Wedgwood FC faced a disappointing defeat against AFC Eccleshall First, losing 1-5 in a league match held at Westbridge Park on 31 August 2025. The match kicked off at 10:30 am, with referee J. Lee overseeing the proceedings.
Wedgwood FC lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for attacking flair. Ethan Wheeldon took his place in goal, shielded by a back four consisting of Owen Taylor and Alex Bayley as right and left defenders, respectively, with Jordan Coleman and Ricci Edwards in central defence. In midfield, Kei Parsons and Kieren Forrester operated as central midfielders, tasked with linking defence and attack. The attacking trio featured Shane Reaney on the right, Jay Blood on the left, and Craig Cookson in the central attacking midfield role, with Niall Cartlidge leading the line as the striker. The substitutes for the match included Joshua Cartwright, Ollie Heath, and Archie Wemyss.
The match began with an early scare for Wedgwood FC as Ethan Wheeldon was called into action, making a full stretch save in the third minute to deny an early attempt from the opposition. Just a minute later, Kei Parsons showcased his vision with a long pass that set the tone for Wedgwood's attacking intent, while Alex Bayley made a crucial clearance to maintain the scoreline.
In the ninth minute, Jay Blood opened the scoring for Wedgwood FC, finishing expertly with his left foot after receiving a long pass from Wheeldon. This early goal gave Wedgwood a brief sense of hope, but their lead was short-lived. Just seven minutes later, AFC Eccleshall equalised with a stunning strike from outside the box, a true screamer that left Wheeldon with no chance.
The home side quickly capitalised on their momentum, scoring again in the 21st minute during a chaotic goalmouth scramble that saw the ball bundled over the line. Wedgwood struggled to regain control as Kieren Forrester made a vital tackle in the 21st minute to prevent further damage.
As the first half progressed, Niall Cartlidge attempted to respond for Wedgwood with a flick that was saved, while Kei Parsons' effort went wide shortly after. The first half concluded with the score at 2-1 in favour of AFC Eccleshall.
The second half began poorly for Wedgwood, as the opposition scored just after the restart in the 46th minute, extending their lead. A penalty was awarded to AFC Eccleshall in the 48th minute, which they converted, further deepening Wedgwood's woes.
Despite the mounting pressure, Wedgwood continued to push forward. Craig Cookson's attempt in the 49th minute sailed high, and Niall Cartlidge had another shot saved in the 59th minute. In the 63rd minute, Joshua Cartwright was introduced as a tactical substitution for Cartlidge, aiming to inject fresh energy into the attack.
As the match wore on, Kei Parsons had another opportunity that went wide in the 69th minute, while Jay Blood made a key pass that created a chance for his teammates. In the 81st minute, Ollie Heath came on for Kieren Forrester, followed by Archie Wemyss replacing Jordan Coleman in the 86th minute.
In the dying moments of the match, Parsons had a final attempt that went high, but AFC Eccleshall sealed their emphatic victory with a fifth goal in the 91st minute, leaving Wedgwood FC to ponder their performance as they returned home. The defeat serves as a stark reminder of the challenges ahead in the league campaign.
