griffiths saw a shot go wide and Clements’ free kick was tipped over the cross bar by Lewis. The visitors deservedly equalised on 20 minutes when Mike Rowcliffe fed Griffiths and this time was able to poke the ball home for 1-1.

This goal spurred the side on and a strong run down the left flank from Rory Thomas saw his dangerous cross sliced away by a defender. Griffiths was causing all sorts of trouble to the home defence winning a number of free kicks and from one Sam Johnson had his kick saved at the far post. Williams saw another shot saved and Jason Potter fed Leigh White who saw his effort go over the bar and Rowcliffe had a shot pushed away by the busy Lewis. Fry’s were limited to few chances with Chris Bradley making timely tackles and James Williams mopping up behind his defence.

Hopes of going into the  break on level pegging took a blow when from the last kick of the half, a corner by Ryan Madge held up on the wind and Jason Potter’s attempted clearance came off his head and into the net, a cruel blow for all the side’s efforts especially when in a relegation battle for survival.

Fry’s came out in the second half with all guns blazing and forced their opponents onto the back foot winning a number of corners. Within 10 minutes their lead was extended when Paul Worlock shot through a group of players into the net. Fry’s were in control now although before starting their late goal spree it might have been different had Ethan Williams shot at goal gone in instead of striking the crossbar and Bradley’s ball to White bringing another Lewis save.

With fifteen minutes to go the wheels came off and Fry’s added 4 goals to their tally the scorers being Nick Walters (2), Callum Baker and Edward Searle for a 7-1 final score which on reflection seemed somewhat harsh in consideration of the efforts over 90 minutes.

The fight against relegation continues next week away to Middlezoy Rovers and Leigh White and Mark Brown will need all their powers to lift the squad although without doubt the young players introduced by White bodes well for the future regardless of which division the Club face next season.

Bill Gough man of the match was awarded to Ben Griffiths

GK, James Williams

Defence: Ollie Clements, Sam Johnson, Chris Bradley, Jason Potter

Midfield: Joe Creese, Ben Griffiths, Leigh White, Mike Rowcliffe

Forwards: Ethan Williams, Rory Thomas

Subs: Jake White (for Rory Thomas), George Martin (for Ethan Williams), Mark Brown(not used)

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Yatton & Cleevebattle to improbable win.

When the ref  asks you ‘how in the world did you lose that?’ you know its been a strange game. Having played some good football to be 2 – 1 up and in total control, playing down hill with the wind, with Yatton struggling with two injuries and a switch of goal keeper, with 20 minutes left Wrington were on course for a good win. However, the game swung on a low goal kick which landed at Josh Gibbs’ feet who expertly controlled and fired into the empty net. This was harsh on keeper James Vowles who had  a tremendous game making several fine saves and distributing well.Up until then, Wrington had dominated and Yatton were hanging on. The home side created a host of good positions but couldn’t find the final ball or option to produce many clear cut chances. Against the elements in the first half Wrington started brightly with Dave Valle and the impressive Fin Taplin finding space on the right and Clements and Curtis wide on the left. Edmunds and Betts were controlling the middle of the park and spreading the ball nicely. Although against the elements, it was a surprise when Wrington went behind, giving the ball away in midfield, Josh Gibbs sprinted clear to finish expertly.. The Home team had to work hard to get back into the game and needed a superb free kick from Micky Edmunds who rifled a drive into the top corner to get back on terms.
Level at half time and with everything in their favour, Wrington again started brightly in the second half and produced a well worked goal to take the lead. Curtis again fed Clements who used Marshall’s dummy run to feed in Johnson who raced clear and curled his shot Into the bottom corner. With injuries meaning Josh Harris had to go in goal on one leg  having pulled a hamstring Yatton showed great character to hang on as Wrington hardly let them out of their half. In fact Harris made several crucial saves to keep them in the game until they equalised against the run of play. Wrington pushed forward but with Steve Owen and Josh Gibbs up front Yatton we’re always dangerous. Some sloppy defending led to a corner which Wrington failed to clear and unbelievably they were behind. Worse was to follow as an Owen free kick cross, stalled on the strong wind and curled wickedly  in off the crossbar to add to their lead. Totally deflated and charging forward, the inevitable breakaway left curtis with three Yatton forwards to cover on his own and everyone staring at each other wondering how the game had slipped away. 
Wrington: James Vowles,Fin Taplin,Dean Rix, Nick Curtis,Dave Valle,Mick Edmunds,Jake Betts,Mike Clements, James Marshall, Tommy Johnson.
Yatton: Ash Reynolds,Neil Anslow,Dom Roads,Harry Summerill,Nick Baker,Josh Harris,Taro Viner,Simon Tarr,Steve Owen,Josh Gibbs,Mark Williams:  Mike Taylor,Dan Dell

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