Sarries Unbeaten Run Ends at the Hands of Wantage Town
Cheltenham Saracens were beaten by 2nd place Wantage Town after two first half goals on Saturday afternoon, ending their unbeaten run, writes Alfie Richmond.
After cruising past Wellington on Tuesday night to secure a fifth consecutive league win, high-flying Saracens faced a tough test against a Wantage side who had all but confirmed a play-off spot prior to kick-off. Sarries were closing in on the same feat, but with seven games remaining, a clash against The Freds was no easy task — the visitors were also in red-hot form, having won four of their last five.
It didn’t take long for proceedings to open. The visitors took an early lead with virtually the first chance of the game, with Harri Dawson rising highest to head home an in-swinging corner from Samuel Barder just five minutes in.
Shouts for a Sarries penalty were waved away 15 minutes later when Tom Hoskins went down in a crowded penalty area following a corner, with the hosts looking for a way back into the game.
Wantage had failed to threaten since their opener, but remained resilient at the back — limiting Saracens to very little chances.
The game looked to have come to a standstill, before the referee awarded a penalty to the away side on 36 minutes, much to the confusion of Sarries. After initially catching the ball from a long throw-in, Harvey Need was adjudged to have elbowed Tyron Lee, who hit the deck.
After a lengthy discussion with his official, the referee brandished Need a yellow card and awarded Wantage a penalty, despite their claims for a dismissal.
Callum Crook stepped up and slotted home to give The Freds a two-goal lead.
Saracens looked to respond before half-time, and Josh Aldridge’s free-kick from range forced a good stop from Wantage keeper Thomas Rees with five minutes of the half remaining.
Sarries trailed by two at the break, needing to up the anti if they wanted anything out of the game.
With the hosts pushing for a way back into the match, the game had opened up, leaving space for Wantage in-behind — with Frederick Mattock spooning an effort wide on 62 minutes.
Jordan Adeji looked clean through to pull one back for the home side three minutes later, but his feeble strike was a huge chance wasted.
Jack Hughes almost made an instant impact after coming off the bench on 70 minutes, heading over the bar from Leroy Odiero’s cross — with the hosts continuing to find a way back into the game.
Need got down well to deny Wantage a third from Luke Whelan’s effort late on, but despite their best efforts, Sarries were held by a resilient and disciplined Wantage side who went on to take all three points.
The run-in comes thick and fast for Saracens, who travel to Redditch Borough on Tuesday night before another trip to Alcester Town on Saturday. Meanwhile, Wantage have a two-week break before an Easter weekend double-header — hosting Shortwood United on Saturday before travelling to Carterton on Monday, the first of their final four games.
Cheltenham Saracens: Need; Mattock, Richards, Alder, Hoskins, Odiero, James ©, Aldridge, Bond, Dark, Adeji.
Subs: Rose (81’), Sabally (70’), Cund (81’), Hitchman, Hughes (70’).
Wantage Town: Rees ©; Dawson, Jones, Cheetham, Alexander, Griffiths, Morlock, Barder, Crook, Robertson, Lee.
Subs: Miller (65’), Mazzotta (75’), Whelan (65’), Tuttle (87’), Davis (79’).
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Leroy Odiero (Cheltenham Saracens)
READ MORE: Check out the list of Saturday’s results in and around Gloucestershire right here
