Association Cup - Round 1

11/09/21 - Phoenix AFC vs Wombwell Town

A game confirmed at short notice. 17 registered players unavailable. Players carrying injuries and away to a club in a higher division in the cup! That's what Wombwell Town were contending with when they arrived the the Phoenix Sports Club on a beautiful late summer's day.

All the odds were stacked against The Wellers, however sheer determination and hard work got them through 90 minutes of a scrappy game where only one goal would win it for either side.

With Assistant Manager Sam Leigh away Club Secretary Alan Percival joined Karl Rose and Nicole Norton in the dugout in case the manager had to go on the pitch.

After just nine minutes that happened as Pete Bartleson could no longer continue after taking a bad knock.

The substitution meant a switch in tactics as the side went to a back three for the remainder of the game.

As far as chances go the first half saw very little in the way of efforts that troubled either keeper. Jay Hall came the closest after just two minutes when his shot from the edge of the area was pushed away for a corner by Dillon Thorpe.

If anyone was likely to score in the game it was Gareth McDermott who caused trouble for the Phoenix game throughout the game, especially in the second half.

He forced Thorpe into making a save on 55 minutes and shortly after McDermott's header was tipped away from goal into the path of Kieran Price who saw the follow-up go narrowly over.

At the other Phoenix must have forgotten to put on their shooting boots as they failed to trouble Matty Simpson, who himself had to be substituted on 70 minutes, with effort after effort going high and wide of the target.

Just as extra time was looming teenager Joe Wilson found some space on the right and provided the perfect cross for McDermott to tuck home the only goal of the afternoon and send Wombwell Town into Round 2 of the Association Cup.

Full Time:
Phoenix AFC 0
Wombwell Town 1

Wellers' Man of the Match: Jake Padgett

 Wombwell Town Line-up:
1. Matthew Simpson
2. Kieran Price
3. Connor Housley
4. Tom Smith
5. Jake Padgett
6. Pete Bartleson
7. Luke Exley (captain)
8. Will Harling
9. Gareth McDermott
10. Jay Hall
11. Joe Wilson
Substitutes:
12. George Hodgkiss (Unused)
13. Jono Davis (on for Simpson 70)
14. Karl Rose (on for Bartleson 9)

Pete Bartleson - Launches one into play early in the game

Connor Housley - First start today

Booking - Goal scorer Gareth McDermott gets a late booking

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