Stockwood Wanderers 3 Wrington Redhill 3
To celebrate their first game back in the Premier Division of the Somerset County League in four years following promotion last season the team were wearing their brand-new kit thanks to the continued invaluable sponsorship of the Club and Spa, Cadbury House. The team looked immaculate in their new kit for their new venture at the higher level of the league.
They had to face a tough away trip to Stockwood Wanderers a seasoned strong team in previous seasons. It did not take long for the visitors to get into their customary free flowing attacking football a delight to see from the sideline faithful band of away supporters.
Skipper Dan Ferguson and Leigh White were controlling the game from the defensive line allowing full backs Jordon Bonner and Josh Pitt the space and time to get on the ball and stride forward down the flanks. The midfield three of Ollie Clements, Sam Harvey and Ryan Pugh were dominating the central area with their interchanging passes feeding the front three of Jack Hutchings, Joe Creese and Reece Ferguson-Obamwonyi.
Within the first ten minutes Wrington Redhill should have been ahead when both Hutchings and Creese latched onto through balls but both efforts were comfortably saved by home keeper Matt Lewis who was kept busy throughout the first half. The lead was taken shortly after when good play from the three forwards led to Ferguson-Obamwonyi finding the net with a thoroughly deserved goal.
The earlier missed chances came back to haunt the team when Stockwood equalised with virtually their first chance when James Woodland levelled. Making his League debut for the Club young goalkeeper Logan McKenzie pulled off an excellent save from a well struck free kick pushing the ball clear vis the crossbar to safety to keep the half time score level.
It was more of the same after the restart with several one on ones with Lewis but unable to capitalise with clinical finishing to match the rest of the team’s dominance. Following another fine build up Sam Harvey made no mistake when an opportunity came his way and calmly stroked the ball to retake the lead.
The game turned on a crucial decision when the referee allowed the home side a goal when overruling his assistant without consultation for an offside flag raised. Ironically, a video clip of the incident clearly showed the player who scored was in an offside position. The decision led to frustration of the players which saw Dan Fergusonsin binned for ten minutes. His team mates to a man all put in extra effort to keep Stockwood out showing a great and determined team spirit.
George Fake replaced the tiring Pugh who had worked so hard and had just made a great run into the box but could not quite tee up his shot from a tight angle. Soon Fake saw an effort crash against a post before the impressive Pitt was injured and replaced by Matt Walsh.
Without doubt Stockwood had been re-vitalised by the controversial equalising goal and took the lead for the first time in the game with a well-directed shot from distance which gave McKenzie no chance. One thing we know from last season’s exploits this Wrington Redhill team do not let their heads go down following a setback and it was no surprise when substitute Ethan Williams equalised from a well-directed shot to rightly earn a point with just a couple of minutes remaining.
It was disappointing not to get all three points, but this opening performance certainly showed this exciting and emerging group of players have the ability to hold their own in this higher division.
Player of the Match:All eleven players could be considered with the final decision by the Supporters being awarded to the Magic Man himself, Reece Ferguson-Obamwonyi.
Team:
Goalkeeper: Logan McKenzie
Defence: Josh Pitt, Dan Ferguson, Leigh White, Jordon Bonner
Midfield:Sam Harvey, Ollie Clements, Ryan Pugh
Forwards: Joe Creese, Jack Hutchings, Reece Ferguson-Obamwonyi
Substitutes:George Fake (for Ryan Pugh), Matt Walsh (for Josh Pitt), Ethan Williams (for Jack Hutchings), Rory Thomas (unused)
