Wakefield & District Sunday Football League (Division 1)

FC Sandal ------------------------------------------ 0
Wakefield Athletic ---------------------------------- 3

Second-half goals from the striking trio of Luke Crossley, Scott Everett and Sam Murphy helped Wakefield Athletic to a hard earned victory over gritty FC Sandal in this Division One return fixture.

Wakefield made a bright start with Shazad Fiaz, Danny Barnes and Mark Tallant pulling the strings in the middle of the park. Crossley saw his effort shave the home sides woodwork before Barnes forced a point-blank save from Sandal keeper Mark Robinson.

Sandal came more into the game and went close twice with long-range efforts before defender Gavin Bell headed narrowly wide following a corner at the other end as the first-half ended a stalemate.

The second period saw the visitors pile on the pressure and broke the deadlock when a long punt from keeper Antony Whiteside was flicked-on by Scott Everett and found Luke Crossley who beat his marker before slotting home with a low shot into the bottom corner.

Sandal fought back and had a penalty appeal turned down before forcing the visitors to defend in numbers for long periods. Wakefield doubled their tally when Mark Tallant sent Crossley clear on the left-flank and his pin-point cross field pass found Scott Everett who steered his effort past the keeper to make it 2-0.

The home side never gave up and saw Scott Atkinson hit the Wakefield woodwork following a well struck free-kick before their promising striker Michael Townend forced a point-blank stop from keeper Whiteside.

A flowing move involving Shazad Fiaz, Lee Everett and Iso Budimir ended with a surging 30 yard run from Sam Murphy who beat three players before a clinical touch to make it 3-0 to retain Wakefield's promotion hopes.

The Express man-of-the match award for Wakefield Athletic was shared by Danny Barnes, Sam Murphy and Shazad Fiaz.