In a pulsating league match at the Wedgwood Sports and Social Club on 20th October 2024, Wedgwood FC edged past RB Silverdale with a narrow 4-3 victory. The match kicked off at 10:30 am and provided a feast of attacking football, with both teams showcasing their talents in a high-stakes encounter.
Wedgwood FC set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Chris Dyer guarding the goal. The backline consisted of Brandyn Williams on the right, Alex Bayley on the left, and the central defensive pairing of Ricci Edwards and Jordan Coleman. In midfield, George Barlow and Henri Royals operated as central midfielders, tasked with both defensive duties and supporting the attack. The attacking trio featured Jay Blood on the right, Nick Bennet on the left, and Callum Henry in the central attacking role, while Shane Reaney led the line as the striker. The substitutes for Wedgwood included Owen Bott and Kai Parsons.
The match began with an early attempt from Henri Royals, who shot wide in the second minute, signalling Wedgwood's intent. Callum Henry followed suit with a high effort in the 15th minute, but it was Shane Reaney who came closest shortly after, only to see his shot miss the target in the 22nd minute. Defensively, Ricci Edwards made a crucial clearance, while Jordan Coleman and Alex Bayley contributed with a header and an interception, respectively, to keep the visitors at bay.
As the half progressed, Callum Henry tested the RB Silverdale goalkeeper with a saved effort in the 26th minute, but it was Ricci Edwards who broke the deadlock in the 30th minute. Following a corner taken by George Barlow, Edwards found the net with a precise right-footed shot, sending the home crowd into raptures. However, the lead was short-lived as RB Silverdale struck back with two quick goals, equalising in the 35th minute and then taking the lead just before half-time in the 45th minute.
The second half began with a renewed sense of urgency from Wedgwood, and they quickly equalised just after the restart. Ricci Edwards scored again in the 46th minute, this time with a powerful header from another corner delivered by George Barlow. The momentum shifted, and in the 48th minute, Owen Bott replaced Shane Reaney, adding fresh legs to the attack.
The game continued to ebb and flow, and RB Silverdale found the net again in the 64th minute, regaining the lead. In response, Wedgwood made two substitutions: Kai Parsons came on for Jay Blood and Jay Blood returned for Callum Henry in the 64th and 65th minutes, respectively, as they sought to regain control of the match.
The turning point came in the 75th minute when Owen Bott scored a crucial goal, assisted by Brandyn Williams, to level the score at 3-3. Bott's right-footed strike was a testament to his impact off the bench. As the match approached its climax, Kai Parsons nearly put Wedgwood ahead but struck the post in the 81st minute.
In a dramatic finish, Henri Royals clinched the victory for Wedgwood in the 88th minute, converting a well-placed assist from Owen Bott with a right-footed shot. The home side held on to their lead, securing a thrilling 4-3 victory against RB Silverdale. The match was a showcase of resilience and attacking flair, leaving fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
