Year 9 Writhlington Boys football team are celebrating after returning victorious from the County Cup Football Finals.
It was a frenetic start, with Evander Grubb, Will Rawlings, Alfie Williams and Tom Markey tearing through Wellsway with their quick passing and movement. Writhlington gained a deserved lead after James Hare headed in after pouncing on a rebound from a ferocious free-kick. Writhlington continued to dictate play but were caught on the counter after a defensive mix-up. The first half finished 1-1.
The second half started with the physically-dominant Wellsway team taking advantage of the large pitch. Nevertheless, Writhlington used their technical mastery to play around them, with Evander Grubb hitting the crossbar for the second time after another run set up by Ben Smith. Centre midfield players, Will Rawlings and Alfie Williams, continued to fight for the ball at every opportunity. However, yet another counter-attack down the left was converted by the Wellsway number 10. At this point, the game became a little scrappy, but the defensive players, James Hare, Bailey Brook, Tom Williams and Alex Burton, continued to thwart the Wellsway attacks.
After another superb cross from Ben Smith, Alfie Williams smashed the ball into the top corner, making the score 2-2. The last twenty minutes stretched both teams, with Lucas Heatley, Tom Markey, Dylan Inker and Will Lacey terrorising the Wellsway players with their attacking excellence. Daniel Orford and Matt Parker fought off the incessant attacking play by the quick and powerful Wellsway forwards. Ben Rodgers (Capt) led the line well, holding up the ball against three enormous Wellsway centre-backs. Writhlington continued to pepper the goal with shots from Evander Grubb, Dylan Inker and Alfie Williams.
So it went to extra time, and both teams continued to fight for that decisive goal. More superb defensive play from James Hare, Bailey Brook, Alex Burton, Tom Williams and the ‘panther’ in goal, Matty Parker, kept the Wellsway strike force at bay. The ref blew the whistle for the lottery of penalties, with five brave souls stepping up to the plate after an exhaustive final.
The first round ended 4-4, so it was Sudden Death. The superb Wellsway striker’s fierce drive was saved by a sprawling Parker. So it was left to Captain Ben Rodgers to seal the victory. Rodgers confidently placed the ball on the spot, and there was a hushed silence around the ground. Rodgers stepped up to the spot and nonchalantly caressed the ball into the bottom right hand corner. The whole team rushed the courageous Rodgers screaming with joy.
Three cheers were given to the superb Wellsway players and the Writhlington Year 9 boys continued to celebrate with their proud parents, coaches and support staff.
Man of the Match: Bailey Brook.