Athletic Edged Out by Hadley Wood and Wingate

Mark Carter’s side were full of confidence after two consecutive victories, but found themselves unable to claim another scalp on Saturday. Travelling to Hadley, Athletic were on a small run, but another set back has hampered them on their way to improving on an eighth placed finish from last season.

The continuation of good play from the previous games was visible but Athletic were unfortunate to find themselves behind in the game. The first half may have gone differently for them had their final ball to the front men have been better but they instead went into half time behind and in need of change.

The side came out and were different straight away, the formation had changed for them and they were reinvigorated. They equalised from the link up between youth players Jamie Sylvester and Ben Acquaye once again, as the latter met Sylvester’s inch perfect ball to slot home. On the front for long periods after that, they were just unable to take the lead. Forward players, Sylvester, Acquaye, and Sid Hawkins all went close but couldn't find the net.

They were again, unfortunate to go behind as Lewis Dench was caught out from a long range effort and after that they struggled to score, despite creating opportunities. Efforts brought out the best from the Hadley keeper and also rattling the bar on one occasion but just unable to covert.

The defeat leaves them on the same points total as their opponents and a point behind rivals Winslow, and on eleventh place. Things do look optimistic for Carter however, “we are missing key players through injury such as Robbie Carter, Jack and Josh Menday, and Neil King, and when everyone is fit it is looking good.”

Mark Carter was upbeat despite defeat