Saturday January 17th 2015

Shirehampton v Wrington Redhill

Wrington travelled away to the run away league leaders Shirehampton at one of the few games to beat the weather.

The game kicked off on a surprisingly firm pitch at ‘Shire’ on a clear cold Saturday afternoon.

Manager Smith changed the team to a 4-5-1 formation in an attempt to combat the leaders well respected midfield/attack.

The game started with the home team dictating the game but Wrington in there shape were always going to be hard to break down. While the home team moved the ball well trying to find a gap to play into the Wrington boys stuck doggely  to the team pattern of play given to them by Smudge and Probes.

A few corners were won by Shire as they continually probed for spaces in the away team formation but there was always a Wrington player snapping in with a tackle to greet them.

The rain eventually came and the conditions detiorated which probably helped the away team as they continued to get in tackles to stop the ‘Shire’ attacks especially the excellent Tom Smith who took no prisoners with a number of crunching tackles.

However, On the 28th Minute a neat Shire move got Harvey to the byeline who pulled the ball back to the excellent Lee Riches who powered the ball past the helpless ‘mad dog’ in the Wrington goal.

Wrington made the odd foray into the Shire half with new signing Louie Keane (Pictured) showing up well in attack.

The rain was now pouring down and the game must have been in doubt had it continued.

HT 1-0

The second half kicked off and on 50 minutes Wrington won a corner. The senior pro Rich Lucas sent in a corner to the far post  where team captain Cheeseman was there to rise above everybody to power a header back across goal into the top left corner of the net for a great ‘Cheeseo’ goal.

The game then fell into a pattern of ‘Shire’ pressure and Wrington defensive pattern.

The home team pressed hard for a goal but Wrington due to their formation and the hard work of all the players working within that system especially the Wrington midfield and back four saw off the threat.

It was also pleasing to see when Wrington won the ball the midfield where possible played some neat one touch football which kept them in the game as an attacking force.

Shire ‘huffed and puffed’ but never really got behind the away defence consisting of the excellent Tom Smith (Injured) Sam Clements, Mike Wallington and Sam Johnson together with the midfield of Lee White, Rich Lucas, Louie Keane, Simon Riggs and Chris Bradley.

Once again Gary  Clarke in the Wrington goal was reliable as ever. Clarke quickly becoming one of the supporters favourites.

The game finished with Shire on the attack but Wrington holding firm which was really the story of the game.

FT 1-1

An excellent and richly deserved result thanks to the players and the tactics of the Wrington Mangement team. All connected with the club should be proud of this result against the team that will no doubt win the Somerset Premier title by a country mile.

MOTM: From Smudge and Probes everyone involved was there MOTM. A proper team performance.