Saturday 8th April 2023 | Austin Ainsworth
Wakefield AFC went in to the last of their 38 scheduled league games in the NCEL Division One knowing the result would have no bearing on their fate. With fourth place, and a place in next week’s promotion play-off semi-final already secured, the only question hanging over the fixture away to Parkgate was whether manager Gabe Mozzini would look to rest key players.
Mozzini opted to name a strong side and, perhaps seeking to ensure match fitness, fielded key attacking duo Jake Morrison and Billy Mole for the second game in succession after injury struggles for both this season. They were joined by Romario Vieira at the front of a 3-4-1-2 formation, striker Lewis Stephens and captain Danny Youel the only real notable absentees from what could be an expected line-up in next week’s crunch game; Jaydan Sandhu returning to the midfield in place of the latter.
One point above the relegation zone, Parkgate’s focus was entirely different prior to kick-off, as they knew only a win would ensure they go in to their last game in midweek with survival in their own hands.
Not surprisingly, it was clear to see who had the most riding on the game almost straight from kick-off, as Parkgate – the better side throughout – made a good start and never really looked back. Pressing high up the field, the home side rattled the bar with the first attack of the game, and had the ball in the back of the net minutes later. It was a good goal from Parkgate’s perspective, but Wakefield were left exposed when an isolated Jock Curran was crowded out in the middle of the park. The ball was played out to Joshua Nodder who closed in from the right. With Wakefield’s back three chasing back in to position, he moved the ball on to his left foot to smash a shot over Henry Kendrick in the Wakefield goal.
Wakefield were neat and tidy in possession but rarely threatened to score themselves, their best chance coming from right wing-back Mason Rubie whose quick interchange with Morrison on the right set him on a darting run past several players down the wing. Rubie was unfortunate not to get his sixth goal of the season having turned in on goal, as the ball bobbled prior to his shot, which subsequently flew over the bar.
Aside from a stretching header from Morrison at the back post which he could only divert in to the side netting, it was Parkgate who had the better chances to score; their best a low shot from distance that had Kendrick beat but could only rattle the woodwork for the second time in the half.
Mozzini made changes at half-time, bringing on captain Youel, Callum Gladding in goal and Haydn Ward at right-back as Wakefield shifted to a 4-3-3 formation. The course of the game didn’t really change, although could have done when Morrison’s deflected cross led to strong appeals for a handball in the box that was’t given.
Morrison made way for Lewis Stephens in the 58th minute, the latter looking to extend his 15 goals for the season after four games without a goal – almost a drought by his lofty standards of well over a goal every other game.
Stephens didn’t get the opportunity to drag his side back in to the match as, no sooner had he arrived on to the field, Parkgate doubled their lead. Their player had worked it down the left and found space to cross towards the back post. Ahmed Tahar was unmarked and engineered a good header in to the ground that bounced back up and just under the crossbar.
Other than shots from distance, Wakefield were unable to come close to pulling a goal back and were thankful for Gladding just before time when he made an excellent, one-on-one save to deny Parkgate a third; the home side deserved victors after a courageous, committed display.
For Wakefield, the result was unwanted but ultimately unimportant, the gravity of next week’s play-off fixture likely to be the only thing they need to ensure there is no doubts about their motivation, form and focus at kick-off.
With the main aim of getting through the game without any suspensions or injuries, Wakefield manager Mozzini will now face the difficult, but favourable, question of which line-up to field next week, with a strong squad to choose from. And, after all eyes were on Rossington Main last week as our likely opponents in the play-offs, Harrogate’s draw away to Glasshoughton ahead of their final game in midweek against champions Campion, now also leaves the question as to who our opponents will be. As it stands, Harrogate will need to win to move back in to third, meaning it is now them who could stand in-between Wakefield and a play-off final.
Wakefield will head in to the game, no matter the opposition, off the back of an incredible first season in the NCEL; fourth their final position having won 22 of their 38 games. Although they are yet to beat either of their two possible opponents, confidence should be sky high with the belief they can beat any side in this league on their day. Whether at Harrogate Railway or Rossington Main, kick-off will be at 15:00PM on Saturday 15th April 2023.
Match Stats
Half Time: 1-0
Full Time: 2-0
Attendance: 249
Wakefield AFC Starting XI:
Henry Kendrick – Kaydan Henry, Robbie Miller, Cory Woodward (C) – Mason Rubie, Jaydan Sandhu, Jock Curran, Aaron Pilkington – Billy Mole – Jake Morrison, Romario Vieira
Wakefield AFC Subs Used:
46m, Haydn Ward for Kaydan Henry
46m, Callum Gladding for Henry Kendrick
46m, Danny Youel for Jaydan Sandhu
58m, Lewis Stephens for Jake Morrison
78m, Harley Blankley for Romario Vieira
Goals:
7m, Joshua Nodder (Parkgate)
58m, Ahmed Tahar (Parkgate)
Wakefield AFC Cards:
Jock Curran (Yellow)
Attempts:
Wakefield AFC
First Half
Shots on Target: 0
Shots off Target: 4
Second Half
Shots on Target: 2
Shot off Target: 2
Parkgate
First Half
Shots on Target: 3
Shots off Target: 4
Second Half
Shots on Target: 2
Shots off Target: 3