Author: James White

18th January 2025

Whiteley Wanderers hosted AFC Netley, who entered the match sitting six places above them in the league standings. Despite the gap, Whiteley approached the game with determination and a point to prove.

Netley started brightly, striking the crossbar from an early free kick. Whiteley responded, with Dylan making a strong run down the right before being stopped by a robust challenge. Rory came close soon after, turning neatly to meet Bell’s lofted pass, but his shot rolled wide. Netley pushed forward but found goalkeeper Vickery in fine form, confidently dealing with their efforts.

Whiteley enjoyed a period of pressure as Bell and Rory linked up well to set up Kerby, though the chance ultimately went out for a goal kick. However, a setback came when Kerby suffered an injury in a brave 50-50 challenge and had to be substituted. Moments later, Sherwood’s late tackle earned him a yellow card, but following a heated discussion with the referee, the decision was upgraded to a red. Reduced to ten men, Whiteley faced an uphill battle for the remainder of the match.

Netley sought to take advantage of the extra man, but Vickery and the Whiteley defence stood firm, absorbing the pressure and clearing their lines effectively. The half ended with Whiteley pushing forward, earning a free kick that Dylan nearly controlled to create a chance.

Half-Time: Whiteley Wanderers 0 – 0 AFC Netley

Whiteley came out of the break with renewed intent, but Netley broke the deadlock early in the second half, taking advantage of their numerical superiority with a quick counter down the left to go 1–0 up. Whiteley, undeterred, dug deep and showed immense grit. Bell and Harrison combined to float a ball into the box, but it narrowly evaded Matt.

Netley continued to test Vickery from distance, but the goalkeeper’s bravery kept them at bay. Whiteley’s persistence finally paid off when Harrison threaded a perfectly weighted ball to Rory, who finished clinically to bring the game level. Despite being a man down, Whiteley played with intensity and purpose, making it difficult for Netley to control the game.

As the match wore on, Whiteley piled on the pressure, with Dylan and Rory driving forward and creating openings. Late in the game, Tom flicked on a long ball to Dylan, who linked up with Harrison, but they were unable to find the decisive touch. Netley, visibly tiring, resorted to long balls, which Whiteley dealt with confidently.

The final whistle marked a hard-earned draw, with Whiteley displaying incredible resilience and teamwork to overcome the odds. The effort, passion, and determination from every player ensured they came away with a well-deserved point.

Full-Time: Whiteley Wanderers 1 – 1 AFC Netley

Whiteley Wanderers Line-Up:
Vickery, Harding, Finn, Hancock, Yeo, Lainson (61), J Davies, Sherwood, Kerby-Dickinson (34), Bell, Newman (85)
Substitutes: T Davies (unused), Godwin (61), Hills (85), Paramor (unused), Radford (34)

Man of the Match: Rory Newman
Goal Scorers:

• Whiteley Wanderers: Rory Newman (70)
• AFC Netley: (50)

Yellow Cards: Sherwood (37)
Red Cards: Sherwood (38)

Despite the challenges, Whiteley showed exceptional character to compete against the odds, proving their strength and unity as a team. This performance sets a solid foundation for the matches ahead.

Match Report: Whiteley Wanderers 1 – 3 Hedge End Town

11th January 2025

The first match of 2025 saw Whiteley Wanderers host Hedge End Town, one of the joint second-placed teams in the league. Both sides began the game cautiously, testing the waters without committing too much too early. The first chance fell to Whiteley, as Joe threaded a ball to Angelos, whose shot was saved comfortably by the Hedge End goalkeeper. Hedge End responded with a series of threatening attacks, only to be denied by defensive interventions from Dylan and Josh, though Whiteley struggled to clear their lines effectively.

Hedge End eventually capitalised on their pressure with a long throw that Whiteley failed to deal with, resulting in the opening goal. Both teams traded chances, with Hedge End striking the upright and the crossbar, while Whiteley came close through Angelos and Owei, whose strong efforts were well saved. However, Hedge End doubled their lead after Whiteley’s goalkeeper, Vickery, was unable to claim a long ball, allowing Hedge End to finish into an empty net.

Whiteley pushed hard for a goal before halftime, with Kerby threading a brilliant ball to Angelos, only for a last-ditch tackle to deny him. Owei also found himself in a promising position following a defensive error but couldn’t capitalise. The half concluded with Whiteley trailing 0–2 despite a determined effort to break down the Hedge End defence.

Half-Time: Whiteley Wanderers 0 – 2 Hedge End Town

The second half started brightly for both teams, with Whiteley showing renewed determination. Angelos weaved through defenders but saw his pass intercepted. Whiteley’s pressure grew, with Joe, Kerby, and Harrison working together effectively, while Jack’s header from a free kick was comfortably saved. Hedge End remained dangerous, forcing Whiteley to stay alert defensively.

A tactical shift to three at the back by Whiteley allowed for more offensive momentum, but Hedge End exploited the adjustment immediately, breaking down the flank and slotting home their third goal. Despite the setback, Whiteley didn’t give up. Rory’s strong midfield presence helped break up play, and when Harry linked with Kerby, the ball fell to Bell, who fired home to give Whiteley hope.

The Wanderers continued to press, with Angelos leading the attack, but Hedge End’s defence stood firm. Jack attempted a long-range effort, while Ben and Dylan tried to unlock the opposition, but the final ball just wouldn’t stick. Late efforts from Harry and Angelos kept Hedge End on their toes, but time ran out before Whiteley could further narrow the deficit.

Full-Time: Whiteley Wanderers 1 – 3 Hedge End Town

It was a challenging first half for Whiteley, but their second-half performance showed resilience and determination, with some standout individual displays. Despite the loss, the team can take positives from their fightback and look forward to building on this performance in future matches.

Whiteley Wanderers Line-Up:
Vickery, Radford (65), Godwin (65), Hancock, Harding, Faulkner (29), J Davies (71), Sherwood, Kerby-Dickinson, Amorginos, Owei (76)
Substitutes: Bell (76), Cook (71), Lainson (29), Newman (65), Yeo (65)

Man of the Match: Aaron Kerby-Dickinson
Goal Scorers:

• Whiteley Wanderers: Will Bell (39)
• Hedge End Town: (6, 34, 66)

Yellow Cards:

• Hedge End Town: (61, 79)

Whiteley’s focus now shifts to their next fixture, where they’ll look to carry their second-half momentum forward and secure a positive result.

Date: 21st December 2024

Whiteley Wanderers ended 2024 with a visit to top-of-the-league Broughton, a side that had already defeated them earlier in the season. This time, however, Whiteley delivered a thrilling performance, narrowly losing in a nine-goal encounter.

Broughton started the game with intent, but an early chance was snuffed out by Vickery, who headed clear outside his box. Whiteley responded quickly, forcing a defensive error as Dylan played Scott through, resulting in a corner. From the set piece, Whiteley shouted for handball after a Broughton defender blocked Scott’s shot on the line. The referee had no choice but to show a red card and award a penalty, which Ellis Kilty calmly converted to give Whiteley the lead.

Down to ten men, Broughton reorganised, sacrificing an attacker to maintain a strong backline. Whiteley looked to exploit the advantage, with Joe twice creating chances, first for Ellis, whose shot went straight at the keeper, and then for Scott, who set up Kerby, only for his effort to drift wide.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Broughton countered with pace and precision. A cross from the wing was finished clinically to equalise, and moments later, they capitalised on defensive lapses to make it 2–1. Whiteley’s attempts to retake control saw Rory, Ellis, and Scott linking up, but their attacks faltered. A free kick for Broughton forced a stunning save from Vickery, but the resulting corner led to their third goal.

Whiteley sought to reduce the deficit before half-time, with Rory’s strike from distance testing the keeper. Bell orchestrated several attacks, including a move that saw Ellis force successive corners, but Whiteley couldn’t break through before the whistle.

Half-Time: Broughton 3 – 1 Whiteley Wanderers

The second half began with Whiteley making changes, as Toby replaced Scott and Harrison pushed forward to the right wing. They started brightly, and a mistake by the Broughton keeper gifted Ellis a chance to set up Kerby for a composed finish.

Buoyed by the goal, Whiteley piled on the pressure. Dylan’s delivery found Ousman for a header, but the keeper saved well. Shortly after, a well-worked move between Rory, Ousman, and Jack culminated in a powerful shot from Jack that was also denied.

Whiteley’s persistence paid off when Bell forced a defensive error, allowing Ellis to fire home an equaliser and make it 3–3. Both teams pushed for the lead, but Broughton regained their advantage after Rory fouled an attacker in the box, conceding a penalty that was duly converted.

Whiteley found space down the left through Joe and Dylan, whose whipped cross-shot forced another save. With Broughton now resorting to time-wasting tactics and the game paused for a head injury, Whiteley capitalised on a moment of quick thinking. Spotting the keeper off his line, Charlie Hancock lofted a brilliant shot into the net, levelling the score at 4–4.

As the match entered added time, Broughton earned a dangerous free kick. The shot deflected off the wall, struck the post, and fell kindly for a Broughton player to score the winner with the game’s final kick.

Full-Time: Broughton 5 – 4 Whiteley Wanderers

Whiteley showed immense character, particularly in the second half, and were unlucky to leave without a point. The game was packed with positives, including standout goals and strong teamwork. Man of the Match: Jack Sherwood delivered an exceptional performance in defence, epitomising the team’s fighting spirit.

Line-up: Vickery, Radford (56), C Hancock, Sherwood, Harding, Newman (80), Bell, J Davies, Faulkner (45), Kerby-Dickinson, Kilty
Subs: Boye (56), S Hancock (80), T Hancock (45) (91), Hills (Unused), Steer (91)

Man of the Match: Jack Sherwood

Goal Scorers for Whiteley Wanderers: Ellis Kilty (6) Pen, (67), Aaron Kerby-Dickinson (48), Charlie Hancock (86)
Goals for Broughton: (11, 12, 22, 74 Pen, 93)

Yellow Cards: Jack Sherwood (24), Broughton (79)
Red Cards: Broughton (5)

Match Report: Whiteley Wanderers 0 – 0 QK Southampton
Date: 9th December 2024

For their final home game of 2024, Whiteley Wanderers welcomed QK Southampton to Oasis Academy Mayfield. Despite QK sitting bottom of the league, they proved to be far more resilient than their position suggested in a hard-fought encounter.

The game started slowly, with QK forced into an early substitution after one of their defenders suffered an injury within the opening two minutes. As play resumed, Whiteley applied a high press, controlling possession in QK’s half. The first opportunity fell to QK with a free kick, but Vickery comfortably gathered the effort.

Play quickly turned into an end-to-end contest, though both sides struggled to capitalise, with long balls proving largely ineffective. Whiteley began to settle, and the first real chance came through Bell, who tested the keeper from distance and earned a corner. Scott followed up with a strike from outside the box, but it was an easy save for the QK goalkeeper.

Whiteley built patiently, keeping possession well, but Owei’s eagerness saw him repeatedly caught offside against QK’s high defensive line. QK looked to take advantage of Whiteley’s attacking intent, breaking forward with increasing purpose. A promising QK attack was cut short by Spencer, who won the ball deep in Whiteley’s half and launched a long ball forward, only for Owei to be flagged offside once again.

Whiteley pressed on, with Ousman firing a long-range shot and Bell’s driven free kick striking the QK wall. Charlie stepped up for the next set piece but sent his effort high and wide. The hosts came close through Dylan’s driving run from left-back, combining with Owei, but his shot was well saved.

QK’s best opportunity of the half came from a one-on-one with Vickery, who bravely came off his line to make a crucial save. The rebound fell to a QK attacker, but skipper Charlie was on hand to clear the danger. As tensions grew, QK’s number 9 earned a yellow card for persistent fouls. Whiteley ended the half with two long-range efforts, first from Dylan and then a brilliant volley from Josh, both comfortably dealt with by the QK keeper.

Half-Time: 0 – 0

The second half saw Whiteley start brightly, with Scott taking an early shot and setting up Bell for another effort soon after. A promising team move culminated in a powerful strike from Dylan, which forced an impressive save from the QK goalkeeper.

However, QK remained dangerous on the break, exploiting gaps in the Whiteley midfield. Their attackers fired shots regularly, though most either went wide or straight at Vickery, who handled the pressure well. At the other end, QK’s defence became increasingly impenetrable, dealing comfortably with chances from Charlie, Bell, and Owei.

QK came close to breaking the deadlock when a loose pass ran wide to their striker, who somehow whipped the ball back across goal, forcing a goal-line clearance from Dylan. Whiteley remained resolute under pressure, determined not to concede.

In a late push for a goal, Charlie played Scott through on goal, only for the QK defender to pull him back, earning Whiteley a free kick. Lyle struck the set piece well, forcing a full-stretch save from the QK keeper. The final chance of the match fell to QK, who threw everything forward in search of a winner, but Vickery produced a heroic save on the goal line to keep the scores level.

Full-Time: Whiteley Wanderers 0 – 0 QK Southampton

It was a fair result in a game where both teams showed resilience and determination. QK played far better than their league position suggested, giving Whiteley a tough challenge. The Man of the Match was awarded to Reece Finn for an outstanding debut performance at centre-back, though any of the back five could have claimed the accolade after a superb defensive display.

Next week, Whiteley travel to face top-of-the-league Broughton, who were recently unbeaten. Let’s get behind the team and see if they can secure three points!

Line-up:
Vickery, Radford (77), Godwin, Finn, Harding, C Hancock, Boye (83), Bell, Faulkner (89), S Hancock (58), Owei

Subs: T Davies (89), Harry (58), Hills (83), Steer (77)

Man of the Match: Reece Finn

Yellow Cards: Ousman Boye (57), QK Southampton (41, 86)

Amid the chaos caused by Storm Darragh, Whiteley Wanderers braved the conditions to travel north to Basingstoke for a league match against Twentyten. Sitting 11th, Whiteley faced a team at the bottom of the table in what would prove to be a challenging encounter shaped by the unforgiving weather.

The game began tentatively as both teams adjusted to the strong winds and driving rain. Whiteley created the first notable chance when Bell played Jack through on goal, but his shot drifted wide. Twentyten responded by breaking forward, earning a free kick after Jack committed a foul, but the attempt was struck harmlessly into the wall.

Whiteley had their moments, with Matt’s deep free kick finding Marcus, who flicked it on to Dylan for a long-range shot that narrowly missed. Sustained pressure saw Angelos and Dylan link up well, with Angelos firing straight at the keeper. Dylan attempted an audacious overhead kick from Matt’s corner, but the resulting rebound from Harrison’s strike earned another corner.

Twentyten then seized the initiative, with a dangerous attack culminating in a goal amidst chaos in Whiteley’s box, assisted by the swirling wind. Another long-range attempt forced Vickery to tip the ball over, and the follow-up shot from the resulting corner was saved, though the striker was flagged offside.

Frustrations grew as Whiteley misjudged passes in the wind. A controversial moment saw Jack through on goal, only to be pulled down, but the referee ruled him offside. Jack’s protests earned him a sin bin, leaving Whiteley to regroup with ten men. Twentyten capitalised on the numerical advantage, doubling their lead with a deflected strike that left Vickery helpless.

Despite efforts from Bell, Kerby, and Angelos, Whiteley went into half-time trailing 2–0.

Half-Time: Twentyten 2 – 0 Whiteley Wanderers

Emerging from the break, Whiteley showed determination to fight back. Bell tested the wind with an early shot, and Kerby came close after a clever move from Marcus and Angelos. Charlie stepped up, winning the ball deep in his own half and driving forward to fire a shot that the keeper fumbled into the net, reducing the deficit.

Twentyten pressed to restore their two-goal lead, but Whiteley’s defence, led by Dylan and Charlie, held firm. The stormy conditions caused a brief stoppage as damaged advertising boards were cleared. Once play resumed, Whiteley focused on keeping the ball on the ground, finding more success.

Late in the game, Charlie repeated his earlier heroics with another driving run, but this time his effort went out for a corner. Kerby and Willmott combined for a header that went over, and Dylan’s surging run through the defence ended without a shot.

Deep into injury time, Angelos drew a foul, giving Bell the chance to level the score. Bell delivered a perfectly struck free kick into the back of the net to make it 2–2. Whiteley pushed for a winner, with Angelos coming close before being forced off injured. Playing the final moments with ten men, Whiteley’s last chance fell to Willmott, but his shot went wide.

Full-Time: Twentyten 2 – 2 Whiteley Wanderers

In a game dominated by adverse weather, both teams battled hard but ultimately had to settle for a draw. On a day when conditions often dictated the play, the result reflected the effort and resilience of both sides.

Line-up:
Vickery, Radford, Hancock, Hills (79), Lainson (89), Harding, Sherwood, Bell, Kerby-Dickinson, Amorginos (93), Paramor (57)
Subs: Boye (79), Hunter (89), Willmott (57)

Man of the Match: Charlie Hancock

Goal Scorers for Whiteley Wanderers: Charlie Hancock (58), Will Bell (92)

Goals for Twentyten: (23, 42)

Yellow Cards: Harry Willmott (77), Twentyten (60, 78)

Sin Bin: Jack Sherwood (37)

After a week off, Whiteley travelled north to face Headley. The opposition began the game in 8th place, with Whiteley starting in 12th. Whiteley started brightly, with Scott breaking down the right in an early attack, but his quick feet betrayed him, and the opportunity came to nothing. Headley struggled to get a foothold in the game, conceding early free kicks. One of these was punished by Whiteley as Matt fired a shot from distance, which the Headley keeper fumbled into the back of the net.

Headley responded with attempts to breach Whiteley’s defence, but their efforts were thwarted, with one shot going wide and another straight at Vickery. Whiteley were forced into an early substitution, with Tom replacing Marcus in defence. In a subsequent attack, Harrison won the ball deep and found Owei, who spread it wide, though the move failed to produce a chance.

The next wave of attacks saw a well-executed build-up involving Harrison, Owei, Angelos, and Scott, culminating in a corner. Headley responded with a free kick that sliced through Whiteley’s defence but was deflected wide. Whiteley continued to press, keeping Headley in their half, but struggled to create clear opportunities. Headley countered with pace, beating the Whiteley defence, only to put the ball wide.

Whiteley came close again when Bell threaded a ball to Owei, whose shot rebounded to Scott, who, from just yards out, sent it over the bar. Moments later, Bell fed Scott again, but the winger couldn’t find space to shoot or cross. Skipper Charlie joined the fray, winning the ball and unleashing a shot from distance. Headley retaliated with a well-crafted chance, but Vickery dealt with it easily.

Headley then capitalised on an opportunity, working the ball out wide before delivering a pinpoint cross for a simple header to equalise. Both sides traded chances, with Angelos firing high and Headley forcing a deflection wide for a corner. Whiteley struck back when Matt drove into the box and won a penalty, which Bell coolly converted.

Determined to extend their lead, Whiteley pressed again, with Matt delivering a dangerous cross into the box, but no one was there to meet it. Bell’s vision soon found Scott, who calmly slotted the ball into the net to make it 1-3 just before half-time.

Half-Time: Headley 1 – 3 Whiteley

The second half began with Whiteley on the attack, but a promising ball into the box from Matt floated over Angelos’ head. Headley then drove forward, earning a corner that Dylan expertly defended. Scott surged forward, connecting with Matt, but the cross was too deep. Harrison came close with a long-range effort fumbled by the keeper, though no one was there to capitalise.

Headley’s attempts to claw back were met with staunch defending, as Dylan blocked a cross and Harrison cleared. Both sides created chances, with Rory testing the Headley keeper from distance and Headley forcing another easy save from Vickery. A moment of brilliance came as Dylan’s quick throw found Angelos, who danced through the defence, though his shot was easily saved.

As Headley countered, Dylan’s perfectly timed slide tackle denied them. Whiteley broke again, with Owei flicking to Matt, who crossed for Scott to finish clinically, completing his brace. Frustration boiled over for Headley, as their goalkeeper was sin-binned for dissent, leaving an outfield player in goal. Despite being reduced to ten men, Headley defended resolutely, limiting Whiteley to a single shot from Scott during this period.

Once Headley returned to full strength, Whiteley resumed their search for another goal. Rory, Angelos, and Toby combined in an intricate attack, but Headley’s defence held firm. The hosts nearly struck back, their best effort rattling the crossbar before Dylan cleared decisively.

In the closing stages, Scott hunted for his hat trick, outpacing the defence, but his shot was saved. Steve entered the fray for the final minutes, delivering a superb long ball to Toby, though Headley’s defence shut down the move. The last chance fell to Angelos, who received the ball from Owei but couldn’t find space for a shot.

A fantastic debut performance from Owei earned him the well-deserved Man of the Match award, showcasing relentless energy throughout the game.

Final Score: Headley 1 – 4 Whiteley

Line-up:  Vickery, Radford (81), Paramor (18), Hancock, Harding, Newman (87), Bell,  Lainson(68), Faulkner, Amorginos, Owei

Subs:  T Davies (81), S Davies (87), Hills (18), Jacobs (68)

Man of the Match:  Angokuromowoni Owei

Goal Scorers for Whiteley Wanderers:  Matt Lainson (6), Will Bell (39) (Penalty), Scott Faulkner x 2 (45, 63) 

Goals for Headley:  (34)

Yellow Cards:  Tom Hills (83).  Headley (77)

Sin Bin:  Headley (63)

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)

Report and photos by Phil Harding

After a difficult few weeks on the road for Whiteley they travelled to Upham hoping to take 3 points after losing to their opposition at home earlier in the season.

Whiteley started well attacking with the passion that has been missing in recent games with early chances from Kerby and Bell. Against the run of play, after putting our defence under some attacking pressure Upham won a corner and scored from their first proper chance of the game.

Whiteley’s heads didn’t drop though and kept Upham under pressure with Scotty winning a free kick. From this, Dylan made a great run out to the left and received the ball, gave Kerby a perfectly weighted pass to slot it passed the keeper. Whiteley kept the pressure on for the rest of the first half with chances from Bell and Ellis.

Half Time 1 – 1

Whiteley came out after half time keeping the same pressure on with an early chance for Ellis coming from a driving run forwards from Scotty. Kerby then had the ball in the back of the net from a well worked free kick but it was ruled out as he was flagged offside. More chances followed by Ellis, Bell & Jack. Whiteley then won the ball in their own half with the ball played through to Jack who passed it neatly into Kerby who made his shot look easy. After making a couple of subs Upham put more pressure on Whiteley with the young keeper Vickery making some great saves.

Whiteley then attacked on the break with Jack slotting the ball through nicely to Scotty who works hard making his way through a number of challenges before striking sweetly with his left foot and burying it in the back of the net. The attacks
continued with some lovely passing football from Bell and Kerby but unfortunately Ellis put the final ball over the crossbar. Ellis then made a strong run forwards holding off their defender before squaring it for an easy finish from Kerby. Kerby
quickly returned the favour for the 5 th after the ball was won out wide by Lyle, Kerby then picked it up on the goal line and pulled the ball back for an easy finish by Ellis.

A well deserved goal for the striker after so many chances through the game. Upham hadn’t given up though, keeping the pressure on with first forcing a clearance from Ousman, their next attack was only just over the crossbar. Their final attack with all Whiteley players behind the ball fortunately ended with a shot going just wide.

A well deserved win for Whiteley Wanderers who now sit 11 th in the league and host 4 th placed Overton in their next game.

Line-up: Vickery, Radford, Godwin, Hancock, Harding, Newman (86), Bell, Sherwood (80), Faulkner (68), Kerby-Dickinson, Kilty
Subs: Harry (68, 91), Boye (80), Hills (86), Paramor (91), Perry (Unused)

Man of the Match: Aaron Kerby-Dickinson

Goal Scorers for Whiteley Wanderers: Aaron Kerby-Dickinson x 3 (28, 52, 70), Scott Faulkner (60), Ellis Kilty (71)
Goals for Upham: (17)

Whiteley Wanderers continued their strong response to the uhlSport Hampshire Premier League Division One with a dominant 5-1 victory over Rushmoor Community in their third match of the campaign. Following their impressive 7-2 comeback win in the previous fixture, Whiteley were once again on top form, showcasing both resilience and class to secure back-to-back victories.

From the first whistle, Whiteley imposed themselves on the match, controlling possession and pinning Rushmoor back into their own half. The early exchanges suggested that it would only be a matter of time before Whiteley opened the scoring. However, against the run of play, it was Rushmoor who took the lead in the 18th minute. A mix-up in the Whiteley defence, following Rushmoor’s second corner of the match, led to an unfortunate own goal, giving the visitors a surprise advantage.

Despite the setback, Whiteley responded with remarkable composure. Their equaliser came soon after, following a well-worked move that epitomised their attacking intent. A swift exchange of passes allowed Whiteley to break through the Rushmoor defence, and the final touch was clinical, leaving the Rushmoor keeper with no chance as the ball nestled into the bottom corner to make it 1-1.

The turning point of the match arrived late in the first half with a Whiteley player  fouled in the centre of the pitch. With a break in play, and seizing the opportunity, Whiteley executed a brilliantly crafted set-piece, with the ball launched upfield. The resultant strike was simply stunning, finding the back of the net from an impressive distance. This spectacular goal gave Whiteley a deserved 2-1 lead and showcased their ability to capitalise on set-piece situations.

As the first half drew to a close, Whiteley nearly extended their lead further. A powerful shot from outside the box rattled the crossbar, and although the follow-up effort was on target, Rushmoor’s goalkeeper pulled off a sensational save to keep his side in the contest.

The second half began with a spell of early pressure from Rushmoor, as they sought to find a way back into the match. However, Whiteley’s defence stood firm, and it wasn’t long before Whiteley reasserted their dominance. A quick counter-attack saw a Whiteley player break free, facing a one-on-one with the Rushmoor keeper. The striker remained composed, slotting home a calm left-footed finish to make it 3-1.

With their confidence soaring, Whiteley continued to press forward, and their relentless pressure soon paid dividends again. A well-taken goal made it 4-1, leaving Rushmoor with no route back into the match. By this stage, Whiteley were playing with a swagger, and they capped off a fine performance with a fifth goal, adding the finishing touch to an emphatic victory.

This win takes Whiteley up to 6th in the table with a game in hand, as they continue to build momentum early in the season. Their combination of defensive solidity, creative flair, and clinical finishing will undoubtedly make them a force to be reckoned with in the weeks to come.

Final Score: Whiteley Wanderers 5-1 Rushmoor Community.

Man of the Match: Angelos Amorginos

Goal Scorers for Whiteley Wanderers: Angelos Amorginos (x3), Dylan Harding, Callum Crotty, Ellis Kilty, Elliott Lee Simpson

Whiteley Wanderers FC showcased their resilience in the second game of the Uhlsport Hampshire Premier League Division One, overcoming a slow start to secure a decisive 7-2 victory over Twentyten FC at the Oasis Academy 3G pitches.

Manager Dave Farlow acknowledged the team’s sluggish beginning, noting, “We got off to a slow start, we were off the pace and our intensity was low, allowing Twentyten too much time and space on the ball”. Twentyten capitalised on this, but a drinks break provided a much-needed opportunity to regroup. Dave Farlow, along with his coaching team, had a chance to make tactical adjustments which were swiftly embraced by the players, who then shifted the momentum in their favour.

“After a drinks break, we instilled some messages to the players… and the players immediately took that on board,” Dave Farlow remarked.

The turning point came when Ellis coolly converted a penalty, awarded after one of the Whiteley players was tripped in the box. This equaliser just before half-time ignited Whiteley Wanderers’ comeback.

“This gave us even more momentum,” Dave Farlow added.

In the second half, Whiteley Wanderers dominated possession, with slick passing and quick transitions creating numerous scoring opportunities. A brilliant chip by Anglos put Whiteley ahead, leaving the opposition keeper stranded. “We were now in full control, peppering their goal with shots,” said Dave Farlow, as the team’s confidence grew.

As the goals flowed, with Anglos adding to his tally to complete his hat-trick and contributions from Ellis, Crotty, Simpson, and Harding, Whiteley Wanderers asserted their superiority.

Reflecting on the match, Dave Farlow praised his team’s turnaround: “Overall, a great change in mindset and belief got us back into the game and all credit goes to the players in applying and demonstrating their quality.”

With this emphatic victory, Whiteley Wanderers have put points on the table and will carry this momentum into their next fixture.