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AFC Wallingford went down 4-0 at high flying Slimbridge in the Hellenic premier on Tuesday but can take great heart from a vastly improved performance which saw the visitors play some excellent passing football with Andrew Styles, Ross Tyler and Paul Massaquoi in particular turning in fantastic games.
>p>Wallingford traveled to gloucs depleted with Aaron Baker, Dauda Fofanah and both Taha brothers missing and started with a patched up front line including debutant Satep and Gigi Darsouni making his first appearance for AFC since November 2005. Wallingford started well, playing up the slope with some excellent passing and movement and retaining possession well but Slimbridge showed why they are riding high in the division as they looked dangerous on the attack, Ross Casey wasting a good chance early on. John Shea in the AFC goal was then forced into further fine saves from Will Morford and Casey again. Wallingford were showing well up front, Paul Massaquoi heavily involved down the left and Styles had a looping shot from 20 yards well saved by Chandler. Slimbridge were becoming increasingly frustrated as their Man of the match John Cant crossed for Will Morford who looped his shot over when it looked easier to score. AFC should then have taken the lead, Massaquoi did well to chase down a seemingly lost cause, nicked the ball from the home defence but scuffed the shot wide when clean through. The visitors were then duly punished as Cant got free on the left, whipped in another cross and Tustain wriggled free to score at the near post. The 2nd half started in much the same manner, AFC playing well and Andrew Styles nearly levelled for Wallingford on 50 minutes when he ran clear of the defence, looped the ball up over the advancing keeper only to see it bounce inches wide. Wallingford were, again playing some neat football with Tyler pulling the strings in midfield but the home side always looked good going forward and it was no real surprise when Matt Green made it 2-0 after a mazy run ending in a 15 yard pile driver giving Shea no chance. Styles then had a half chance saved by Chandler after great work from Tyler and substitute Leo Chimundha. Slimbridge then made it 3 when Craig Cole was played clean through, he outpaced the AFC defence and made no mistake with a low right footed finish. John Shea then turned in excellent saves from Ward and Cant but he could do nothing about number 4 for the home side when a James Cole cross from the left was well met by Craig Cole who sent a looping header into the far corner. Massaquoi hit a left foot effort from a corner in the final minutes which was well held by Chandler but the score remained 4-0 at the final whistle. AFC can be proud of the performance they put in, against a good Slimbridge side and with players missing; they gave an excellent account of themselves and will be looking to continue this when they travel to local rivals Abingdon Town on Tuesday 20th March for their next Hellenic Premier Fixture. AFC Wallingford: Shea, Barlow, Lovegrove, Ingram, Fenn, Styles, Boateng, Tyler, Darsouni (Alamini 83), Satep (Climundha 62), Massaquoi. |
