Yatton V Wrington Redhill

Saturday 26th December 26th 2015

Wrington switched their home fixture to Yatton to ensure the game went ahead and came away with all three points in this closely contested local derby.

The game went ahead after an early inspection with the pitch eventually holding up well.

Wrington kicked off with what turned out to be advantageous conditions. Wrington took control immediately and forced the home team to defend most of the first half.

On 14 minutes a fine cross by Ben Ricketts was met by Graham Cheeseman whose header went just wide. Further good interplay between Patton and Cheeseman set Patton away and a strong shot hit the post and bounced back into play but no Wrington player was able to follow-up for a tap in. Minutes later Patton was again set free but shot straight at the keeper from the edge of the box.

Further good play saw a cross from the right met with a powerful downward Cheeseman header and only a fine diving save from the home keeper kept the scores level.

Then as often happens if you don’t score when you are on top the opposition go and pinch one and that’s what happened on 29 minutes. A cross from the right was met on the volley from 6 yards out by the Yatton forward giving Cook no chance in the Wrington goal. 1-0.

This did not however rattle Wrington who continued to press and on 33 minutes equalised when a cross from the right was headed past the home keeper from 8 yards by the ever dangerous Cheeseman . 1-1

H/T 1-1

The second half kicked off and Yatton began brightly with the windy conditions now in their favour. However, the back four of Rowcliffe, Iles, Johnson and Chainey dealt superbly with the Yatton attack. In truth the game was now a battle and both sides knew the importance of the next goal and on 75 minutes it was Wrington who got it.

With both Cheeseman and Patton forced off through injury the new partnership of Simon Riggs, who made an immediate impact with a scorching drive from 20 yards and Chris Gale saw the Redskins home.

The ball was won in one of the many midfield tackles by Leigh White and the ball broke forward. A further challenge saw the ball squirm out to Gale who was in acres of space in the Yatton box. Then from 12 yards out Gale calmly side fotted the ball past the home keeper to give Wrington the lead. 1-2.

The game was still close but Wrington saw the game out without to many ‘edge of your seat’ moments to register an important win.

F/T 1-2

Manager Smith said,’ Well it wasn’t pretty but we got the job done. I thought we were excellent in the first half and maybe should have been a few goals to the good. This was as I expected a much tighter affair than the cup game and I am pleased we took all the points in difficult conditions. I only hope we get a break with the weather next week and are able to play again next Saturday. I feel that we are in good form at the moment and am keen to play.’

MOTM: Leigh White/Chris Bradley (Pictured): Couldn’t split these two both of whom ran themselves into the ground on this heavy pitch