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 Wallingford fell to another defeat with a scoreline that did not reflect a spirited performance.
The visitors got off to yet another awful start when John Shea could not hold onto a high cross after 2 minutes, and Adam Beckett drove the ball home into an unguarded net. It was typical of Wallingford’s season that they were immediately up against it, but they did not let their heads drop and almost found an equaliser – Sean Weston broke clear in the box and only a last ditch tackle prevented him from scoring. Wallingford showed plenty of endeavour, and on a frosty pitch, they passed the ball around nicely. Andrew Stourton went close on fifteen minutes, cutting back inside from the left and curling the ball over the keeper, but onto the roof of the net. At the other end, Ardley exploited a few gaps in the Wallingford defence. Trott headed over from 5 yards following a corner and Shea had to make an excellent reflex save to deny the pacy Ardley winger Leon Gordon. Just before half time the visitors had Ardley on the rack with a number of dangerous attacks. After a ball down the line from young defender Aaron Davies, Michael Fellows scrapped and won the ball on the right and fed Weston on the edge of the area and the striker tried his luck from 15 yards out, but smashed his shot into the side netting. Wallingford started brightly again in the second half, putting the home side under pressure from the off. However, it was another high ball into the box that underdid the visitors after 60 minutes. Chris Hill curled in a fairly innocuous high cross, but Steve Garbutt rose highest and beat Shea with a brilliant looping header from 15 yards out. Hill then blasted a great chance over the bar after Shea had parried a close range shot. Wallingford ’s young side were still passing the ball around well, however and James Lambert went close with a long range deflected shot that flew just wide. The hard working Peter Lamont then released Michael Fellows on the edge of the area and he struck a powerful effort first time which just brushed the crossbar. In the 90th minute Brad Chalmers fouled substitute Phil Martin in the box and Danny Mason stepped up to smash the penalty home for Ardley for a disappointing 3-0 scoreline. After a disastrous start to the season, Wallingford ’s young team is starting to show some promise, but they must start converting good performances into results if they are to drag themselves out of the relegation zone. Team: John Shea, Aaron Davies, Jamie Debanks, Ian Fenn (capt), Brad Chalmers, Craig Hambridge, Michael Fellows, Peter Lamont, Shaun Weston, James Lambert, Andrew Storton Subs, all used: Jefferson Harriott, Craig McMahon and Michael Weir |
