Match Review: Whiteley Wanderers (0) vs Mob Albion (3)

Whiteley Wanderers 0 – 3 Mob Albion
Due to Overton progressing in the cup Whiteley welcomed Mob Albion instead to Oasis Academy Mayfield, with Mob Albion just one place and one point behind
Whiteley before the game.

Whiteley started quick with Ellis through on goal making the keeper pull off a great save, the rebound falls to Kerby who quickly shoots forcing another save from the keeper. Dylan then makes a darting run forwards from left back picking the ball up out wide and playing it into Ellis who crosses into the middle for a shot from Rory.

The focus then switched to the other end with Mob driving forwards forcing a save from Vickery. At this stage it was very a much a 50:50 game with end-to-end football. The next attack from Mob forced Vickery to race out denying them a chance at goal. Straight back down the other end and pressure from Whiteley creates a poor kick from the Mob keeper which Bell wins, striking the ball well but just over the crossbar. At this stage of the game Whiteley are getting shots off whenever they can, keeping the Mob defence busy. Whiteley then win a number of corners in quick succession which unfortunately come to nothing. From the last of these Mob break quickly to win their own corner at the other end of the pitch.

Whiteley struggle to clear the ball resulting in Mob putting their shot into the side netting. Whiteley then take the game down the other end with Kerby playing Ellis through who in turn slots it to Matt who was flagged offside.

At this stage Whiteley attackers are gambling at every attack and getting shots off at every opportunity. This gives Mob space to launch their own attacks but are first shut out by Dylan who
covers well and then by Vickery who pulls off a great save at close range. The next attacks come from Whiteley with Ellis putting Matt through for a shot straight down the middle. Kerby then puts Ellis through who battles hard through the Mob challenges but can’t find a shot through their defence.

Mob then pull the focus back to the other end winning a corner, they put in a great delivery which is met by a powerful header putting the ball beyond the Whiteley keeper. After going a goal down Whiteley don’t relax with both full backs getting involved in the attack and winning a corner. They continue to work hard to get a goal back with Bell striking the ball hard goalward which the keeper spills and their defender then puts it behind for a corner. On the next attack Matt has the ball in the back of the net after a great cross from Ellis who plays it into Rory for a shot off the post which falls to Matt who finishes cleanly. Unfortunately the ref saw something in the build up and rules the goal out for a foul.

Half Time 0 – 1

Both teams come out after the break looking for goals with Ellis having the first attempt and winning a corner. Whiteley try a quick corner which Mob win and then break quickly but great defending and a double block from Dylan keeps the score at 0 – 1. 10 minutes in Whiteley make a sub and a change of positions through the team to try something new. Whiteley continue to try hard to find a breakthrough with a long free kick forwards and the ball bouncing around falls to Harrison who lets off a rocket of a shot over the bar. Whiteley don’t stop there and keep bringing the attacks to Mob but their defence cope well with these.

Mob are doing well now to turn our attacks into counter attacks keeping our defence busy. Harrison again leads the next Whiteley attack working well with Dylan before Dylan puts Harrison in to again strike the ball well towards goal. At this stage Mob are bringing little to the game in open play, Ellis takes advantage of this with a volley at their keeper. Mob then take advantage of Whiteley losing the ball in the middle and pass the ball forwards into space, the Mob striker is quickest to react and strikes the ball well off the crossbar and into the net. Whiteley don’t let the score get to them though with attempts from Kerby and Matt then followed up by a powerful strike by Dylan which is palmed wide for a corner.

Ellis is next to draw a corner for the home team from a free kick. Mob continue to defend well keeping the Whiteley shots away from their keeper. Mob’s next attack drives the ball hard into the box which results in confusion between the Whiteley defenders and keeper and the ball ends up in the net. Was it an own goal? Very difficult to say given the confusion in the box. Whiteley haven’t finished yet though with a strong strike from Willmott followed by the last attack of the game resulting in Kerby having a shot straight at the keeper.

A difficult result to take this week as Whiteley were arguably the better team for most of the game. Unfortunately, Whiteley were unable to capitalise from their many chances at goal and Mob Albion were able to take the chances that fell to them. An entertaining game to watch and even if the scoreline didn’t favour the home team, there was a lot of positives to take away and work with for the next game. Whiteley now fall to 12 th in the table.

Line-up: Vickery, Radford (88), Godwin, Hancock, Harding, Newman (80), Bell (89), Hills (55), Lainson, Kerby-Dickinson, Kilty

Subs: T Davies (55), Paramor (80), Perry (88), Willmott (89), S Davies (Unused)

Man of the Match: Harrison Radford
Goal Scorers for Whiteley Wanderers:
Goals for Mob Albion: (35, 80, 94)
Yellow Cards: Ellis Kilty (92). Mob Albion x 2 (84, 92)