In a thrilling encounter at The Sittingbourne School on 13 April 2025, Wigmore Wanderers FC faced off against New Road Athletic in a league home match that ended in a narrow 3-2 defeat for the Wanderers. The match kicked off at 11:30 am, and despite a spirited performance, the home side could not secure the points they desperately sought.
Wigmore Wanderers lined up in a 3-4-3 formation, designed to provide both defensive solidity and attacking flair. Zach Henderson took his place in goal, shielded by a back three consisting of Harley Tutt in the centre, flanked by George Alp on the right and Joshua Igglesden on the left. The midfield was anchored by Dan Bailey and Liam Apps in central roles, while Alex Toms and Harry Smith operated as right and left midfielders, respectively. Up front, Jack Downey and George Hennessy supported striker James Lundie, who was tasked with leading the line.
The substitutes for the match included Tom Spearink and Charlie Ivey, who would later be called upon to make an impact from the bench.
The match began with an early shock for the Wanderers as New Road Athletic took the lead just two minutes in. A well-placed left-footed strike from the opponents caught the home defence off guard, sending a clear message of intent.
In response, Wigmore made tactical adjustments, bringing on Tom Spearink and Charlie Ivey in the 14th minute, replacing George Alp and Dan Bailey respectively. This change aimed to bolster their attacking options and regain control of the midfield.
The Wanderers found their rhythm and equalised in the 20th minute through Jack Downey. A long pass from Harry Smith set up a goalmouth scramble, and Downey was quick to react, finishing with his right foot from close range to level the score.
As the first half drew to a close, the teams went into the break at 1-1 after a competitive 30 minutes of play. However, the second half began with more drama. Just two minutes after the restart, Liam Apps received a yellow card for a bad tackle, a decision that highlighted the increasing intensity of the match.
New Road Athletic regained the lead in the 44th minute, scoring directly from a corner kick, leaving the Wanderers reeling. The visitors extended their advantage further in the 53rd minute with a lobbed effort that found the back of the net, putting Wigmore in a precarious position at 3-1 down.
Despite the uphill battle, Wigmore Wanderers refused to back down. In the 57th minute, they pulled a goal back through George Hennessy, who finished expertly from close range after a well-placed cross from Jack Downey. This goal reignited hope for the home side, bringing the score to 3-2.
As the match approached its conclusion, Wigmore made their final substitution in the 59th minute, with Harley Tutt coming on for Tom Spearink, as they sought to push for an equaliser. However, despite their best efforts, the Wanderers could not find the crucial goal to level the match.
In the end, New Road Athletic held on for a hard-fought victory, leaving Wigmore Wanderers to reflect on a match filled with promise but ultimately falling short. The performance of Jack Downey stood out, earning him recognition as the player of the match for his pivotal role in the attack.
