COMMERCIAL 1

WHEATLEY 2

WHEATLEY continued their fine start to the season notching their eighth win in nine games.

On a big pitch Wheatley tried to make use of the flanks and midfielders Murray, Lord, Haw and Wintersgill dominated the opening 30 minutes and created a number of half chances for Tony Hartley and Nick Beanland.

Murray went closest when he lifted his shot over the 'keeper only to see it hit the bar.

The home team came back into the game towards half-time but much of their shooting was wayward and 'keeper Sheard was never really tested. Credit for this must go to the backline of Fendyke, Powell, Nick Hartley and Moore.

The second-half saw Wheatley step up a gear as the surging runs of Powell and Nick Hartley complimented by Murray's intelligent passing created chance after chance.

The deadlock was finally broken when Lord met a partially cleared corner with a fierce volley which flew into the net via the ankle of Beanland.

Now firmly in the ascendency and with the veteran James Dale making a welcome return in a new role at left-back Wheatley made it two as Nick Hartley cut through the heart of the defence and blasted in a shot which wrongfooted the 'keeper.

Complacency then crept in and Commercial pulled a goal back with five minutes remaining. It was a little too late and Wheatley claimed the three points although again it was not a wholly convincing performance.

Tim Fendyke's performance at centre-half was superb and he richly deserved match point.

l On Sunday the Wheatley entertain Premier League side Olicanians in the quarter-finals of the Wharfedale FA Sunday Cup. (kick-off 11 am).

Wheatley 4

Drop Inn 1

This victory which was not as well-deserved as the scoreline suggested. Roberts made much of the early running in his usual combatative style as the Wheatley started strongly. On ten minutes Tony Hartley's startling run took him past three defenders before laying the ball on for Nick Beanland, whose low shot beat the 'keeper from the edge of the area.

A spirited Drop team equalised on 20 minutes. Richard Lord gave away possession and Drop drilled the ball past Dobson.

Andy Murray, Nikck Beanland and Damion Smithson took it to 4-1.

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