Wyrley advanced into round 3 of the Cannock Chase Cup with victory against Division 1 side CK Courtyard.

CK played the ball around well at the start of the game but mainly in their own half & without threatening too much. Wyrley created the first opportunity when Haydn Nash burst in from the left and his shot smashed against the bar with the keeper well beaten.

However, Wyrley fell behind after 15 minutes when CK took their second long throw of the game. Josh Bradley tried to head the ball clear but succeeded only in heading into the six yard danger area where the CK striker fired home. A poor goal to concede but Wyrley, whilst not having most of the possession, created the better chances, particularly down the right hand side where Dan Bourke was seeing plenty of the ball. Kneller twice broke clear only for recovering defenders to make last ditch challenges to prevent a shot on goal.

Wyrley fell further behind just before half time, when a long kick from CK’s keeper deceived Ashley Gunn for the grateful CK forward to run on and lift the ball over James Goddard.

Half Time 2-0

Wyrley immediately scored after the break when Matt Moseley picked up the ball on the left hand touch line just inside the CK half. Matt beat the full back for pace and then three more defenders before cutting inside, taking the time to look up, pick his spot and slot home low to the keepers right. A terrific goal that set the scene for the rest of the half as Wyrley picked up the pace, giving CK less time on the ball and playing the better controlled football throughout the half.

Luke Shail, unlucky not to start, came on after 55 minutes and made an impact almost straight away. In another venture forward, the ball broke into the path of Shail who hit the ball through the keepers legs to equalise. CK were rattled and losing their discipline, being caught in possession several times; on one such occasion Haydn Nash, who saw a lot of the ball throughout the game, robbed the centre back and ran on to score to the keepers right, for his third goal of the season.

Wyrley could have scored more, as the central midfield trio of Clayton, Rollason & Josh Griffiths took control of the game. The latter playing in a more advanced position was becoming very influential, playing balls into wide positions for Nash & Bourke to use their pace. Dan Bourke twice got beyond the full back, to the bye line and pulled back for Griffiths & Shail to fire wide with scuffed shots.

The excellent Higgs cleared off the line 5 minutes from time to protect the lead and see Wyrley home for a well deserved victory. Well done chaps !

Team: 4-4-2

Goddard, Bourke, Higgs, Bradley, Gunn, Rollason, Clayton.M, Moseley (Carpenter), Kneller (Shail), Griffiths, Nash.

Subs: Ashfield, Bevan, Crook,

Leading scorers: Moseley (8), Kneller (5),  Nash (3), Shail (3), Bourke (2), Griffiths (2), Bradley.

M.O.M Bourke
D.O.D Griffiths