Beers Suffer New Year Hangover at Woodcocks

AFC West End’s run of six straight league wins came to a disappointing end in difficult conditions at the hands of bogey side Woodcocks Athletic. Despite defeat West End had begun promisingly with Jamie Lawrence heading just wide from an excellent Joe Harper cross. Though the Beers did take the lead twenty minutes in when a long Glen Wilson throw was flicked into his own net by a Woodcocks defender. The home ‘keeper prevented both Sam McDonnell and Dave Capps from extending the lead before Woodcocks found an equaliser; an ambitious shot from the right side of the area catching the wind to arc over Christian Sales and into the far corner. Still the Beers could have led at the break as Wilson headed onto the bar from a Jack McDonnell corner. Continue Reading

Woodcocks Inflict Third Successive Defeat

Another make-shift line-up for West End who set off for this fixture with just nine men, guest appearances from Kieran and Richard Snape taking them to eleven. With Ben still injured Glen Wilson donned the gloves again, and kept West End in the match early on, saving twice from Woodcocks’ forward and once from Alf’s sliced clearance before he was eventually beaten by a penalty from the opposition’s goalkeeper. West End had struck the post with the match at 0-0 but it was to be as close as they came all game, and as they chased an equaliser the team lost its shape allowing Woodcocks to double their advantage with a well struck shot from the right channel. With little going West End’s way it was to prove a frustrating morning as the Beers crashed to their third successive defeat.

Line-up (4-4-2): Glen Wilson; Stephen Pearce, Adrian Gray, Jay Dann, Jez Ashberry; James Dewhurst, Sam Boothman, Richard Snape, Kieran; Dan Hill, Sam McDonnell
Man of the match: Adrian Gray
Dick of the day: Dan Hill / the referee

Unbeaten Run Ends

After ten games unbeaten West End finally suffered their first defeat of the season and their only home league defeat of 2007 with a lacklustre display against lowly Woodcocks Athletic. Although the opposition created little, they managed to finish four of the five chances they did forge with some well taken goals to leave West End chasing the match. Despite two goals from Dave Carver and another from Gav Sumner, all from corners, it was too little to late as Woodcocks ran out 4-3 winners.

Line-up (4-4-2): Ben Sheehan; Dale Annous, Sam Boothman, Glen Wilson, Adrian Gray; James Dewhurst, Joe Harper, Gav Sumner, Stephen Pearce; Dave Capps, Dave Carver
Sub not used: Jez Ashberry
Man of the match: Gav Sumner (goal for the captain)
Dick of the day: Stephen Pearce