Wedgwood FC Dominate At Birchall With 5-1 Victory

Wedgwood FC travelled to Birchall Sports Ground on 25 January 2026 for a 10:30am kick-off in their league away fixture against Breaks Athletic, securing a commanding 5-1 win. The match, officiated by referee A. Lloyd who delivered an excellent performance, saw Wedgwood FC assert their dominance throughout the 90 minutes plus added time.

Wedgwood FC lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, deploying Kieren Forrester in goal. The defensive line consisted of Owen Taylor at right back, Ricci Edwards and EJ Laverty as central defenders, and Alex Bayley on the left. In midfield, Kei Parsons and Connor Mathews operated as the two central midfielders, tasked with both defensive duties and linking play. Ahead of them, the attacking trio featured Niall Cartlidge on the right wing, Jay Blood centrally as the attacking midfielder, and Shane Reaney on the left. Leading the line was striker Shane Mathews, expected to spearhead the attack. The substitutes available were Craig Cookson, George Barlow, Jordan Coleman, Nick Fricker, and Ben Deakin.

From the outset, Wedgwood FC showed intent. Niall Cartlidge’s early attempt in the first minute went wide, signalling their attacking ambition. Shane Reaney followed suit with a wide effort in the seventh minute. Jay Blood tested the Breaks Athletic keeper with a saved shot on ten minutes, indicating Wedgwood’s growing pressure.

The 19th minute was a flurry of activity. Shane Reaney delivered a long key pass, while defenders Ricci Edwards and EJ Laverty cleared danger with crucial interventions. Connor Mathews also contributed a long pass, and Shane Mathews flicked the ball on, demonstrating fluid attacking interplay. EJ Laverty’s defensive tackle at 21 minutes further helped maintain Wedgwood’s control. Connor Mathews’ wide attempt at 22 minutes was complemented by his defensive header, while Jay Blood’s long pass created further opportunities.

At 31 minutes, Connor Mathews had a shot saved, but tactical changes soon followed. Shane Mathews was replaced by Craig Cookson at 33 minutes, and a minute later Niall Cartlidge made way for George Barlow, both substitutions aimed at refreshing the side’s attacking options. Kei Parsons then produced a long key pass at 36 minutes, setting up chances, and Shane Reaney’s shot was saved at 37 minutes.

As the first half drew to a close, George Barlow’s long pass at 43 minutes created a clear chance, with Craig Cookson’s effort saved at 44 minutes. The half ended with Wedgwood pushing forward but unable to break the deadlock.

The second half began with immediate attacking intent. Owen Taylor’s long key pass at 46 minutes created a chance, and tactical adjustments saw Jordan Coleman replace Ricci Edwards at the same time. Alex Bayley intercepted a Breaks Athletic move, while Shane Reaney’s flick pass created another opportunity. However, the game took a turn when Connor Mathews received a yellow card at 47 minutes for a bad tackle.

EJ Laverty’s timely tackle at 48 minutes prevented a chance, but Breaks Athletic struck first at 49 minutes, breaking the deadlock against the run of play. Wedgwood responded quickly with an injury-enforced substitution at 51 minutes, Craig Cookson making way for Nick Fricker.

Shane Reaney continued to create chances with a flick pass at 52 minutes, and the breakthrough came at 55 minutes when George Barlow scored, assisted by a short pass from Connor Mathews, slotting home with his right foot. Owen Taylor was replaced by Ben Deakin shortly after, as Wedgwood sought to maintain their momentum.

Ben Deakin and Jordan Coleman both made crucial interceptions in the late 50s, while Kei Parsons’ long pass at 58 minutes set up a chance that Connor Mathews converted spectacularly at 59 minutes with a screamer, assisted by Parsons’ cross. Alex Bayley’s interception at 61 minutes and Connor Mathews’ long pass at 62 minutes kept Wedgwood dominant.

However, tensions flared as Connor Mathews received a second yellow card at 63 minutes for offensive language or gestures, resulting in a red card two minutes later and reducing Wedgwood to ten men. Despite this setback, Nick Fricker’s high attempt at 65 minutes and Jay Blood’s saved shot at 68 minutes showed Wedgwood’s attacking threat remained potent.

Shane Reaney’s saved effort at 72 minutes was followed by George Barlow’s headed defensive clearance at 77 minutes. Barlow then scored again at 79 minutes, assisted by a short pass from Reaney, doubling Wedgwood’s lead. Just a minute later, Reaney himself scored a sublime lob, assisted by a long pass from Kieren Forrester, putting the game beyond doubt.

Jay Blood was substituted off for Owen Taylor at 81 minutes as Wedgwood managed the closing stages. EJ Laverty cleared danger at 83 minutes, and Nick Fricker intercepted at 85 minutes, maintaining defensive solidity. Jordan Coleman’s saved attempt at 88 minutes was one of the final chances before Shane Reaney sealed the emphatic victory with a long-range strike in the 90th minute.

In added time, attempts from Kei Parsons and Alex Bayley were saved or went high, and Owen Taylor’s wide effort rounded off the match. Wedgwood FC’s comprehensive 5-1 triumph at Birchall Sports Ground was a statement of intent in the league, with EJ Laverty’s defensive prowess earning him the player of the match accolade.