Write up by West Midlands Police

The lads arrived at Wellingborough Town FC to play Nothants Police in the first game of the PSUK league.

Instructions and expectations were given before the game by the WMPFC management which the lads soaked up and went into the warm up buoyant!

The game kicked off and early on Tanner found himself one on one with their keeper. Following his form in the warm up he side footed his shot past the keeper with absolute calm. Great finish!

“7

0-1 Tanner.

West Mids then settled and the chances began to flow. Featherstone allowed himself some space and time but possibly shot too early with his chance going just wide.

West Mids looked dangerous from corners and were unlucky not to capitalise on a couple of chances. They were also dominating the middle of the park and winning 1st and 2nd balls. It was brilliant to see.

Ibrahim (Ibby), Tanner, Dean, Brogan and Featherstone all had further chances before Featherstone secured a two goal lead.

Gathering the ball in the middle of the park he turned his man inside out and left him wondering which way was up. He then moved toward the Northants box and composed himself before shooting into the bottom right corner. A fantastic solo goal!

“41

0-2 Featherstone.

HT 0-2

It has to be said for a passage of play in the first half between Harper, Dean and Featherstone down the right was sublime! Plenty of ooohhs and arrrrs of appreciation came from the WMP bench. Sexy Football! 😍

The second half kicked off and West Mids went looking for more goals. Putting on a high press the forwards put the squeeze on Northants as they attempted to play out from the back.

Tanner all over the back line like a rash backed up by Featherstone and Iqbal (Shum) caused their defence to play hot potato with the ball. Seeing his chance Ibby raced onto a lose ball and robbed the defender. Now only 9 yards out he slotted the ball home.

“51

0-3 Ibby

With a three goal lead the lads relaxed and created several more chances. Shum who was having a good game down the right went closest as his effort had beaten the keeper but was cleared off the line.

Tanner went close again turning his man on the edge of the box and seeing his shot go a foot wide of the left hand post.

A few moments later a quick ball over the top from player/manager Reiss Jeavons left Tanner one on one with the Northants defender. Smuggling the ball off him Tanner was in on goal down the right. Unselfishly Tanner attempted to square the ball to his strike parter. However the Northants defence scrambled back and managed to cut out the pass. The scrambled clearance favoured Tanner as the ball dropped out the sky right next to him. This time he showed no patience and volleyed the ball into the far corner at the second asking. Good finish!

“74

0-4 Tanner.

For the last 5 minutes WMP seemed to relax a little too much and Northants capitalised on this. Latching onto a rare lazy ball from the WMP defence the Nothants striker smashed the ball towards the WMP goal! Fortunately for us the ball struck the woodwork and bounced to safety.

Full Time 0-4

After the game coach Danny Hitchmough stated “A decent performance from the lads who were keyed into the game before they even left the changing room.

We got off to a great start which helped us settle into the game. I was pleased by the overall desire to the win the ball and fight for each other.

I thought we took our chances well and all the forwards looked dangerous. Although I think we should have had 2 or 3 more, maybe that’s just being greedy.

I was so pleased that we kept a clean sheet and the defence and Reiss deserved that.

At times we looked fantastic, especially in the midfield and it was a joy to watch.

The young lad Jamie Ash was thrown in at left back with the absence of Cass (Cassidy) and I thought he was superb and rightly so was given MoM.”