AFC West End lost a third consecutive game after losing by the odd goal in five in a back and forth encounter with Trent Valley at Yarborough Leisure Centre. The AFC lineup featured five changes, the most important seeing captain Ady Gray return to defense to replace Matt Starbuck who missed out through illness. Also recalled were Joe Harper, Dave Capps and Jack McDonnell whilst Tim Fenny made his debut following his transfer from Witham FC. Continue Reading
Trent Valley
All posts tagged Trent Valley
West End Triumphant As Capps Breaches Trent Defences
AFC fought to a narrow victory over Trent Valley to stretch their unbeaten run to three games. Christian Sales returned in goal meaning Oliver Conway was switched to full-back, Pally Dhindsa returned to the bench whilst Glen Wilson replaced Joe Harper in midfield who was asleep at the time of kick-off. Continue Reading
West End Claim Valley Point As Sunday League Big Freeze Finally Subsides
AFC West End returned to action after seven weeks without game with tricky new years encounter with Trent Valley FC on the West Common. Jack McDonnell started for West End, only his second league start of the season as he continues to recover from an ankle injury. Captain Adie Gray was absent so Glen Wilson made a return in the centre of defence alongside Rich Brown. Co-Manger Joe Harper also missed the game after a festive accident saw him on crutches unable to pinpoint a date for his return. Continue Reading
Six of the Best for West End at Valley
West End made the long ten yard trip left to face Trent Valley as a lack of changing facilities, a late referee and a 180 mile pre-match road trip for three of the squad giving a disjointed edge to the Beers’ preparations. Thankfully Valley were worse off and with the home side forced to play with ten men West End eventually took the lead after quarter of an hour; Adie Gray taking advantage of defensive indecision to poke home Jack McDonnell’s corner. In control West End doubled the lead ten minutes later as Jamie Lawrence cut in from the left and struck a fierce drive inside the far post. Continue Reading
West End Bridge Trent to Continue Winning Run
With a depleted squad owing to the Lloyds element playing in a staff tournament in Leeds it was to a long hard slog of a match for ‘the Beers as they secured a second straight win. Sturdy defence from AFC West End restricted Trent Valley to efforts from distance throughout the match, all of which were dealt with comfortably by ‘keeper Christian Sales. At the other end West End were looking strong on the break; Sam McDonnell testing the Trent keeper in the opening fifteen minutes and Glen Wilson striking the bar with a curling effort. Moment of the first half arguably belongs to James Dewhurst for a glorious yet unnecessary through ball to Dave Capps played with one foot behind the other. Continue Reading
West End Flood the Valley
With James Dewhurst and Andy Barlow nowhere to be seen an already makeshift West End, with Pearce Senior in goal, Nick Kay deputising at centre half and founder member Benny Gane making a cameo on the right of midfield, were forced to begin a match with nine men for the second time this season. However, this seemed to fluster the opposition more, and once West End had their full compliment of players they took the lead as Dan Hill chipped a far post cross and inadvertently found the far corner of the net.
Before the break it was 2-0 as Joe Harper fired home an unstoppable volley from Hill’s corner. Trent Valley came back in the second half and set-up a tense finale when they pulled a goal back fifteen minutes from time. However, West End survived the onslaught and after beginning the game with nine men they finished with ten as Adie Gray was forced off with an injury. The numerical disadvantage was overturned as Dan Hill added two late goals to complete a hat-trick and wrap up a 4-1 win.
Line-up (4-4-2): Adrian Pearce; Stephen Pearce, Nick Kay, Glen Wilson, Adrian Gray; Ben Gane, Jamie Kitching, Joe Harper, James Dewhurst; Dan Hill, Andy Barlow
Man of the match: Nick Kay (great performance in defence)
Dick of the day: Stephen Pearce
Trent Bridged by West End
This top versus bottom fixture was never going to be the straight forward clash many suggested. Trent Valley had been on the wrong end of some narrow defeats early in the season and so West End never took their threat lightly. They were right to do so as Trent proved to be one of the better footballing sides we had faced thus far. In the end one goal was enough to win it for West End as Jamie Lawrence got onto a through ball to knock the ball beyond the keeper and ensure a seventh match unbeaten.
Line-up (4-4-2): Ben Sheehan; Bruce McDonald, Adrian Gray, Glen Wilson, Jez Ashberry; Stephen Pearce (Adam Higgins), Gav Sumner, Joe Harper, Dan Hill; Jamie Lawrence, Jamie Kitching
Man of the match: Adrian Gray
Dick of the day: Gav Sumner / Stephen Pearce
