Wakefield & District Sunday Football League (Division 1)

Wakefield Athletic ---------------------------------- 2
Poplar ---------------------------------------------- 1

Two second-half goals from skipper Danny Barnes and Warren Saxon earned Wakefield Athletic a hard earned victory over a resilient Poplar outfit in this Division One return fixture.

The home side made a good start but found themselves trailing after ten minutes of play with a well-placed header following a corner.  Des Brannon and Andy Griffiths pulled the strings for the visitors in a period of sustained pressure.

Wakefield recovered with the flank play of Luke Crossley and Craig Smith forcing the Altofts based outfit to defend in numbers.  Striker David Bartholomew missed a golden opportunity to equalise at the end of a flowing move involving Saxon, Scott Everett and Crossley.

The home side forced the play on the turn and after several near misses, midfielder Danny Barnes hauled side level with a brave headed effort. 

Wakefield committed more men forward as Poplar defended resolutely and it needed a screaming free-kick from defender Warren Saxton to give Wakefield a close 2-1 victory which was richly deserved.

Griffiths and Ryan excelled for Poplar while the West Yorkshire Sports & Social Clubs man-of-the match award for Wakefield Athletic was shared by Shazad Fiaz and Warren Saxon.