23/09/2018

Whaley had a couple of regulars back from injury this week so probably for the first time this season the management had a rare benefit of more or less a full squad to select from though not everyone is match fit yet.

It was a shock start to the system with Middlewich’s front three, the experienced Stuart Tulloch, Callum Priestley and Chris Lunn, tearing Whaley apart. In the first couple of minutes Tattersall saved a close range effort from Tulloch and then after only 6 minutes Lunn crossed for Tulloch this time to head in from 8yrds; a minute later Priestly rose above Bailey to head in from 6yrds! A dazed Whaley struggled to get into a game that a fully committed and hyped up Middlewich team dominated from the off. A brief respite saw youngsters Leadbetter and Connell both attacking down the lines but unfortunately none of their crosses found find a Whaley player. Then worse was to come, in what looked to be the final nail in the coffin a Michael Evans scissor kick from 18yrds made it 3-0; everybody watching surely assumed the game was over by half time!

The next goal would mean everything and with nothing to lose Whaley replaced the injured Leadbetter with Aaron Dwyer who from the very off gave Whaley some extra attacking momentum, he asked questions of the home defence and had several shots saved or going just wide. Whaley’s initial breakthrough came when a through ball found Dwolitka on a run, he guided the ball into the area and was brought down, Sutton stepped up curled his shot to the keepers left; a glimmer of hope! Dwyer then produced another magical run down the right side of the area where he laid the ball off to Connell to cross for Sutton to make no mistake from 8yrds.

Whaley’s middle three were dominating the game with Broome, Sutton and Gilbride contesting every challenge and working tirelessly to keep the ball in the Middlewich half. Dwyer still causing havoc was tackled on the edge of the area, the ball broke loose for young Jacob O’Donnell to hit it on the half volley low and hard and low past the keeper to bring the score level at 3-3. With only one thing in mind Whaley went for the win but got caught on the counter when after another superb run Whitehead went clean through from left back, Tatts coming to the rescue by tipping his shot wide, this followed by a Middlewich free kick that hit the outside of the post!

Ultimately it was that man Dwyer, even after Whitehead was swapped to try and mark him, who broke free and heading towards goal he unleashed a powerful shot that hit Sutton and deflected over the keeper to realise an unbelievable 4-3 win for WHALEY!!!

Whaley’s man of the match in a fantastic game for the spectators was Aaron Dwyer

Tattersall; Bailey; Armstrong; Toseland; Gemmell; Connell; Sutton (3); Broome; Gilbride; Leadbetter; Dwolitka

Dwyer; O’Donnell (1); Drayson