Today saw our U18s travel away to local rivals, Ossett United, with Pallett’s boys looking to walk away with the 3 points. With a few of the U18s called up to experience an in-house First Team game, Pallett had to switch around some players in his squad.
The game got underway at Ingfield and Wakefield AFC pressed high up the pitch resulting in an early chance as the shot flew just wide of the post. Ossett United reacted quickly and went down the other end with a chance of their own, which debutant Wakefield goalkeeper, J. Walsh, gathered easily.
The first Wakefield goal came after 7 minutes as J. Tupling stepped up to take the free kick from 20 yards out and gave the keeper no chance as he found the corner.
The second Wakefield goal came just 13 minutes later as goalkeeper Walsh sent a long ball through to E. Gregson, who brought the ball down with ease and found B. Chrobak at the near post for an easy tap in.
27 minutes in and Ossett United were awarded a penalty as the attacker was brought down in the box, before Senior slots it home from the penalty spot to make it 1-2.
Wakefield added a third as the boys continued to press high up the pitch with J. Tupling winning the ball and holding it up well, before finding the easy pass inside to B. Chrobak, who laid it on a platter for E. Gregson to knock home from the right hand side and gave Wakefield a 3-1 lead at half-time.
HALF TIME 1-3
15 minutes into the second half and Ossett United had a chance to bring one back with a deep cross from the left, finding the Ossett player who dragged it back, but the shot was saved well by J. Walsh who tipped it over the bar with one hand. Just 2 minutes later, Ossett fed the ball out wide to Haigh who switched it back inside to Maciver, before the lay-off to Empson who slotted it home past Walsh to bring the hosts back into the game.
78 minutes gone and Wakefield still caused problems up top with constant pressing, forcing the Ossett United defence to make an error at the back, allowing young R. Platter to pounce on the loose ball and chip the ball over the keeper to make it 4.
Wakefield made it 5 through T.Gordon, as the ball was played through and the Ossett defence stopped for a suspected offside, and left the front man on his own to tap it in from a yard out.
FULL TIME: Ossett United 2 – 5 Wakefield AFC
Head of Academy, Shane Pallett commented on the game, “I’m absolutely delighted with the team ethic, desire and application shown from every squad player today against a strong organised Ossett United team. Our lads caused Ossett problems throughout the game, particularly in the last fifteen minutes, creating a number of one on one chances with the keeper. We should have added to the five we scored.
“Following a tough, but fun, few weeks in training and the disappointment of a late cancellation last Saturday versus Chorley FC, this is an example of what hard work and dedication can achieve, alongside good individually talented young players that we are developing over here at Wakefield AFC.
“Our performance today showed we are moving in the right direction, improving on and off the field, gathering momentum and allowing the players to enjoy good, deserved wins like today.”
Wakefield AFC Under 18s welcome Bradford City FDP to The Dorothy Hyman Stadium next Saturday in the Junior Premier League.