Wigmore Wanderers FC faced off against Palmerston Athletic First in a thrilling league encounter at Barnfield Playing Fields #2 on 9th February 2025, with the Wanderers emerging victorious with a resounding 7-2 scoreline. The match kicked off at 10:30 am, showcasing an impressive display of attacking football from the Wanderers.
Wigmore Wanderers set up in a dynamic 3-4-3 formation, designed to maximise their attacking prowess while maintaining a solid defensive structure. Zach Henderson donned the gloves as the goalkeeper, shielded by a trio of defenders: Harley Tutt on the right, Alex Toms in the centre, and Harvey Edkins on the left. The midfield was anchored by Dan Bailey and Liam Apps in central roles, with Tom Spearink and Harry Smith providing width as right and left midfielders, respectively. Up front, Ronnie Porter and George Hennessy flanked striker James Lundie, who was tasked with leading the line.
The substitutes for the match included George Alp, Charlie Ivey, and Ben Brewster, who would later play a pivotal role in the outcome of the game.
The match began with an unexpected twist as Palmerston Athletic conceded an own goal just one minute in, courtesy of a misjudged clearance following a cross from Tom Spearink. This early setback set the tone for a dominant performance by the Wanderers.
By the seventh minute, the Wanderers doubled their lead when James Lundie tapped in from close range, following a corner delivered by George Hennessy. The momentum continued to build as Ronnie Porter found the net in the 16th minute, converting a long pass from Hennessy with a precise left-footed finish inside the box.
George Hennessy was proving to be a key player, and he scored himself in the 22nd minute, tapping in another close-range effort after a well-placed cross from Harry Smith. The Wanderers were in complete control, and their tactical substitutions began to unfold as they sought to maintain their dominance.
In the 25th minute, George Alp replaced Harvey Edkins, followed shortly by Charlie Ivey coming on for Dan Bailey in the 31st minute. The Wanderers continued to press, and in the 34th minute, Hennessy netted his second of the match, again benefiting from a short pass from Ronnie Porter, showcasing the Wanderers' fluid attacking play.
As the first half drew to a close, the Wanderers made further tactical adjustments, bringing on Tom Spearink for Ronnie Porter and Dan Bailey for Liam Apps at the start of the second half. The Wanderers went into the break with a commanding 4-0 lead.
The second half began with Ben Brewster making an immediate impact, scoring in the 53rd minute with a right-footed finish after a long pass from Lundie. However, Palmerston Athletic managed to pull one back in the 57th minute, scoring from close range to make it 5-1.
The Wanderers responded swiftly, with Brewster finding the net again in the 73rd minute, this time with a powerful header from a cross delivered by Ronnie Porter. The scoreline now read 6-1, and the Wanderers were firmly in control.
Substitutions continued to shape the match, with Ronnie Porter returning to the pitch in place of Harry Smith in the 62nd minute, and Alex Toms coming on for James Lundie in the 71st minute.
Despite the Wanderers' dominance, Palmerston Athletic managed to find the net once more in the 89th minute, scoring another close-range goal to reduce the deficit to 6-2. However, the final blow came from the Wanderers, who sealed the match with a seventh goal, showcasing their attacking flair and clinical finishing.
With the match concluding at 7-2, Ben Brewster's performance stood out, earning him the accolade of Player of the Match. The Wanderers' emphatic victory not only highlighted their attacking capabilities but also demonstrated their tactical flexibility, leaving them in high spirits as they look ahead to their next challenge in the league.
