Thursday 19th April
The Crown FC 5 Wanderers FC 2
A lovely evening at Green Lane and a crunch game for us battling for mid table position with our rivals The Crown FC. Ollie Turner played in goal deputising for The Cat who was unable to make the game due to work commitments. The Crown started the better and it didn't take long for them to open their account on 5 minutes with a header from Dean Potter. Shortly after we won a corner which Nick Tate whipped in to find the unmarked Craig Harman who buried his header to bring us level. Both teams battled well for possession but The Crown had the upper hand, halfway into the first half a simple tap in made it two one to The Crown, and then a stunning volley from the edge of the area made it three one. Then the unbelieveable against the run of play some great one two's between Tate and Harman resulting with Tate rounding their keeper for a cool finish, brought us back to three two at the break. The second half didn't muster much for us as we seemed to tire, but Matty Ruslin nearly caught their keeper off guard with a 45 yarder, in the end their keeper saved well. Disaster a hotly disputed penalty, didn't look like much, it hit Timmy's arm, more accidental then anything else, but the ref gave a penalty. Their forward sent Ollie the wrong way to make it four two. And another tap in shortly before the end made it five two to The Crown. Sometimes it seems we need a bit more cutting edge up front. Two games left to cement our mid table position.
Goals:
The Crown FC: Nick Buckle (3), Dean Potter (2)
Wanderers FC: Nick Tate, Craig Harman
Sunday 15th April 2007 – League Match
Bromham (Sunday) 1 Wanderers FC 0
What a scorcher, not the weather for football, so you would think but a great competitive game. The mighty Wanderers seem to play their best football against the top teams in the division, frustrating Bromham at every opportunity. If only we had a couple of top class strikers we would not have lost this game. We lost this game, but really we were the winners. The Cat in goal had a memorable performance stopping everything that headed his way apart from the Bromham goal, which was a top class volley on 20 minutes that fell to their front man, who was unmarked from the freekick. Both teams had chances, notably for us Dill’s freekick was going in until Ollie put his head on it and the ever improving Neil Collett had a shot well saved by their keeper. I must add that every player gave 110%, but clinical finishing is required maybe not for this season, but definitely for next. Well done boys, and a tough encounter against The Crown on Thursday night.
Goals:
Bromham (Sunday) – Steve Moxham
Wanderers FC - none
Sunday 1st April 2007 - League Match
Chippenham West End 5 Wanderers FC 1
At first the lads thought this was an April fool’s joke. Where’s their team? 7 players and nearly kick off, the nets were up but no flags, but eventually they all turned up as our lads froze to death in the gale force wind waiting. We had no lino, so I guess that evened things up. Not the best pitch in the world, ditches, pot-holes and slopes everywhere. I can see why they have won so many games, but I guess it’s the same for both teams!! After just a couple of minutes a sublime piece of magic from Craig ‘Cahill’ Harman as he beat 2 defenders, a Chris Waddle step over and a sharp turn on a sixpence and a shot from 30 yards found the bottom corner of the net, their keeper didn’t move. Unfortunately for us with an under strength team this was our only shot of the first half with the wind.
Goals: Wanderers: Craig Harman
West End: Carl Britton, James Mulhall (2), Josh David, Scott Nash
Sunday 25th March 2007 - League Match
Wanderers FC 3 The Crown FC 5
Where's the team? Where's the team? 10:00am and only 7 of us at the pitch, frantic telephone calls waking up the lads, who forgot to put their clock forward!!!! The pre-match atmosphere in the changing room was a different one for this match, too much gas, for godsake don't light a match! 10:45am and the lads were ready, only just, and guess what Ruzzer had his hair cut, no more Terry McDermott. Not the best of starts for the boys, after just 5 minutes a free kick on the edge of the box resulted in a goal for The Crown, a massive deflection sent The Cat the wrong way, we all thought it was an own goal, but their big man took the credit. The Crown were up for a big result here but our defensive line held firm battling hard as The Crown had a couple of skillful forwards and a very good left winger. There was not much opportunity for our boys up front in the first half and we were holding out for a one nil deficit until halftime (and playing against the wind), but on 40 minutes their front man showed his class traping the ball and turning in one movement to strike a deadly finish into the bottom corner. Two nil to the Crown at Half Time. The spirits were still high amongst the lads at the start of the second half, but it didn't take long for The Crown to increase their advantage, some uncertainty in our box lead to a tap in for them to make it three nil and a wonder goal from Dan Sloan (their best player by far) who volleyed from the edge of the box with precision to make it four nil. This could have turned into a rout, but surprisingly the Wanderers woke up and a lovely whipped in corner from Coley found Nessy, with a bullet header made it four one. Spoke too soon, five one to them a whipped in corner that The Cat punched out fell to their midfielder who couldn't miss. Not long after we won a penalty and Dave Grandy stepped up to smash it home, he hit it so hard a few of the pegs flew out! Five two. Then came the goal of the match, the ball fell to Nessy at the edge of the box, who half volleyed it into the bottom of the net with precision and power. Five three. Unfortunately the whistle went just a couple of minutes after. Not too much goal difference lost, that could make a bit of a difference on a couple of teams above us. Best moment of the match when Craig got nutmegged by the skillful Dan Sloan and applauded his opponent, handed him a fiver and a bunch of flowers. Crucial game at the weekend against the Chippenham West End Club, that we must win.
Goals
Wanderers FC: Carl Mackness (2), Dave Grandy
The Crown FC: Dean Potter (2), Dan Sloan, Jason Lucas, Nick Harford (Didn't he play for Luton???)
Sunday 18th March 2007 - League Match
Wanderers FC 2 The Old Road Tavern 1
Lets go fly a kite, up to the highest height. Lets go fly a kite, fly a kite! A blustery sunny morning greeted both teams at the Leighton Sports Arena in Westbury. Not the best conditions for sublime passing or any sort of skill really. The game would hinge on who would play better with the wind and hold firm against it. The mighty Wanderers played against the wind in the first half and put up a stern defence, playing deep to handle the long balls. The Legend Iain Saunderson, Dave Grandy, Ollie Turner and Matty Ruslin communicated well at the back and put some good clearences in to our wingers Jacko and Harman. Dill Turner and Neil Collett battled hard to dominate in the midfield with Dommy Shepherd and Jimmer Starr running their legs off up front. After 15 minutes the lads won a corner. Jacko whipped in a lovely ball and it fell to Jimmer, was his eyes open? Yes they were, a bullet header into the top corner, one nil to the Wanderers. The Old Road Tavern never buckled, like we thought they would do and they stepped up their efforts with a few snapshots and corners that were easily dealt with by the Cat and his back four. Jacko who had not been seen for a few weeks took a nasty challenge and went off not too long after to be replaced by the talented Marcus Faint. I think both teams were glad to see the half time whistle, for a breather more than anything else (more knackered getting the ball from the road and rugby pitch time and time again). The scound half kicked off with Wanderers picking up the game and keeping their defence busy and it didn't take too long to make the breakthrough. A long goal kick from The Cat caught their defence off guard and Dommy nipped in to head the ball over the defender and keep his cool with a neat finish to put us two nil up. With the Wanderers having the advantage in the second half we had a good few chances to literally kill the game off, a superb save from their keeper kept the score down to two. With just a few minutes left they won a freekick on the edge of our box. A whipped in ball and a deflection saw the ball finish in the back of the net, two one. The Old Road Tavern had a whiff of a draw, but this was easily snubbed out with the ball in their half of the pitch for the remainder of the game. The Old Road Tavern must be praised as this was a good performance from them who we easily beat earlier in the season. Well done boys great performance and a tricky game to look forward to next week against the The Crown who are just ahead of us on goal difference. Congrats to the ref also who had a cracking game.
PS: Ruzzer, get your hair cut!
Goals:
Wanderers: Dommy Shepherd, Jimmer Starr
Old Road Tavern: Not sure
Sunday 11th March 2007 - League Match
Wanderers FC 3 Churchill Arms 1
The sun was out, the sky was blue and the Leighton Sports Arena pitch was in excellent condition. Great conditions, for a change with all the bad weather we've had recently. The lads were ready for a tough game, if anything like the previous game earlier in the season against the Churchill Arms was anything to go by which ended up four each. Shortly after the whistle the Churchill Arms were down to ten men, a late tackle on Craig 'Tim Cahill' Harman saw their player manager leave the field. After some battling in midfield, Tim Cahill found Jimmer who slotted a lovely ball through to Dommy Shepherd who kept his cool to slot home, one nil to the Wanderers. On 30 minutes Jimmer jumped up to out muscle thier keeper and his nod down fell nicely to Dommy who scored his second. Not long after, a long goal kick from the Cat fell to Tim Cahill who outpaced the Churchill back line, he struck for goal, a great save from the keeper but unfortunately for them it fell to Dommy who slotted in the rebound into an empty net. Hat trick for Dommy and three nil to the Wanderers. Half time, three up and the Churchill Arms down to 10 men, surely we couldn't lose this one and maybe pick up some extra goals to boost the goal difference. Not Quite. The second half showed a dogged performance from the Churchill Arms boys who kept our attacks at bay. Praise must go especially to Luke Gorham and his defence for keeping our forwards out. Against the run of play the unbelievable happened, from a corner their big centre back was given a free header and he found the back of the net with ease, even with Ruzzer covering the post! The Churchill Arms could have staged a bit of a comeback, but unfortunately for them their midfielder saw red mist and they were down to nine. We had chances to increase the scoreline further, especially when a great run from Dommy - David Ginola esk - found Nessy with an empty net at his beck and call, only for him to do an air shot! How embarrasing, lots of laughter on the sidelines. Is it too late to get to the top four???
Goals:
Wanderers FC - Dommy Shepherd (hat trick)
Churchill Arms - Luke Gorham
Sunday 4th March 2007 - League Match
Wanderers FC 1 AFC Melksham 2
Nice weather for ducks! The game was moved from Leighton Sports Centre in Westbury to Christie Miller in Melksham due to the heavy rain and gale force winds. AFC Melksham were looking to put pressure on the teams above them whilst Wanderers FC were looking to cement their position in the Division 4 table. Wanderers had a surprise visitor in their dressing room before the game, David Beckham in an Afro wig (nice one Mr Grandy) which brought some great micky taking. Both teams waited until the last minute to get changed before the ref gave his nod that the game was on. It was a one-sided first half with AFC Melksham taking the game to the Wanderers defence in some challenging conditions. The defence held firm and when AFC Melksham did break through The Cat was in superb form with some picture book saves (shame there was no camera's) in as early as the first 5 minutes tipping a long drive onto the post and a Paul Robinson like dive to tip a point blank shot around the post. Wanderers did not create too much in the first half as AFC Melksham's defence held a good line at the back often catching the forwards offside. Nil Nil at the break. The second half started very much the same AFC Melksham creating the opportunities up front, then a stroke of luck. Dom Shepherd won a penalty as his shot was blocked by an arm of one of the Melksham defenders, he slotted it away with great confidence. One Nil to the Wanderers. It didn't take long for Melksham to equalise as the ball pinged about in our defence it fell to their winger who beat the offside trap to tap in at the far post. The ref did consult our lino but he had no clear view, apparently blocked out by the kite flying competition, high speed train and Cheiftan tank that was in his way! Then disaster, a huge goal kick from Melksham's goalie carried by the wind beat Stu Parr and Grandy at the back and their striker slotted home the winner. Again another week of so close yet so far for the mighty Wanderers. A good hard performance by the lads to keep the goal difference down and well done to Olly Turners Mum who had to wash the kit (best of luck). Great laughs in the changing room afterwards in 'Who was the cleanest competition'. Thanks go to Mike Rogers and his AFC Melksham team as the game was played in a great spirit and in helping to get the game on at short notice.
Goals:
Wanderers FC: Dom Shepherd (pen)
AFC Melksham: Gareth Evans, Wayne Bailey
Sunday 25th February 2007 - League Match
Wanderers FC v Little George FC - Match postponed - waterlogged pitch
Sunday 18th February 2007 - League Match
AFC Bell 3 Wanderers FC 2
Wanderers arrived at their old stomping ground at Green Lane to take on AFC Bell, hoping to turn around their six nil defeat earlier in the season. With a bit of nervousness in the changing room, expecting the worse, especially when Jimmer turned up still half asleep, the morning ahead didn't look that good. Even the pre-match warm up was full of tension. Olly got us together for a rousing pre-match talk 'go out there and enjoy it, I don't expect us to win this one, as long as we score a couple of goals to make it look respectable'. The Cat chipped in to remind the lads to keep their goal machine 'Towner' on his right, as he's all left foot. As the game kicked off, it was like we were top of the league, we were all over them and this took them by surprise. The legend Saunderson put a good ball to Nessy who in turn put through a pass to Dommy's feet and he unleashed an unstoppabe shot form 12 yards that gave their keeper no chance as it hit the roof of the net. The midfield area of the pitch was like a battle zone with either side battling for domination. The Cat made a couple of good saves to keep the score at one nil, when again the unthinkable happened. Dill our midfield maestro, put a precision ball into Dommy's feet latching onto it and lobbing their keep to make it two nil to the Wanderers. This was unthinkable before the game and these thoughts were realised when they bundled in a corner to make it two one and their winger volleyed in from the edge of the box to make it two all at the break. We were still in this game and it was end to end stuff in the second half and Jimmer upfront was winning everything. We defended well from corners (in which AFC Bell must have had 90 in this game) to keep the scores level and we even had chances to go in front. An indirect free kick brought some controversy in their penalty area, as it could have been a strong case of a penalty. Dommy was going to blast this one, but before Craig Cahill Harman had touched the ball their defensive wall was running towards Dommy to block the shot. the ref didn't see it and the chance had gone. The game looked all set for a drawer as our defence and the Cat in remarkable form blocked everything that came their way, until with four minutes left a ball had got through our defence and gave the Cat no chance as their striker snuck in to finish. There was still time for Olly to find the bog on the pitch, once he went in we thought we were going to have to send the lifeboat men in to get him out, he just got his superman pants a bit wet! An amazing and unlucky performance from all the lads who must take heart into another tricky game against the Little George.
Goals:
AFC Bell: Gareth Veitch, Chris Underwood, Jonathan Couch
Wanderers FC: Dommy Shepherd (2)
Sunday 11th February 2007 - League Match
Bromham (Sunday) v Wanderers FC - Match Postponed - water logged pitch
Sunday 4th February 2007 - League Match
Wanderers FC 3 The Rising Sun FC 2
Wanderers welcomed back Ollie and Dill Turner for this game (Ollie back as captain) and with Neil Collett playing his first full game up front. The Rising Sun came into this one with two successive wins under their belts and their confidence was high. It was us that started the game better, a Coley cross hit the bar and Neill Collett was unlucky with his diving header that hit the foot of the post and rebounded to safety. We went on to hit the bar a couple more times in a midfield dominated first half with Dill returning to form to control most of it. Totally against the run of play their winger with help from a Ruzzer piggy back, looped a header over the stranded Cat. One nil to the Riser. Before two long they went two nil up with a 20 yard unstoppable shot that found the top corner. The lads were star struck and couldn't believe what was happening. Luckily the half time whistle blew not too long after which enabled Ollie to make a change, bringing on Jimmer Starr for Nessy. This substitution changed the game, Jimmer was amazing, winning countless flick-ons and with his sublime passing he changed the game and it didn't take him long to score. Dill curled in a dangerous free kick from out on the left wing which caught the Rising Sun's defence off guard and Jimmer met it, looping a header over their keeper. Before too long it was level, Craig 'Cahill' Harman put in a peach of a cross that Dommy Shepherd met on the half volley to smash it in from 25 yards. The Cat kept the score at two all with an amazing tip over save. Then the unbelievable we went three two up, what a comeback. Jimmer put a lovely paced throughball to Craig who with a turn of speed outran the Riser's defence, a lovely cutback and Dommy was there again to tap in for his second and the match winner. The game went end to end for the last few minutes of the match which ended prematurely due to a bad injury for one of the Riser's fowards. Some tactical changes this week from Ollie reaped their reward and keeps us in contention for a possible 3rd spot.
Goals:
Wanderers FC: Dommy Shepherd (2), Jimmer Starr
The Rising Sun FC: Chris Burgess, Gary Turnbull
Sunday 28th January 2007 - League Match
Wanderers FC 0 v AFC Bell 6
This was a game to forget for the boys, although we were competitive we did not take our chances and got hammered six nil. Nessy took over the captaincy for this one and gave the lads a great pre-match speech, he'd even bought himself a captain's armband! It was pretty much end to end stuff for the first 20 minutes or so until Nessy's armband deflected in a shot for his own goal, putting the Bell one nil up. If we had taken our chances the first half could of ended with us in front. Every effort seemed to be straight at their goalie. We had a few players out of position for this game which showed in a below par performance and when we lost Damo and Dom Shepherd early in the second half with injuries it went downhill from there (mind you we hit the bar a couple of times and again better finishing would have made the final score a lot closer), goal after goal rattled in, heads dropped and before we knew it the final whistle went and it had ended six nil (it took us to finally see that their big man up front was left footed when the sixth went in!!!!). Their dressing room rang aloud with music and songs of promotion where ours was dead quiet with heads hanging low. Next week could be crucial to our league campaign as we need to show some BOUNCEBACKABILITY. Come on Wanderers!
Goals:
Wanderers - none
AFC Bell - Craig Townsend (hat-trick), Jonathan Couch, Chris Underwood, Nessy (OG)
Sunday 21st January 2007 - League Match
Wanderers FC v Trowbridge Town Supporters Club - Match postponed - Waterlogged Pitch
Sunday 14th January 2007 - League Match
North Star 'B' 1 Wanderers FC 5
The morning started off a bit apprehensively as Dom and The Cat were nervously waiting for the team to arrive at Priestley Grove. They eventually arrived at 10:25 as Iain had got everyone lost in Calne. This however did not damage our team preparation and the game kicked off early at 10:42. The lads started well on a heavy pitch with some nice passing and it didn't take us long to make the breakthrough, Dom slid in a lovely throughball picking out Coley's run who finished well across the keeper, in off the far post. Five minutes later we were two nil up, a Coley corner fell to our midfield maestro Ollie Howe who blasted home from six yards. It was all us at this stage and after a few minutes more Big Dave Grandy slotted in from 5 yards to make it three nil. This was a totally dominated performance by our boys and after 23 minutes a Coley Corner found Dom's head who finished well to make it four nil. More pressure from the boys kept the North Star B defence busy, with some good saves from their keeper keeping the score down to four at the break. The first half was a tremendous performance, this showed as the Cat never touched the ball until the 42nd minute. Seven minutes into the second half we were five nil up, Jimmer's 30 yard effort looped over their keeper (still some debate on this one whether he actually meant it or whether he sliced his pass to Coley on the left wing). Then the unbelievable happened, we gave them a consolation, a ball in from the right wing looped over our defence and some poor marking by Jimmer let in their striker to score. We made some changes soon after with Jacko, Jimmer and Ruzzer all departing for Marcus Faint, Neil Collett and Craig Harman and this tightened up the game again. Ollie Howe hit the bar from 5 yards, Dom hitting the side netting and again a couple of good saves from their keeper, kept the score at five one. This win has taken us up to 5th in the league and we still have high hopes of finishing in the top 3. All round good performances by all.
Goals:
North Star 'B' - Simon Clifford
Wanderers FC - Nick Tate, Ollie Howe, Dave Grandy, Dom Shepherd, James Starr
Sunday 7th January 2007 - League Match
The Crown FC v Wanderers FC
Match called off - Waterlogged pitch
Sunday 31st December 2006 - League Match
Old Road Tavern 0 Wanderers FC 7
It was cold, it was good weather for Kite Flying but we prevailed seven nil. Stu Parr played at left back for the first time since primary school and he had a cracking game, setting up the first goal with a 60 yard pass that took out the Tavern defence for Steve Jackson to take in his stride and slot round the advancing keeper to score into an empty net. The wind played havoc in the first half with our neat one touch passing and it took a while for us to make it two nil. A long throw from Damo with Jacko taking it on his chest, swivelling his hips and using his quick feet to beat two Tavern defenders and drilling the ball home. The second half got under way and we instantly controlled the game, Coley embarked on one of his runs down the left wing and put in a peach of a cross which their keeper mis-judged and literally threw it into his own net, three nil. Jacko completed his hat-trick to make it four nil, picking up a lovely through ball from Nessie to unleash an unstoppable shot into the top corner. A Nessie corner to the back post found Jimmer Starr who rose above the Tavern defence to head home for number five. Then the unthinkable happened, another corner found it's way to Ruzzer, who unleashed a shot, it came of someone's head and finished in the back of the net, it was goalbound so I've given the goal to him. The last goal, and number seven came when a Jacko cross found its way to Jimmer who finished neatly with a deft strike in the bottom left corner (if only Jimmer was sober every week!!!!). Great result for the lads who have finished 2006 off with a bang. Let's see what 2007 can bring.
Goals
Old Road Tavern - none
Wanderers FC - Steve 'Jacko' Jackson (hat-trick), Jimmer Starr (2), Coley (debatable), Ruzzer (debatable)
Sunday 17th December 2006 - WG Parr Trophy - Second Round
Wanderers 2 Kingfisher FC 4 aet
What an encounter. What are we doing in the fourth division?
After managing to escape a hotly heated dressing room (thanks Dill), the lads were focused and well up for this one. We wanted to match our previous rounds exploits against Sutton Benger and make the next round. The early exchanges were very even with a couple of shots from either side testing both keepers. With Ollie Howe and Dill Turner controlling midfield we went one nil up after Ollie was fouled in their area. Dommy Shepherd smashed in the resulting penalty sending the Kingfisher keeper the wrong way. This game then stepped up to an even higher gear, both sides matching each other in end to end stuff, then our luck ran out. A hotly contested penalty was given against us. Jacko, arms at his side blocked a shot and the ref gave a pen. The cat went the right way, but the speed of the shot beat him down to his left. One all at half time. We were still in this and after an invigorating and emotional team talk from Ruzz the lads lifted their heads and went out all guns blazing. Both sides were still hotly competing for everything and the ref did well to let the game flow, when suddenly in the 65th minute Dommy Shepherd beat a couple of Kingfisher defenders and put in a peach of a cross from the goal line in which Craig 'Tim Cahill' Harman unleashed an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net. We lost our influencial midfielder Dill to a knee injury not long after which gave a bit of impetus to Kingfisher, even though our defence of Jackson, Grandy, Saunderson and Ruslin held firm. Three minutes left and Kingfisher equalised, goal mouth efforts blocked by the Cat and our defence desperate to keep the ball out but eventually the ball went in our net. Extra time. So close, yet so far. It didn't take long for Kingfisher to take the lead, a looping cross in the 93rd minute fell to an umarked Rob Hickman who headed the ball home. This was the first time we were behind, but you wouldn't have thought it as the lads showed great courage and spirit to keep going, matching Kingfisher for every ball competed for. Five minutes from time it was game over, Marcus Young smashed in his opportunity to kill us off. Everyone that pulled on a Wanderers shirt must take great pride in their performance as this was a tremendous gutsy display. Merry Christmas everyone.
Goals
Wanderers: Shepherd, Harman
Kngfisher: Young (2), Hickman, Carlwither
Sunday 3rd December 2006 - League Match
Wanderers 0 Bromham (Sunday) 1
The Leighton Sports Arena in Westbury was waterlogged and after a barrage of calls and texts from Iain the game was switched to Bromham. This game had a lot resting on it, and potentially was a league decider already, even though we're not half way through the season yet. The conditions were testing for both teams, blinding sun and gale force winds broke up both teams normally superb passing. Even though the weather was poor both teams played superbly. The Wanderers defence, especially Stu 'Stone Cold' Parr and Iain 'Veteran' Saunderson did well to keep out Bromham's danger men up front for the whole game. Dave Grandy and Matty Ruslin did well too to stop the breaks coming through from the flanks and Damo Lippiat must get a special mention as he leapt like a Salmon to clear a goal bound effort off the line, after coming on in the second half. Dill Turner had another strong game in central midfield along with Nessy who was nursing an injured knee (it must have been his cold pizza that he turned up with, that got him through the game). The goal bound efforts were sparce due to the gales, but the Cat did well to push a couple of efforts wide. All the lads gave 110% and we were cruising for a well earned draw until the last couple of minutes when a throughball bounced over the top of our defence and their sub snuck in to poke a ball past an advancing Cat. We were robbed and gutted which made for a quiet dressing room at the end of the match. The lads however can take a lot of pride and passion, and all the positives from this match (which there were many) onto our next game. C'mon Wanderers, it's all about Bouncebackability now.
Goals
Wanderers - none
Bromham (Sunday) - Hammersley
Sunday 26th November 2006 - League Match
Wanderers v The Crown FC - Match Postponed
Water logged pitch
Sunday 19th November 2006 - League Match
AFC Melksham 5 Wanderers 0
We turned up, we didn't want it, we got hammered five nil. Nothing to mention, not one shot on target. Outclassed, outplayed and underperformed.
Goals
AFC Merlksham - Luke Ballinger (hat-trick), Matt Russell, Martin Barber
Wanderers - none
Sunday 12th November 2006 - League Match
The Rising Sun 3 Wanderers 6
The team descended on Market Lavington hoping to inflict a heavy defeat on the bottom of the table side, The Rising Sun, but as you will see from the scoreline it was closer than expected. We welcomed back Ollie Turner, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Dave Grandy, Tim Cross and Marcus Faint into the fold for a crisp Sunday morning clash. It didn't take long for us to get on the score sheet, a lovely throughball from Dill Turner to Dom Shepherd, who slid the ball under the advancing keeper for the simplest of finishes. Rising Sun didn't learn their lesson as we went two nil up with a carbon copy of the first goal, as Dom netted his second. Then I don't know what happened, I think we expected to go on and score a dozen goals but The Rising Sun showed their resilience and put us under a lot of pressure. Their big midfielder beat a couple of our players and scored a superb goal into the bottom of the net, the cat got a finger to it, but it wasn't enough. We soaked up a lot of pressure and a point blank wonder save from the Cat kept it two one to us at half time. After a very stern pep talk from Ruzzer we took to the field for the second half, but the game was delayed as we had to wait for Jimmy Krankie to finish his half time cup of tea. The second half got under way with some end to end stuff, but our better finishing put us three one up. Coley sent in a lovely throw to Dill who cut inside a couple of Rising Sun defenders to shoot neatly into the bottom of the net. Dom got his hat-trick soon after, after a long goal kick from the Cat found our marksman in sizzling form heading over the advancing keeper and tapping into an empty net. Then Dom got his fourth from close range. We then made the mistake of taking our foot off of the pedal as The Rising Sun, who never gave up scored two quick goals in succession to make it five three. The killer goal came from an unlikely source, as we put this game to bed. Who was that on the right wing? Was it a bird? Was it a plane? No, it was super Nessy. A superb sixth goal for us that started at the back from Grandy to Marcus Faint in midfield and Nessy with a 20 yard volley. Harder than expected, but job done. This takes us closer to the top and still on course for promotion.
Goals
The Rising Sun - Darren Folkard, Steven Foord, Chris Burgess
Wanderers - Dom Shepherd (4), Dill Turner, Carl Mackness
Sunday 5th November 2006 - League Match
Corsham Utd 0 Wanderers 5
Wanderers started the game with 10 men, but that did not stop us bouncing back from last weeks defeat. We took the game to Corsham Utd from the off and it didn't take long for Dill Turner to see the Corsham keeper off his line, unleashing an unstoppable lob from all of 30 yards. One nil to the Wanderers. Coley made it two nil after 25 minutes rounding a Corsham defender and striking a low fizzing shot across the face of the Corsham keeper which nesstled nicely in the bottom corner. Aaron turned up after 30 minutes and we at last had a full strength side. Dom Shepherd picked up a Coley through ball not long after, a nice neat finish to end the half with us three nil up. Corsham started briskly in the second half, putting on a little pressure, but really it was end to end stuff for the first 15 minutes or so. Coley scored his second of the game which was a bit lucky, his 20 yard shot taking a wicked deflection and slipping through the keepers fingers. The Cat kept a Wanderers clean sheet with a stunning tip over from a 20 yard volley that was heading for the top corner. We finished the game off with some neat one touch passing which is unusual, all the front four involoved until it finally fell to Andy 'my hamstrings are hurting' Hill who smashed it in from six yards, in off the crossbar. Corsham showed some great spirit throughout the game, since we last played them, but our defence held firm, with some great performances at the back from Dill, Damo, Iain and Ruzzer. Well done to all the boys for a stunning victory.
Goals
Corsham Utd - none
Wanderers - Coley (2), Dill Turner, Dom Shepherd, Andy Hill
Sunday 29th October 2006 - League Match
Little George 4 Wanderers 2
Wanderers turned up hoping to build on last weeks stunning performance against Sutton Benger in the cup, but all did not go according to plan. Bit of a funny pitch this one, big slope from left to right. Top half nicely cut, bottom half very long grass and boggy, plus no lines. Anyway let me stop making excuses! We started poorly, as we had the boggy half of the pitch and we were missing most of our defensive back line. Hiller and Rawlings played well but the Little George had the edge in the first half totally out playing us with some neat passing and finishes going in three nil at half time. There's nothing for me to write about us, as we did nothing in the first 45 minutes. Nessy gave the lads a stern teamtalk at halftime and at last we started to play football, until they scored again to make it four nil only a few minutes in. We could have bowed our heads and given the game to them at that point, but we got even better battling for everything and winning most of the posession. Stu Farr played a long ball through which the keeper should have just simply picked up, but he spilled it and Dom Shepherd seized his opportunity and placed it into an empty net. Then Damo Shepherd scored with a neat finish and we were all over them. Then the ref gave a very dodgy penalty to the Little George, Stu Farr was well in front of their striker when he slid for the ball, their striker fell over him and the ref blew. This caused outrage with our defence, but The Cat in goal made a superb save down to his left tipping the ball round the post, so justice was done. We showed passion and spirit to the end, but it was not enough. The lads need to show a bit more from the start next week, we're losing ground. Is Craig ' Tim Cahill' Harman still at the ground, or still awaiting rescue from his Dad? As our rent boy locked his keys in his car!!!!!
Goals
Little George: Nat Auckland (2), Tom Jones, Alex Orledge
Wanderers: Dom Shepherd, Damo Shepherd
WG Parr Trophy First Round - Sunday 22nd October 2006
Wanderers 7 Sutton Benger 4 aet
The mighty Wanderers fc overcame Sutton Benger from league division two 7 . 4 in crowd thrilling game at the Leighton Sports Arena in Westbury. The crowd dropped from three to two when Craig 'Tim Cahill' Harman suffered his injury, resulting in one of them taking him to the hospital. The game got off to a thrilling start with Wanderers piling on the early pressure which paid off when Craig ‘Tim Cahill’ Harman opened the scoring in the fifteenth minute. As he put the ball in the net a Benger defender booted him in the hand, accidental, of course. Benger equalised for the first time following a deflected shot from James Pope which came off the veteran Iain Saunderson. Scott Carrick in the Wanderers goal pulled off a tremendous save from a volley to keep it level at half time, superbly tipping it onto the top of the crossbar. Dave Grandy restored the home teams advantage early in the second half from a Nick Tate corner heading neatly into the top of the Benger net and Nick Tate extended their lead with a speculative volley from 100 yards, outclassing the Benger goalie. Two quick goals from Benger through Mark Merriman and James Pope levelled the game but with only minutes to go on the watch Domonic Shepherd thought he had won the game for Wanderers with a neat finish. Sutton Benger applied the pressure and Nick Slade’s free header took it into extra time. The first 15 minutes saw the deadlock remain with some stern defending from the Wanderers back four, but early in the second period, Shepherd added his second and then third following neat work from Carl Mackness to put the game beyond the villagers. Aaron Carpenter put the game to bed with a late seventh.
Goals
Wanderers - Craig 'Tim Cahill' Harman (hat-trick), Steve 'Jacko' Jackson
North Star B - Paul Herring
Attendance 17
Sunday 8th October 2006 - League Match
Trowbridge Town Supporters Club 1 Wanderers 2
After managing to find the footy pitch in Bratton and getting told off for parking on the grass, this game was a cracker, end to end stuff with us gaining the upper hand and us moving up from 7th in the table to 4th place. Coley put us in front from a Dom Shepherd throughball, a fine shot into the top corner of the net. We then went for it dominating pressure on an overgrown pitch, Andy Hill beat two Trowbridge Town defenders turned and unleashed a thunderbolt from 30 yards to leave the keeper standing. I don't think he ever saw it! Little Ben John pulled one back for Trowbridge and then then put the pressure on in the last few minutes of the game, but our defence consisting of Stone Cold Steve Austin (Stu Parr) and Ollie Turner stood firm. In the last minute a corner from Trowbridge nearly brought them an equaliser, a great cry of 'leave it' from the Cat in goal for wanderers nearly embarrased him as the header from the corner hit the bar. Everyone is still laughing at that one, but we came away with the points. Unlucky Trowbridge and please get your grass cut.
Goals
Trowbridge Town Supporters Club - Ben John
Wanderers - Coley, Andy Hill
Sunday 24th September 2006 - Eric Hughes Memorial Cup
North Bradley 5 Wanderers 1
There was a lot of optimism about this one, a bit of a local derby for us, but it soon died, basically trying to cram all our cars into the car park. North Bradley being 3 divisions above us were always going to be tough opposition and this was the case was some lapse defending from an inital save from the cat was tapped in by Tim Richards. This was the only error from our back four in the first half, challenge after challenge, save after save kept us in the game. We finished the half down two nil as Bradley scored their second through Stuart Powell. The second half it was all them, a totally one sided affair, we ran out of steam! Their third came from Chris Gale, fourth from Neil Maidment and the last one a goal mouth scramble from Tim Richards who got his second. We got a consolation goal from big man Stuey Farr which was the best goal of the game, right in the top corner. Never mind lads, it's the effort that counts, we didn't want to win this one anyway.
Goals
North Bradley - Tim Richards (2), Stuart Powell, Chris Gale, Neil Maidment
Wanderers - Stuart Farr
Sunday 17th October 2006 - League Match
Wanderers 7 Corsham Utd 2
All I can say about this one is 'What a Performance'. Corsham came looking for something and got nothing. This was our first win of the season, we turned up with a strong side and it showed, we never looked back. Jacko got our first three goals, he's like road runner but quicker, all neat finishes. Damo Shepherd added our fourth neatly heading in a cross from Andy Hill. Big Stuey Farr unleashed a 25 yearder into the top corner for number five. Craig 'Tim Cahill' Harman got our sixth and then Big Stuey Farr got his second with a great finish and our seventh. Can't remember anything about the Corsham goals, beacuse I'm still trying to remember how we scored all of ours!!!! I can remember Damo's long throws from the halfway line causing their keeper grief. Come on Wanderers!!!! Better things to come I'm sure.
Goals
Wanderers - Steve Jackson (hat-trick), Damo Shepherd, Stuart Farr (2), Craig 'Tim Cahill' Harman
Corsham Utd - Dominic Reid, Alex Mitchell
Attendance 13
Sunday 10th September 2006 - League Match
Churchill Arms 4 Wanderers 4
What a comeback from us, but we threw it away. We started poorly two nil down before we knew where the ball was, Andy Hobbs scored two for them before Craig 'Tim Cahill' Harman pulled one back for us from a sweet finish. Shaun Warren scored a third for them, before we actually started playing. The night before's beer must have come out of the boys at half time and we turned the game on it's head. Dylan Turner unleashed an unstoppable drive into the roof of the net to make it three, two. Coley made it level from a tap in and Damo Lippiat put us four, three up. Our defence blocked everything, but all our efforts were in vain when a jammy Andy Hobbs completed his hat-trick in the dying seconds to make it four all. First point for us, but it should have been two.
Goals
Churchill Arms - Andy Hobbs (hat-trick), Shaun Warren
Wanderers - Craig 'Tim Cahill' Harman, Dylan Turner, Coley, Damo Lippiat
Sunday 3rd September 2006 - League Match
Wanderers 1 Chippenham West End Club 4
First game of the season and got stuffed. The morning did not start well for us at Christie Miller, we got to the changing rooms to find the council had changed the locks, which meant that everyone had to change outside, not great preparation. Luckily for us we're off to the Leighton Sports Arena for future matches. We were the favourites for this one as we stuffed them last season, but it never showed. Chippenham West End Club had some new players and performed better than expected. The cat in goal for wanderers had forgotten his contact lenses and it showed letting in two easy goals from freekicks. Our failure to close down their midfield let in two more. We just couldn't believe it, four nil down. There was one highlight from the game The Veteran Iain Saunderson rolled back the years with our consolation goal. He usually scores in our net (he never wears the number 4 shirt anymore), but scored in their net for the first time in 5 years. Not a great start for us, but we'll learn from this and we'll bounce back.
Goals
Wanderers - Iain 'The Veteran' Saunderson
Chippenham West End Club - Carl Britton, Gavin Aplin, Tristan Roberts (2)
Attendance 19
Wanderers 3 Little George FC 8
Wanderers headed into their last game of the season with a different looking side owing to work and 5 a side commitments. Striker Jimmer took up a place between the sticks in The Cat's absence, Olly Howe was handed a rare start in Central Midfield and Sheep Headed Kye Leather made his second appearance of the season up front. The conditions were terrible with rain hammering down and a gusty wind blowing across the FC Northbridge pitch kindly rented to us for the evening. Little George put early pressure on the Wanderers goal and soon took the lead. After soaking up more pressure though Wanderers hit back when Kye Leather flicked on an impressive Dyl Turner free kick to Olly Howe who calmly slotted away his second of the season from five yards. George soon turned up the pressure again and despite some good comedy punches by Jimmer they went in front again just before half time.
2-1 at the break the Wanderers team talk spilled over into a blame game, perhaps it was the wet shirts and all the hair gell in the eyes that lead to some flared tempers! Back into the second half and the constant George pressure paid off as they sliced their way through our midfield and defence on numerous occasions with the score rapidly heading to 6-1 to them. Soon after this veteran Tim Cross and Kye were replaced by Craig Harman and Neil Collett who had both started on the bench owing to a 5 a side game. Wanderers managed to pull one back to 6-2 when a great move started right at the back by Ruzz through Craig, Nessy and Neil Collett was ended in a great chip finish by Coley. George then went up the other end and banged in two more before straight from kick off Neil Collett worked well to beat a couple of players and square to Nessy who rounded the keeper and coolly slotted home.
8-3 the final result and it could have been a lot worse, credit to the back four including Iain Saunderson and Stu Parr who continually hassled the impressive George front two all night. Cheers to Oli Turner for running the line all game as well. Oh and a special mention to Damo Lippiatt whose shout of 'book him ref!' after a George player kicked one of our lads lead to a second yellow and then a red for one of the visitors, Sportsman of the Year...
An enjoyable season and we're moving in the right direction, with a couple more signings to bolster the squad over the summer we can start to push the teams at the top of the table. End of season do/night/presentations is on Friday June 29th, brink your drinking boots!
Wanderers Goals
Olly Howe, Nick Tate, Carl Mackness
Little George Goals
Ben Highmore (2), Tom Jones (2), Nat Auckland (2), Chris Parsons, Joe Forester
Make a free website at Freewebs.com