Match Reporter: Callum Mattocks
Wakefield AFC E.F.P fought their way to a close victory against Kiveton Park FC after two great finishes from striker Bruno Bagi either side of a spectacular solo effort from midfielder Brandon Gibson. It wasn’t a vintage performance from the young side but, despite some sloppy play at times, the result went the way of Lee Crooks’ team.
The manager set his side out with a back five of Ruben Musat, Jean-Claude N’goyi, Kondwani Kabwe, the captain Monaye Mitchell and Owen Kirman with Alessio Ruch between the sticks.
Wakefield started brightly after a free-kick from Mitchell was finished off by Bagi from close range within a minute of the first whistle. After the goal, though, Kiveton Park controlled the possession and they capitalised on Wakefield’s poor set-piece defending and levelled the scores with a scruffy goal from a corner after 15 minutes. At times, through the first half, Kiveton tried and succeeded in being physical against their opponents. The tie was broken, though, by Wakefield 10 minutes before the break after a spectacular solo effort from winger Brandon Gibson where he dribbled to find room to shoot before firing a shot past the hapless Kiveton goalkeeper from the edge of the box. Wakefield kept the lead and entered the dressing room at half time with a 2-1 lead.
Despite the promising end to the half, Crooks felt as if he needed to change his tactics to try and secure the three points. He switched to a back four with Jean-Claude N’goyi moving to centre back. He also made a personnel change, substituting Greek midfielder Anastasis Papanastasiou (who suffered an ankle injury in the first 45 minutes) for defensive midfielder Kane Craddock during the break.
It only took five minutes for Wakefield to extend their lead after another great finish from Bruno Bagi after attacking midfielder Mason Smith fired a low, driven cross across the face of goal. After the goal, Wakefield struggled to gain a hold on the opposition as they were often pulled out of shape but they were rescued by goalkeeper Alessio Ruch who made many magnificent saves to keep the away side ahead on the scoresheet.
The lead was soon narrowed after a great shot from 20 yards out found the goal after a short clearance from Kabwe. The score read 3-2 with 25 minutes remaining and Kiveton were back into the game.
Alessio made more brilliant saves through the last quarter of the game to make sure that his side kept their lead going into the crucial stages of the game. On the 80 minute mark, midfielder Brandon Gibson was forced off after a collision resulted in him sustaining a broken and bloody nose. He was replaced by young winger Johnnie Nunns who put in an impressive display in the last 10 minutes.
The young Wakefield side kept their lead and were able to enjoy a well-fought 3 points to take back to Wakefield.
Lee Crooks’ reaction to his team’s performance as well as the result after the game: “I think we made it hard for ourselves today. From the beginning; we struggled, we weren’t getting around people, we weren’t winning headers or winning second balls.”
“But you know, the boys came out in the second half, we adjusted things. We got the goal and it set us up. A credit to the boys, to come away from home and to see the game through and come away with a win; that’s all that matters is the result. It’s a results business and we got the result.”
Starting XI (5-3-2)
1) Alessio Ruch
2) Ruben Musat (Booked)
3) Owen Kirman
4) Jean-Claude N’goyi
5) Kondwani Kabwe
6) Monaye Mitchell (C)
7) Brandon Gibson
8) Anastasios Papanastasiou
9) Bruno Bagi
10) Mason Smith
11) Jack Sparkes
Substitutes
12) Kane Craddock (Booked)
13) Johnathan Nunns