Wedgwood FC welcomed Breaks Athletic to the Wedgwood Sports And Social Club on 5 October 2025 for a league fixture kicking off at 10:30am. The home side delivered a commanding performance to secure a 3-0 victory in front of their supporters. From the outset, Wedgwood FC set the tone with a clinical display that left Breaks Athletic unable to respond.
Wedgwood lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, deploying Ethan Wheeldon in goal to marshal the defence. The back four consisted of Shane Reaney at right back, Jordan Coleman and Nick Fricker as central defenders, and Alex Bayley on the left. In midfield, George Barlow and Henri Royals operated as the two central midfielders tasked with both defensive duties and linking play. Ahead of them, Jay Blood took up the right attacking midfield role, Craig Cookson played centrally behind the striker, and Kei Parsons occupied the left attacking midfield position. Leading the line was Niall Cartlidge as the lone striker, expected to spearhead attacks and convert chances. Wedgwood’s substitutes included Joshua Cartwright, Brendon Whitfield, Lee Davies, and Ben Deakin, ready to impact the game as required.
The match burst into life almost immediately when Wedgwood took the lead in the second minute. Jordan Coleman launched a precise long pass that found Niall Cartlidge, who expertly controlled and fired a left-footed finish past the goalkeeper to give the hosts an early advantage. Cartlidge nearly doubled his tally moments later with a high attempt in the fourth minute, though it sailed over the bar. Defensively, Nick Fricker was alert to clear danger at the same time, ensuring Breaks Athletic could not capitalise.
George Barlow began to influence proceedings with a long key pass in the fifth minute, setting up attacking moves. The defence remained resolute as Jordan Coleman and Alex Bayley each cleared headers in the sixth and eighth minutes respectively, repelling Breaks Athletic’s efforts to respond. Attempts from George Barlow and Kei Parsons in the 13th minute went wide, but Wedgwood’s attacking intent was clear.
A lapse in concentration from Nick Fricker at the 16th minute momentarily threatened Wedgwood’s clean sheet, though no goal resulted. Craig Cookson’s high effort in the 18th minute was another sign of Wedgwood’s attacking pressure. Cookson then provided a long key pass in the 22nd minute, followed by a similar delivery from Shane Reaney a minute later, both aimed at stretching the opposition defence.
George Barlow continued to test the opposition with a wide shot in the 26th minute, while Shane Reaney’s attempt on goal was saved in the 28th minute. Kei Parsons also fired wide in the 30th minute, but goalkeeper Ethan Wheeldon was alert to catch a subsequent threat. The visitors were unable to contain Wedgwood’s fluid attacking play.
Wedgwood doubled their lead in the 32nd minute when George Barlow delivered a long pass that found Niall Cartlidge once again, who made no mistake in finishing to put his side 2-0 up. Wheeldon’s goalkeeping was crucial shortly after, making a diving save at the feet of an opponent in the 35th minute to maintain the clean sheet.
The first half concluded with Wedgwood firmly in control, leading 2-0 at the break.
At half-time, Wedgwood made two substitutions to freshen the side. Brendon Whitfield replaced Nick Fricker in central defence, while Joshua Cartwright came on for Jay Blood at full back. These changes aimed to maintain intensity and defensive solidity.
The second half saw Wedgwood extend their lead further in the 54th minute. Kei Parsons sent a long pass forward to Niall Cartlidge, who completed his hat-trick with a composed finish, sealing a commanding 3-0 advantage. Wedgwood continued to rotate personnel with Lee Davies replacing Henri Royals in midfield at the 59th minute.
Defensively, Jordan Coleman intercepted a dangerous ball in the 61st minute, while Wheeldon again demonstrated his shot-stopping prowess with a diving save at the feet in the 64th minute. Joshua Cartwright contributed defensively with a headed clearance at 65 minutes, and Lee Davies immediately created a chance with a long pass.
Brendon Whitfield was also active defensively, making interceptions at 69 and 71 minutes to thwart Breaks Athletic’s attempts to break back into the game. Lee Davies had a shot saved in the 69th minute, and Kei Parsons created another chance with a long pass in the 74th minute before seeing his effort saved at 77 minutes.
Further substitutions followed with Ben Deakin replacing George Barlow and Henri Royals returning to the field for Craig Cookson at the 80th minute mark. Unfortunately, Jordan Coleman was forced off injured in the 85th minute, with Nick Fricker returning to the defence.
As the match drew to a close, Shane Reaney and Henri Royals both had attempts saved in the 87th minute, but Wedgwood’s defence and goalkeeper ensured the clean sheet remained intact.
Wedgwood FC’s dominant display was epitomised by Niall Cartlidge’s hat-trick and the midfield mastery of George Barlow, who was deservedly named player of the match for his pivotal role in both creating and controlling play throughout the contest. The 3-0 victory solidifies Wedgwood’s position in the league and sends a clear message to their rivals.
