Saturday 15/03/2008
Wellingborough Town 1-2 Willen Juniors Pumas

See the Photo's here

Cheered on by a large and very vocal set of supporters from both teams, this friendly match proved to be an excellent game of football.
The match settled down after some early chances from both sides, as both teams came to terms with the extra players on the pitch and also the increased size of the pitch.
Wellingborough adopted a 2, 4, 2 formation and the boys seemed to enjoy playing more like a proper team.
Kieran had an excellent game, along side Thomas in defence and those 2 proved to be a very useful partnership, which hopefully will only get better. Unfortunately they could do nothing to stop the opening goal from Willen Juniors FC, as a cross took a wicked deflection and looped over the head of Jacob in goal into the back of the net.
The visiting supporters then went wild, with very loud cheering and applause.
Not to be out done the Wellingborough supporters, cheered just as loud to help spur on the boys and their efforts were nearly rewarded as Ryan went close after a great pass from Adam.
Mat on the right and Drew on the left worked well and enjoyed the extra space that the bigger pitch gave them. This enabled them to practise their skills which they both did well.
Reece who was playing along side Ryan upfront worked well, and he almost wriggled his way through a very stubborn Willen defence. But was outnumbered by a well organised defence and the chance was gone.
Half Time 0 v 1
The second half started and Malvin was introduced into the centre of midfield. He tried to use his skill to unlock the Willen defence but was closed down at every opportunity. Elliot had one of his better games with some strong tackling from the little man. He seemed to win everything in the centre of midfield. Even when Thomas kicked the ball at him full in the face. He got up and carried on.
Willen increased their lead half way through the second half to make it 2 nil.
Not to be out done. Wellingborough upped their work rate and grabbed a goal back through Ryan, much to the joy of the Wellingborough supporters. This set up an exciting final few minutes but Wellingborough could not find a way through the Willen defence.
All in all a great and enjoyable game of football.
A special mention to Akshay, who played his first game for us. He did very well when he came on, and will only get better.
Also a mention to Willen Juniors FC Puma’s for playing us and playing football the way it should be played. Hopefully we will get a chance to play you again soon. Hoped you enjoyed your day with us.

Sunday 09/03/2008
Wellingborough Town 1-2 Grammarians

I laid down a challenge to boys before the match kicked off. This was not to extend our poor run of results and get back to winning ways. They listened for all of 2 minutes and went back to playing how they wanted too. Unfortunately the Grammarians took the lead half way through the first half and we never seemed like getting back into the game. To be honest we played like a bunch of strangers whom had only just met before the game kicked off. We were that bad. We didn’t close down quickly enough. We didn’t pass the ball like we know we can. In fact we just turned up and strolled around. Not good enough in anyone’s eyes.
At half time we had an honest chat and we made some changes. Elliot and Adam came on and the transformation was almost instantaneous. We started to look like a team. Playing better and a least putting in some effort. With some good tackling from Elliot and some great passing from Adam, we looked as if we could salvage something. Alex started to get into the game and run at the defence as did Mat. But both were unable to unlock the defiant Grammarians defence. Ryan up front did a good job and worked well but was unable to capitalize on any chance that fell to him.
Wellingborough then went further behind perhaps against the run of play. Same old story I am afraid, pushing forward and leaving big gaps for the opposition to exploit.
It wasn’t until then did we then start to play the football that we know we can play, but that has deserted us for the last few weeks. The ball was played out of defence. Alex passed the ball inside to Adam. Who played an absolute peach of a pass for Reece to run on to. And Reece did the rest from just outside the box. A thoroughly fantastic goal. We also nearly snatched an undeserved equalizer right at the very end as, a Grammarians defender nearly put through his own net. It would not have been deserved but a goal’s a goal. And in our situation I would gladly have taken it.
When we play like that, we can take any team apart. And I mean any team. But we have to do it all the time. Not just when we feel like it.
So the poor run continues. That’s 6 defeats on the trot now. Something we have not done since last season. We have our final game of the season to play next week and hopefully we can put an end to this sorry string of results.

Sunday 24/2/2008
Finedon Vics U10’s  3 1 Wellingborough Town U10’s

I am beginning to wonder if myself or someone else connected to our team has done something to provoke the celestial powers that govern the beautiful game. Right now I think someone must run over a cattery of black cats, butchered the local population of magpies or walked under a street full of ladders. Because our luck at the moment is woeful. Three weeks on the trot we have failed to hold on to the lead after doing all the hard work to get ourselves in front. We press the self destruct button and we explode in devastating fashion.
With the wind howling in what seemed like a force 10 gale behind us. Our goal came from Alex after a lovely move involving most of the midfield .After receiving the ball Alex then jinxed his way through the Finedon Vics defence like a red hot knife through butter. He performed step over after step over and a drop of the shoulder to send his markers the wrong way and then he unleashed an unstoppable shot with his left yes left foot, into the bottom right corner of the net. The celebrations from the sidelines were fantastic, as if we had just won the league, the cup and the lottery all at the same time. Finedon Vics did go close on a few occasions in the first half but they did little to trouble Jacob in goal. With us being 1 nil up at half time you had thoughts entering the head that maybe just maybe this could be the week that things start to turn in our favour.
The second half started and in a matter of minutes the scores were level. We failed to clear the long wind assisted punt up field. Then things got worse as Finedon Vics took control of the game and scored again. They then added another only seconds later to make it 3 1. The boys didn’t really know what had hit them as they struggled to clear the ball out of their half against a rampant Finedon Vics team and a now even stronger wind in their faces.
Things didn’t really get any better as both Adam and Elliot both picked up injury and had to be replaced. But to be fair after the smash and grab antics of Finedon Vics we then started to play a bit better but didn’t really look like scoring or troubling their goalkeeper. Man of the match Reece put in a lot of effort and although he had limited chances to score his work rate was excellent. On another day he would have been rewarded with some goals.
We have got ourselves into a bad run of results lately. But sometimes the results don’t tell the full story. I am sure we will earn some luck real soon. If the boys don’t lose concentration and focus for the full game and we get that little bit of luck things will change for the better.

Sunday 24/2/2008
Wellingborough Town 1-2 Ferrers Colts

I sometimes wonder why I enjoy the game of football. Yes it can be wonderful when things are going your way, and sometimes it can be great when things are not going your way, but what happened today was probably verging on mental cruelty. 1 nil up with about 1 minute to go and not playing very well and we lose 2- 1. Honestly you couldn’t write this.
After soaking up some early pressure Wellingborough took the lead with an expertly executed strike from Mat, who unleashed an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box after a mix up in the Ferrers Colts defence. The celebrations after the goal from Mat and Thomas were just as good as the goal.
After this it was just wave after wave of attack from Ferrers Colts, they seemed to have an extra man on the pitch (they didn’t I checked) with the amount of space they created, always having a man unmarked to pass the ball to. If it had not been for Man of the Match Jacob in goal and the Ferrers colt’s inability to score goals the game would have been well and truly over at half time, such was their dominance. The midfield of Elliot and Adam worked hard, but for long periods of the game they were chasing shadows, unable to stop the free flowing football of Ferrers Colts.
The second half started pretty much the same as the first but this time Ferrers Colts were now starting to beat Jacob but thankfully the post and crossbar came to the rescue. As the time ticked away you thought yes we may get away with this and actually get a result. It may have been like stealing or something far worse, but hey a wins a win and after the results of late where we have played very well and got nothing for our efforts lady luck may have been looking down on us today.
Unfortunately lady luck must have had something in her eye at the very moment she was looking down, as Wellingborough folded like a pack of cards.
The first goal was just slack marking. The second goal was failing to get the ball away from danger when we had the ball in the middle of the field, losing it and not dealing with it. The ball should have been cleared, booted down field (not pretty I know) but hey when desperation sets in, it has to be done.
I may have a difficult job to pick the lads up from this defeat but with some hard work and extra effort in training we will soon be back on the winning trail I am sure. But in the mean time if someone wants to give lady luck a pair of glasses or stop her from getting something in her eye I for one would be very grateful.

Sunday 17/2/2008
Ferrers Colts 2-1 Wellingborough Town

What a fantastic game of football this encounter was, with Wellingborough looking to build on last week’s great performance. Wellingborough produced all the early pressure and went close on numerous occasions before finally taking the lead with a fine goal from Ryan. Elliot had a great shot charged down by a Ferrers Colts defender and the ball fell lovely for Ryan to finish with deadly accuracy.
This should have given Wellingborough the platform to build on but Ferrers Colts started to get back into the game and they nearly got an equalizer but for Jacob in goal pulling off a string of fine saves to keep Ferrers Colts at bay.
The midfield of Mat, Malvin, Elliot and Drew worked hard but Ferrers Colts started to take control of this area which forced Man of the Match Thomas in defence into some last gasp tackles which he dealt with very well.
Unfortunately Ferrers Colts did get back into the game when they equalised from a corner, a bit of slack marking from Wellingborough to bring the scores level.  Halftime 1-1
The second half started with both teams playing better football with plenty of passing and movement of the ball which was a joy to watch. Adam and Reece were introduced at halftime and both settled into the game well with Adam in particular get involved in some nice passing with Elliot and Mat.
I don’t think anyone watching from the sidelines would have been too disappointed with a draw as either team didn’t deserve to lose but unfortunately football always serves up a twist as Ferrers Colts forced yet another corner and they scored from it. A touch of dajarvue I think. This seemed to spur on Ferrers Colts as they grew in confidence and exploited gaps as Wellingborough pressed for an equalizer.
Alex was introduced and he and Reece combined well with Reece unleashing a great shot which was saved very well by the Ferrers Colts goalkeeper.
All in all a great game of football and a joy to watch but Wellingborough have to start being a bit more ruthless in front of goal and start putting some of these chances they are creating away.

Sunday 10/2/2008
Earls Barton 2-0 Wellingborough Town

Firstly I would like to thank both teams for contributing to a fantastic game of football that had everything, desire, commitment, skill and a passion for playing the beautiful game.

Earls Barton started the brighter of the two teams and went close on a number of occasions, but they were foiled by the heroics of man of the match Daniel in goal who produced some outstanding saves to keep the scores level.

Wellingborough then started to get into the game by playing short neat passes and plenty of movement off the ball and nearly took the lead when Jacob playing his first game upfront went very close after some great work from Adam
Wellingborough then had an opportunity to take the lead after a penalty was awarded to them after an Earls Barton defender handled in the area.

Jacob took charge of the situation and in a confident mood placed the ball on the spot and waited for the referee to blow his whistle. The whistle sounded and Jacob unleashed what looked like an unstoppable shot towards the goal. For a split second the shot looked to have beaten the Earls Barton goalkeeper but he pulled off a great save to keep the scores level.

Earls Barton then started to stamp some authority on the game and went a head after some pretty constant pressure, but to be fair to Wellingborough they never looked like rolling over and letting Earls Barton take full control of the game. The midfield worked for each other with Elliot putting in another fine display with some great tackling. Mat and Adam worked the wings well and both put in fine displays. Malvin also contributed well and had one of his better games with some nice touches

The second half started pretty much the same as the first with both teams wanting to entertain and put on a good show. Thomas in defence had yet another great game with him dealing with most things that Earls Barton could conjure up. Although he could nothing about their second goal as Reece on as a second half sub unfortunately put through his own goal trying to clear a shot.

Drew and Ryan came on as second half subs and although they tried hard to get Wellingborough back into the game they couldn’t. Drew was involved in a few chances that Wellingborough had but was unlucky with the final ball.

It felt great to be involved in a game like todays for all the right reasons and it gave me enormous pride to see the way the boys have improved and played as a team

Well done boys and I am sure if we keep performing like we did today results will go our way.

Sunday 03/2/2008
Earls Barton 4-1 Wellingborough

With the wind blowing like a force 10 gale and cutting through every player and hardy spectator like a razor sharp knife it was not ideal playing football conditions.

But to be fair to both sides they tried to play football, unfortunately Earls Barton adapted to the conditions far better than Wellingborough and went into the interval 3 nil up.

It could have been worse but for Jacob in goal pulling off a fine penalty save after a Wellingborough player had been judged to handle the ball in the area. Alex and Reece on the wings tried to create chances for Ryan upfront but he had little in the way of clear cut opportunities.

In the second half Wellingborough looked the better side with the wind behind them and got back into the game with a goal from Mat but could not build on that. With Wellingborough pushing for another goal they left themselves exposed at the back and Earls Barton took full advantage.

Pluses from the game were Elliot’s fine tackling in midfield, Thomas in defence he’s reading of the game is getting better, Drew a second half sub who game after game is getting better and pushing for a starting place, Malvin in midfield and Man of the Match Jacob who’s excellent saves kept Wellingborough in the game.

Sunday 02/12/2007
Wellingborough Town 3-0 Vicarage Farm

With the playing surface looking more like a ploughed farmer’s field than a football pitch, both sides contributed to a highly entertaining game of football.

Wellingborough Town took the lead through Ryan, perhaps a bit on the fortunate side as he deflected in a shot/ cross from man of the match Alex. But a goal is a goal and Ryan did very well to angle the deflection into the bottom corner.

Wellingborough then upped the tempo of the game and created chance after chance but could not increase their lead, until a mix up in the Vicarage farm panthers defence allowed Ryan to score another and put the game beyond doubt.

Important performances today from the midfield of Elliot and Adam and another great performance from Thomas in defence ensured Jacob had very little to do in goal but when he was called upon he pulled off some great saves.

Reece played well on the left but could not recreate his recent goal scoring touch.
But this game was made for Alex who terrorised the Vicarage Farm Panthers at every opportunity and his intelligent play created chance after chance in the second half and the only thing missing from his display was a goal.

The game was finally put to bed when Mat scored with a well taken goal after some great passing from Alex, Adam, Drew and Malvin.

Well done boys .And great to have kept a clean sheet

Sunday 25/11/2007
Vicarage Farm Cobras 5-1 Wellingborough Town

In the first half there was really only one team in the match and that was Vicarage Farm Cobras.

The Wellingborough Town team played as if it was the first time they had met each other and fell behind after some slack marking and giving the other team plenty of time on the ball. 3 nil at half time.

The second half was a completely different story with the boys playing football and closing down quickly and their efforts were soon rewarded with a fine goal from Reece.

Moments later Wellingborough created another chance to score with Drew going agonizingly close and perhaps on another day he would have scored to make it 3-2 and game on, but it was not to be. To be fair to the lads they kept plugging away and tried to make amends for the no show in the first half, but with Wellingborough chasing the game it left big gaps at the back and Vicarage Farm Cobras took full advantage.

There were some good performances especially in the second half from man of the match Adam along with Elliot who made a make shift defensive pairing in the absence of Thomas. Malvin was a threat going forward .Jacob made some great saves one in particular that deserves a mention and some tireless running from Alex.

If Wellingborough had not given themselves a mountain to climb in the second half it could have been a totally different story.

Sunday 18/11/2007
Wellingborough Town 2-1 Stanwick Rovers

With the Wellingborough team arriving for this match a bit early (a mix up with the kick off times) you had a feeling it was going to be one of those days especially after the 2 previous performances. With the wind blowing and the rain bucketing down Wellingborough produced a performance that sent the brave parents who turned up to watch in atrocious conditions away with a warm glow.

The first half ended nil nil with both teams unable to break down each others defence. Stanwick seemed to rely on the wind assisted hoof up field too much to cause any real trouble for both Daniel and Thomas. Ryan had a couple of chances in the first half but the Stanwick goal keeper saved them both with one in particular good save.

The second half was a different story with Wellingborough playing the better controlled football with some lovely passing.

Elliot won most of the tackles and headers in midfield and passed the ball about to Adam who had another great game with his range of passing to both wings for Mat and Man of the Match Alex to produce some excellent wing wizardry.
In fact it was a brilliant through ball by Mat to set up Ryan who kept a cool head to open the scoring for Wellingborough. Alex then produced some fantastic skill to create an opening for himself, but the Stanwick goal keeper pulled off another great save to deny him. This seemed to spur Stanwick on a bit, who then equalised after some sloppy play in the midfield by Wellingborough and they took full advantage.

But to be fair to Wellingborough they did not know when they where beaten and kept plugging away with Alex instrumental in everything that Wellingborough produced. He was involved in the great passing move that carved up the Stanwick defence for Wellingborough to score the winner through Reece.

Every player on the Wellingborough side was involved in the move and it was a great bit of finishing by Reece to score.

Before the match I asked the boys to play with a smile on their faces and they certainly did and it was a joy to see.
Well done boys.

Sunday 18/11/2007
South Rushden Trojans V Wellingborough Town

Sunday 04/11/2007
Wellingborough Town South 0-6 Rushden Spartans

Sunday 28/10/2007
Raunds Tigers 0 v 6 Wellingborough Town

Wellingborough Town dominated this match from start to finish with some excellent football and first class finishing.

Ryan opened the scoring capitalising on a defensive error by the Raunds Tigers defenders. He then added another with a cool finish to put Wellingborough 2 nil up.

Mat scored his first for the club with a well taken goal after some great skill from Alex, to make it 3-nil. After going 3 nil up Wellingborough seemed to go to sleep for a few moments, as if the job had been done and this allowed Raunds to produce a couple of chances. If Daniel in goal had not been alert the score line may have been very different. He pulled of 2 very good saves to keep Wellingborough in the match.
The 2nd save in particular was top draw.

Wellingborough then went back to playing football with plenty of passing and running off the ball, closing the opposition down quickly and created further chances to increase their lead, which they did through Alex with an excellent taken goal.

Adam was again instrumental in most of the things Wellingborough produced. With half time rapidly approaching there was just a enough time for Ryan to complete his hat trick with yet another cool finish to make it 5-nil.

The second half started with Wellingborough Town again creating chance after chance with Malvin showing some excellent touches , but the Raunds defence held firm until up popped Drew to score with a fine shot on goal after great work by Reece to make it 6-nil.

Elliot did well in defence breaking up a number of Raunds attacks with some well timed tackles, but Raunds could not find a way through.

The boys did very well and in places played some beautiful football which was a joy to watch, but have to learn to concentrate for the full match and not allow the opposition the chances that they allowed Raunds Tigers to create or it could be a very different story.

Sunday 21/10/2007
Wellingborough Town 4 - 0 Irchester Romans

With Wellingborough Town dominating from the start it looked like it was going to be one of those days where Wellingborough did everything apart from score, until up popped Drew to score his first for the club with a cool finish after some fine work by Mat down the left wing.

Not being to critical, but Irchester should have been dead and buried long before Wellingborough took the lead, with chance after chance going begging.

Wellingborough were dominate in every department with Jacob in goal having very little to do as Irchester offered very little in the way of an attacking force. When they did get through he was more than a match. Thomas had a no nonsense approach to his defending with some well timed challenges and at times was able to venture forward.

Reece increased Wellingborough’s lead before halftime with a well taken goal, with Malvin setting him up after some great skill. Half time 2 nil. Wellingborough played some very nice football in the second half with man of the match Adam instrumental in everything that Wellingborough produced.

Elliot won most things in the midfield with some strong tackling. Drew and Alex worked very hard and produced some mazy runs when Wellingborough attacked.

Wellingborough Town increased there lead with two fine goals from Ryan the second coming from a lovely through ball by Adam. It was great to see some lovely passing from Wellingborough and plenty of movement off the ball, but with the chances they created Wellingborough should have scored more goals.

It was great to have kept a clean sheet and it was really pleasing to see a team passing the ball about.

Well done boys.

Sunday 14/10/2007
Higham Colts 6-0 Wellingborough Town

For the first 10 minutes of the match Wellingborough Town more than held their own and went close to opening the scoring, but in the space of 3 short minutes found themselves 4 nil down.

We could well learn from them how to make your chances count and take every chance. When Higham went on to score the fifth before halftime, damage limitation was at the foremost of my mind, but to be fair to the boys they stuck to the game plan that has served us well this season.

Halftime came and a few changes were made and that gave us a much more physical presence and the team played much better in the second half.

Unfortunately Higham did increase their lead further, but a lot of pluses came out of this match and I for one was not disappointed with the final result.

The boys should feel proud that they continued to play football the way it should be played and on another day the result will go in our favour.

Sunday 07/10/2007
Wellingborough Town 3-1 Great Doddington

MOTM: Adam

Today Wellingborough Town not only showed they could play football but showed a side that perhaps has been missing in previous matches, a more physical approach.

With the ref doing well to keep up with some of the lets say unsavoury tackles from both sides, Wellingborough took a deserved lead through Ryan after some brilliant skill from Elliot who’s shot from outside the box hit the post and rolled along the line and Ryan bundled over the line.

They then went further ahead through Ryan with a cool finish to make it 2 nil at the break. Drew did very well starting his first game for the club with some nice touches; Thomas dealt with everything that Doddington could throw at Wellingborough and what he didn’t Jacob in goal did.

In the second half Doddington pulled 1 goal back but Wellingborough stamped some authority on the game with some in places brilliant football. They worked the wings well with Alex again playing well and getting involved in everything that Wellingborough did.

The very tired Eliot was replaced by Malvin and the man of the match Adam moved out wide and continued to produce some very good football. Drew was replaced by Daniel who went in goal and he made some very good saves.

This enabled Mr versatile Jacob to move into the centre of midfield, and it was he who finished off Doddington with a great goal from a peach of a corner from Adam. Jacob volleyed the corner into the back of the net past the static goal keeper to put Wellingborough 3-1 up.

Wellingborough continued to play attractive football and went close on a few more occasions and perhaps should have increased their lead But in the end it was a great result for Wellingborough.

Sunday 16/9/2007
Wellingborough Town 3-1 Grammarians Youth Claret

This match had everything that are vital ingredients to football, goals, skill, passion, controversy, commitment and entertainment.

Wellingborough Town started very well and looked the better side in all departments with Adam running the show with a very classy and skilful performance in the centre of midfield. They took the lead with a fantastic goal from Alex who cut in from the right and unleashed an unstoppable shot in to the far corner. The build up was equally as great, the ball was played out of defence, to Mat who took on his marker beat him and played a perfectly weighted pass for Alex to do the rest.

The second half started with Wellingborough increasing their lead further with a well taken goal from Reece. This sparked Grammarians into life and they pulled a goal back to make it 2-1.

Now for the controversy, from a corner Grammarians looked to have leveled things but Jacob pulled off a great save but Grammarians thought the ball had crossed the line and the referee suffered the wrath and howls of discontent from the Grammarians faithful.

Wellingborough then put the game beyond doubt as they increased their lead through an own goal after a clever corner from Adam Wellingborough in places played some very good football with Man of the Match Thomas having probably his best game for the club in defence.

Jacob solid in goal. Adam and Elliot, playing very well in midfield .the two wide men of Mat and Alex having particular good games and big contributions from Reece, Drew, Kieran, and Ryan, making this performance possible the best I have seen from the team.

Well Done Boys and long may it continue.

Sunday 16/9/2007
Grammarians 3-2 Wellingborough Town

Wellingborough Town went ahead after a penalty was expertly converted by Ryan, and thoroughly deserved their lead as they had dominated the majority of the first half.

Wellingborough Town limited Grammarians to long grange shots which Thomas in defence and Daniel in goal dealt with until right on half time when Grammarians scored. This seemed to spur on Grammarians who scored a further 2 goals after half time.

Wellingborough with their new formation played some nice football in places with Adam and Man of the Match Alex doing well on both wings.

Jacob and Elliot played well in the centre of midfield, and Kieran and Mat played their part in what most people considered to be a very good game of football.

Wellingborough did pull 1 back late on through Reece scoring his first for the club, bur Grammarians held firm to secure the win.

Sunday 9/9/2007
Wellingborough Town 0-0 Finedon Vics

A very close encounter with both sides going close to breaking the deadlock.

Daniel making his debut for the club in goal made some fine saves to keep the scores level. The defence expertly marshaled by Thomas was hard to break down.

Kieran made some vital tackles in places. The midfield played very well with Elliot strong in the tackle,

Mat who was also making his debut for the club made some fantastic runs and nearly scored.

Adam also went close on a few occasions as did Ryan up front. Drew, Josh and Reece also played their part in a very good performance.

Well done boys.