Wedgwood Edge Into The Semi Final After Thrilling 3-2 V

Wedgwood FC hosted Robin Hood Rookery at the Wedgwood Sports And Social Club on 18 January 2026, with a 10:30am kick-off in a fiercely contested cup match. The home side emerged victorious with a 3-2 scoreline after 90 minutes of pulsating football.

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, Ricci Edwards and EJ Laverty as central defenders, and Alex Bayley on the left. In midfield, Kei Parsons and Ben Deakin operated as the two holding central midfielders, tasked with both breaking up play and initiating attacks. Ahead of them, the attacking midfield trio featured Jay Blood on the right, Craig Cookson centrally, and Kieren Forrester on the left, all supporting lone striker Shane Mathews. The substitutes available were Shane Reaney, Nick Fricker, Niall Cartlidge, and Brendon Whitfield.

The match burst into life early on with Wedgwood pressing high. Alex Bayley’s attempt on goal in the fourth minute was well saved, quickly followed by a similar effort from Shane Mathews a minute later, also denied by the visitors’ keeper. However, Wedgwood took the lead in the fifth minute when Ricci Edwards rose highest to head home a Craig Cookson corner, setting the tone for an intense encounter.

Defensively, Alex Bayley was alert to clear danger immediately after the opener, while EJ Laverty’s timely tackle in the 13th minute helped stifle Robin Hood Rookery’s advances. Kieren Forrester’s influence grew as he tested the opposition keeper with a shot saved in the 16th minute and then provided a clever flick pass two minutes later, showcasing his creative spark on the left flank.

Ricci Edwards continued to be a defensive rock, heading clear a dangerous ball in the 19th minute, but Robin Hood Rookery struck back swiftly with an equaliser in the 20th minute, cancelling out Wedgwood’s early advantage. The hosts responded with a stunning long-range strike from Ben Deakin just two minutes later, expertly curled in with his left foot from outside the box following a precise pass from Jay Blood.

Wedgwood’s defence remained resolute, with EJ Laverty blocking an effort in the 25th minute. However, the game’s physicality was evident when Kei Parsons was booked for a late tackle in the 29th minute. Alex Bayley’s interception in the 32nd minute prevented another threat, maintaining Wedgwood’s grip on the match.

As the first half progressed, Shane Mathews continued to create chances, delivering flick passes in the 38th and 41st minutes that kept the Robin Hood Rookery defence on edge. Unfortunately, Craig Cookson was forced off injured just before half-time, replaced by Shane Reaney in the 40th minute. Wedgwood made a tactical substitution at the interval, bringing Nick Fricker on for Ben Deakin to freshen the midfield.

The half-time whistle arrived with Wedgwood holding a slender 2-1 lead.

Early in the second half, both Shane Reaney and Nick Fricker combined well, exchanging long passes in the 50th minute to probe the visitors’ backline. Robin Hood Rookery’s resilience paid off again when they found the net in the 59th minute, levelling the score at 2-2.

Wedgwood responded with determination, and in the 57th minute, Niall Cartlidge replaced the injured Jay Blood, immediately making an impact by intercepting a dangerous pass to prevent a clear chance. Nick Fricker continued to influence play with a clever flick pass in the 58th minute.

The decisive moment came in the 72nd minute when Ricci Edwards once again rose to the occasion, heading home a free-kick delivered by Shane Reaney to restore Wedgwood’s lead. This goal proved crucial as the visitors pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages.

Tactically, Wedgwood made a final substitution in the 82nd minute, bringing on Brendon Whitfield for Owen Taylor to shore up the defence. Alex Bayley’s interception in the 89th minute and Ricci Edwards’ clearance deep into injury time ensured the home side held firm.

Wedgwood FC’s victory was built on a solid defensive foundation and moments of attacking brilliance, with Ricci Edwards’ two headed goals and Ben Deakin’s long-range strike proving decisive. Kieren Forrester and Alex Bayley were standout performers, combining creativity and defensive solidity to earn player of the match honours.

This hard-fought 3-2 win sends Wedgwood FC through to the next round of the cup, much to the delight of the home supporters at the Wedgwood Sports And Social Club.