EV2 Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League
Wakefield AFC 0-2 County Senior League Representative side
First half goals from deadly duo Eddie Agnew and Louis Wardle earned the County Senior League Rep side the Brian Bradley Cup and inflicted a rare defeat on stunned Premier Division champions Wakefield AFC.
The Rep side also became the first team to outsmart Wakefield boss Gabe Mozzini in County Senior Football – whilst at the same time ending their run of seven games without conceding.
Around 150 people attended the fixture which raised over £300 for the league’s men’s mental health partner #ItsOkToTalk which raises money for the Samaritans and Barnsley-based community group Project 14.
Although star striker Jake Morrison was absent, Wakefield fielded a strong side.
Five players were missing from the title-clinching defeat of Dodworth Miners Welfare, but fans favourite and key man Billy Mole and most of the starting eleven were a crucial part of the unbeaten run which drove them to the title, played.
Only Josh Lockwood, Harley Blankley, Jordan Chippendale and Bruno Bagi out of the starting eleven have made less than 13 starts for them.
However, Chippendale is no mug as he featured 26 times for Glasshoughton Welfare in the Toolstation NCEL this season.
Initially it looked like it may be a long night for the ‘All Stars’ as Wakefield had the ball in the back of the net inside the opening two minutes.
Fortunately for them the offside flag was raised.
This is when Rep side manager and highly-qualified tactician Terry Simon’s tactical masterplan began to take effect.
It would be a triumph to behold.
Wakefield were allowed to do what they wanted with the ball in their own half.
When they broke into the opposition’s half, that’s when the Rep side engaged and restricted the space to make it impossible for Wakey to break through the lines.
As the game wore on, despite dominating possession, Wakey ran out of ideas.
Wakefield manager Mozzini looked stunned when his men fell behind in the 15th minute.
Wombwell Town striker Eddie Agnew worked incredibly hard upfront on his own and his reward came when he buried a low shot home from the edge of the penalty area.
Twice the Rep side were truly breached, but on both occasions former Cardiff City goalkeeper Josh Herring made brilliant saves.
Wakey midfielder Danny Youel, who spent most of the game in teenage midfielder Cian Guest’s pocket, also went close with an effort that flashed wide.
The best player out on the park was the Rep’s Louis Wardle, the Houghton Main playmaker.
Wardle bossed the game and his long range effort close to half-time gave the Rep side major breathing space.
The Rep’s were relatively untroubled in the second half and replacement stopper Jono Davis did not have a real save to make.
The centre-half trio of Jamie Knox, Harry Hurst and James Byford were as solid as rocks.
Highly-rated Houghton Main captain Byford, who sometimes can be dangerous for the wrong team, was particularly impressive.
Wakefield were fortunate to keep eleven men on the field as goalkeeper Harry Kendrick blantanty handled outside his penalty area.
Only a generous free kick award from referee Wagar Ahmed in his favour saved him.
The Rep side nearly added the icing on the cake with a late chance, but two was enough for Simon’s men who lifted the trophy, denying Wakey the double.
The Teams
Wakefield AFC: Henry Kendrick, Mason Rubie, Josh Craig, Harley Blankley, Josh Lockwood, Cory Woodward, Jordan Chippendale, Danny Youel (captain), Bruno Bagi, Billy Mole, Owen Kirman. Subs: Josh McLauchlan, Max Child.
EV2 Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League Representative side: Josh Herring (Dodworth Miners Welfare), Connor Rollinson (Dodworth Miners Welfare), Liam Childes (Ecclesfield Red Rose 1915), Louis Wardle (Houghton Main), James Byford (Houghton Main), Harry Hurst (Ecclesfield Red Rose 1915), Cian Guest (Wombwell Main), Eddie Agnew (Wombwell Town), Jack Moore (Penistone Church), Sam Jones (Wombwell Main), Jamie Knox (Wombwell Main). Subs: Declan Childes (Ecclesfield Red Rose 1915), Jono Davis (Wombwell Town), Gadhafi Kiwanuka (Wombwell Main), Matty Semley (Houghton Main).
Who Was In Charge
Wagar Ahmed (10/10)
How Many Were There
Around 150
Man of the Match
Louis Wardle (Rep Side)
