Saturday 7th March 2020 | Austin Ainsworth
Wakefield’s recent upturn in form – two wins in a row that had seen them move up to fourth in the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Senior League – wasn’t enough to help them against league leaders Swinton Athletic, who visited the Dorothy Hyman Stadium with a frightening unbeaten league record of 14 wins on the trot, with their only dropped points this season a draw back in August.
If their record wasn’t enough to instil fear in to the home side, they also boasted the league’s top scorer in Justin Greenwood. It’s not often any opposition player gets mentioned by name here, but with nearly 30 goals in 16 games prior to kick-off their star man is worthy of the attention. And unfortunately for Wakefield, his four goal showing was enough to ensure Wakefield weren’t the David to Swinton’s Goliath, as he helped the away side to a resounding 7-2 win.
Perhaps mindful of the aforementioned Swinton firepower, Wakefield manager Chris Turner switched to a 3-5-2 formation, moving Kyron Richards back in to central-defence between the recent, but successfully, formed partnership of Ikechukwu Molokwu and Yemi Ayodele. They played in front of goalkeeper Crescenzio Arvanitis, with Danny Kabeya the right wing-back and Monaye Mitchell the left wing-back. Top-scorer Manny Katundu, now of Northern Premier League side Stocksbridge, again returned via dual-registration to captain the side, slightly behind Ify Ofoegbu and Redon Gashhi in a midfield three. That left Mike Owusu and Nathan Weekes to complete the line-up as the two strikers.
Despite the hefty final scoreline, it wasn’t all plain sailing for the away side as the large crowd of supporters were treated to a competitive first half during which Wakefield went toe-to-toe with Swinton for large periods. The home side were slow to start though, with Swinton missing a sitter in the third minute when an unmarked striker headed against the back post. The slow start even extended to the so-far unflappable Arvanitis, who spilled a cross in the ninth minute to send the ball out for a corner. Unfortunately for him that corner led to the first goal, as he was beaten to the cross by a Swinton player who subsequently headed home in to the empty net to make it 1-0.
Things went from bad to worse moments later, as a well executed long ball beat
the three Wakefield centre-backs to allow the on-rushing Swinton player to cut
the ball back for an easily finished second goal. The whirlwind first 15
minutes showed the Wakefield players and fans why the dominant Swinton boast
the record that they do, and could have left the home side like a deer in the
headlights.
That didn’t happen though, as Wakefield admirably kept their heads and started to dominate the ball. The excellent Richards contributed to that as he started to step out from his sweeper position to instigate attacks. And it was he who gave Wakefield hope in the 26th minute when he played a neat one-two with Ofoegbu on the edge of the box, before beating the Swinton keeper to the ball to pull the score back to 2-1. With renewed hope, Wakefield had Swinton on the ropes and two minutes later seemed to have them on the canvas as Weekes equalised with an outstanding goal; his fifth of the season. It was again Richards who strode out through the midfield to play the ball in to the striker’s feet, who took it well, turned and struck an audacious left foot shot from the edge of the box in to the bottom corner of the net.
In that second 15 minute period, Wakefield were excellent and for a time Swinton seemed shocked that anyone dared to challenge them. Unfortunately for the hosts, an angry Swinton meant an improved and more determined Swinton, and the away side recovered to reinstate their two goal cushion before half time. The first came in the blink of an eye, as a quick burst of play on the left wing allowed a Swinton player to cut in before finishing in to the bottom corner, leaving Arvanitis with no chance. Then, shortly before half time another accurate ball in behind gave Ayodele work to do as he chased the Swinton attacker down the right. The Wakefield defender, having defended well to almost shepherd the ball out, lost out at the last moment to allow the Swinton player to pounce and cut the ball back, allowing for another clinical finish in to the back of the Wakefield net.
Another Wakefield fight-back was not beyond the realms of possibility at half time, with enough positives in the first half to leave the home faithful with hope. As so often with the very best teams though, Swinton were in no mood for a Wakefield fairytale as they moved up a gear in the second half to leave the home side behind.
Arvanitis was a busy man at the start of the half, first excellently stretching to tip a goal-bound shot on to the post. He was called in to action minutes later when he saved, but couldn’t hold, a shot from distance allowing Swinton to get their fifth as the striker smashed in the rebound. Wakefield did keep the score as it was until the last 10 minutes, before Swinton grabbed their sixth in the 80th minute. It came following a sliced clearance from Richards that unfortunately put a Swinton attacker in on goal. Arvanitis rushed out to save well, but the ball rolled on to another Swinton player who found the back of the net.
Wakefield’s only real moment of threat in the second half came a minute later with the award of a free-kick 30 yards out on the right. The ball was layed-off to Gashi, who connected perfectly with his left foot. His shot gathered pace and had the goalkeeper glued to the ground, but the woodwork prevented what would have been his fourth goal of the season. The action didn’t end there though, as the relentless Swinton grabbed their seventh through their prolific striker Greenwood, who pounced at the back post from a cross to get his fourth of the game in injury time.
It was a chastening day for Wakefield, who dropped to seventh in the league, and Turner stated afterwards: “Full credit to Swinton, by far the best team we’ve played this season. They are an extremely good side; well organised in and out of possession and you can see why they have been so successful, not just in our league but against teams in higher leagues. We showed good character not to let our heads drop at 2-0, and that showed by getting back in to the game at 2-2. Ideally, I would have liked to get in at half time still level, but we conceded poor goals as Swinton exploited our weaknesses. Our keeper only had one or two saves to make, as they were so clinical in front of goal – something we need to take a lesson from.”
After a 7-2 home defeat – Wakefield’s biggest ever loss – it would be easy to point out the negatives of the performance. In truth though, Wakefield simply came up against a strong, well-organised and clinical Swinton side who will win the league title at a canter. Wakefield are a young, inexperienced side playing their first ever season as a club. It is a learning curve for all involved, and the club can look to some fine moments this season – including that period in the first half where Wakefield matched Swinton – with hope that they can progress and improve. The next opportunity to do so comes on Saturday 14th March 2020, when Chris Turner’s men visit Wombwell, kick-off: 15:00PM.
Half Time: 2-4
Full Time: 2-7
Starting XI:
Crescenzio Arvanitis, Danny Kabeya, Ikechukwu Molokwu, Kyron Richards, Yemi Ayodele, Monaye Mitchell, Manny Katundu (C), Redon Gashi, Ify Ofoegbu, Mike Owusu, Nathan Weekes
Goals:
9m, Owen Fieldsend (Swinton)
13m, Justin Greenwood (Swinton)
26m, Kyron Richards
28m, Nathan Weekes
34m, Curtis Wilkinson (Swinton)
41m, Justin Greenwood (Swinton)
59m, Justin Greenwood (Swinton)
80m, Enzo Guarini (Swinton)
90+1, Justin Greenwood (Swinton)
Subs Used:
68m, Marvin Emmanuel for Yemi Ayodele
74m, Noah Hamelberg for Monaye Mitchell
77m, Thomas Eclapier for Ifi Ofoegbu
Cards:
Nathan Weekes (Yellow)
Stats:
Wakefield AFC
First Half
Shots on Target: 2
Shots off Target: 2
Second Half
Shots on Target: 0
Shots off Target: 4
Swinton Athletic
First Half
Shots on Target: 5
Shots off Target: 3
Second Half
Shots on Target: 6
Shots off Target: 1