The 2024-2025 League Season got underway with The Arthur Boswell Cup, being played between Wormingford Newtown and Iceni Wanderers at Holland FC. Wormingford Newtown had won both Premier Division and The Hewitt Memorial League Cup in the 2023-2024 season and following Old Saints United being unable to raise a side, Iceni Wanderers stepped up to play them in this fixture.
Whilst it was Iceni Wanderers who got the fixture underway, Wormingford Newtown took no time in trying to assert their dominance on the game, with some over enthusiasm to get an early goal resulting in an injury for Iceni Wanderers ‘keeper in the 2nd minute, however he was ok to carry on.
In the 6th minute Wormingford Newtown were adamant that a pass back had been committed by Iceni Wanderers, however the Referee waved away these appeals and less than a minute later, Wormingford Newtown unleashed their first shot of note through Lewis Blanchett from distance, but the ball sailed wide of the goal. The pressure continued with Wormingford Newtown having a series of corners in the 14th minute one of these corners delivered by Jack Stoneman was met with a header which forced a good save from the ‘keeper, however Lewis Blanchett was there to tap home and give Wormingford Newtown the lead.
Iceni Wanderers 0-1 Wormingford Newtown
Wormingford Newtown continued to press after taking the lead with a great ball from the right being played in to the area by Harry Willoughby which saw Keiron Baker unable to connect but not be deterred, on the next attack an intelligent dummy from Jack Stoneman from a ball forward saw the ball reach Kieron Baker in the box, who slotted home with ease.
Iceni Wanderers 0-2 Wormingford Newtown
Wormingford Newtown continued to bring the pressure, with Harry Willoughby played in down the right and making his way to goal but fora great last-ditch tackle from Tom Tayler which was followed by a quick throw down the right again to Harry Willoughby who this time did get his shot away, but it went wide of the goal.
In the 23rd Minute, Iceni Wanderers had their first chance of note, with Stuart Thomson played through 1 on 1 with the ‘keeper, however his shot was straight at him and Zac Harris was unable to connect with the rebound, allowing Wormingford Newtown to clear.
Wormingford Newtown were next to go on the attack and as the ball made its way into the area, Jack Stoneman backheeled the ball which found an unmarked Rocha Fosker who finished high into the net.
Iceni Wanderers 0-3 Wormingford Newtown
With Iceni Wanderers losing the ball from the re-start, Wormingford Newtown mounted another attack which saw Lewis Blanchett find space down the left-hand side, and he opted to shoot when the cut back to a teammate was probably the better option, with the ball going wide of the goal.
Iceni Wanderers responded to this by mounting an attack of their own and as the ball went out to the left-hand-side, a great cross found an unmarked Niall Windred at the back post to head home and reduce the deficit.
Iceni Wanderers 1-3 Wormingford Newtown
Whilst Iceni Wanderers would have looked to use this as a springboard to getting back in to the game, Wormingford Newtown responded by putting the pressure on again, with Jake Vaughan delivering a cross in to the area which Kieron Baker looked poised to tap home, but for a last ditch tackle from Adam Parker to prevent this, closely followed by a ball in to the box finding Craig Minter who was unable to finish as the ‘keeper closed him down.
The next attack saw the ball played down the right to Jake Vaughan who had time to pick a pass across goal where Rocha Fosker was unmarked and able to finish with ease.
Iceni Wanderers 1-4 Wormingford Newtown
Wormingford Newtown had further chances as the half ended but were unable to extend their lead further, with a deep cross from Lewis Blanchett finding Harry Willoughby who could only put wide and a quick free kick being played to Willoughby again who unleashed a shot from distance, which also went wide.
Half Time: Iceni Wanderers 1-4 Wormingford Newtown
The second half started how the first had ended, with Wormingford Newtown attacking and the first attack saw Reece Keating try his luck from distance but was unable to hit the target. This was followed by some delightful footwork from Lewis Blanchett on the left-hand side however despite making it into the box, he was unable to get a shot away.
Iceni Wanderers were the next to attack with Joel Smith playing a defence splitting pass for Zac Harris to run on to, however the ‘keeper was quick off his line to get there and clear. The next attack from Wormingford Newtown in the 53rd minute would prove fruitful with a ball played in to the box and brought down by Kieron Baker, who laid off to Harry Willoughby to finish.
Iceni Wanderers 1-5 Wormingford Newtown
Wormingford Newtown wasted no time in getting forward again, as in the 56th minute Jack Stoneman took on a shot from distance which forced a good low save from the ‘keeper, and in the 58th minute Harry Willoughby picked up a loose ball and played it to the waiting Jake Vaughan on the right-hand side who delivered a low ball into the box which was met by Kieron Baker to tap home.
Iceni Wanderers 1-6 Wormingford Newtown
Despite Iceni Wanderers’ effort, Wormingford Newtown continued to win the ball back and looked to extend their lead at every opportunity,was saw a quick counter attack go wide to Lewis Blanchett however he was unable to keep his cross down which evaded those waiting in the area and then the same player created room for himself in the box to get a shot away but could only shoot wide.
This was only a reprieve however as shortly after in the 66th minute Wormingford Newtown were awarded a penalty, which Rocha Fosker stepped up and scored to extend the lead and complete his hat-trick.
Iceni Wanderers 1-7 Wormingford Newtown
Once again from the re-start, Wormingford Newtown regained possession and created an opportunity with Dom Walmsley playing in Reece Keating, however he dragged his shot wide and followed this up with another well worked attack, as Harry Willoughby dummied the ball to Jack Stoneman who played it wide to Lewis Blanchett to shoot, but his shot found the bottom of the post and was cleared.
Next to go close was Jake Vaughan as the footwork from Lewis Blanchett released him in the box, but he too could only shoot wide. The next attack from Wormingford Newtown came in the 78th minute as Lewis Blanchett picked out a deep cross which was followed to the back post by Harry Allison who was able to tap home. Iceni Wanderers 1-8 Wormingford Newtown
The final chance of the game also fell to Wormingford Newtown as Dan Renton saw a shot saved and the rebound was also saved well by the ‘keeper who would have been pleased with his reactions.
Despite the efforts of Iceni Wanderers, the attacking quality on show from Wormingford Newtown had done the damage as the game headed towards full time.
Full Time: Iceni Wanderers 1-8 Wormingford Newtown
Iceni Wanderers : Kieran Kadlec, Joshua Oakley, Tom Tayler, Niall Windred, Zac Harris, Stuart Thomson, Ben MacLean, Tom Poole, Stuart Oakley, Joel Smith, Adam Parker. Subs : Owen Goodrich, Leonardo Lord, Pedro Gimbe, Gavin Preston
Wormingford Newtown : Matt Grove, Jake Vaughan, Callum Hunt, Craig Minter, Conrad Baker, Reece Keating, Rocha Fosker, Jack Stoneman, Kieron Baker, Harry Willoughby, Lewis Blanchett. Subs : Dom Walmsley, Milo Grimes, Harry Allison, Jake Hearn, Dan Renton
Match report and photos courtesy of League Sec. Aaron Finch.
The League was delighted to be joined by the family of Arthur Boswell, who selected and presented the trophy to man of the match hat-trick hero Rocha Fosker of Wormingford Newtown and presented the runners-up trophy to Iceni Wanderers, as well as the winner’s trophy to Wormingford Newtown.
The League would like to extend its thanks to the Boswell Family for their attendance and generous donation to a charity of winners Wormingford Newtown’s choice, and to Holland FC once again for hosting the League.
