Letcombe 1 Wantage Town Development 1
With players not available because of injury and work commitments, Letcombe gave Daniel Pear his first team debut in midfield and Ben Brzoska lead the attack. Letcombe were also pleased to welcome back Luke Mulvey who has missed a large part of the season. He replaced the injured Christy Whelehan.
Letcombe almost took the lead in the third minute when Josh Fowler was fouled just outside the penalty area, and Luke Polding hit the inside of the post from the resulting free kick with Wantage keeper Harry Whitehead helpless. Both sides tried to play good football on a difficult surface, but chances were few with both teams well organised in defence. Wantage took the lead as half time approached when the Letcombe defence failed to clear the ball following a long throw-in, and as the ball bobbled around in the home penalty area, Kieran Kerby was quickest to react and he drove the ball low inside the near post from ten yards. Home keeper Danny Joyce got a hand to the ball but could not prevent it from entering the net.
The visitors had the larger share of possession in the early part of the second half without creating any clear chances, and home manager Garry Cook made changes mid-way through the half. He pushed centre back Nathan Haresnape up front and brought on youngster Tommy Barnard in defence for his first team debut. The move paid off soon afterwards when a free kick from Daniel Pear was flicked on by the head of youngster Aaran Mudie for his debut goal for Letcombe. Wantage had a great chance to win the game with two minutes remaining when Sam Mulvey was adjudged to have brought down Calum Pryce, but Danny Joyce dived to his right to save the resulting panalty from Jack Badger.
Both sides will feel that they had chances to win the game, but it was probably a fair result. The teams will meet again in the final of the Faringdon Memorial Cup at Faringdon on Thursday 6th May.
Letcombe are trying to raise funds for Christy Whelehan who sustained a serious knee injury at Hungerford on the previous Saturday and Joe Blackwell who also sustained a serious achilles injury back in August which has prevented him from playing throughout the season. Letcombe wish to record their grateful thanks to the Wantage Town players and management for their generous support to the fund raising efforts. Their help is greatly appreciated and reflects the camaraderie between these two local clubs despite their on-field rivalry.
