Western Suburbs 2 Wellington United 0
Dalton Wilkins 20
Xavier Green 27
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Wests Formation (4-4-3) Wellington United Formation (3-4-3)
Andrew Withers
Alex Clayton, Michael Faber, Kyle Adams, Dalton Wilkins
Dominic Wooldridge, Harry Edge, Owen Parker-Price
Callum McCowatt, Elijah Just, Xavier Green
Wests Subs:
Noah Billingsley for Xavier Green (62 mins) – Straight swap
Matt Garbett for Elijah Just (85 mins) – Straight swap
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For once, Wests were confronted with slightly younger opponents in the Wellington Phoenix Development squad, Wellington United (WU), on a fine but chilly day at Newtown Park.
WU started in a 3-4-3 formation, which quickly converted to 5-2-3 when defending. Wests were again unchanged with Declan Edge keeping faith with the players that have excelled in recent weeks.
WU’s three attacking players persisted with a high-press throughout the game, although Wests easily adapted against this, with Andrew Withers displaying his usual comfort on the ball and distributing fine diagonals. Wests were more selective and effective in their pressing game, and this proved to be one of the key areas that impacted the outcome of the game.
The early exchanges were extremely frantic with both sets of players being closed down quickly, resulting in very few flowing moves and little goalmouth action. However, there was distinctly more purpose to Wests’ play and as the initial speed of the game subsided, Wests’ players started to exhibit their usual composure on the ball.
Wests opened the scoring on 20 minutes when high pressure was applied to the WU defence, forcing a hurried clearance which was intercepted by Dalton Wilkins, who advanced to confidently drill home.
Soon afterwards, Callum McCowatt almost doubled the lead, breaking clear but being denied by a well-timed last-ditch tackle. The second goal was not long coming though – Owen Parker-Price freed up Alex Clayton down the right flank, and when his excellent cross was only half-cleared, Xavier Green dispatched a perfect 25-yard curler into the top corner.
Wests then dominated the rest of the first half with Callum McCowatt (twice) and Dominic Wooldridge coming close to extending the lead.
WU rarely threatened, except that they twice created danger from short corners, when Wests were slow to respond from their zonal defence. This afforded WU players with time and space near the corner of the box, but they were then let down by poor quality deliver.
After an increasingly dominant first half, Declan Edge would have been simply asking for more of the same in the second period, and Wests certainly started on the front-foot. Within the first 5 minutes of the half, excellent passing and pressing resulted in opportunities for Callum McCowatt, Dominic Wooldridge and Owen Parker-Price, but all were just off target.
The game then entered a quiet period, and although WU strived for a vital comeback goal, they were unable to muster any clear-cut chances against Wests frugal defensive duo of Kyle Adams and Mikey Faber, with Harry Edge providing his usual efficient screening from No.6. When a half-chance did finally arrive, Thomas Raimbault’s drilled shot was easily bagged by a well-positioned Andrew Withers.
Wests had several chances to add to their tally, but Callum McCowatt and Dominic Wooldridge continued to suffer from near-miss syndrome, as their well-hit shots flew narrowly wide, and in the final minute Owen Parker-Price was denied by a good save from the home keeper.
While only a 2-0 victory, this was another efficient and effective team performance from Wests, and a well-deserved victory.
Players of the Day:
3 points – Dalton Wilkins – Read the game well, producing several good interceptions and a well-taken goal
2 points – Xavier Green – Excellent pressing work-rate and an outstanding goal
1 point – Elijah Just – Another high energy performance, and unselfish on several occasions creating chances for teammates
