In a closely contested league match at the Wedgwood Sports and Social Club on 6th April 2025, Wedgwood FC succumbed to a narrow 2-1 defeat against FC Mona. The match kicked off at 10:30 am, and despite a spirited performance, Wedgwood could not secure the points they desperately needed.
Wedgwood FC lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, which allowed for a solid defensive base while providing flexibility in attack. 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 occupying the central defensive roles. In midfield, Ben Deakin and Callum Henry operated as central midfielders, tasked with linking play between defence and attack. The attacking trio featured Nick Bennet on the right, Shane Reaney on the left, and Jay Blood in a central attacking midfield role, with Ashley Ibbs leading the line as the striker. The substitutes for the match included Nick Fricker and Ethan Poole.
The match began with an early attempt from Shane Reaney, who tested the FC Mona goalkeeper just a minute in, but his effort was saved. Brandyn Williams quickly made his presence felt, intercepting a pass in the second minute to thwart an early FC Mona attack. However, it was the visitors who struck first, scoring in the fifth minute to take a 1-0 lead.
Wedgwood responded positively, with Nick Bennet coming close in the eighth minute, hitting the post with a powerful shot. Shane Reaney continued to be a threat, forcing another save from the FC Mona keeper in the ninth minute. Ashley Ibbs also tried his luck in the eleventh minute, but his shot went wide of the target. Reaney was relentless, again testing the goalkeeper in the thirteenth minute, only to see his shot saved once more.
Brandyn Williams played a crucial role in the fourteenth minute, delivering a long pass that created a chance for his teammates. Reaney, ever the danger man, had yet another attempt saved shortly after. Ashley Ibbs was again off target in the fifteenth minute, as Wedgwood sought an equaliser. Callum Henry made a significant contribution in the nineteenth minute with a long pass that opened up the FC Mona defence, leading to a chance that was ultimately saved.
As the first half progressed, Alex Bayley made a vital tackle in the twenty-sixth minute to prevent a potential FC Mona chance, while Jordan Coleman headed clear in the thirty-seventh minute to maintain the pressure on the visitors. Jay Blood's creativity shone through in the thirty-eighth minute with a slide rule pass that created yet another opportunity for Wedgwood. However, Coleman could not convert, sending his shot wide just before half-time.
The first half concluded with FC Mona leading 1-0, but Wedgwood were determined to turn the tide in the second half. Adam Dunn was called into action immediately after the break, making a full-stretch save in the forty-sixth minute to keep his side in the game. Ashley Ibbs continued to press, forcing another save from the FC Mona goalkeeper shortly after.
Dunn's heroics were on display again in the forty-eighth minute, as he made a point-blank reaction save to deny the visitors. However, the pressure was mounting, and Wedgwood struggled to find their rhythm in the early stages of the second half. Ashley Ibbs had another attempt saved in the fifty-third minute, while Ben Deakin's effort in the fifty-fourth went wide.
In a tactical move, Nick Fricker replaced Ben Deakin in the fifty-seventh minute, aiming to inject fresh energy into the midfield. Ricci Edwards made a crucial interception in the sixtieth minute, preventing FC Mona from extending their lead. Dunn continued to impress, confidently catching a cross in the sixty-first minute.
FC Mona doubled their advantage in the seventy-seventh minute, scoring their second goal and leaving Wedgwood with a mountain to climb. However, the home side responded with resilience, and in the seventy-ninth minute, Nick Bennet found the net from close range after a free kick taken by Nick Fricker, reducing the deficit to 2-1.
In the eighty-second minute, Ben Deakin returned to the pitch, replacing Jordan Coleman, who had suffered an injury. Despite their best efforts, Wedgwood could not find an equaliser, and the match concluded with FC Mona taking all three points.
Adam Dunn's outstanding performance in goal earned him the accolade of Player of the Match, as he made several crucial saves to keep Wedgwood in contention. The defeat leaves Wedgwood FC with much to ponder as they look to bounce back in their next fixture.
