WIFC Veterans were celebrating at the weekend, as they won the Amsterdam Veterans 6-a-side tournament and ended a 3 year wait for silverware for the Internet ‘Orns. With a strong Veterans squad led by Pete Fincham and augmented by a few under age additions, WIFC finished the round robin phase of the tournament in 2^nd place on goal difference, after convincing wins against Leeds Lards (7-2), Leeds Council (7-0) and a hard fought 2-1 victory over Kingstonian.

An early defeat to Plymouth Argyle had earlier threatened to prevent the teams progression, but the Green Army failed to win their final group game by 4 goals, meaning a re-match with Kingstonian awaited. In a tough, competitive game, a solitary goal from Rob Sterry settled the match as once again, ‘keeper Darren Sear and defensive stalwart Adrian Spender kept a composed back line, shutting out whatever Kingstonian could throw at them.

Top scorer Rob Sterry shows off the latest addition to the WIFC trophy cabinet

Sear went on to receive the ‘keeper of the tournament award, as well as notching the individual player of the tournament award from the WIFC team itself in what was a truly outstanding set of performances. Leading scorer was Rob Sterry with 6, while brother Ed and Craig Harrison finally notched their 1^st goals for the club in the wins over Leeds Lards and Leeds Council respectively, the latter a full 16 years after his debut back in 1997.

With the WIFC regular side preparing to face Stevenage in the London Cup Final on Saturday, and a certain play-off final at Wembley on the horizon for the big boys,  the Internet ‘Orns will be hoping to celebrate a Watford flavoured sliverware treble come Monday evening.

A fine hat-trick from Andy Myall was the highlight of the day for WIFC, as they secured a third successive win and a first victory against Peterborough with a 5-2 win at the Bushfield Leisure centre on Saturday. With a patched-up squad of just 13, WIFC knew they would have to work hard on a long, wide 4G pitch, and they did just that to propel themselves into the IFA league top ten for the first time since 2009.

The visitors got off to a bright start, with Joel Moody and debutant Liam McGarry linking well. And it was the new name on the teamsheet who opened the scoring when he left a defender for dead and finished expertly. Moody was to the fore when WIFC added a second soon after, as his run and cross was touched on by McGarry into Myall’s path, and his fierce low strike opened his account for the day.

The home side started to exert some pressure but WIFC’s defence, which included veteran left-back Paul Labbett in his first IFA league game since 2003 and a new centre half partnership between Ally Hill and Stuart Holdham, held firm. With Moody and McGarry looking lively on the break, WIFC always looked dangerous, but it was Richard Murphy who provided the next goal when he was felled inside the area. Richard Walker stepped up to atone for his IFA Cup shootout miss against Millwall with a confident penalty, his first WIFC goal since a 2004 strike at Crewe.

The second half would be more hard work for the visitors as manager Chris Davis continued to rotate his two subs, but WIFC were able to extend the lead to 4 when another Moody run took him into a goalscoring position, but last season’s leading scorer and player of the season unselfishly passed to the even better placed Myall, who finished calmly.

The home side finally got on the scoresheet midway through the second half, but with space opening up all across the pitch, Moody broke past his full back once more and his low cross was converted by Myall for a well deserved hat-trick to crown his man of the match display. There was still time for the home side to score from the spot after a foul by the otherwise excellent Hill.

Team.
Jeremy Hinds; Dave Morren, Ally Hill, Stuart Holdham, Paul Labbett; Richard Murphy, Rob Stone, Richard Walker, Andy Myall; Joel Moody; Liam McGarry. Subs Bernard Bradshaw, Dave Messenger.

A hat-trick from Stuart Nicholls (later downgraded to a brace in the bar for no good reason..) on his 50th WIFC appearance set up a 6-5 Herts derby win againt Barnet at Met Police yesterday.

The visitors had raced into a 2-0 lead when Nicholls was introduced as a first half sub and from his first touch, a flicked header which sent Rob Sterry scampering down the wing, the Internet ‘Orns pulled one back as Richard Murphy converted Sterry’s low cross.

Barnet came straight back in a see-saw encounter and restored their two goal cushion, but WIFC were able to reduce the arrears again when Nicholls finished a fine team move with a smart finish from Murphy’s pull-back.

The second half saw WIFC start in the ascendancy and it was Nicholls again, heading home a Mark Brennan cross, to double his tally and bring the home side level. Minutes later, WIFC took the lead for the first time when Paul Whittenbury’s free kick from halfway was sliced in by a visiting defender.

Not be outdone, Barnet took advantage of WIFC taking their foot off the pdeal and pulled themselves level, but from the kick-off the advantage was restored when Dave Soloway broke into the area and Nicholls smashed home the resulting cross, allowing WIFC to keep their noses in front.

Still the game wasn’t over, and Barnet pulled level again with a controversial penalty, but WIFC were not to be outdone and with minutes to play, Rob Sterry got between a visiting defender and the keeper, and lobbed home the winning goal.

Nicholls deservedly won the Man of the Match cow for his treble, while a good team effort after a sloppy first half hour meant that WIFC had recorded their tenth league win of the season for the first time since 2008/09.

Team
Tom Beck; Brad Simmons, Jamie Parkins, Mickey Eales, Matt Ainsley; Richard Murphy, Rob Stone, Dave Soloway, Joel Moody; Mark Brennan, Rob Sterry. Subs Stuart Nicholls, James Jenkins, Maurice Clarke, Paul Whittenbury and Andy Myall.

Ten months on from losing the London Cup Final on penalties, WIFC again experienced shoot-out heartache in the second round of the IFA Cup against Millwall last weekend. After a cracking cup-tie, it was probably the only way to settle the tie, but with an all-time record which only includes 3 wins out of 9 shootouts WIFC can be forgiven for ruing another dramatic loss.

That said, after a first half dominated by the visitors from South London, WIFC would have taken the lottery of penalties had it been offered. The Lions raced into the lead midway through the first half, and added a second just before the break. However, a tactical switch from home manager Chris Davis brought the side back to life, as it did when 0-2 down to West Ham in that final last April.

Debutant centre half Mickey Eales reduced the arrears when he blasted home the rebound from a spilled Andy Lewers shot, and WIFC got back on terms when the influential James Jenkins broke into the box and was felled by the visiting skipper. No complaints from the Lions, and no mistake from WIFC’s leading scorer Rob Sterry, as he dispatched his 8th on just 7 starts this season from the spot.

With both sides pushing for a late winner the whistle went and despite Dave Morren missing the first kick for the home side, Richard Walker kept WIFC alive by saving Millwall’s second after Moz Clarke had atoned for his London Cup miss with a cool finish. All square going into the fourth kicks after Rob Stone had scored WIFC’s third, Walker himself rapped the crossbar and the visitors took a lead into the 5th and final takers. Sterry coolly beat the Lions keeper for a second time, but Millwall’s last man held his nerve to send his side through.

Team. 4-4-2, R to L. Richard Walker; Jamie Parkins, Moz Clarke, Mickey Eales, Brad Simmons; Richard Murphy, James Jenkins, Rob Stone, Matt Ainsley, Martin Pollard, Rob Sterry. Subs Mark Brennan, Andy Lewers, Dave Morren. Not used Tom Beck, Andy Myall, Ed Sterry.

WIFC recorded their 6th win their last 7 outings at Parmiters School this Saturday, beating AFC Wimbledon A 2-1 and securing a London Cup Semi-Final berth in the process. Having beaten the same opponents in the last four in the previous campaign, WIFC will be happy to get a shot at emulating last season’s run to the final. While last season’s meeting resulted in a comfortable win for WIFC, this game was a far closer affair.

An attritional game, with chances at a premium and plenty of endeavor on both sides, left the outcome in doubt until the final stages. WIFC took the lead just before the break, when top scorer Rob Sterry connected with a deep Richard Murphy cross to give the home side a lead at the break. The visitors pressed in the second half, and following their equaliser they began to control the midfield battle. WIFC dug in and with the defence, led by Moz Clarke, Jamie Parkins and Richard Wenham, restricted the visitors chances despite their dominance.

WIFC retained a threat on the break, and won the game with the best move of the match. James Jenkins won a second ball in midfield, and beat a man before sending a great pass behind the full-back for Sterry to run onto. The pint-sized forward beat his man and sent a great low cross into the box where striker partner Dave Soloway met the ball with a perfect diving header to secure the win for the hosts.

The semi-final draw will be finalised between now and the end of December, with most of the remaining group games due to be played in the next two weeks.

Team. 4-4-2, R to L. Jez Hinds; Phil McBride, Moz Clarke, Richard Wenham, Stu Nicholls; Richard Muprhy, James Jenkins, Rob Stone, Panos Fellas; Rob Sterry, Dave Soloway. Subs Brad Simmons, Jamie Parkins, Andy Myall, Matt Ainsley, Joel Moody.

It’s the moment WIFC has been waiting for.. the long awaited nose-off between Rich Wenham and Dave Soloway will be taking place this Saturday at the Met Police, as the two long-serving club stalwarts go nose-to-nose and manage the Yellows and Reds in the annual game.

It’s a nose-off !!

Last year, Phil McBride led his Red Squirrels to a 4-3 victory against Matt Wells’ Yellow Badgers, so Soloway will be hoping to emulate that success as he takes on the reds, while Wenham will manage the yellows. The squads for this momentous challenge are below, and it’s good to see some old names coming out of retirement to join the fun, not least club record appearance maker Julian Carrera and exiled Swede Jerker Kjellander is also over for the game.

YELLOWS – Manager Richard Wenham

Richard Walker, Brad Simmons, Jerker Kjellander, Warren Bolton (mate of CD) Julian Carrera, Matt Ainsley, Moz Clarke, Stu Nicholls, Joel Moody, Rich Murphy, Rich Wenham plus two mates of Warren Bolton

REDS – Manager Dave Soloway

Jez Hinds, Ed Sterry, Richard Messenger, Alan McTavish, Paul Labbett, Mat Ball, Jamie Parkins, Andy Lewers, James Jenkins, Rob Stone, Paul Whittenbury, Dave Soloway, Alex Prentice, Dave Messenger.

If any further players are available, please let Chris Davis know and he’ll add them to the squads.

WIFC recorded a 4-1 win against Northampton at the weekend, to make it five wins in a row since the middle of September. The run is the best the club has had since early 2008, and has propelled WIFC back into the top ten in the IFA league for the first time since 2009.

Keeper Richard Walker organises the back four to defend a Cobblers corner

WIFC were made to work hard for the win by a decent, hard-working Cobblers side, who embodied the spirit in which IFA games are played. After a patchy start to the game, both sides started to knock the ball about and it was the home side who struck first when Dave Soloway chased a lost cause on the goal-line. While his pull back intended for Ben Clarke was blocked, the ball fell nicely for the recently married Soloway, who finished smartly for his first goal of the season.

Richard Murphy prepares to challenge for a high ball, watched by James Jenkins.

Just as last week at Chorley, the goal put a spring in the step of the Internet ‘Orns, who went on to dominate the rest of the first half. The lead was doubled when Andy Lewers sprinted clear of the visiting full-back and his firmly struck, low cross was diverted in for an own goal. It was soon three as skipper Joel Moody, revelling in space on the left flank having started the game up front, picked up the ball, cut in and smashed his second of the season from the edge of the box.

Andy Lewers (far left of pic) and Brad Simmons (far right) formed a youthful right flank for WIFC

The second half saw the visitors re-group and work hard to stifle the home side. Lewers, Moody and Richard Murphy sent in a number of decent crosses, and man of the match Brad Simmons overlapped well, but the visitors held firm until the 60th minute, when Alex Prentice controlled the ball and finished neatly to become the 18th different goalscorer for WIFC this season.

Rich Murphy, working to fashion another crossing opportunity, watched by Moz Clarke

With further chances falling to Prentice and Matt Ainsley, WIFC could have extended their lead further, but it was the visitors who completed the scoring when their exuberant full-back got forward, grabbed a deserved consolation and earned a yellow card for a somewhat excitable celebration involving his shirt and the corner flag.

Matt Ainsley (far left)n gets a shot away, watched by Dan Willis

Team. 4-4-2, R to L. Richard Walker; Brad Simmons, Stu Nicholls, Maurice Clarke, Matt Wells; Richard Murphy, James Jenkins, Dave Soloway, Matt Ainsley; Joel Moody, Ben Clarke. Subs Andy Lewers, Phil McBride, Dan Willis, Alex Prentice.

Pics taken by Steve Todd

WIFC recorded their first ever win in Lancashire at the weekend, as Hornets legendary goalkeeper Tony Coton stopped in to inspire the Internet ‘Orns to a 5-4 win. The game was not as close as the scoreline might suggest, though WIFC did let a 4 goal lead slip as the home side mounted a valiant comeback in the closing stages of an action packed match at Astley Park in Chorley.

It was the home side who drew first blood on a bitterly cold morning in the North West, when Alex Snape made the most of a mix-up in the visitors defence to lob keeper Tom Beck. However, debutant Alan McTavish and Richard Walker got organised at the centre of the defence, allowing the visitors to begin to dominate proceedings and it was no surprise when Rob Stone equalised from close range on 10 minutes.

Having lost Martin Owen to injury, WIFC then took control with three quickfire strikes. Having already tested the keeper, debutant Richard Everitt gave the visitors the lead on 26 minutes after being teed up by Jez Hinds, starting a game up front for the second time this season. A minute later, Mark Brennan capped a fine run from the wing with a smart finish from the edge of the area, then Paul Norgate made it three in three minutes when he beat a man on the edge of the box and blasted home his first goal for the club.

WIFC pose with Hornets legend Tony Coton after the match

The second half continued with WIFC in the ascendancy, and the lead was extended to 5-1 on 49 minutes. Man of the match Stone’s pass set Hinds free and the stand-in striker finished with aplomb for a birthday weekend goal. However, the home side finally stepped up a gear as their younger legs came to the fore and just as WIFC started to look comfortable, a long range free-kick from Adam McCullagh brought Chorley back into the game.

Galvanised by the goal, the home side poured forward as the game became stretched. On 80 minutes they further reduced the arrears with a diving header from Sean Wood, and when McCullagh added his second in the last minute, WIFC nerves became somewhat stretched. Chorley tried to mount one last assault on the visitors goal, but there were no further scares as WIFC held on for a fourth win on the bounce.

Speaking after the game, Coton was quick to praise the WIFC players, most of whom had made early starts to be there. “I don’t think I could have got up that early” said Coton. “Fair play to all the lads, they just about held on and it was good to see a few goals”.

WIFC return to action this coming Saturday with a home game against Northampton at Met Police Sports Club in Aldenham Road, with a 10am kick off.

Team, 4-4-2, R to L. Tom Beck; Brad Simmons, Alan McTavish, Richard Walker, Phil McBride; Mark Brennan, Paul Norgate, Martin Owen, Rob Stone; Jeremy Hinds, Alex Prentice. Subs Richard Everitt, Chris Gilbert-Anderson and Chris Davis.