Wakefield & District Sunday Football League (Division Two)

Wakefield Athletic 'A' ...................................... 3
Crown .......................................................... 2

Midfielder Sam Murphy hit a last-gasp winner as Wakefield Athletic "A" edged this five goal thriller against The Crown in this Division Two fixture. 

Wakefield dominated the early stages of the game and played some excellent football. Rob Pick, Simon Newey and Dave Markwell all narrowly fired wide before The Crown took the lead in the 18th minute when Steve Draper unfortunately handled a cross from the left, allowing Crown captain Lee Hawkhead to send Wakefield  satnd-in goalkeeper Matt Killey the wrong way from the resulting penalty.

Wakefield's response was quick. Skipper Tom Pick beat his man before producing a terrific through ball for striker Simon Newey to cleverly flick the ball beyond the goalkeeper to equalise. Both sides had further chances to score before halftime with Matt Killey making an excellent one-handed save, while Kevin Guy and Tom Pick denied by the Crown goalkeeper.

The second-half continued in a lively manner as Simon Newey and Kevin Guy were again denied by the Crown goalkeeper before Wakefield were awarded the second penalty of the match. Simon Newey raced onto a through-ball and headed the ball bravely beyond the on-rushing visiting goalkeeper, whose momentum carried him into the striker. After a lengthy delay, skipper Tom Pick sent the goalkeeper the wrong way with a coolly finish from the spot to retake the lead.

The lead lasted only a minute before The Crown equalised, their midfielder Nick Clarke making a jinking run before firing a shot in off the far post for a superb strike. The Crown then got on top for a spell with both Ash McGhee and Simon Toon narrowly missing with a couple of long range efforts.

Wakefield then regained the momentum, with Sam Murphy denied in a one-on-one by the goalkeeper, and Kevin Guy also again denied. However, in the dying minute of the game, the two combined, with Kevin Guy crossing for Sam Murphy to fire home at the far post at the death.

There was still time for The Crown to win a corner, but the referee blew his whistle while the ball was in the air, thus ruling out Hawkhead's header which would have taken a point for the Crown.

Kevin Wilson and debutants Joe Penn and Ryan McTiernan excelled for the Crown while the West Yorkshire Sports & Social Club man-of-the-match award for Wakefield Athletic "A" was shared by Kevin Guy, Sam Murphy and Chris Riley.