Worksop Van Hire North Midlands Development League - Mini Shield - Game 1

15/03/22 - Club Thorne U21 vs Wombwell Town U21

The mini-shield group stage started for Wombwell Town U21 with a trip to WVHNMDL Central side Club Thorne with the visitors looking for a fresh start after a disappointing league campaign.

The opening stages of the game were even, but it sprang into life on 19 minutes as centre back Josh Deakin almost gave the Wellers the lead from a Jack Redmond free-kick.

Two minutes later though and Club Thorne took the lead with Frank Watson looper his effort over Matty Simpson into the far corner of the net, despite the keeper's best efforts.

Manager Jack Butterley made two changes at half time to shake things up and a change of formation saw the visitors compete much better in the second half.

An equaliser came on 59 minutes when Simpson punted a free-kick into the home side's penalty area and found the diminutive Brad Cresswell ready to head past Jake Woodward.

With hopes of a point starting to emerge a quick corner by Club Thorne caught the defence napping and Watson found himself free at the far post to powerfully strike the ball past Simpson.

Another bright point for the game was the return of Tom Smith for the final seven minutes of the game after a quicker than expected recovery from an injury he sustained just over a month ago.

Full Time:
Club Thorne U21  2
Wombwell Town U21  1

Man of the Match: Brad Cresswell

 Wombwell Town Line-up:
1. Matthew Simpson
2. Bailey Wilson (captain)
3. Jack Redmond
4. Josh Deakin
5. Blyth Mkonya
6. Lewis Easterbrook
7. Jay Hall
8. George Williams
9. Cody Benton
10. Brad Cresswell
11. Darnell Joseph
Substitutes:
12. Kian Hall (Redmond, 46)
14. Lewis Hope (Hall, 74)
15. Harrison Cox (Benton, 46)
​16. Josh Tyas (Joseph, 67)
​17. Tom Smith (Williams, 83)

Brad Cresswell prepares for a header

Matty Simpson blasts the ball upfield.

Lewis Easterbrook plays the ball.

Blyth Mkonya clears the ball.