Wedgwood FC And Jolly Carter Adults Battle To Thrilling 3-3 Draw

Wedgwood FC travelled to Sandyford Cricket Club to face Jolly Carter Adults in a league away match on 9 November 2025, kicking off at 10:30am. The encounter ended in a pulsating 3-3 draw after 90 minutes of intense football, with both sides sharing the spoils in an entertaining contest.

Wedgwood lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, deploying Ethan Wheeldon in goal. The defensive line consisted of Shane Reaney at right back, Jordan Coleman and Ricci Edwards as central defenders, and Alex Bayley on the left. In midfield, Nick Fricker and Connor Mathews operated centrally in a double pivot, providing both defensive cover and distribution. Ahead of them, EJ Laverty took up the right attacking midfield role, Craig Cookson played centrally behind the lone striker, and Jay Blood occupied the left attacking midfield position. Leading the line was Joe Hitchens as the striker. The substitutes named were Niall Cartlidge, Owen Taylor, Kieren Forrester, and Shane Mathews.

From the outset, Wedgwood showed intent when EJ Laverty opened the scoring in the second minute with a stunning long-range strike, expertly set up by a short pass from Jay Blood. The early goal set the tone for a fast-paced opening period. Ricci Edwards was quick to respond defensively, intercepting a threat in the third minute, while Shane Reaney launched a probing long pass soon after to maintain Wedgwood’s attacking momentum.

Ricci Edwards attempted a high shot in the fourth minute, narrowly missing the target, as Wedgwood pressed forward. Joe Hitchens flicked a key pass in the fifth minute, followed by a similar flick from Connor Mathews in the sixth, demonstrating their creative intent in the attacking third. Defensively, Jordan Coleman cleared danger in the seventh minute, with Ricci Edwards winning a crucial header a minute later to quell Jolly Carter Adults’ advances.

However, Wedgwood’s Connor Mathews conceded a penalty in the ninth minute, allowing Jolly Carter Adults to level the score from the spot a minute later. Undeterred, EJ Laverty delivered a long pass in the 12th minute that created a chance, complemented by another long pass from Shane Reaney in the same minute. Laverty’s subsequent attempt was saved by the opposition goalkeeper, but the pressure was mounting.

Shane Reaney continued to influence play with a long pass in the 17th minute, setting up Joe Hitchens who twice saw his shots saved in the 19th and 21st minutes. Jordan Coleman made a vital tackle in the 23rd minute, while Laverty and Craig Cookson both had attempts saved in the 25th and 27th minutes respectively. Alex Bayley’s defensive tackle in the 32nd minute helped maintain Wedgwood’s shape, but Joe Hitchens again found his effort saved in the 33rd minute.

EJ Laverty’s long pass in the 36th minute and Shane Reaney’s long pass in the 43rd minute kept Wedgwood on the front foot as the first half drew to a close. Just before the break, Craig Cookson’s long pass found Shane Reaney who scored to restore Wedgwood’s lead at the 45th minute mark.

The second half began with continued attacking endeavours from Wedgwood. EJ Laverty hit the crossbar in the 49th minute, and Craig Cookson’s shot was saved shortly after. Ricci Edwards made a crucial tackle in the 53rd minute, while goalkeeper Ethan Wheeldon produced a full-stretch save in the 66th minute to keep Wedgwood in the contest.

Tactical substitutions came in the 76th minute with Niall Cartlidge replacing Joe Hitchens and Owen Taylor coming on for EJ Laverty. Owen Taylor made an immediate impact, scoring in the 81st minute from a pass by Jay Blood. Shortly after, Kieren Forrester replaced Jay Blood to freshen the attacking options.

Alex Bayley’s shot was saved in the 85th minute, and Jordan Coleman cleared a header in the 86th minute to deny Jolly Carter Adults. However, the visitors fought back late on, scoring two headed goals in the 89th and 93rd minutes to snatch a dramatic equaliser.

A late injury substitution saw Shane Mathews replace Owen Taylor in the 94th minute. Shane Reaney came close to winning it for Wedgwood with a shot that hit the post in the 95th minute, but the match ended all square.

Ricci Edwards stood out with his defensive solidity and crucial interventions throughout the game, earning him the player of the match accolade. The 3-3 draw reflected a fiercely contested encounter with moments of individual brilliance and collective resilience from both sides.