Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League Premier Division
Wakefield AFC 3-0 Wombwell Main
Wakefield AFC had to be patient as they battled past Terry Simon’s dogged Wombwell Main in the Wednesday night fixture at the Millennium Stadium.
Jake Morrison’s double and Mason Rubie’s late drive secured the points which see Wakefield leapfrog Wombwell on goals difference to go into the top five.
The match was superb advert for County Senior League football and the 217 people watching will have enjoyed the occasion.
On another day, it could have been a different story as Wombwell missed two guilt-edge chances at key moments.
The difficult surface prevented both teams from getting the ball down and it meant the game was more of a battle.
The first half hinged on 60 seconds of drama.
Star Wombwell striker Ryan Wingrove breached Wakefield’s back-line was only denied by quick-thinking from new goalkeeper Henry Kendrick who raced out of his box to make a last-ditch save.
The ball was pinged forward down the left and ex-Nostell Miners Welfare prodigy Billy Mole sent a low and inviting cross into the six-yard-box where Morrison was gifted a simple tap-in.
Morrison was then unable to connect with a similar chance when the goal was actually unguarded.
Wakefield piled the pressure on.
Showman Mole beautifully nutmegged Wombwell captain Jake Simon to break into the penalty area.
Fortunately for Wombwell, goalkeeper Steve Crossland raced out and blocked a certain goal.
Wombwell forward Sam Jones hit the post as half-time approached – signalling the visitors won’t going to lie down.
If Wombwell reflect on the game then former Worsbrough Bridge hero Kieran Hirst’s sitter is their biggest talking point.
A brilliant move saw Wingrove play Hirst in behind Wakefield’s defence.
Hirst was one-on-one with Kendrick – a scenario his mentor Danny Frost will have taught him about – but instead of buying the chance, the striker shot straight at the ‘keeper.
Wombwell paid the price as Wakefield doubled their lead.
Defender Liam Graham mis-judged a back-pass and Morrison pounced and scored past Crossland.
Now in full control, Rubie made the score-line even more resounding with a low strike from outside the penalty area.
The Teams
Wakefield AFC: Kendrick, Blackburn (Rubie 78), Woodward, Butcher (Wilberforce 70), Swain, Lockwood, Bates, Youel, Morrison, Mole, Blankley (Kirwan 37). Sub unused: Cowan.
Wombwell Main: S Crossland, Kiwaunka (Guest 78), O Sykes, Tate (L Sykes 78), Graham (Chadburn 85), Emmett (Waldron 78), Simon (captain), Jones (Jackson 71), Wingrove, Hirst.
Who Was In Charge
Carl Gibson (8/10)
How Many Were There
217
Man of the Match
Morgan Butcher (Wakefield AFC)
Sounded a good game I missed due to work commitments but making this Saturday game.
Well done Wakefield ⚜⚪⚜ AWAW