Saturday 6^th February

Didcot Town Reserves 0-1 Wasps - Hellenic League Div 1 East 

Wasps Derail ‘The Railwaymen’

The Wasps travelled to Didcot Town on Saturday and produced their best performance of the season so far with the only surprise of the day being the solitary goal margin of the victory.

Both sides started brightly, passing the ball around on the excellent surface, but it was the Wasps who soon dominated play and created the first half chance following a dangerous cross from Liam O’Neil that travelled menacingly across the 6 yard box in the 7^th minute. With the Wasps camped in Didcot’s half Danny Moakes went close in the 12^th minute from a free kick that came after an excellent probing series of 30 plus passes and Ryan Sweales warmed the keepers hands a few minutes later with a rasping shot from 20 yards. Wasps continued to pile on the pressure for the next 15 minutes with their excellent work ethic and team interplay but were able to convert any of the many half chances they created. Didcot first meaningful foray into the Wasps half did not come until the 30^th minute when they drove in a couple of dangerous crosses in quick succession and call Wasps’ ‘keeper Garry White into action with a great double save his near post. This was however an isolated Didcot opportunity and the Wasps continued to cause Didcot problems all over the park, on each wing through brothers Liam and James O’Neil, backed up by fullbacks Stephen Rogers and Daniel Grey respectively, and also with some good combination play in midfield. The first half aptly finished with a great mazy run into the box from Ryan Sweales that was only curtailed by some desperate last ditch defending.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first period until an injury to Didcot’s skipper stopped the game for a few minutes in the 52^nd minute. Didcot restarted proceedings more brightly that the Wasps but it was not long before the Wasps got back into their rhythm. Wasps’ Fred Tripp went close with a well executed volley in the 57^th minute, James O’Neill miscued from close range one minute later and a reasonable penalty appeal was turned down after Liam O’Neill broke in to the box at speed in the 61^st minute. Didcot were defending doggedly but they were unable to deal with a Danny Moakes cross and Fred Tripp converted from close range putting the Wasps 1-0 up in the 65^th minute. James O’Neill went close for the Wasps in the 73^rd minute and then the vocal Anthony Stotter was replaced by Neal Jones at centre back in the 76^th minute. Didcot did cause some concern on a few occasions in the last quarter of the match as they desperately tried to get a point but the Wasps also looked likely to score each time they broke forward. Mark Heffernan came on for James O’Neill in the 84^th minute and Tom Seddon replaced Fred Tripp in the 95^th.

This was an impressive Wasps display against Didcot’s good blend of promising youngsters & experience and the ever improving Stingers are now undefeated in five league matches.

Rayners Lane Res 3-0 Wasps Reserves. Hellenic League Div 2 East

Fixtures Saturday 13^th February:

Wasps vs Woodley Town – Hellenic League Div 1 East 3 p.m. Kick Off

Wasps Reserves – no fixture

Eton Wick 0 Chalfont Wasps 3

Chalfont Wasps went to Eton Wick looking to further progress from their unbeaten run and did so in comfortable fashion.

Wasps had a slow start to the game which angered Manager Martin Kenealy, however Wasps soon got into their rhythm and started dominating the game. Wasps had a great 20 minute spell of pressure and it was soon rewarded on the 25th Minute by a great strike from Fred Tripp, who cut inside and with his weaker foot hit a bullet which nestled in the bottom corner leaving the keeper with no chance. Wasps took further confidence from this goal and then the inevitable 2nd came through the move of the match, a flowing passing move finished off with a top class finish from Jamie Felstead.

At half time Wasps were forced into making a change after Ross Crawford, a new signing who has been superb since arriving, was injured and could not continue. Veteran Anthony Stotter replaced him and had a very solid game, using his experience to organise the back 4 well.

Wasps started the 2nd half well and a great ball from Jean Ngody on his impressive debut gifted Jamie Felstead a great chance which he failed to capitalise on. Eton Wick then had a solid spell in the game where they dominated possession, however Wasps where solid and organised at the back and weathered the spell. Another great move from Wasps lead to the all important 3rd goal on 66 minutes, a good passing move put Jamie Felstead in behind the Eton Wick defence who squared the ball nicely to Liam O'Neill who notched a scruffy goal. Wasps then made a double change, including Tom Seddon who unfortunately missed a good chance to make it 4. All in all a great 3 points for the ever improving Wasps.

Wasps Reserves Current holders, Wasps Reserves, were worthy 3-0 winners against Chinnor Reserves with second-half goals from Martin Williams, Tom Grey & Michael Murphy, securing their place in the semi-final of the Wycombe Junior Cup.

Fixtures Saturday 6^th February:

Didcot Town Reserves vs Wasps – Hellenic League Div 1 East 3 p.m. Kick Off

Rayners Lane Reserves vs Wasps Reserves - Hellenic League Div 2 East 3 p.m. Kick Off

Chalfont Wasps FC 1 – 1 South Kilburn FC

Despite the recent weather causing havoc to the football schedule Wasps’ Manager Martin Kenealy had been busy strengthening his squad during the Christmas period. It was therefore a more resilient and balanced looking Wasps side that took to the field on Saturday against fourth placed Kilburn.

Both teams were obviously eager after the snowy layoff and following a competitive start the Wasps began to take control causing an uncomfortable moment for the Kilburn Keeper in the 12^th minute when a cross come shot from Wasps left back Stephen Rogers needed to be pushed over the cross bar. Wasps’ good spell continued but they failed to make the best of the resultant pair of corners or a free kick from a promising position in the 17^th minute. However, Wasps nearly took the lead in the 29^th minute when impressive debutant centre back Ryan Jones went close with a header from another corner and a few minutes later a Mark Heffernan strike whistled just wide. Wasps’ pressure induce Kilburn to concede a few yellow cards and in the 46^th minute the referee had no choice but to issue a second yellow and red card following a robust challenge in midfield. Wasps continued to push but were unable to make the breakthrough and the score remained at 0-0 at half time.

Kilburn started the second half brightly and were rewarded in the 51^st minute when ex-Wasps centre forward Marcus Fearon’s pace saw him latch onto a long ball and go through one on one with Wasps keeper Gary White to convert from just inside the 18 yard box. The Wasps weathered some more Kilburn pressure and then battled back into the match creating chances of their own, whilst always needing to be conscious of Kilburn’s pace up front. On 54 minutes substitute Ross Crawford came on for Mark Heffernan. The Wasps continued to pass the ball around well, making their extra man advantage start to tell, and gain more possession mid way through the second half. Wasps went close on a few occasions but it was Liam O’Neill who benefitted from a shot from Ryan Jones which he cleverly deflected pasted the keeper to equalise in the 63^rd minute. Wasps Keeper Gary White handled a fierce shot well in the 65^th and a few minutes later at the other end Fred Tripp went close for the Stringers. Right back Danny Gray was replaced by David Gutteridge after suffering cramp in the 78^th minute and Sam Woodward came on for Frazer Fennell-Ball a few minutes later. In the final minutes Wasps’ Ross Crawford and the re-signed Matt Skinner both went close but the score remained at 1-1; all in all a good point for improving Wasps.

Wasps Reserves were beaten 3-1 at Ascot United Reserves; a credible result considering Ascot played most of their first team squad.

Fixtures: Saturday 30^th January:

Eton Wick vs Wasps – Hellenic League Div 1 East. 2:15 p.m. Kick Off

Wasps Reserves vs Chinor Reserves – Wycombe Junior Cup Qtr Final. 1:45 p.m. Kick Off.

Saturday 16th at the Nest proved to be a great laugh, especially when these clowns got up to sing led by the Gaffa Martin Kenealy. Just as well they are now on a three match unbeaten run otherwise I dont think anyone would have stood for this unfamiliar rendition of Westlifes You Raise Me Up and I,ve gotta tell ya the only thing they managed to raise that night was money for the club....................

Dont give up the day job girls!!!!!