4th XI (Yr 12) 5 VS 2 Bradfield College

The 4th XI faced a difficult challenge on Saturday morning, meeting Bradfield College’s 3rd XI from one of the strongest and most prestigious footballing schools in England.

It was tough start, with a Bradfield player netting in the opening few minutes, and Wilson’s barely had a touch of the ball for the first 10 minutes. After some tactical changes and some encouraging counterattacks, something clicked, and the momentum of the game changed when Max fed Christian at the back post with an inviting ball splitting the Bradfield centre backs. Christian swept it into the back of the net for his first goal of the season, and later he doubled his tally with a header from a cross, engineered by Max once again. The Wilson’s incessant press panicked the Bradfield boys and soon it was 3-1 as the goalkeeper spilt Bradley's low driven shot from a tight angle into the back of the net.

After an inspiring team talk from Mr Nuttall and captain Joe, changes were made, and the second half was under way. Wilson’s looked to have a challenge ahead of them, with Bradfield changing to a back three, and Wilson’s back line was forced to retreat under pressure. The intensity was briefly knocked out of the game when Bradley elegantly turned his man, and his pace and power was too much as he accurately blasted it into the bottom corner for 4-1. The back three of Chris, Arnav and Joe were difficult to break down, but Bradfield managed to finally score with about 20 minutes remaining, rejuvenating the home side at 4-2 down.

Hriday and Thrissan continued to work hard in midfield, regularly winning the ball back and constantly forcing the Bradfield midfield backwards, and the hard work paid off when Max added to his three assists with a tidy finish from a one-on-one with the keeper for 5-2, surely finishing Bradfield once and for all.

The game was stopped suddenly as a Bradfield attacking player accidently crashed into goalkeeper Muizz, and he fell to the floor in pain. The players, coaches and spectators all watched in shock as the paramedics came over to assess and help him, later confirming he had broken his collarbone with Ibrahim returning to the pitch and forcing former keeper Max in between the sticks. Wilson’s were able to see out a very difficult win, their most monumental victory of the season so far to continue their eight games unbeaten. Wishing Muizz a speedy recovery, but onwards and upwards for the 4th XI … currently taking goalkeeper applications!

Match Report: Joe (Yr 12)