Wrington Redhill 4 Minehead 2

Wrington Redhill welcomed the Somerset County League Division 1 leaders Minehead to the rec’ for their last pre-Christmas home fixture but offered no seasonal cheer by securing an impressive victory.

The hosts started the game with the bit between their teeth having suffered two recent narrow losses  against their visitors home in the cup and away in the league. Determined to make amends a strong physical approach was adopted, pressing them from the start not givingany time to settle into any rhythm,

In the early stages half chances were being made with Cory Thomas-Barker sending a shot just wide with Minehead’s only threat from a free kick which was comfortably dealt with by James Williams in goal. Wrington took the lead when following delightful inter play between Josh Pitt and Reece Ferguson-Obamwonyi on the edge of the box saw Pitt upended when advanced into the area for a clear penalty award. Ollie Clements stepped up and dispatched the spot kick low to the keeper’s left giving him no chance to save.

So often after scoring Wrington Redhill seem to curtail their lead by conceding a goal and this happened again. With their only real attack of the first half a foul was adjudged to have been committed on a Minehead player advancing into the penalty area and another spot kick given and scored to level at 1-1. This was only to be a blip as the home side were in no mood to see their dominance being undermined.

The lead was restored with Player/Manager Leigh White heading into the net at the near post from a well delivered corner by Sam Parkinson. Shortly after there was a setback when the influential Thomas-Barker’s game was ended by an injury to his ankle. His replacement, Joe Creese, made an instant impact by playing an excellent ball to George Fake who finished well to take a well-deserved 3-1 half time lead.

It was more of the same after the break with a dream start as Fake deftly lobbed the ball over the keeper for his brace and instantly increasing the lead. The work rate of White, Parkinson, and Pitt was giving no quarter in the middle of the pitch challenging every ball to stay on top of the game. Chances continued, the best when Jack Hutchings on for his usual strike partner Fake broke loose in front of goal and out of character for him saw his effort go high and wide. As injuries were taking their toll Jordon Bonner replaced Rory Thomas as Minehead enjoyed their best spell in the final fifteen minutes of the game. Although they scored again shortly before the end Wrington Redhill defended resolutely with James Williams making two important saves and central defensive partnership of Dan Ferguson and Ethan Johnson in superb form.

The player of the match was awarded to George Fake.

Team:

Goalkeeper: James Williams
Defence: Ollie Clements, Dan Ferguson, Ethan Johnson, Rory Thomas
Midfield: Reece Ferguson-Obamwonyi, Sam Parkinson, Leigh White, Cory Thomas-Barker
Forwards: Josh Pitt, George Fake

Substitutes: Joe Creese (for Cory Thomas-Barker), Jack Hutchings (for George Fake), Jordon Bonner (for Rory Thomas)