Saturday 18th February 2023 | Austin Ainsworth
Wakefield AFC, having drawn and lost their two NCEL Division One games in a so far frustrating February, went in to the last week looking forward to two eminently winnable fixtures against sides loitering in and around the relegation zone.
Swallownest were first up in midweek when Wakefield – no doubt with fond memories of their early season 7-0 demolition of this side in the reverse fixture – hosted them at the Millennium Stadium.
The home side, still marshalled by Junior Roberti in the absence of suspended manager Gabe Mozzini, switched back to a 4-3-3 formation in that game, as top-scorer Billy Mole made an early return from injury.
The game didn’t go quite as expected, and marked the start of a far more difficult week than the form and league table would have suggested. Credit must go to Swallownest for an inspired performance, however Wakefield were somewhat architects of their own downfall when they were caught sleeping in the third minute to allow an unmarked player to head-in a teasing cross at the back post. Captain Danny Youel, fresh off the back of his 50th game for the club, marked his 51st with an outrageous half-volley in to the top corner. And, despite two goals from striker Lewis Stephens, Wakefield allowed Swallownest to equalise twice; once when giving the ball away at the back and then late-on when defending a corner.
That game felt like two points dropped rather than one gained, and added a lot more pressure to Saturday’s away trip to Athersley Rec; second-bottom at the start of play but fresh off the back of an impressive 4-1 away victory over Ollerton Town.
Belying their standing in the league, and perhaps with confidence buoyed, Athersley gave Wakefield a real game of it, particularly in a strong second half showing. However, in pleasant contrast to recent games, Wakefield – bolstered by the arrival of defensive midfielder Tom Almond and a return to a back three – gave a defensive masterclass marked in particular by a “though shalt not pass” showing from the impressive Kaydan Henry in the heart of defence.
It was a sea-saw start to the game in which both sides had chances to score, the best coming for Athersley in the 22nd minute when they nearly took advantage of a menacing cross-wind. Wakefield, seeing plenty of possession, had been on the attack but had seen possession overturned in the home side’s defensive third. A huge, wind-assisted punt upfield found its way over the Wakefield defence before the Rec striker latched on to a stretching attempt from Henry to head away. The away side had Henry Kendrick to thank when he raced back in to position before diving low to stop the close-range shot at goal.
Wakefield survived the wobble and continued to press, seeing much joy down their left on the occasions that returning full-back Josh Craig’s runs were rewarded with balls in to his feet. Wakefield were perhaps guilty of overplaying in attacking areas at times, but had a straightforward opportunity to take the lead in the 34th minute when the referee awarded a penalty kick. Sustained Wakefield possession had led to Youel delivering an in-swinging cross from the left to a dangerous area between the six yard line and the far post. Defender Haydn Ward attempted to meet the ball but was bundled over by the Athersley defender, the referee blowing for the foul in the face of vociferous home protestations.
Jaydan Sandhu, looking for a seventh goal of the season, expertly dispatched the resultant kick low and far to the right of the Athersley goalkeeper to give Wakefield the lead. The goal gave Wakefield extra impetus and, continuing to press high up the pitch, they doubled their lead ten minutes later.
It was a goal that exemplified Wakefield, starting more than a minute earlier with the ball at goalkeeper Kendrick’s feet. Wakefield patiently passed the ball between defence and midfield, Youel dropping deep to turn and progress the play. A wonderful pass out from Cory Woodward was eventually received by Craig in space on the left wing. Possession was rotated further before, in the blink of an eye, the trigger was pulled when a quick interchange between Youel and Sandhu saw the latter thread the ball through to Stephens. The striker rounded the keeper before unselfishly squaring towards Craig, unmarked at the back post. Youel – having scored his second goal of the season in midweek – was having none of it as he raced in front of Craig to tap the ball home for his second goal in as many games.
The second half was a different game to the first, as a committed and aggressive Athersley never gave in and saw the better of the territory and chances. Their best came in the 50th minute when a quick attack saw a ball delivered in from the left towards the back post. The Athersley striker was in prime position but somehow completely missed the ball when a tap-in seemed certain.
Wakefield’s best chance, and only shot on target, in a dogged second half came through Stephens just before the hour mark. He was put through to the right of the box with an awesome outside of the boot pass from Almond and then feinted left to create space for his shot. The striker, whose performance was marked by his assist and industrious running for the team, was unable to add a goal when a recovering lunge just stopped his goal-bound shot.
Neither side truly threatened the goal as the remainder of the game played out to a sea of blocked and misdirected long-range shots from either side; with Wakefield showing excellent composure through man-of-the-match Youel and the excellent debutant Almond’s control of possession, whilst the back three cleared everything that came close.
The reward for Wakefield’s renewed focus and doggedness was all three points and an eighth clean-sheet of the league season, an end to the week that also saw them move back in to fifth in the league, just one point behind Stavely with three games in hand. Wakefield will now hope to continue their upward trend against Nostell Miners Welfare back home at The Millennium Stadium on Tuesday 21st February; kick-off at 19:45PM.
Athersley Rec Match Stats
Half Time: 0-2
Full Time: 0-2
Attendance: 175
MOTM: Danny Youel
Wakefield Starting XI:
Henry Kendrick – Haydn Ward, Kaydan Henry, Cory Woodward – Mason Rubie, Danny Youel (C), Tom Almond, Josh Craig – Jaydan Sandhu – Lewis Stephens, Kieran Ceesay
Subs Used:
72m, Aaron Pilkington for Kieran Ceesay
83m, Owen Kirman for Josh Craig
Goals:
34m, Jaydan Sandhu (Pen)
46m, Danny Youel
Wakefield AFC Assists
46, Lewis Stephens
Wakefield Cards:
Danny Youel (Yellow)
Attempts:
Wakefield AFC
First Half
Shots on Target: 3
Shots off Target: 3
Second Half
Shots on Target: 1
Shot off Target: 4
Athersley Rec
First Half
Shots on Target: 2
Shots off Target: 3
Second Half
Shots on Target: 1
Shots off Target: 6
Swallownest Match Stats
Half Time: 2-1
Full Time: 3-3
Attendance: 121
MOTM: Lewis Stephens
Wakefield Starting XI:
Henry Kendrick – Aaron Pilkington, Kaydan Henry, Robbie Miller, Cory Woodward – Danny Youel (C), Billy Mole, Jaydan Sandhu – Kieran Ceesay, Lewis Stephens, Mason Rubie
Subs Used:
48m, Morgan Butcher for Billy Mole
52m, Josh Craig for Robbie Miller
Goals:
3m, Ethan Blackbourn (Swallownest)
4m, Danny Youel
38m, Lewis Stephens
64m, Jack Haslam (Swallownest)
78m, Lewis Stephens
82m, Owen Haigh (Swallownest)
Wakefield AFC Assists
78m, Danny Youel
Wakefield Cards:
Morgan Butcher (Yellow)
Jaydan Sandhu (Yellow)
Attempts:
Wakefield AFC
First Half
Shots on Target: 2
Shots off Target: 9
Second Half
Shots on Target: 3
Shot off Target: 4
Swallownest
First Half
Shots on Target: 2
Shots off Target: 2
Second Half
Shots on Target: 3
Shots off Target: 2