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AFC Wallingford repeated their opening day win over Warborough with another 4-1 win on a slow and difficult pitch

Picture: (Tristan makes a Clearance against Warborough when the sides met back in September) 

In a repeat of the game at the Hithercroft Wallingford dominated long periods of todays game and created numerous goalscoring opportunities which they struggled to convert. However, goals from Collins, Cooper, Baker earned Wally their first win in 5.

Manager Lewis was pleased to be able to strengthen the starting XI with Jordan Brown, Tristan Campbell and Michael Cooper. Bovingdon also returned between the sticks and Ross Baker returned after missing last weekend through Illness.

Wallingford had dealt with the opposition and had failed to convert their chances until Jordan Brown released Top Scorer Collins who rounded the keeper and finished into an empty net after half an hour. Collins then had to be replaced with 5 minutes of the first half remaining with Michael Fellows coming on to make his 153rd appearance for AFC Wallingford. A rare burst forward by left back Tristan Lewis saw him deliver a deep cross which was met by the onrushing Cooper who headed Wallingford into a 2-0 lead at half time.

Wallingford probed for a third continuously in the second half, with Cooper pulling the strings in midfield, but saw shots from Baker, Campbell and Brown either saved or miss the target. With 25 minutes remaining Wally lost possession cheaply with a quick free kick and with players out of position the Warborough striker raced through to get his side back into a game they never looked like challenging for. Butcher then headed over at the far post when stretching for a Campbell delivery but it was a cross from Baker that evaded all defenders and attackers to nestle into the far corner to ease any Wallingford nerves. Wallingford again created good chances but it was a great passing move that earned them their 4th. A 10 - 15 pass move worked its way to Lovell on the edge of the box who turned and finished well into the bottom corner.

The Managment said after the game:

"We spoke before the game about the need for some consistancy to keep ourselves near the top. We have used 30 players now this season in only 14 games which already tells you we have found it hard to field our strongest XI in one game. We were close to being able to do that today and it showed as we created more chances today than we have in a few games. When Chadbone returns he will get himself into a few of the areas that we lacked a little ruthlessness today. It was also good to be able to involve Coops who you could see today adds a presence and experience to our young side. It is vital now that we get a positive result against Saxton in two weeks and try to go on another little run"

Match Squad:

1. Nick Bovingdon

2. Michael Butcher

3. Tristan Lewis

4. Matt Rolfe

5. Michael Cooper 

6. Jordan Lee-Brown (c)

7. Ross Baker

8. Tristan Campbell

9. Craig Duncan

10. Jordan Brown

11. Tom Collins

12. Josh Springer

14. Omar Mohamed (on for Lee-Brown)

15. Michael Fellows (on for Collins)

16. Jake Lovell (on for Brown)

GK. Henry Craven

GOALS: Collins (31) Cooper (42) Baker (73) Lovell (84)

BOOKINGS: BROWN

AFC Wallingford face Faringdon Town in the North Berks Cup at home next weekend.