In a thrilling league encounter at the Gordan Banks Sports Center on 27 April 2025, Wedgwood FC emerged victorious against fc newcastle with a commanding scoreline of 5-2. The match kicked off at 10:30 am, showcasing an impressive display of attacking football from the visitors.
Wedgwood FC lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, designed to provide both defensive stability and attacking flair. Brandyn Williams took his position in goal, while the back four consisted of Ben Deakin and Alex Bayley as right and left defenders, respectively, with Jordan Coleman and Ricci Edwards forming the central defensive partnership. In midfield, nick fricker and Henri Royals operated as central midfielders, tasked with controlling the tempo and linking play. The attacking trio featured nick bennet on the right, Jay Blood on the left, and Callum henry in the central attacking role, supporting striker Ashley Ibbs, who was expected to lead the line with pace and precision. The substitutes for the match included Ethan Poole.
The match began with an early attempt from Jay Blood, who fired high within the first three minutes, signalling Wedgwood's intent. Just a minute later, nick bennet delivered a long pass that set the tone for the attacking play. However, it was not until the fifth minute that the deadlock was broken, with Ashley Ibbs scoring a stunning long-range strike, assisted by a header from Henri Royals.
Wedgwood continued to press, and in the tenth minute, Ricci Edwards doubled the lead with a powerful header from a corner taken by Jay Blood. The visitors were in control, with Alex Bayley and Jay Blood both testing the fc newcastle goalkeeper shortly after, but their efforts were saved. Despite a few attempts from nick bennet that were thwarted, the relentless pressure paid off again in the 22nd minute when Ricci Edwards scored his second goal, this time with a left-footed shot from inside the box.
Defensively, Wedgwood remained resolute, with Edwards himself making a crucial header to prevent a chance for the opposition. As the first half drew to a close, Brandyn Williams showcased his goalkeeping skills with a punch to clear a dangerous ball, while Jordan Coleman and Ben Deakin contributed with solid defensive headers and clearances.
The second half began with a surprising turn of events as fc newcastle managed to score a fluke goal just after the restart, catching the Wedgwood defence off guard. This was quickly followed by another goal from the hosts in the 53rd minute, a lob that brought the score to 4-2, igniting hopes of a comeback.
In response, Wedgwood made a tactical substitution in the 56th minute, bringing on Ethan Poole for Ashley Ibbs. The change proved effective as nick bennet scored a stunning long-range strike in the 57th minute, restoring a three-goal cushion for Wedgwood. The visitors continued to create chances, with several attempts from both bennet and Callum henry, but the fc newcastle goalkeeper was equal to the task.
As the match progressed, Wedgwood made further substitutions, including bringing back Ashley Ibbs for Jay Blood in the 75th minute, and later introducing Jay Blood again for nick bennet in the 82nd minute. However, the match took a slight turn when Ethan Poole received a yellow card for persistent infringements in the 83rd minute.
Despite the late pressure from fc newcastle, including attempts from Henri Royals and Brandyn Williams, Wedgwood held firm to secure a well-deserved victory. The match concluded with a final score of 5-2, marking a significant win for Wedgwood FC in their league campaign.
