News

Whitchurch 3-1 Swansea

Having lost to Swansea in both the Bath and the South Wales qualifying tournaments the first game of the finals was crucial. With this in mind and longer games the team was set up in a more defensive formation. Whitchurch though started at fast pace and quickly took the lead when Will Couston robbed a Swansea player, exchanged passes with Jonny Fleck and scored. Midway through the first half Swansea equalised with another well worked goal. Having caused Swansea problems with a fast paced game from the off the message for the second half was the same and Whitchurch soon took the lead again with a well worked move started by Charlie Wilkins resulted in Harry Mends scoring. As Swansea committed more players forward in search of an equaliser a great ball from Connor Hamilton found Jonny Fleck whose initial shot was well saved but he was quickest to react and forced the rebound home to make the game safe.

Whitchurch 1-2 Abergavenny

Our second game was against a strong Abergavenny side who only a few weeks ago had beaten us 4-0 in the qualifying tournament. Once again Whitchurch started at a ferocious pace and took the lead after one minute when Will Couston deflected in Connor Hamilton’s direct pass.  With this Abergavenny really stepped up their game and it took solid defending from Kyle Woodley, Charlie Wilkins and Tudor Hughes to keep them at bay. Unfortunately a last ditch tackle and clearance fell kindly to the Abergavenny centre forward who drove the ball home giving Bobby Mends in the Whitchurch goal no chance. The second half started in similar fashion with Whitchurch defending in numbers and breaking quickly with Lewys Grant and Rhys Cottrell going close on a number of occasions. With a draw looking almost certain the Abergavenny centre forward broke a tackle in midfield and unleashed a powerful shot which took a wicked deflection past Bobby Mends. As the ball hit the backboard the final hooter went leaving Whitchurch no time to reply.

Whitchurch 2-0 Gwent

With the top two teams qualifying for the Welsh finals in May Whitchurch needed to beat Gwent to ensure qualification and still give them a chance of winning the tournament. Whitchurch started brightly and were soon in the lead when a great ball from left back Tudor Hughes found Harry Mends who drove into the D before slipping the ball to Jonny Fleck to smash home. As in the previous games the defensive unit of Kyle Woodley, Charlie Wilkins, Connor Hamilton and Tudor Hughes provided a solid base allowing the team to play with confidence and creativity. The second half followed a similar pattern and Rhys Cottrell doubled the lead with an intelligent run and tap in at the far post. Whitchurch by this point were tiring but retained possession intelligently and saw the game out without any threat to their goal.

With Abergavenny beating Swansea 1-0 Whitchurch finished second and qualified for the Welsh finals in May. The whole squad can be proud of this achievement and the Welsh final gives them another chance of Glory. This continues the last three year tradition of getting to the finals but not winning, maybe this year?

Squad : Bobby Mends (GK), Kyle Woodley, Charlie Wilkins, Connor Hamilton, Tudor Hughes, Will Couston, Jonny Fleck, Harry Mends, Lewys Grant, Rhys Cottrell.