AFC Wallingford Official Website

AFC Wallingford lost 2-1 at home to Long Wittenham on Tuesday night in a game that could easily have gone either way.

Picture: (Wallingford Celebrate Poulters Opener) 

AFC Wallingford failed to convert some good chances on Tuesday night and were made to pay for some poor defending as Long Wittenham came from 1-0 down to win 2-1.

Long Wittenham started the first half brightly and had tested Craven in the Wallingford goal on a number of occasions in the first 15 minutes. Wallingford though were playing some good football but just couldn’t find the finishing touches to a number of very good moves. On the half hour mark a slip from Amos allowed their centre forward in on goal but his shot was pushed on to the bar by Craven. Wallingford continued to play out from the back and build some good moves together but Wittenhams GK and Centre halfs were more than equal to everything Wally had to throw at them.

AFC Wallingford then came out sharply in the second half with Long Wittenham struggling to deal with the pace and skill of the front 4, especially Jordan Brown. Within a minute of the restart Wallingford had had 2 corners, only 4 minutes later a Chadbone effort was saved. On 52 minutes Poulter broke through only to see his shot fly over. 54 minutes saw Butchers header blocked with Chadbone twice unable to force home the rebound. On 57 Poulters cross was put wide by Chadbone. On the hour mark it was the lively Jordan Brown who weaved his way through 3 defenders and found Poulter 5 yards out to smash home a deserved opener. Long Wittenham responded quickly. On 69 minutes Wally failed to clear a free kick and the ball dropped 6 yards out. Their centre forward showed great strength to hold of Amos and turn to finish into the far corner. Dane Kirby came on for his debut and replaced Collins and his introduction had an instant impact as he began to win a few second balls and hold the ball up well but Wallingford were undone only 4 minutes later when a corner was headed onto the bar and as Kelleher jumped to head the ball clear the ball landed on the bar and fell nicely for a Long Wittenham player to head home. Minutes after the restart Jordan Brown received the ball out wide, he drove past his full back and cut inside, his clever reverse pass found Chadbone 12 yards out with only the keeper to beat but shot straight at the keeper. From the resulting corner Butcher volleyed over when well placed at the far post. Charles replaced Poulter and on 85 minutes the two subs nearly combined to get the equaliser. Charles’ cross found Kirby stretching at the far post and with the goal gaping he lifted the ball over the bar.

Not a bad performance but a performance which was missing something. Hopefully they can add that final touch when they travel to Westbury United on Saturday in the FA Vase.

Match Squad:

1. Henry Craven

2. Ashley Godwin

3. Ross Baker 

4. Ben Gladwin

5. Michael Butcher 

6. Courtney Amos 

7. Jordan Brown

8. Sean Kelleher 

9. Ben Chadbone

10. Tom Collins

11. Jordan Brown

12. Dane Kirby

14. Ashley Charles