Player/Manager Leigh White handed another teenager a debut at Senior level football in this relegation battle with Odd Down Reserves at the Recreation Ground. This time it was 17 year old Ethan Williams who added his mobility and presence to the front line in a promising first appearance for the Club.
The home side got off to a positive start with White and Adam Caulfield pulling the strings from midfield allowing Williams, Ben Griffiths, supported down the flanks by Rory Thomas and Joe Creese to get at the visitors’ defence although not carving out any real clear cut chances. As usual Ollie Clements was firing in free kicks and corners without attackers causing undue panic to the opponents defence. On the counter Odd Down’s most threatening player was Rena Adigbo who was very well marshaled by Callum Briggs. The first half ended without goals with Wrington Redhill ‘keeper James Williams gathering a shot from David Mullins and Alfie Mahon at the foot of a post.
Desperate for the points the home side continued to press forward with Creese seeing more of the ball on the right flank and getting the ball into the box. From one cross Griffiths connection was saved on the goal line by ‘keeper Cameron Shipway and from a Clements cross Ethan Williams just missed out on a debut goal as his headed ball inched over the crossbar. Another effort from White was saved and this became the pattern. Further attacks at goal were thwarted with Chris Bradley heading just wide and following good inter play from substitutes George Martin and Jack Biggs found Creese whose goal bound effort was incredibly saved by Shipway at the top corner of the goal.
Wrington Redhill had a big scare when from a long free kick by Luke Targett found Mahon’s head and into the net. A flag was raised for an offside infringement and following consultation by referee Steven Clarke the offside decision was upheld and the ‘goal’ disallowed.
Incredibly Wrington Redhill could have won the game at the death when Martin’s overhead lob found Chris Holland in a crowded penalty area and when he could get his shot away it passed just inches wide of the left post.
Despite the disappointing result the effort of the whole squad cannot be faulted and it’s now onto another tough fixture at high riding Fry Club on Saturday.
Bill Gough man of the match was awarded to Adam Caulfield
GK, James Williams
Defence: Ollie Clements, Callum Briggs, Chris Bradley, Jason Potter
Midfield: Joe Creese, Ben Griffiths, Leigh White, Adam Caulfield
Forwards: Ethan Williams, Rory Thomas
Subs: Jack Biggs (for Adam Caulfield), George Martin (for Rory Thomas), Chris Holland (for Jason Potter)