WWFC Dig In To Beat The Champions

For the second time this season Lorenzo Favata scored a crucial winning goal inside the last 10 minutes of a match as we completed a hard fought league double over the Champions.

We were worthy winners of the reverse match at Winston, but not this morning at the Wheatsheaf. Today we met an impressive W&M side who made us work incredibly hard for the points.

Most of the first half saw our hosts on the front foot, but we were keeping them at arm's length with some solid defending. Ryan Pardo-Roques made one good stop, but for the most part we limited them to long range efforts.

At the other end we simply couldn't get a foothold in the game. W&M were dealing with the surface in superior fashion as we struggled to click into gear.

Somehow we took a lead into the interval. Midway through the half Joey Stevens swung over a corner and Simon Grout planted a header past the keeper for his 4th goal in 3 games. This was our only chance of the half. We had been clinical.

At half-time we changed shape. Manager Matt Gibbins knew we couldn't keep forfeiting possession as eventually W&M's quality would tell. However W&M also made changes as they threw caution to the wind and the second half became a really entertaining see-saw battle.

W&M were first to go close as their striker dragged a shot just past the post 5 minutes into the half.

Just after the hour mark we created our second chance of the game and doubled our lead. Richard Crosby's long throw found Grouty in the box and he hooked the ball into the air, finding Joey who nodded home his second header in as many games.

2 minutes later we were pegged back. Ryan was clearly fouled at a corner, but the referee missed it and the ball went through for another corner. This time a low delivery evaded everyone bar Charlie Elliott who unfortunately found our net at the back post.

We should have restored our 2 goal lead in the 69th minute. Luca Mortellaro's cross found Zak Whitelock in acres of space at the back post, but he could only hit the upright. Moments later W&M broke swiftly up the other end and got their substitute in on goal. Ryan made a top class save from the low shot, but their midfielder had gambled and bundled into the net to equalise.

With 15 minutes to go we missed another great chance. Grouty did well to get to the byline and although his cross was palmed out by the keeper, skipper Oli Cochrane ran onto the ball but blazed over from 8 yards out.

W&M nearly made us pay as their striker won possession in midfield before sliding their captain in on goal. Ryan closed the angle well and his shot was going wide, but their substitute managed to cling onto it, hitting the post from a tight angle.

At this point the game could have gone either way, but ultimately it was to be us who nosed ourselves back in front with 8 minutes remaining. Charlie's shot from 25 yards was spilled by the keeper and the subsequent clearance fell to Elliott Jones. Ell beat one man before finding Lorry with a very astute pass. Lorry's first touch was on point and he then coolly slotted past the keeper into the far corner right footed.

We had to endure a nervy finish to the game as W&M continued to press. Ryan made a smart save, palming a low goalbound shot wide and from the resulting corner their substitute came agonisingly close to finding the net with a well struck effort from the edge of the box. In the last seconds we gave away a stupid free kick that their striker took, but Ryan intelligently punched away and the danger was cleared.

Obviously W&M can count themselves unfortunate not to take anything from the game, but we showed great character to somehow get it done when delivering a well below par performance. Make no mistake they played well, showing just why they won the League last season and we really had to grind this one out. A great result, but we know we are going to have to play a lot better than this in the remaining games.

MoM: Ryan - on a day where we struggled out pitch Ryan was there to make some good saves, but this was also a top class all round game that exuded confidence. Joey was our best outfield player with a goal and assist.

Huge thanks to Ads for running the line.