NOT SO MAGNIFICENT SEVEN
10 November 2007
Old Cothamians Reserves 0 v 5 Wessex Wanderers
Wessex stuttered to their seventh straight league victory to keep them top of Division 2. Although the 1 v 4 score line sounds impressive, the game against mid-table Cadbury Heath was far from plain sailing.
Wessex manager Shaun Hawkings claimed "The final score flattered us to be honest. It was our worst performance of the season and I made sure the lads knew it at half time. The main thing is that the team showed character and worked much harder in the second half and we put a couple of good moves together which paved the way for another 3 points".
The lackluster first half finished with the teams tied at one a piece. Jamie Carnevale had headed the Wanderers in front, a long Simon Mahoney throw found the striker unmarked in the box and Carney finished comfortably. Cadbury Heath equalised within a minute which shifted the pressure back on the below par away team.
The second half saw a slightly more determined Wessex side and on 55 minutes Lewis Perryman regained the lead for the Wanderers. Cadbury Heath continued to cause problems for the Wessex rear guard and an equaliser looked inevitable but for a solid Lee Dorgan tackle.
The game was made safe on 68 minutes when Lewis Perryman pulled back a pass for midfield man Kevin Curtis who made no mistake with an 18 yard drive. Wanderers were now on top and continued the rout after substitute Scott Newman notched his first Wessex goal. Newman pouncing on lose ball after Curtis had struck the bar with a free kick.
In the dying minutes of the game Wessex could have extended their lead after Carnevale was fouled in the box. Unfortunately for the Wanderers Steve Webster was unable to convert the penalty.
Wessex will now look to next Saturdays Norman Goulding Cup tie against old rivals Unathletico to start firing on all cylinders before the crunch top of the table league encounter with Lawrence Weston the following week.
1st Team: Bush, Francis, Dorgan, Pocock, Pullin, Webster, Curtis, Smart, Mahoney, Carnevale, Perryman Subs: Flay, Russell, Newman
MAN OF THE MATCH: Aaron Pullin
