Wakefield Athletic unable to kick on after flying start in Landlords Trophy tie

It all looked so promising initially for the Wakefield team as they made an excellent start and took the lead after just four minutes.

Archie Chivers saw a fine effort parried by the visiting goalkeeper but midfielder Ryan Jones reacted quickest to the rebound and finished from close range to put the home side 1-0 ahead.

Neville Hill, strengthened by key first-team players whose Leeds Combination Association Sunday League fixture had been postponed due to adverse weather, gradually grew into the game.

Their equaliser arrived through late call-up striker Steve Hancock, who produced a superb finish from outside the area. The visitors then moved in front when Hancock struck again, heading home at the back post from an inviting cross to make it 2-1.

Athletic responded well and deservedly restored parity on 25 minutes as Luke Hughes laid off the ball for Jonas Nassau to score from the edge of the box.

Conditions remained difficult in the second half, but Neville Hill regained the lead when a long-range effort from Rikki Paige caught out Wakefield goalkeeper Connor Mellor, with the ball slipping through his hands to make it 3-2.

Moments later, the visitors extended their advantage following an unfortunate own goal by Nassau, although the strike was credited to Callum Burwell, leaving Neville Hill firmly in control.

Wakefield continued to battle and created opportunities through the hard work of Hughes, Lewis Billam and Nathan Smith but Neville Hill proved clinical in front of goal. Hancock went on to notch his hat-trick with another fine finish before Kieran Dunn added a sixth goal to put the match beyond any hope of a comeback and seal a comfortable passage into the next round.

The Smiths Window Cleaning Services man of the match award was shared by Hughes, Bryan Law and Tino Jesinawo.

Despite Storm Boelo threatening to steal the headlines with its blustery conditions and swirling winds, both Wakefield Athletic B and Ryhill FC deserve great credit for producing an entertaining and competitive Wakefield Sunday Championship One encounter.

Already depleted by the absence of four no show players due to the adverse weather, Wakefield's task became even more difficult when they suffered two injuries during the match. Nevertheless, they battled admirably before eventually succumbing to two second-half goals in a narrow 2-1 defeat.

With the wind playing a significant role, Wakefield adapted well in the early stages and produced some neat, quick-flowing football.

Their positive approach was rewarded in the 27th minute when Reece Bailey threaded a perfectly weighted through ball into the path of Jacob Laskowski. Demonstrating excellent pace, he burst clear before calmly slotting a low finish into the bottom-right corner to give the visitors a deserved 1-0 lead.

Athletic went into the break with their advantage intact, but their hopes of building on that lead after half-time were dented by two injuries, leaving them with no substitutes and forcing them into a determined rearguard action.

Ryhill gradually grew into the game and eventually found an equaliser through Bradley Williams after a moment of hesitation in the Wakefield defence allowed him the opportunity to punish the visitors and bring his side level.

The hosts continued to press, making effective use of the difficult conditions with a series of direct aerial deliveries into the danger area. Their pressure finally told with 17 minutes remaining when Conor Hardman found the net with what proved to be the decisive goal.

To their credit, Wakefield refused to surrender and pushed forward in search of a late equaliser. Despite applying sustained pressure and showing tremendous spirit in difficult circumstances, they were unable to find a way through a resilient Ryhill defence.

The BDM Engineering Services Ltd man of the match award was shared by Buba Dibga, Josh Hemingway and Henry Ripley.

Wakefield Athletic C produced a spirited performance but ultimately saw a two-goal half-time advantage slip away as they succumbed 4-2 to higher division Flockton Reserves in the second round of the Landlords Trophy.

With strong swirling winds affecting conditions it was one of the few fixtures to survive a weekend that saw nine matches called off in the Wakefield Sunday League. Those in attendance at the West Yorkshire Sports & Social Club were treated to an entertaining cup tie played in excellent spirit.

Wakefield started brightly and striker Algaily Mujtba hit the post before giving the hosts a deserved lead in the 13th minute, drilling a left-footed effort into the bottom corner.

Flockton gradually found their rhythm and rattled the Wakefield woodwork following a flowing move.

At the other end, a clever through ball from Chris Crawshaw released Mujtba, who again struck the post.

The game remained open and end-to-end, with Flockton hitting both the post and crossbar within a four-minute spell as Wakefield rode their luck. However, it was the hosts who struck again just before the interval.

Crawshaw's incisive pass sent Mujtba through on goal and despite strong appeals for offside from the visitors, the striker kept his composure to squeeze home from a narrow angle and double Athletic's advantage.

Playing into the wind after the restart, Wakefield faced sustained pressure and the turning point arrived after Flockton manager Ross Kinder introduced Spencer Moorhouse.

The substitution paid immediate dividends as Moorhouse was perfectly positioned to convert from close range and reduce the deficit.

Adam Fogg then headed home from a corner to bring Flockton level.

With the home side tiring in the closing stages, Flockton completed their comeback, goals from Darren Brickett and Jacob Taylor securing a 4-2 victory.

The Procrete man of the match award was awarded unanimously to Johnboy Burnside, whose outstanding display was a major positive for Wakefield Athletic C despite the cup exit.