Bradwell FC 2 vs 4 Wedgwood FC

On 22 February 2026, Wedgwood FC travelled to the TRUBSHAW CROSS FOOTBALL CENTRE to face Bradwell FC in a league away fixture kicking off at 10:30am. The match ended in a thrilling 4-2 victory for Wedgwood FC after a pulsating 90 minutes of football plus added time.

Wedgwood lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, deploying Ethan Wheeldon in goal. The back four consisted of Owen Taylor at right back, Ricci Edwards and Jordan Coleman as central defenders, and Alex Bayley on the left. In midfield, Nick Fricker and George Barlow operated as the two holding central midfielders, tasked with both defensive duties and linking play. Ahead of them, the attacking trio featured Jay Blood on the right wing, Craig Cookson centrally behind the striker, and Kei Parsons on the left. Leading the line was Shane Reaney as the lone striker, expected to spearhead attacks and finish chances. The substitutes named were Joe Hitchens, EJ Laverty, Ben Deakin, Shane Mathews, Kieren Forrester, and Brendon Whitfield.

From the outset, Wedgwood showed defensive solidity with Jordan Coleman intercepting a threat in the first minute, quickly followed by Alex Bayley’s interception a minute later. Bayley then launched a long pass that created a chance in the third minute, signalling Wedgwood’s intent to attack from wide areas. George Barlow’s early attempt went wide in the fourth minute, but the team’s rhythm was evident. Jordan Coleman’s long pass in the fifth minute set up fluid play, which culminated in the opening goal just a minute later. Barlow provided a short pass assist for Jay Blood, who finished a well-worked team move to put Wedgwood ahead inside seven minutes.

The early exchanges were intense, with Barlow delivering a long pass in the seventh minute and Bayley making a crucial tackle to halt Bradwell’s advances. Ricci Edwards also made a timely tackle in the eighth minute, helping to maintain defensive composure. Owen Taylor contributed offensively with a long pass in the ninth minute and then blocked a clear chance at the tenth, demonstrating his dual role in defence and attack.

Wedgwood’s first substitution came early when Joe Hitchens replaced the injured Craig Cookson in the 13th minute. Hitchens quickly made his presence felt, forcing a save from the opposition goalkeeper in the 18th minute. However, Bradwell responded with a goal of their own in the 19th minute, leveling the score. Wedgwood were forced into another change shortly after, with EJ Laverty coming on for the injured Kei Parsons in the 20th minute.

Nick Fricker’s long pass in the 21st minute paved the way for Wedgwood to regain the lead. Joe Hitchens scored a spectacular long-range screamer with his right foot in the 30th minute, assisted by a clever flick from Shane Reaney. Reaney himself tested the keeper again in the 32nd minute but was denied. Hitchens doubled his tally with a powerful header from a cross by Reaney in the 40th minute, putting Wedgwood 3-1 up.

The first half closed with a yellow card shown to George Barlow for a bad tackle in the 41st minute and an attempt from Alex Bayley going wide in the 43rd minute. The teams went into the break with Wedgwood holding a two-goal advantage.

The second half saw Wedgwood continue to press, with Owen Taylor delivering a long pass that created a chance in the 49th minute. Shane Reaney’s shot was saved shortly after in the 50th minute. Jordan Coleman received a yellow card in the 58th minute but moments later, Joe Hitchens completed his hat-trick with a left-footed finish from a long pass by Reaney, extending the lead to 4-1.

Coleman intercepted another threat in the 62nd minute as Wedgwood maintained control. Tactical substitutions followed in the 67th minute with Shane Mathews replacing Jay Blood and Ben Deakin coming on for Owen Taylor. Hitchens had a wide attempt in the 68th minute before Bradwell pulled a goal back in the 69th minute, reducing the deficit to 4-2.

Wedgwood made further changes due to injury with Kieren Forrester replacing Nick Fricker in the 74th minute and Brendon Whitfield coming on for George Barlow two minutes later. Shane Mathews provided a flick pass in the 84th minute, creating another opportunity, while Forrester made an interception to thwart Bradwell’s attack.

Wedgwood FC’s victory was largely shaped by Joe Hitchens’ outstanding performance, scoring a hat-trick after coming on early due to injury. The team’s disciplined defensive work, combined with incisive passing and clinical finishing, secured a valuable three points on the road against a resilient Bradwell FC side.