What a great game to finish the season on Sunday , A very fitting end to all the hard work the boys put in , Also Wayne Leigh,Luke had a bit to do with it as well .
Good Luck to all Dave
The final match of the season was a tense affair for both clubs with promotion at stake. Longwell Green knew a win or a draw would see them hold onto second place in the league whereas only a win would see Whitchurch. leapfrog them and gain that all-important promotion spot.
A goal from Chesney Blackett in the first game gave Whitchurch the lead in a very even match but the visitors hit back with two goals in quick succession to give them a slender 1-2 lead going into the second game.
With it all to do in the second game the Whitchurch boys played with spirit, power and flair and at times the Longwell Green goal was under siege. The hosts hit the crossbar, the posts and pulled out some fine saves from the Longwell keeper but a hat trick for George James and a goal for Jay Selway made for a comfortable 4-0 win and a 5-2 aggregate win that gave Whitchurch the runners-up position in the league.
All in all this was an excellent performance by a team that has performed so well all season and was a fitting end to a brilliant season and a farewell to Norton Lane. If we can carry this level of performance into next season at our new home, this team can go from success to success. Congratulations to all the boys who have given their all, entertained us royally and made this a memorable and highly enjoyable season.
Another close encounter between Spartak and Whitchurch ended in a draw. Whitchurch keeper, Jacob Raudies was injured early in the first game and had to be replaced, but some great defensive work by Josh Winchester and Sam Atkinson gave the stand in goalie protection and kept Spartak down to just two goals for a 2-0 lead going into the second game.
Whitchurch came back strongly in the second game, taking a four goal lead through Ben Carfield, George James and Billy Rice-Hanlon (2) but a late rally from Spartak saw them hit back with two goals, drawing the match in the final minute.
The second game was just as tight with both sides pushing for the winner in an entertaining end-to-end match. Jay Selway broke the deadlock with a fine strike for Whitchurch but once again Bradley Stoke pulled the game back, equalising in the second half. With the game looking destined for a draw, Jay Selway netted his second, completing a fine team move and Whitchurch were able to see out the remaining time for the win.
Whitchurch Sports made a dream start to the first game against Henbury Colts when Chesney Blackett finished a move from the kick off with the game only seconds old. This gave the team confidence to press the advantage and their relentless pressure on the Henbury goal was rewarded with a superb hat trick for Devon Walsh and a goal for Jamie Hicks. The game finishing 5-0.
In the second match Henbury made a fine attempt to overturn the deficit scoring five times themselves but, in a very open game Whitchurch found the net enough times to keep the scoreline safe. A goal apiece for Billy Rice-Hanlon, Jay Selway and George James saw the visitors win the game 5-3 for an aggregate 8-5 to Whitchurch.
Head Coach Wayne Ricketts