Mitchell brace helps Whaddon cruise past Staunton on final day
Whaddon United closed out the season in style with a dominant 5–0 win over Staunton & Corse, capped by four second-half goals, writes Alfie Richmond.
On Saturday afternoon, Whaddon hosted Staunton & Corse in their final game of the season. With Tewkesbury already crowned champions, the match still held significance for the hosts, who were aiming to cap off their campaign with an impressive 79 points out of a possible 90.
Staunton came into the game only two points clear of the relegation zone, relying on slip-ups from rival teams to help secure their survival.
Just five minutes in, Greg Chamberlayne had the first chance of the game after Kieran Meek played a pass in behind the Whaddon defence. With plenty of time to pick his spot, the forward failed to convert, sending a poor finish wide.
With 12 minutes on the clock, Tyler White sent in a wicked corner for the hosts, finding the head of Tommy Callinan – who couldn’t divert his effort goalwards.
The breakthrough came in the 24th minute, when the hosts opened the scoring through Jordan Mitchell. It was White’s ball over the top that bounced in favour of Mitchell, who took his chance well by looping it over the keeper.
6 minutes remained of the first half when Burt Burrows unleashed a curling effort from outside the box that rattled the bar.
Moments later, Mitchell produced a touch of magic to get away from two defenders and deliver a cross into the box – one the referee judged to have struck a hand. Whaddon were awarded a penalty, but Staunton goalkeeper Tom Prosser came up big, denying Callinan and keeping the score at 1-0.
Just before the half-time whistle, Brett Blake let fly from range. His effort took a deflection, but Prosser managed to tip it onto the bar. Somehow, despite the pressure, Whaddon went into the break leading by just one.
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The home side started the second half the way they ended the first, and just two minutes in, they found their second. The ball fell invitingly for Ryan Vincent after a cross into Staunton’s box wasn’t defended, and he volleyed in from six yards.
Minutes later, after a goalmouth scramble, Blake got in on the action and made it 3-0. After his initial effort was blocked on the line, the ball fell fortunately back to him, and he tapped home from close range.
Mitchell was denied his second of the game in the 54th minute when a long ball over the visitors’ defence wasn’t dealt with – his attempted flick around Prosser trailed just wide.
Shortly after, Toby Summers had a decent chance to pull one back for Staunton, but his effort from range curled the wrong side of the post.
Mitchell eventually netted his second of the game with 20 minutes to go, making it 4-0 to the home side. The ball was pumped forward to Vincent, who intelligently helped it on to Mitchell – and he finished it comfortably.
Substitute Elliott Sheerin was denied moments later when he had an effort blocked off the line – the pressure from the home team was relentless.
Eight minutes remained when Sheerin eventually made it five. Mitchell did brilliantly to win the ball back in midfield and combined with Jesse James to tee up the goalscorer, who fired into the corner.
The referee’s whistle blew, bringing the season to a close for both sides. For Staunton, their fate now hangs in the balance, with survival dependent on other results in the coming weeks. Whaddon, meanwhile, will take plenty of confidence into next season as they set their sights on promotion.
Whaddon United: Mitten ©; Callinan, Hallam, Barrowcliffe, White, Burrows, Payton, Blake, Vincent, Payton J., Mitchell
Subs: Sheerin (71’), Pockett (67’), James (54’), Bedford
Staunton & Corse: Prosser; Szewczuk, Crabbe, Ryder, Shelton, Sharpe, Tillott, Petit ©, Chamberlayne, Meek, Summers.
Subs: Vaughan (77’), Jones, Wilcox (54’), Thomson
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Jordan MItchell (Whaddon United)
NOMINATE: Submit your nominations for the Severn Sport End of Season Awards 2025 HERE
READ MORE: Check out the list of results in and around Gloucestershire this Saturday right here
