Wasps 1-2 Woodley Town: Hellenic League Div 1 East
This early season clash between two sides tipped to be challenging for honours this season produced a high octane afternoon fuelled by two competitive sides and some dubious officiating. Woodley proved to be the more determined and consistent team throughout the match and despite ending the afternoon with only 9 men fully deserved all 3 points.
Woodley knew this was a key match and started the brighter, but on the 5 minute mark it was Wasps’ Ryan Sweales who narrowly missed the first opening after a driven free kick just evaded his outstretched boot. Woodley’s early dominance continued thereafter with some promising assaults on the Wasps penalty area from open play and dead ball positions. Wasps initially found it difficult to get into any passing rhythm as Woodley worked hard off the ball to close down the Wasps players in a high tempo affair. Wasps’ next opportunity to open the scoring went to waste in the 13th Minutes when Fred Tripp found himself in a good position elected to cross rather than shoot and the moment was lost. However after 15 minutes of play the match was now more evenly balanced with the Wasps having picked up the pace of the game both on and off the ball. The Wasps revival looked promising but as they pushed forwards Woodley sent a long ball over a square defence and the ball broke from a defensive challenge kindly to the onrushing feet of Jamie Fairchild who put the visitors 1-0 in the 24th Minute despite Chris Tullett in the Wasps goal getting something on the shot. The Wasps reacted well and were unlucky not to even things up. Kieran Webb forced a great save from the Woodley keeper on 40 minutes and Ryan Sweales headed in from close range on 41 minutes, but he was adjudged to have fouled the Keeper. The passion was evident throughout the first half with a few yellow cards having being produced but this was far from a dirty match – just competitive, as one would expect from these two sides.
The first meaningful action of the 2nd Half came when Wasps Alfie Cumber’s long range strike was tipped over the bar; nothing came from the resulting corner. Kieran Webb was once again denied by a great save but in the 56th minute the Wasps levelled when Ryan Sweales headed a looping cross back across the keeper and in the far corner. 1-1 and the match was really well set up for the final 30 minutes or so. Then came the first of the three sending offs. Woodley were first to be reduced to 10 men for a second yellow card offense. The passion and tempo escalated, but to majority of the players’ credit, they were doing their best to calm things down as further Refereeing decisions caused issues. The Wasps should have taken advantage of the extra man, but, as is so often the case, Woodley upped a gear and some of the Wasps players took their foot of the peddle. Despite this The Wasps did push forward more and create a number of half chances but were far from being as dominant as they should have been due to lessening the work rate. The next red card was also given to Woodley. The Wasps two man advantage did little to change the match for the reasons mentioned before and only 5 minutes later the Wasps were reduced to 10 men for a second yellow offence. With Woodley short of players and the Wasps underperforming the match looked all set for a draw. Woodley to their credit did not sit back though and in the 86th minute they were awarded a free kick in a very promising position just off centre on the ‘D’ of the penalty spot. Luke Williams’s powerful and accurate dead ball strike put 9 men Woodley into the lead again. The Wasps still had enough normal and extra time to make amends but were seemingly stuck in a rut and were unable to create the momentum they needed to get a point.
In summary, a very disappointing performance from the Wasps and Woodley deserved the victory simply because of their never say die attitude and determination throughout the match. Although early days in the season, the two fixtures over the Bank Holiday weekend are now important for the Wasps to maintain their assault.
Forthcoming ‘Bank Holiday’ Fixtures:
Sat 28st: Milton vs Wasps : Hellenic League Div 1 East 3 p.m. Kick Off
Mon 30th: Wasps vs Finchamstead : Hellenic League Div 1 East 3 p.m. Kick Off
