Wedgwood FC faced Clough FC in a tightly contested league match at Birchenwood Playing Fields on 10 April 2025, with the visitors emerging victorious by a scoreline of 2-1. The match kicked off at 6:15pm, setting the stage for an intense battle between the two sides.
Wedgwood FC adopted a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Adam Dunn in goal, supported by a back four comprising Ben Deakin on the right, Alex Bayley on the left, and a central defensive partnership of Jordan Coleman and Ricci Edwards. In midfield, George Barlow and Henri Royals operated as central midfielders, while Nick Bennet and Jay Blood provided width as right and left attacking midfielders respectively. Callum Henry played as the attacking midfielder, just behind striker Craig Cookson, who led the line. The substitutes for the match included Brendon Whitfield and Ethan Poole.
The match began with an early defensive intervention from Ricci Edwards, who made a crucial header to clear the danger in the second minute. Wedgwood FC quickly sought to assert themselves, with George Barlow delivering a long pass in the fourth minute, although it failed to create a significant chance. Jay Blood followed suit with another long pass shortly after, but again, no opportunity arose from it.
Defensively, Jordan Coleman made a timely clearance in the sixth minute, ensuring that Clough FC could not capitalise on their early possession. Barlow then attempted a shot in the seventh minute, but it was saved comfortably by the opposing goalkeeper. Henri Royals showcased his defensive capabilities with a header in the eighth minute, while Ben Deakin made an important interception in the ninth to maintain the scoreline.
As the match progressed, Alex Bayley had an opportunity in the tenth minute, but his attempt went high. Royals continued to influence the game, delivering a long pass in the twelfth minute, though it did not lead to a chance. Jay Blood's defensive efforts were highlighted in the thirteenth minute with a well-timed tackle, while Callum Henry made an interception in the fifteenth minute, contributing to the team's defensive solidity.
Henry then made a key pass that created a chance in the fifteenth minute, showcasing his attacking intent. The game saw a near miss when Henri Royals struck the crossbar in the twentieth minute, a moment that could have changed the tide for Wedgwood FC. Shortly after, Callum Henry had a shot saved in the twenty-second minute, followed by Barlow, who also saw his attempt saved.
Royals continued to be a creative force, making another key pass in the twenty-fourth minute that led to a chance. Craig Cookson joined the action with a long pass in the twenty-eighth minute, which also created an opportunity. However, Barlow's attempt in the twenty-eighth minute went high, and Nick Bennet's efforts in the thirty-first and thirty-fourth minutes were both saved, as Wedgwood FC struggled to find the back of the net.
Defensively, Alex Bayley made a clearance in the thirty-sixth minute, but the breakthrough finally came for Wedgwood FC in the thirty-seventh minute when Callum Henry scored a header, assisted by Craig Cookson. This goal brought the score to 1-0, igniting hopes for the home side.
However, the second half saw a shift in momentum. Clough FC equalised in the fifty-third minute, taking advantage of a lapse in the Wedgwood defence. Henri Royals had a chance to restore the lead shortly after, but his effort in the fifty-fourth minute went wide. Nick Bennet's attempt in the sixty-first minute was high, reflecting the mounting pressure on the Wedgwood defence.
Clough FC took the lead in the seventy-first minute, scoring their second goal and leaving Wedgwood FC trailing. In response, Wedgwood made a tactical substitution, bringing on Brendon Whitfield for Ben Deakin in the seventy-first minute. Shortly after, Ethan Poole replaced Craig Cookson due to injury in the seventy-eighth minute.
Despite their efforts, including a high attempt from Callum Henry in the seventy-ninth minute and a wide shot from Ricci Edwards in the eighty-first minute, Wedgwood FC could not find an equaliser. Alex Bayley made a final clearance in the eighty-eighth minute, but it was too late to change the outcome. The match concluded with Clough FC securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Wedgwood FC, leaving the home side to ponder missed opportunities and defensive lapses that ultimately cost them the match.
