Saturday 22nd November 2015
Somerset Senior Cup
Wrington Redhill v Staplegrove (Played at Staplegrove)
Wrington eased past Staplegrove to progress in the Somerset Senior Cup thanks to a four timer by Man of the Match, Luke Patten.
The fixture was moved to Staplegrove after the home pitch again failed an inspection.
Wrington kicked off going down the slope with a strong wind at their backs. However, it was the home side that made the first chance when on 2 minutes the Staplegrove centre forward found himself in acres of space in the wrington box and crashed a great shot against the post.
This was to be the only chance the home team would have in the first half as Wrington were to go on and play some of their best football of the season.
On 5 minutes a delightful Harry IIes cross found Chris Bradley free in the box but unfortunately ‘Bradders’ put his header wide.
Wrington continued to press and on 10 minutes Chris Gale drifted in from the left and collected the ball on the edge of the box only to see his strong shot go directly at the keeper for the save. Gale was causing havoc on the left and after winning a corner sent over a deep cross that ‘Cheeso’ got his head onto only to see the ball fly over the crossbar.
On 16 minutes Wrington opened the scoring. Neat play down the left between IIes and Gale saw the latter put a lovely cross into the box where the predatory Luke Patten was waiting. Patten rose unchallenged to head a super goal past the helpless home keeper from 12 yards out.0-1
Minutes later Patten added a second. A great ball from Chris Bradley sent Patten away where he powered past two home defenders and slotted home under the advancing keeper for a 0-2 lead.
Wrington were now in control and on 22 minutes the marauding Olly Hubbard hit a great cross that found Patten in space in the box where he was unfortunate to see his header to go over the bar. However this was only to be a reprieve as a minutes later another corner from Gale was headed powerfully towards goal by Mike Wallington. The ever alert Patten allowed the ball it hit the back of his head (according to Luke!) and divert into the net to complete a 23 minute hatrick. (sorry Wally that’s what happened!) 0-3
On 37 minutes Wrington won a free kick in the centre circle, Bradley was on the scene in a flash and looked up to see the keeper well off of his line. He immediately struck a great ball that had the home keeper scampering back towards his goal where he just managed to tip the ball over the bar. It would have been some goal .
Cheeseman who was always a handful for the home defence had a header that just cleared the bar and a fine shot that was well saved by the home keeper.
H/T 0-3
The second half got underway and another Gale corner was headed over the bar by Cheeseman. The home team tried hard to get into the game with the elements in their favour but in truth they found it difficult against a now very confident Wrington.
The game meandered along until the 82nd minute where a poor keeper clearance landed at the feet of Chris Bradley who from 30 yards chipped the keeper only to see the ball hit the bar and fall to you know who (Patten) who had made his way into the box. Rather than score immediately Patten decided to shoot and play a 1-2 with the far post. The ball striking the inside of the far post and flying right back to the feet of Patten who this time coolly knocked it into the net.0-4
Wrington However will be disappointed to lose their clean sheet when on 87 minutes Josh Martin crossed for Joe Holder to finish from close range. 1-4
That ended the game and the scoring.
MOTM; Chris Bradley can count himself unlucky but in the words of the Highlander ‘There can be only one’ and that one is the ‘red hot’ Luke Patten.
Manager Smith said. ‘ We played some of our best football of the season in the first half.In Luke (Patten), Cheeseo (Cheeseman) and Liam (Knight) we have a real goal threat. The rest of the team was ‘on it’ today and I felt we dominated the game for long spells and fully deserved our win. I would like to thank the supporters who travelled. I know it was a nightmare trip with the motorway closure so I hope they enjoyed the team’s performance today’.
Next week Wrington are again in Cup action when they entertain Yatton at ‘The Rec’. Weather permitting!