Saturday 30th November 2019 | Credit: Austin Ainsworth
Wakefield set an unwanted record at The Dorothy Hyman Stadium as they went two games without a goal for the first time, with High Green Villa the visitors looking to capitalise on the home side’s poor run of form in the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Senior League.
For the second game in a row Wakefield, who still sit third in the league thanks largely to their greater games played ratio, welcomed a team from the bottom half of the table. The previous week’s woeful 3-0 defeat should have been enough to ensure the hosts took no liberties against a side with only three wins in the league, however an early goal for High Green was enough for them to inflict a second home defeat on the bounce for Wakefield.
Chris Turner was again forced to think outside of the box due to injuries and suspensions, opting to play 5ft 8” central-midfielder Cedric Kouakou in the heart of defence, for what was only his second league start, alongside Yemi Ayodele. Another midfielder – Danny Kabeya, who was making his first start – also dropped in to defence at right-back. Chris Sholu played at left-back and Quinaceo Hunt continued behind him in goal. The midfield had a more familiar look, with the returning Jamie Hardwick the pivot in a three man midfield just behind captain Manny Katundu and Redon Gashi. Thomas Eclapier also returned from a two-game absence up-front with Noah Hamelberg and striker Rayjon Moore.
Wakefield started the game quickly, appearing keen to press the ball high up the field against the bigger and physically stronger-looking High Green. The early promise didn’t pay dividends though as the away side, with their first real attack of the game, cut through the makeshift Wakefield defence with ease. A loose ball bounced in midfield and both Kouakou and Ayodele seemed to step up at the same time, however the pair failed to win it leaving the opposition striker through on goal. Hunt, who was battling against the odds as it was, slipped at the crucial moment leaving him with no chance to prevent the team from going 1-0 down.
Wakefield attempted to get back on track immediately by continuing to dominate the ball. They did so with ease throughout the half however failed to make use of their greater possession, leaving the High Green goalkeeper largely underworked. Eclapier, looking for his fifth goal, had a half-chance in the 14th minute after excellent work from Moore to cut the ball back however his shot was blocked. Moments later Katundu made a lung-busting run in to the box to meet a perfectly weighted cross with his head after a strong counter-attack. Yet again, the attempt was deflected and the attack broke down.
Katundu, looking for his eighth goal in 15 games from midfield, nearly got it with a well-hit free-kick but the goalkeeper nervously managed to fumble the ball over the crossbar. The chances dried up after that and the game was largely contested in midfield. Although Wakefield had the better of the chances, it was the home fans who looked on nervously every time the ball went near Hunt’s goal. Kouakou understandably struggled physically against a striker who looked twice his size, whilst Ayodele took risks on a number of occasions, often missing out on the ball when diving in and only just escaping unscathed when choosing to take unnecessary touches as the last man instead of clearing the ball.
Wakefield did have their best chance to equalise shortly before half-time when Sholu, excellent at left-back, made a darting run to beat several men before cutting the ball back for the waiting Moore. The seven goal striker, who had struggled to get himself in to the game, snatched at the ball with his left foot, skying it over the bar. The miss will likely not have done much for his confidence, already low after four games without a goal.
The second half went much the same way as the first. Wakefield shaded possession but failed to create clear-cut chances and gave the ball away too often in good areas. They also continued to leave hearts in mouths with some poor defending. The first incident occurred almost immediately when Ayodele, again the last man in defence, unsuccessfully tried to shepherd the ball back in to his box and allowed the striker to get goal side. He was saved by Hunt who dived at the away striker’s feet just in time to collect the ball.
Manager Turner did all he could to initiate a come-back, first bringing Amos Kabeya and MIke Owusu on for the struggling Moore and Eclapier in the 65th minute. Experienced winger Amos, making his second appearance for the club, had the home side’s best chance five minutes later when his spinning volley was blocked after good work from Katundu on the left. Striker Owusu, still without a goal for the club, also tried his hand at a free-kick moments later, but the ball was bravely blocked by the resolute High Green defence. The half-chances were Wakefield’s best opportunities in a second half that saw some good work on the wings, particularly by Hamelberg, but no real end-product.
As Wakefield chased the game, they began to give the ball away more and allowed High Green back in to the game with several good chances to counter. Turner made a final roll of the dice in the 77th minute when he threw Nathan Weekes on for Sholu, moving to a three man defence to allow for the extra striker. It didn’t happen for Wakefield though, and didn’t stop further worrying moments in defence as in the 85th minute Ayodele was again exposed as the last man, only rescued by a magnificent reaction-save from Hunt when facing the striker at point-blank range.
No late equaliser was to come for Wakefield, who made it two games without a goal and four defeats in five games. In what has been a run of eight winnable looking home matches, the poor run of results is an unwelcome surprise in a first season that has seen some excellent performances. This game perhaps summed up some of Wakefield’s strengths and weaknesses; with them demonstrating an ability to pass and move the ball well in midfield, but also exhibiting issues relating to decision making, and at times quality, at both ends of the pitch. Wakefield can partly blame injuries and suspensions, and will hope to have a few more players back when they face-off against Wombwell Main F.C. at The Dorothy Hyman Stadium in their next league game on Saturday 07/12/2019, 14:00PM.
Half Time:0-1
Full Time: 0-1
Attendance: 40
Goals
4m, High Green
Starting XI:
Quinaceo Hunt, Danny Kabeya, Cedric Kouakou, Yemi Ayodele, Chris Sholu, Jamie Hardwick, Manny Katundu (Captain), Redon Gashi, Thomas Eclapier, Noah Hamelberg, Rayjon Moore
Subs Used:
65m, Amos Kabeya for Thomas Eclapier
65m, Mike Owusu for Rayjon Moore
77m, Nathan Weekes for Chris Sholu
Stats:
Wakefield AFC
First Half
Shots on Target: 4
Shots off Target: 4
Second Half
Shots on Target: 3
Shots off Target: 0
High Green Villa
First Half
Shots on Target: 2
Shots off Target: 0
Second Half
Shots on Target: 1
Shots off Target: 2