24/25 Results

Match Report – Whiteley Wanderers vs Headley
Date: 21st April 2025
Venue: Meadowside
Result: Whiteley Wanderers 3 – 0 Headley

In their final home fixture of the season, Whiteley Wanderers delivered a dominant display against Headley at Meadowside on Easter Monday, running out 3–0 winners. A blend of relentless high pressing, defensive solidity, and clinical finishing sealed the result, much to the delight of the home support.

First Half

The game opened cautiously, with both sides adjusting to the grass surface. However, it was Whiteley who carved out the first real chance. Dylan won possession out wide and released Kerby down the flank, who squared across the box—but there was no one there to finish.

While play through the centre remained scrappy, Whiteley began to settle, with Kerby firing a long-range effort following a precise through ball from Reece. Headley responded briefly but were swiftly denied by composed defending from Lyle and Joe. Headley’s attempts to attack down the wings were snuffed out by a resolute Whiteley backline.

A long ball forward from Charlie caused chaos in the Headley box, with James pressing the goalkeeper into a rushed clearance—earning the keeper a yellow card for delaying the restart. Moments later, the pressure paid off. James battled to win the ball and sent a lofted cross to the far side of the box where Lyle struck it sweetly on the volley, rippling the net and lifting the team.

Whiteley continued to threaten, with efforts from Kerby and Lyle testing the defence. Headley were beginning to lose shape and clarity. They managed a corner that bounced dangerously in the box, but it was eventually cleared to Kerby, who launched another swift counterattack. Opting for the team play, he squared to Lyle whose shot was well-defended. The whistle for half time brought a much-needed break for Headley, as they struggled to cope with Whiteley’s intensity.

Half Time: Whiteley Wanderers 1 – 0 Headley

Second Half

Whiteley picked up right where they left off, with Lyle threatening from wide early on. Headley responded with a promising free kick, flicked toward goal, but Vickery dealt with it comfortably.

The second goal came from another dose of Whiteley’s pressing game. Dylan sent a powerful clearance upfield—not intended as a shot—but Steve chased it down and harried the keeper, who mishandled under pressure and watched the ball trickle into the net. Though Dylan admitted he didn’t mean it, he was credited with the goal.

Sensing more goals, Whiteley kept pushing. Bell entered the fray, first attempting to set up Lyle, then taking on a shot of his own. The game became heated, with both Davies brothers receiving bookings for minor infractions.

Headley had few chances, and when they did, they found Vickery alert and Charlie tracking back well. The third goal came after James controlled a ball through and set up Kerby. The keeper managed to parry the initial strike, but Lyle pounced to tuck home the rebound for his second of the day.

As frustration grew, Headley saw a player sent to the sin bin for dissent, reducing them to ten men. Whiteley pressed their advantage, camping in the opposition half with efforts from Kerby, James, and Jimmy. A series of fouls gifted Whiteley free kicks in dangerous areas, with Bell and Kerby both going close to adding a fourth.

It was a statement performance from Whiteley Wanderers—organised at the back, aggressive in the press, and creative in attack. Vickery’s clean sheet was well-earned but rarely under threat, thanks to the backline’s cohesion. While several players shone, it was Lyle who led by example with two goals and tireless play, earning the nod for Man of the Match.

With just one game remaining, Whiteley will be eager to carry this momentum into the final fixture of the season.

Line-up: Vickery, J Davies (70), Finn, C Hancock, Harding, S Davies (70), Harry (77), Bell, Kerby-Dickinson, Sherwood, Tester (82)
Subs: Cowell (77), Jacobs (70), Sharp (82), Snaith-Hernandez (70)
Goals: Harry (26’, 62’), Harding (49’)
Man of the Match: Lyle Harry
Yellow Cards: J Davies (57’), S Davies (59’)
Headley Cards: (20’, 89’)
Sin Bin: Headley (65’)

Rushmoor Community 3 – 2 Whiteley Wanderers

Whiteley made the long journey to the north of the county to face Rushmoor Community, who sat four places above them ahead of kick-off.

The game started with a flurry of action. Rushmoor won an early corner, which was well blocked on the line by the Whiteley defence. At the other end, Jack threaded a lovely ball through to Kerby, almost forcing a mistake from the home keeper.

Rushmoor struck first, however. A long ball found its way to their striker, and as Vickery rushed out to claim, he collided with the attacker. The referee pointed to the spot and booked Vickery. The penalty was calmly converted to give the hosts the lead.

Whiteley looked to respond quickly. Joe played Jack through one-on-one, only for the flag to go up. Lyle then fed Jack again, but a slip at the crucial moment saw the ball roll wide.

The visitors were pushing hard for the equaliser but were rushing the final ball. The best chance fell to Kerby, who rode a foul and let fly with a rocket from distance that went narrowly over.

Whiteley began to settle, producing some composed, flowing football. A lovely move began and ended with Joe, combining with a twisting, turning Owei, who tried to thread the final ball through.

Despite Whiteley’s growing control, Rushmoor struck again. A free-kick from a dangerous area wasn’t dealt with, and after a scramble in the box, the ball found its way into the net.

Whiteley hit back. A long throw into the box caused chaos, and Steve was brought down. The referee didn’t hesitate – penalty. Bell stepped up and slotted it coolly to halve the deficit.

The half ended with both sides hunting for another. Vickery made a strong save from close range, while Bell, Lyle and Jack battled hard at the other end to level the score before the break.

Half-time: Rushmoor Community 2 – 1 Whiteley Wanderers

Whiteley made tactical adjustments at the break, switching to a back three to gain more control in midfield. The change had an immediate impact.

Charlie won a free-kick early on, playing a quick one-two with Owei before shooting just wide. Rushmoor responded with a flicked ball in behind, but Marcus did brilliantly to shield it back to Vickery.

Moments later, Marcus was involved at the other end, clipping a ball into Lyle whose shot flew just past the post.

Whiteley then found their equaliser. Vickery spotted Jack and launched the ball long. Jack showed great strength to hold off two defenders and coolly chipped it beyond the keeper – a brilliant goal to bring the game level at 2–2.

The visitors kept the pressure on. Charlie whipped in a free-kick which Jack met with a strong header, but it cleared the bar by inches.

Rushmoor weren’t done either. A free-kick forced Vickery into a full-stretch save to keep the scores level.

Reece then charged forward from defence, breaking up play and driving through the midfield to win another free-kick. Lyle took the shot but couldn’t keep it down. Reece was back in defensive action soon after, blocking a dangerous break.

With just minutes left, Rushmoor found a late winner. A short free-kick was worked wide, crossed in and headed back across the box – the striker nodding it home from close range.

Whiteley pushed for a last-gasp equaliser. Jack had two good chances – first firing wide, then nearly getting on the end of a header down from Tommy after Charlie’s deep delivery, but he couldn’t quite connect.

Full-time: Rushmoor Community 3 – 2 Whiteley Wanderers

A stop-start match, influenced by numerous referee interventions, but Whiteley can be proud of a strong, dominant performance away from home. Every player put in a serious shift, showing resilience and commitment.

Man of the Match goes to Marcus Paramor, who continues to impress in his new right-back role, putting in another assured and commanding display.

Line-up: Vickery, Paramor, Finn, C Hancock, J Davies, S Davies, Harry, Bell, Kerby-Dickinson (87), Owei (78), Sherwood
Subs: Cowell (87), T Davies (78)
Goals: Bell (32’ pen), Sherwood (52’)
Rushmoor Goals: 9’ (pen), 28’, 86’
Yellow Cards: Vickery (8’)
Rushmoor Yellow Cards: 21’

15th March 2025
Mob Albion 2 – 2 Whiteley Wanderers

An important fixture for the Wanderers, with Mob Albion sitting just two places above them in the table. With several key players unavailable, the Whiteley squad featured seven Under 18s, including two players making their senior debuts.

The game started brightly, with James sliding Owei through to win an early corner. The first real chance came from Charlie, who sent in a deep, searching cross that found Lyle at the far post—his header, however, struck the side netting.

Mob Albion responded with pressure of their own, forcing Whiteley to defend deep. After a few close calls, including a dangerous corner, the defence held strong. Owei broke forward but was well dealt with by the Mob backline. Vickery had to stay alert, especially when Whiteley pushed high and Mob looked to break quickly. Under pressure, Vickery was unlucky to pick up a back pass, gifting the hosts an indirect free-kick inside the box—but they failed to capitalise.

As the game became more physical, both teams conceded free-kicks. From one of these, Joe picked out Dylan, who worked his way into the box and forced a save that led to a corner. Moments later, Charlie delivered a pinpoint free-kick to the back post, where Marcus rose and powered a header into the net to give Whiteley the lead.

From there, Whiteley found rhythm, passing with confidence and pressing well. Charlie even had a crack from distance before the half ended.

Half-time: Mob Albion 0 – 1 Whiteley Wanderers

The second half picked up with intensity. Mob Albion dealt with a flurry of Whiteley corners while threatening at the other end. Ollie teed up Lyle, whose fierce strike whistled past the post. James continued to chase down loose balls and harried the Mob defence, even clattering into the keeper.

Tensions boiled over when the Mob Albion captain lost his composure, flying into challenges on Whiteley’s younger players. He was promptly shown a red card, while James picked up a yellow during the chaos.

With the man advantage, Whiteley looked to control the tempo. Owei’s speed caused all sorts of problems, linking up well with Lyle, Tommy, and James, but they couldn’t quite carve out the perfect finish. Then, against the run of play, Mob Albion equalised with a looping header from the edge of the box.

Whiteley responded brilliantly. Owei darted into the box and found James, who showed great composure to find space in a crowded area and finish on his debut. A dream start for the youngster.

But Mob weren’t done. Just minutes later, they floated in a cross and their striker tucked it away neatly, making it 2–2.

Whiteley pushed for a winner. Lyle found James, who twisted and turned before laying it off to Joe, whose effort went well over. Dylan and Joe combined again to set up Lyle, whose strike flashed just wide. Then Tommy put Lyle through once more, and his effort rattled the crossbar.

In added time, Dave saw yellow for a frustrated challenge. One final chance came via a Charlie free-kick, finding Lyle again, but Mob’s keeper claimed the last ball of the match.

Full-time: Mob Albion 2 – 2 Whiteley Wanderers

A tough, physical game with a very young squad on display. Unfortunate not to take all three points, but Mob Albion arguably looked better with ten men and no captain on the pitch. A proud performance all round, with a special mention to debutant James Tester, who marked his first senior appearance with a goal.

Man of the Match: Lyle Harry – looked dangerous with every touch and created countless chances.
Goals: Paramor (40’), Tester (77’)
Bookings: Tester (61’), Farlow (92’)
Mob Albion bookings: (93’)
Mob Albion red card: (61’)

Whiteley Wanderers XI: Vickery, Paramor, J Davies, C Hancock, Harding, S Davies (67), T Hancock (54), Harry, Hill (45), Owei (87), Tester
Subs: Coleman (67), T Davies (54), Sharp (87), Whatley (45)

8th March 2025
Hayling United 5 – 0 Whiteley Wanderers

After a short break from his marathon training, Steve returned to the squad for our second meeting with Hayling United in as many weeks. The hosts came into the match in strong form, riding a wave of five consecutive wins — and they made their quality count.

It was Hayling who threatened first, breaking quickly down the left. Vickery was alert, saving well with his feet, and then calmly collecting the ball from the resulting corner as it pinballed through the box. Whiteley responded with promise. Charlie sent a pinpoint ball over the top to Dylan, who earned us a corner. From the set piece, Kerby found space on the edge of the box and clipped a lovely effort onto the bar. Jack reacted quickest to the rebound and slotted home, only for the flag to go up for offside.

Early signs suggested Hayling were content for Whiteley to have possession in the defensive third. As the game progressed, both sides pressed well, forcing mistakes and disrupting each other’s rhythm. Tactically, the match became a battle of approaches — Hayling opting for direct balls over the top, while Whiteley looked to build patiently from the back.

Hayling broke the deadlock midway through the first half following sustained pressure, bundling in a scrappy goal from close range. Whiteley looked to respond immediately, with Rory feeding Jack, who tried to weave through the defence but couldn’t get his shot away. In the same move, Jack went down injured, forcing an early substitution.

Hayling pressed for a second and came close twice — first heading wide from six yards, then miskicking when well-placed. Before the break, Kerby intercepted smartly and played Rory through one-on-one, but his effort was straight at the keeper.

Half Time: 1 – 0

Whiteley came out strong in the second half, with Dylan getting a chance early, only to scuff his shot on his weaker foot. Lyle then drew a great save from the Hayling keeper, before Reece lofted a long ball to Dylan, whose looping header just didn’t have the power to beat the keeper.

Steve was next to thread a pass through to Dylan, who looked to power through the defence — but Hayling closed ranks quickly. Despite some early pressure from Whiteley, Hayling started to grow into the second half. Reece, Charlie and Dylan combined well to snuff out an attack, and Bell made a brilliant recovery run to block a goal-bound shot after Vickery had been rounded.

Whiteley kept pushing, with Rory forcing another save, but gradually Hayling turned the tide. A long ball forward rattled the post, and moments later a swift counter-attack saw them double their lead with a composed finish. That second goal seemed to spark Hayling to life, and over a punishing 12-minute spell they added three more — striking at the near post, then carving through the defence twice more.

Still Whiteley kept fighting. Bell won the ball high up the pitch and found Kerby, who struck a fierce shot that forced an acrobatic save. The rebound looped high, and Dylan tried to finish from close range but fired over. Hayling then delivered the final blow with a fifth goal from another quick counter-attack down the right.

In the dying moments, Steve and Dylan combined well to create a chance for Kerby, whose shot was deflected wide. From the resulting corner, Steve went close with a low drive — but it wasn’t to be.

For 75 minutes, Whiteley battled and looked capable of finding an equaliser. But four goals in a late second-half burst put the game well beyond reach.

Line-up:
Vickery, Paramor, Finn, C Hancock, Harding, S Davies, Bell, Kerby-Dickinson, Harry (73), Newman (79), Sherwood (32)
Subs: T Davies (79), T Hancock (Unused), Hill (32), Hills (Unused), Perry (73)
Man of the Match: Reece Finn
Goal Scorers for Whiteley Wanderers: –
Goals for Hayling United: 28, 76, 78, 80, 88

1st March 2025
Silchester Village 3 – 0 Whiteley Wanderers

First Half

Both teams started cautiously, adjusting to a pitch that looked decent at a glance but proved to be wet and sticky in patches. Early opportunities came for both sides, with Owei going closest for Whiteley after latching onto a long through ball from Lyle, only to strike the side netting.

Silchester broke the deadlock early with a direct ball through the middle, which Charlie and Vickery attempted to block, but the striker slotted home. It became clear that much of the game would be played bypassing midfield, with long balls over the top.

Silchester kept the pressure on, forcing Charlie into a crucial block before the rebound was fired over the bar. A free header at the back post then drew a sharp save from Vickery. Whiteley responded with promising play through Kerby, who battled down the left and delivered a cross to Lyle, whose effort flew over.

Bailey and Dylan built the next attacking phase, feeding Kerby down the flank, but he ran out of room. A Whiteley corner taken by Kerby nearly curled straight in, signalling a strong spell for the visitors. However, Silchester came back into it, applying pressure that kept the Whiteley defence busy.

The game became scrappy, with fouls from both sides disrupting the rhythm. Charlie delivered two dangerous free kicks into the box—one fell to Kerby whose pass was blocked, and the other to Zac who shot wide.

As half-time approached, Lyle was pulled down on a break down the right, earning the Silchester defender a yellow card. Unfortunately, the resulting free kick came to nothing.

Half-Time: Silchester Village 1 – 0 Whiteley Wanderers

Second Half

Whiteley made a half-time change, with Rory replacing Bailey. Early in the half, Vickery came off his line to challenge a Silchester striker but conceded a penalty. The spot-kick beat Vickery but struck the upright—an important let-off for Whiteley.

Silchester began shooting from distance at every opportunity, while Whiteley looked for chances on the counter. Rory sent Owei through, but the ball ran away from him. At the other end, Whiteley’s defence was again called into action, with Vickery’s safe hands keeping them in it.

Dylan and Bell linked up well down the right, with Dylan feeding Owei, whose cross was blocked. Back at the other end, Whiteley were under the cosh again, but resolute defending kept the scoreline intact.

Kerby remained central to Whiteley’s attacking efforts. He combined well with Rory and Owei before seeing a shot saved. He then won the ball in midfield and threaded it through to Owei, who was flagged offside.

Marcus sparked another attack, winning the ball deep and sending a long pass to Kerby. He flicked it on to Owei, who crossed for Jack at the back post—his close-range effort drifting just wide.

Silchester continued to pose a threat and extended their lead with an overhead kick from a corner, finding the top corner in spectacular fashion.

Still pushing for a way back into the game, Whiteley created chances through Dylan’s long-range effort and another move involving Rory and Bell setting up Owei, but the final touch eluded him.

Silchester remained a threat from distance but lacked accuracy until the closing moments. Deep into added time, they won another corner, and during the clearance, the referee judged Rory to have fouled the striker. This time, the penalty was converted, rounding off the game just before the final whistle.

Full-Time: Silchester Village 3 – 0 Whiteley Wanderers

Post-Match Reflection

A tough result for Whiteley, who created numerous chances but couldn’t find the breakthrough. The scoreline didn’t reflect the team’s effort and attacking intent, particularly in the second half. Dylan Harding earned the Man of the Match award for his tireless defensive work and solid link-up play throughout.

Line-up

Starting XI: Vickery, Harding, Finn, Hancock, Perry (57), Sherwood (79), Kirby (45), Bell, Kerby-Dickinson, Harry (76), Owei
Substitutes: T Davies (76), Hills (79), Newman (45), Paramor (57)
Man of the Match: Dylan Harding

Goal Scorers

Silchester Village: 7’, 73’, 90+2’
Whiteley Wanderers: –

Cards

Yellow Cards:

• Finn (45’)
• Silchester (44’, 57’)

22nd February 2025

Whiteley Wanderers welcomed a confident Hayling United side, unbeaten in February and sitting in seventh place before kick-off. It was a tentative start for Whiteley, taking a few minutes to find their rhythm as Hayling launched the first attacks of the match. The defence held firm, with Vickery making some solid early saves to keep the visitors at bay.

Dylan sparked Whiteley’s first attack, driving down the right and drawing a foul. The resulting free-kick led to a corner, though it came to nothing. The midfield battle was fierce, forcing both teams into long balls that failed to create real danger. Harrison’s determination in winning back possession set up a link-up between Rory and Kerby, with Tommy delivering a dangerous ball across the box, just out of reach for Harrison.

As Whiteley grew into the game, Bell drove forward and slipped Rory through, only for his shot to be saved. Moments later, Charlie surged from deep, firing a shot that was again stopped by the keeper. Whiteley’s persistence finally paid off when Bell won possession and played in Kerby, who slotted home to give the hosts a deserved lead.

With momentum now on their side, Whiteley pressed high, frustrating Hayling into fouls. Bell’s free-kick found its way to Kerby, whose strike was saved, but the second goal soon followed. A long ball saw the Hayling keeper come off his line, but his clearance fell kindly to Kerby, who showed great composure to lob the stranded goalkeeper and double Whiteley’s advantage.

Hayling responded with a late first-half push, forcing crucial blocks from Dylan and Josh, while Vickery produced a series of brave saves to preserve the lead. Whiteley nearly extended their lead just before the break, with Rory’s skill sending Tom through, but from an unfamiliar attacking position, he was unable to get a shot away. The defence held firm, ensuring a clean sheet at half-time.

Half-Time: Whiteley Wanderers 2 – 0 Hayling United

Determined to turn things around, Hayling made changes at the break and started the second half with intent, firing an early shot into the side netting. Whiteley’s defence remained resolute, forcing Hayling into speculative long-range efforts that failed to trouble Vickery. The game turned increasingly physical, with free-kicks awarded to both sides.

Whiteley remained patient in their build-up but struggled to convert their chances. Then, Hayling found a breakthrough. A strong run down the left saw them weave through multiple challenges before slotting the ball past Vickery to halve the deficit.

With their tails up, Hayling continued to push, though many of their efforts went high and wide. The intensity remained high, and they found an equaliser after a quick counter-attack, sending the ball into the Whiteley box where it was bundled into the net.

Whiteley needed a response, and substitute Ousman provided it. Linking up with Lyle and Rory, he latched onto a return ball and rifled a powerful strike beyond the keeper to restore the lead at 3-2.

However, the advantage was short-lived. Just a minute later, Hayling won a free-kick, sending the ball into the box where a well-placed header looped over Vickery to level the game once more. Hayling, now full of belief, capitalised on the momentum. A long throw reached the edge of the box, where their forward twisted, turned, and found the bottom corner to give them the lead for the first time.

Whiteley pushed hard in the final moments, with Dylan firing from the edge of the box, Ousman attempting an audacious lob, and Lyle shooting over. Despite their efforts, Hayling managed the game well, running down the clock to secure all three points.

A thrilling, high-intensity contest filled with moments of brilliance and heartbreak, Whiteley gave everything but were left empty-handed at the final whistle. Will Bell was outstanding throughout, controlling the game from midfield and playing a key role in one of the goals, earning him a well-deserved Man of the Match award.

Final Score: Whiteley Wanderers 3 – 4 Hayling United

Whiteley Wanderers Line-Up:

Starting XI: Vickery, Harding, Godwin, Hancock, Perry (85), Hills (76), Radford (64), Bell, Kerby-Dickinson, T. Davies (67), Newman
Substitutes: Boye (76), Harry (64), Hill (85), Paramor (67)

Goals:
⚽ Aaron Kerby-Dickinson (20′, 25′)
⚽ Ousman Boye (80′)

Man of the Match: Will Bell

Despite the result, Whiteley showed resilience and attacking quality. Lessons will be learned, and they’ll look to bounce back in their next fixture.

Whiteley Wanderers 1 – 5 Crofton Saints

Despite a challenging result, Whiteley Wanderers can take plenty of positives from this performance, with five under-18 players featuring in the squad—highlighting the club’s commitment to developing young talent. Against a well-organised Crofton Saints side, the team showed moments of real promise and resilience, battling hard throughout the game.

First Half

Both teams started cautiously, feeling each other out in the early exchanges. However, it was Crofton who struck first, winning an early corner and capitalising with a free header into the net. They continued to apply pressure, forcing Whiteley’s defence into action, but Jack Vickery made some solid saves to keep the deficit at one.

Whiteley soon found their rhythm, with Dylan threading a pass to Tommy, only for Crofton’s defence to clear. Bell then came close, striking just over the bar from Josh’s long throw. Bell was in the thick of the action again, winning the ball in midfield and setting up Tommy, who was outmuscled before he could get his shot away. Another opportunity arose when Joe battled through midfield to set up Bell, whose strike narrowly missed the target.

Despite Whiteley’s attacking efforts, Crofton remained dangerous. Bell launched a long ball to Harrison, but his cross into the middle found no one. Moments later, Dylan played in Owei, who drove forward before delivering a pinpoint cross for Charlie Hancock to finish well, bringing the game level.

Crofton responded immediately, delivering another well-placed corner that resulted in a second free header and goal. Whiteley’s defence, along with Vickery, worked tirelessly to keep the score at 1-2 heading into halftime.

Half Time: Whiteley Wanderers 1 – 2 Crofton Saints

Second Half

Whiteley started brightly after the break, with Owei, Joe, Bell, and Harrison pushing forward in search of an equaliser. However, Crofton struck early again, breaking down the right before delivering a cross that was converted straight down the middle.

They soon had the ball in the back of the net again, but the goal was ruled offside. Whiteley suffered a setback when Reece picked up an injury and was forced off after attempting to continue.

A misjudged goal kick then gifted Crofton a golden opportunity in the box. Vickery made a fine initial save at close range, but the second effort went just wide. Crofton dominated possession, patiently dictating the tempo and forcing Whiteley deep into their own half.

Whiteley’s defence battled hard to contain the pressure, and there was a brief attacking spark when Harrison and Dylan combined down the right, earning a free kick after Dylan was fouled. Bell floated the ball towards Hill at the back post, but he couldn’t steer it goalward.

Crofton’s patient build-up eventually paid off, as they broke down the right once again, delivering a cross that was met by a diving header for their fourth goal. Just two minutes later, a long ball through the middle resulted in a well-taken finish to seal a 5-1 victory.

Final Thoughts

While the scoreline wasn’t in Whiteley’s favour, there were plenty of encouraging signs. The inclusion of five under-18 players reflects the club’s belief in youth development, and despite the challenge of facing a strong Crofton side, the team worked hard and showed moments of quality. Tom Hill made his debut and was inches away from marking it with a goal, while Vickery put in a standout performance between the posts.

Whiteley will take the positives, regroup, and look to come back stronger in the next fixture.

Match Details

Line-up: Vickery, Harding, Godwin, Finn (61), Perry, Hancock, Radford, Bell, Farlow (66), T Davies (54), Owei
Subs: Hill (66), Hills (61), Whatley (54)

Man of the Match: Jack Vickery
Whiteley Wanderers Goal Scorer: Charlie Hancock (34’)
Crofton Saints Goal Scorers: (4’, 38’, 53’, 86’, 88’)
Yellow Cards: Crofton Saints (34’, 69’)

A tough match, but one filled with valuable lessons. On to the next!

Whiteley Wanderers 0 – 3 Overton United
1st February 2025

After a weather-enforced break last week, Whiteley Wanderers returned to action, welcoming Overton United, who sat third in the table. It was a challenging match, with Whiteley working tirelessly but ultimately unable to break through a well-organised Overton side.

First Half

The game started with Overton having the first opportunity, but they sent their shot well over the bar. Whiteley responded as Matt drove into the box, only to be brought down—yet, to the disbelief of both teams, no penalty was given. Overton then broke down the left, but Dylan tracked back well, making a strong challenge to put the ball out for a corner.

The visitors kept pressing, but Whiteley’s defence held firm. Vickery was quick off his line to make things difficult for Overton’s striker, who dragged his shot wide. Despite Overton’s pressure, Whiteley carved out opportunities of their own. Josh sent a long ball forward to Dylan, who whipped in a cross, but Overton’s defence was first to it, preventing it from reaching Owei. Bell attempted a similar move down the opposite flank, floating a ball toward Matt, but the defender shielded it out of play.

Whiteley began breaking Overton down in midfield, with Kerby winning possession and firing a shot that was blocked, the rebound falling to Ben, who struck it over the bar. Overton regained composure, but Josh and Dylan combined well to halt their attack. A speculative lob attempt was calmly dealt with by Vickery, who collected the ball before it crossed the line.

Charlie then picked out Matt with a long pass, forcing the Overton keeper to rush out and head the ball clear. However, Overton eventually found the breakthrough with a well-rehearsed free-kick routine, catching Whiteley off guard. They pushed for a second, but solid defending from Josh and more sharp goalkeeping from Vickery kept the deficit at one.

Whiteley came close to an equaliser before the break. Harrison started a move, playing out to Kerby, who linked up with Matt before setting up Bell for a shot that forced a corner. Moments later, Matt won a free kick and struck a powerful effort that rattled the crossbar. Overton maintained the pressure, leading to yellow cards for both Charlie and Bell just before halftime.

Half-Time: Whiteley Wanderers 0 – 1 Overton United

Second Half

Overton started strongly after the restart, keeping Vickery busy in goal. Whiteley soon settled, with Owei pressing the keeper after a long ball from Charlie, and Harrison linking up with Dylan to push forward, though they couldn’t get a decisive ball into the box.

However, Overton capitalised on a slow defensive response, breaking through with minimal challenges to double their lead. Whiteley found themselves pinned in their own half, struggling to gain momentum. In response, Dave and Steve made a double substitution, handing Liam his debut and bringing on Marcus, who immediately put pressure on Overton’s defence.

Despite Whiteley’s best efforts, Overton continued to dominate possession. A powerful free-kick was comfortably gathered by Vickery, and the Whiteley defence had to block multiple shots in quick succession. Overton struck the crossbar with a fierce effort, and Vickery did well to collect the rebound.

Whiteley looked for a way back into the game, with Marcus, Liam, Owei, and Bell linking up, but Bell’s final shot was safely held by the keeper. Bell continued trying to create in midfield, finding Liam twice, but Overton’s defence remained resolute, muscling him off the ball.

Overton pressed for a third goal, with Dylan and Vickery making crucial interventions, the latter showing bravery by diving at the striker’s feet to deny a clear chance. However, the visitors eventually sealed the win with a counterattack, punishing Whiteley’s stretched defence with a well-placed strike into the net.

Tommy entered the fray and made an immediate impact—earning a yellow card with his first tackle. Whiteley pushed for a late goal, and Bell showcased some impressive footwork before playing in Owei, who teed up Marcus, but his shot went wide.

Despite a valiant effort, Whiteley couldn’t find a breakthrough. Every player put in a real shift, but Overton’s organisation proved too difficult to break down. A standout performance from young goalkeeper Jack Vickery earned him the Man of the Match for his excellent shot-stopping and brave goalkeeping throughout the game.

Final Score: Whiteley Wanderers 0 – 3 Overton United

Line-up: Vickery, Harding, Godwin, Hancock, Yeo, Lainson (56), Hills (56), Radford (81), Kerby-Dickinson, Bell, Owei
Subs: T Davies (81), Paramor (56), Swann (56)
Man of the Match: Jack Vickery
Goals for Overton United: 27′, 52′, 80′
Yellow Cards: Lainson (23′), Hancock (42′), Bell (42′), T Davies (82′), Overton (76′)

A tough result for Whiteley, but the commitment and effort from the team were undeniable. With this level of determination, the results will surely come in the matches ahead.

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.