Wedgwood FC travelled to Watery Lane on 21 September 2025 for a 10:30am kick-off in a league away fixture against Potters Bar. The match unfolded over 90 minutes plus added time, culminating in a pulsating 3-2 victory for Wedgwood FC.
Wedgwood lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, deploying Ethan Wheeldon in goal. The defensive line consisted of Owen Taylor at right back, Jordan Coleman and Brendon Whitfield as central defenders, and Alex Bayley on the left. In midfield, Ollie Heath and Kieren Forrester operated as the two holding central midfielders, tasked with both breaking up play and initiating attacks. Ahead of them, the three attacking midfielders were Jay Blood on the right, Liam Davies centrally, and Kei Parsons on the left, all supporting lone striker Niall Cartlidge. The shape was designed to balance defensive solidity with attacking creativity, expecting the wide midfielders and Davies to supply chances for Cartlidge up front. Wedgwood’s substitutes were Nick Fricker, Joshua Cartwright, and Jack Ward.
The match began with Wedgwood showing early defensive discipline. At 8 minutes, Liam Davies made a crucial interception to halt a Potters Bar advance. Shortly after, Brendon Whitfield cleared danger with a header at 10 minutes, while Kieren Forrester executed a timely tackle to regain possession. Despite these efforts, Potters Bar struck first at 12 minutes, taking an early lead.
Wedgwood’s defence remained resolute as Whitfield prevented a clear chance with a vital tackle at 14 minutes. Wedgwood responded with attacking intent; Kei Parsons tested the opposition goalkeeper with a shot saved at 18 minutes. However, Potters Bar doubled their advantage at 23 minutes, placing Wedgwood under pressure.
Parsons continued to probe, firing wide at 28 minutes, and Liam Davies saw a shot saved at 31 minutes. Wedgwood’s persistence paid off at 34 minutes when Parsons delivered a short pass inside the box to Niall Cartlidge, who finished clinically to halve the deficit. Davies then provided a key pass a minute later, helping maintain Wedgwood’s momentum.
Defensively, Ollie Heath and Owen Taylor combined well at 36 minutes, with Heath heading clear and Taylor intercepting a threatening ball. Alex Bayley also made a crucial tackle to prevent a Potters Bar chance in the same minute. Wedgwood’s pressure intensified and was rewarded at 41 minutes when Owen Taylor whipped in a cross that Liam Davies met with a powerful header to level the score.
Taylor remained influential, attempting a shot saved at 43 minutes before delivering a long pass that created another chance. The first half concluded with the scores locked at 2-2.
At half-time, Wedgwood made a tactical substitution, bringing on Nick Fricker for Ollie Heath to inject fresh energy into midfield. Early in the second half, Alex Bayley’s attempt went wide at 46 minutes, signalling Wedgwood’s intent to push forward.
Goalkeeper Ethan Wheeldon was called into action at 53 minutes, producing a full stretch save to deny Potters Bar. Wedgwood then took the lead at 56 minutes through Jay Blood, who capitalised on a defensive mistake following a long pass from Liam Davies.
Wedgwood’s defence remained solid with Jordan Coleman clearing a header at 61 minutes. Fricker tested the target with attempts wide at 63 and 68 minutes, while Forrester made a crucial tackle at 66 minutes. Wheeldon’s goalkeeping heroics continued with a full stretch save at 67 minutes and a point-blank reaction save at 71 minutes, denying Potters Bar further opportunities.
Niall Cartlidge had two attempts saved and one shot over the bar between 71 and 80 minutes, showing his persistence in attack. Substitute Joshua Cartwright made an immediate impact with a long pass at 82 minutes, followed by Owen Taylor’s long pass creating another chance at 83 minutes. Alex Bayley also contributed a long pass that led to a chance at 84 minutes.
Defensively, Owen Taylor cleared danger at 86 minutes, and Jack Ward, introduced for Jay Blood at 88 minutes for tactical reasons, intercepted a key ball at 89 minutes. Taylor had a late attempt wide at 94 minutes, and Coleman cleared a header at 95 minutes as Wedgwood held firm.
Wedgwood FC’s 3-2 victory was a hard-fought triumph, with Liam Davies earning player of the match honours for his vital contributions, including a goal and key defensive work. The team’s resilience and attacking flair ultimately overcame Potters Bar’s early dominance at Watery Lane.
