In a pulsating cup encounter at the Holditch Miners Club on 19 January 2025, Wedgwood FC emerged victorious over FC Mona with a final score of 6-4. The match, which kicked off at 10:30 am, was a showcase of attacking football, with both teams displaying their offensive prowess throughout the 90 minutes plus added time.
Wedgwood FC lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for fluid attacking transitions. Adam Dunn took his place in goal, shielded by a back four consisting of Brandyn Williams and Alex Bayley as the right and left defenders, respectively, with Jordan Coleman and Ricci Edwards forming the central defensive partnership. In midfield, Henri Royals and Nick Fricker operated as central midfielders, tasked with linking play and providing support to the attacking trio. Shane Reaney, Nick Bennet, and Craig Cookson occupied the right, left, and central attacking midfield roles, respectively, with Owen Bott leading the line as the striker. The substitutes for the match included Jay Blood, Callum Henry, Brendon Whitfield, and Oliver Heath.
The match began with an early flourish from Wedgwood FC, as Craig Cookson made a key pass just a minute in, setting the tone for an aggressive start. Within two minutes, Cookson himself had an attempt on goal, but it went wide. The early exchanges saw Alex Bayley making a crucial clearance to maintain the pressure on FC Mona. Cookson continued to be a focal point for Wedgwood, delivering another key pass in the fifth minute.
However, the match took a turn when Jordan Coleman committed a late tackle, resulting in a foul just six minutes in. Cookson's influence was undeniable, as he earned a penalty in the 11th minute, which he confidently converted, giving Wedgwood a 1-0 lead, assisted by Brandyn Williams. Adam Dunn showcased his goalkeeping skills shortly after, making a catch in the 18th minute and a full-stretch save in the 25th minute to keep FC Mona at bay.
FC Mona responded in the 26th minute, scoring an equaliser that shifted the momentum of the game. The defensive efforts of Ricci Edwards were vital, as he made a crucial tackle in the 29th minute to prevent further damage. However, Owen Bott restored Wedgwood's lead in the 33rd minute, scoring a solo goal after a long pass from Shane Reaney.
As the first half drew to a close, Cookson had another attempt that went high, while Nick Fricker and Nick Bennet both made key passes in the 37th minute. Jordan Coleman made a defensive header in the 38th minute, but FC Mona struck again in the 39th minute, equalising once more. Just before half-time, Cookson found the net again in the 42nd minute, scoring with his left foot from a cross by Reaney, sending Wedgwood into the break with a 3-2 lead.
The second half commenced with Ricci Edwards making a tackle just after the restart, but it was Coleman who found himself in the referee's book for persistent infringements in the 47th minute. Moments later, Owen Bott scored again, this time inside the box, assisted by Henri Royals, extending Wedgwood's lead to 4-2.
Substitutions began in the 52nd minute, with Jay Blood replacing Bott. The match continued to ebb and flow, with Brandyn Williams making a vital tackle in the 57th minute. Callum Henry came on for Nick Fricker in the 59th minute, adding fresh legs to the midfield. Nick Bennet made a key pass in the 64th minute, while Dunn continued to impress with a catch in the 67th minute.
As the match approached its final stages, Callum Henry made a tackle in the 75th minute, and Brendon Whitfield replaced Brandyn Williams in the 77th minute. Nick Bennet scored in the 81st minute, assisted by Henry, pushing the score to 5-2.
Despite the comfortable lead, Wedgwood faced a late resurgence from FC Mona, who scored in the 92nd minute. Cookson, however, responded with his third goal of the match in the 94th minute, assisted by Bennet, making it 6-3. FC Mona found the net again in the 97th minute, but it was too little, too late, as the match concluded with Wedgwood FC securing a thrilling 6-4 victory.
The match was a testament to the attacking flair and resilience of both teams, but it was Wedgwood FC who emerged victorious, showcasing their ability to respond under pressure and finish clinically in front of goal.
