AFC Wallingford Official Website

AFC Wallingford held on for a point with only 10 men in a tough match against their toughest opposition yet.

Although a dissapointing result in the chase for the title this game/performance will put Wallingfords young side in good stead for the remainder of the season. Great charecter and team spirit was shown by Wallingfords side which only contained 3 players over the age of 18, three of which were only 16. 

Goals from Duncan and Gladwin put Wallingford 2-0 up in half an hour after seeing off long periods of pressure from a strong Wootton & Dry Sandford side. Wallingford were forced into a more direct style of play due to the "field" they had to play the match on. It was clear to see why Wootton are unbeaten at home this year with their no nonsense defending and tidy front play. Another Lewis set piece found Duncan who guided the ball home on 21 minutes and Gladwin fired home from long range on 23 minutes. Wootton got themselves back into the game 10 minutes from half time when a shot was blasted at Man of the Match Butcher who was harshly adjudged to have blocked the ball with his arm 6 yards from goal.

Wallingford looked to get the next goal which would have helped ease any nerves but their cause was not helped when the ref felt a late challenge from Amos deserved a red card. This was the first card of the game and was not helped by the interference from Woottons aggresive supporters who constantly battered Wallingfords young team. Ben Jennings was forced off on his debut but Wallingford defended superbly to deny Wootton a route back into the game until 15 minutes from the end when a long range effort somehow squirmed under the body of Bovingdon in the Wallingford goal. After this goal the game began to change as Wallingford could have stolen the points when Gladwin and Collins both shot wide when well placed on the break. Bovingdon redeemed himself with 2 good saves in a game which was now end to end. Butcher, who was lucky to stay on the pitch after a miss-timed 2 footed lunge, headed an excellent Lewis delivery wide when well placed late on.

Match Squad:

1. Nick Bovingdon

2. Gareth Sanashee

3. Tristan Lewis

4. Komal Llewelyn-Reid

5. Michael Butcher 

6. Courtney Amos (c)

7. Ross Baker

8. Ben Gladwin

9. Ben Jennings

10. Tom Collins

11. Craig Duncan

12. Jordan Lee-Brown (on for Llewelyn-Reid)

14. Omar Mohamed (on for Ben Jennings)

15. Tarome Hemmings (on for Ross Baker)

GOALS: Duncan, Gladwin

BOOKINGS: Butcher                                                    SENT OFF: Amos