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Club Friendly - Coventry & District WFC v Wolston Dribblers - 3rd December 2024
Ray Lewis4 Dec - 11:48
A superb set of games played in great spirit with nothing to choose between the teams. A credit to both clubs.
Coventry & District WFC hosted a club friendly against Wolston Dribblers at the Alan Higgs Centre on Tuesday 3rd December. This was the first meeting of the 2 clubs and proved to be a hit with all players – and so much so, that there is talk of a repeat and return fixture in Wolston! As one of the Wolston players put it: "It was nice meeting lots of new faces and playing competitive games in good spirit".
Wolston, who have recently formed a walking football section were seeking to get more match experience playing against an established club and similarly, Coventry for their players.
Both clubs fielded 2 teams of 7-a-aside to play 2 rounds of games of 25 minutes each. Whilst each club brought 17 players, the captains of each team rotated players to ensure everyone played. Our referees Colin Farmer and Ken Badland, briefed the 4 teams on walking football rules before the games and clarified any points raised by players.
The first 2 games got underway with Coventry A playing Wolston A and Coventry B playing Wolston B. In a closely fought game Coventry A came out on top by the odd goal, scored by Lol Anderson - final score 1-0 to Coventry A. In the other game Coventry B got off to a good start with 2 goals coming from Brian Sharp and Warwick Webster, before Wolston B hit back with a goal from Rich Bean that made for a tense finish - final score 2-1 to Coventry B. Unfortunately, it was in this game, that Wolston’s Gary Lamb twisted his ankle and could take no further part. Later on in the day, Gary messaged to say he was resting and icing his ankle up and he doesn’t think anything is broken. Let’s hope he mends quickly.
After a 5-minute break the second set of games started. This time Coventry A played Wolston B and Coventry B played Wolston A. The game play went up another notch, with some standout performances from a number of players across all 4 teams. Whilst this created opportunities for more goals, the teams had to settle for draws. Coventry A and Wolston B played out a 0-0 draw, whilst Coventry B and Wolston A drew 1-1 with Nick Wongsam putting Wolston ahead, before Guy Rawson pulled one back for Coventry B.
After playing, we finished off by taking a well-earned cuppa in the café with cake and biscuits. We chatted over how the games went and how we should do it again.
I’d like to thank both Colin Farmer and Ken Badland (aka Baggy) for giving up their time to referee, Colin for providing all the equipment and bibs for us to use, Phil Hutchings for collecting the subs and to all of the supporters who braved the cold to come along and support their teams. I'd like to also thank Tony Malone and Harry Woodfield for sending on their photos of the day, which have been put into an album that can be seen by clicking here.
Most of all I’d like to thank the players for taking part, playing in the right spirit and making it enjoyable for everyone.
When’s the next one?
Ray Lewis, Event Organiser
Teams:
COVENTRY A: Jeff Grimes (GK), Barry Cutts, Alwyn Day (C), Bryce Taylor, Richard Parker, Lewis Gent, Lol Anderson, Ray Lewis.
WOLSTON A: John Nesbitt (GK), Nick Wongsam, Cliff Jesson, Alan Brushett (C), Tony Foster, Dave Waudby, Joe Booker, Dave Flinn
COVENTRY B: Garry Bench (GK), David Bavington, Malcolm Harrison, Brian Nash (C), Warwick Webster, Neil Jackson, Brian Sharp, Guy Rawson, Barry Foster
WOLSTON B: “Jim” Fergus Bryan (GK), Paul Overton, Rich Bean (C), Gary Lamb, Pete Hickey, Darren Thorn, Kevin Connolly, Mike Watson, Michael Williams
Wolston, who have recently formed a walking football section were seeking to get more match experience playing against an established club and similarly, Coventry for their players.
Both clubs fielded 2 teams of 7-a-aside to play 2 rounds of games of 25 minutes each. Whilst each club brought 17 players, the captains of each team rotated players to ensure everyone played. Our referees Colin Farmer and Ken Badland, briefed the 4 teams on walking football rules before the games and clarified any points raised by players.
The first 2 games got underway with Coventry A playing Wolston A and Coventry B playing Wolston B. In a closely fought game Coventry A came out on top by the odd goal, scored by Lol Anderson - final score 1-0 to Coventry A. In the other game Coventry B got off to a good start with 2 goals coming from Brian Sharp and Warwick Webster, before Wolston B hit back with a goal from Rich Bean that made for a tense finish - final score 2-1 to Coventry B. Unfortunately, it was in this game, that Wolston’s Gary Lamb twisted his ankle and could take no further part. Later on in the day, Gary messaged to say he was resting and icing his ankle up and he doesn’t think anything is broken. Let’s hope he mends quickly.
After a 5-minute break the second set of games started. This time Coventry A played Wolston B and Coventry B played Wolston A. The game play went up another notch, with some standout performances from a number of players across all 4 teams. Whilst this created opportunities for more goals, the teams had to settle for draws. Coventry A and Wolston B played out a 0-0 draw, whilst Coventry B and Wolston A drew 1-1 with Nick Wongsam putting Wolston ahead, before Guy Rawson pulled one back for Coventry B.
After playing, we finished off by taking a well-earned cuppa in the café with cake and biscuits. We chatted over how the games went and how we should do it again.
I’d like to thank both Colin Farmer and Ken Badland (aka Baggy) for giving up their time to referee, Colin for providing all the equipment and bibs for us to use, Phil Hutchings for collecting the subs and to all of the supporters who braved the cold to come along and support their teams. I'd like to also thank Tony Malone and Harry Woodfield for sending on their photos of the day, which have been put into an album that can be seen by clicking here.
Most of all I’d like to thank the players for taking part, playing in the right spirit and making it enjoyable for everyone.
When’s the next one?
Ray Lewis, Event Organiser
Teams:
COVENTRY A: Jeff Grimes (GK), Barry Cutts, Alwyn Day (C), Bryce Taylor, Richard Parker, Lewis Gent, Lol Anderson, Ray Lewis.
WOLSTON A: John Nesbitt (GK), Nick Wongsam, Cliff Jesson, Alan Brushett (C), Tony Foster, Dave Waudby, Joe Booker, Dave Flinn
COVENTRY B: Garry Bench (GK), David Bavington, Malcolm Harrison, Brian Nash (C), Warwick Webster, Neil Jackson, Brian Sharp, Guy Rawson, Barry Foster
WOLSTON B: “Jim” Fergus Bryan (GK), Paul Overton, Rich Bean (C), Gary Lamb, Pete Hickey, Darren Thorn, Kevin Connolly, Mike Watson, Michael Williams
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