Wakefield & District Sunday Football League (Division Two)

Wakefield Athletic “A” ------------------------------------------ 5
Field Lane------------------------------------------------------- 1

Wakefield Athletic 'A' produced an impressive, attacking performance to defeat hard-working Field Lane 5-1 in their first meeting of the season in this Division Two fixture.

Wakefield started brightly and created early chances as Simon Newey and Michael Moore both fired early chances wide. However, they were not to be denied the goal that their bright start deserved, and it came when Gavin Heppinstall provided an inch-perfect cross from the left for on-rushing midfielder Michael Moore to head powerfully into the roof of the net from six yards.

Field Lane attempted to respond but good defending from the centre-back pairing of Matt Fenlon and Dave Markwell kept the away side at bay. Wakefield managed to cement their advantage after a good midfield passing move saw a high ball from Kevin Guy fall kindly for Simon Newey, who advanced on goal. Field Lane's stand-in goalkeeper Danny Mellor got his hand to the ball, but couldn't keep the ball out of the net.

Wakefield survived a major scare before half time when goalkeeper Tom Salter produced an outstanding save, leading to a goalmouth scramble which saw Dave Markwell clear the ball off the line twice before the ball was scrambled to safety. However, they almost added a third as another superb cross from Gavin Heppinstall reached Rob Pick at the far post, whose header was somehow diverted around the post by a jumping defender.

HT: Wakefield Athletic A 2 Field Lane 0.

Driving rain greeted the start of the 2nd half as both sides tried to score the crucial 3rd goal. Field Lane fired a couple of long range shots over the bar as they tried to get back into the game, but Wakefield struck on the counter-attack. A great burst from midfielder Kevin Guy saw him skip between two challenges to coolly slot home to extend the lead.

Wakefield weren't finished there as they added an excellent fourth goal. Simon Newey broke down the left hand side and cut back, delivering a perfect cross for strike-partner Rob Pick to expertly volley in off the underside of the bar from 15 yards.

Simon Newey and Sam Murphy missed further chances to extend the lead before a cleverly worked corner saw Tom Pick and Simon Newey link up, allowing Newey to square the ball for Kevin Guy to score his second goal of the game with a well-placed effort.

Field Lane quickly added a consolation as Richard Carter fired home a loose ball from six yards. They almost added a second goal when a long range shot was brilliantly denied by goalkeeper Tom Salter, as Wakefield saw out the rest of the game comfortably.

Sohail Javed and Danny Middleton impressed for Field Lane, while the West Yorkshire sports & Social club's Wakefield Man of the Match award was shared by Tom Salter, Rob Pick and Matt Fenlon.