Wedgwood FC Draw 2-2 At Dick Turpin Against Thistlebery Hotel FC

Wedgwood FC travelled to Dick Turpin on 26 October 2025 for a 10:30am kick-off in a league away fixture against Thistlebery Hotel FC. The match ended in a 2-2 stalemate after a pulsating 90 minutes of football, with both sides sharing the spoils in a contest full of attacking intent and defensive resilience.

Wedgwood lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, aiming to balance defensive solidity with creative flair. Matt Wooliscroft took his place between the sticks as goalkeeper, protected by a back four comprising Kieren Forrester at right back, Jordan Coleman and EJ Laverty as central defenders, and Alex Bayley on the left flank. The double pivot in central midfield featured Nick Fricker and Connor Mathews, tasked with both breaking up play and initiating attacks. Ahead of them, the three attacking midfielders were deployed with Jay Blood on the right wing, Craig Cookson centrally behind the lone striker, and Niall Cartlidge on the left. Up front, Shane Mathews led the line as the primary goal threat. On the bench, Wedgwood had Joe Hitchens, Mousa Ali, and Archie Wemyss ready to make an impact if called upon.

From the outset, Wedgwood showed intent to control the game through their midfield and wide players. Early on, Connor Mathews delivered a long key pass in the fifth minute that created a promising chance, signalling the visitors’ attacking ambitions. Two minutes later, Craig Cookson replicated this with another incisive long pass, setting the tone for a lively opening period.

The first real chance came in the seventh minute when Alex Bayley’s effort struck the post, a moment that electrified the away support. Bayley was heavily involved in both attack and defence, clearing danger just two minutes later alongside Jordan Coleman, who also made a crucial clearance to keep Wedgwood in the game during a tense spell.

Wedgwood’s attacking midfielders continued to probe, with Jay Blood delivering a long key pass in the 12th minute, followed swiftly by a similar ball from EJ Laverty a minute later. Despite these creative efforts, attempts from Blood and Cookson in the 22nd and 26th minutes respectively sailed over the bar, reflecting the difficulty of breaking down a well-organised home defence.

Defensively, Kieren Forrester made a vital interception in the 34th minute, demonstrating Wedgwood’s alertness at the back. The breakthrough came in the 36th minute when Craig Cookson’s precise close-range assist found Niall Cartlidge, who slotted home to give the visitors a deserved lead.

Shortly after, tactical changes began with Joe Hitchens replacing striker Shane Mathews in the 38th minute, signalling a shift in approach. Bayley continued to test the opposition with an attempt in the 41st minute, while Hitchens himself saw a shot saved just before half time. Cartlidge also had a close-range effort saved in stoppage time of the first half, but Wedgwood went into the break with a slender advantage.

The second half started with Wedgwood pressing for a second goal, but Joe Hitchens’ early effort was again denied in the 47th minute. The home side responded immediately, equalising in the 48th minute to level the scores. Wedgwood’s defence remained resolute, with Jordan Coleman making a timely tackle a minute later to prevent further damage.

Tactical substitutions continued as Mousa Ali replaced Jay Blood in the 60th minute, followed by the reintroduction of Shane Mathews for Craig Cookson six minutes later. Despite these changes, Thistlebery Hotel FC struck again in the 73rd minute to take the lead, putting Wedgwood on the back foot.

In response, Archie Wemyss came on for Connor Mathews in the 74th minute, adding fresh legs to the midfield. Wedgwood pushed hard for an equaliser, with Cartlidge’s effort saved in the 82nd minute. Moments later, goalkeeper Matt Wooliscroft produced a full-stretch save in the 83rd minute to deny the hosts a third goal, keeping Wedgwood in contention.

The visitors’ persistence paid off in the 88th minute when Mousa Ali scored, assisted by Niall Cartlidge, to restore parity and ensure the match finished 2-2. The draw reflected a fiercely competitive encounter where Wedgwood showed resilience and attacking quality, particularly through the contributions of Bayley, Cartlidge, and the midfield unit.

Alex Bayley was named player of the match for his all-round performance, combining defensive solidity with attacking threat, including that early effort which rattled the post. Wedgwood will take heart from their display but will rue missed chances as they look ahead to their next league fixture.