Wolverhampton Sporting Community were the visitors for Paget’s fourth league game of the season. Both teams went into this game off the back of a defeat in their last matches and the two outfits were hungry to put right their last outing.
Coming into the Paget team for their competitive starts were Ryan Tait, David Anani and Josh Brown with manager Steve Walker making five changes from the Ashby Ivanhoe defeat, bringing in the returning Connor Johnstone and Ryan Butler into the midfield.
The game kicked off and within the first 90 seconds Tim Oyanda delivered the ball into the box for opposite flankman Josh Brown put wide from six yards out.
On 5 minutes Sporting’s Kieran Francis blazed a shot wide after been given freedom in the Paget penalty area.
The away side opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Tabari Maxwell had space on the edge of the box to open up his body and strike home past a helpless Ben Ntiri to make it 1-0 to the Wolves.
Paget reacted positively, creating a host of chances. Debutant Ryan Tait had a 35-yard free kick sting the hands of Wolverhampton Sporting Community ‘keeper Connor Hopkins. Ryan Butler blasted a shot at the legs of Hopkins moments later, before the Sporting custodian made an impressive double save, denying Brown and Tait in quick succession. The Bears played some impressive football, when on 36 minutes an attack started from goalkeeper Ntiri, with six passes played through the team before Rivel Mardenborough hit a shot at the big frame of Hopkins who parried it away.
Khenan Barrett stretched Ntiri, before the Paget shot-stopped then miskicked the ball just before half time when playing out from the back, but the danger was cleared, with David Anani running up the other end to force a save out of Hopkins.
Connor Johnstone had a free kick 30-yards out on the touchline which Connor Hopkins sprung into the top corner to tip wide as referee Ashley Devenport blew the whistle for half time.
Paget were forced into a half time change, with Cameron Day coming off due to injury to be replaced by Dom Ellington.
Again Paget were lively, coming out of the dressing room very energetically, with Oyanda missing a volley from close range. Tait waltzed through the Sporting defence but struck at Hopkins. Oyanda unpicked the Wolves back three and stretched Hopkins once again, before Wolves midfielder Ronnie Edwards shot a free kick into the hands of Ntiri.
Stand in Rangers captain Ryan Butler had a 25-yard effort fumbled wide by Hopkins, before Paget troubled Sporting with three corners, both ended with Ellington heading the ball wide.
On 73 minutes Paget manager Steve Walker brought on new signing Jarrell Hylton and Leslie Omoridion for fresh legs in a bid to spark a late surge for a goal to salvage something from the game. Omoridion missed a header and Oyanda volleyed over from the edge of the area, but the game finished 1-0 to the Great Wyrley based side.
Paget played some fantastic football on the day and created a host of chances but credit to Francino Francis’ side who were well organised, managed the game well and had an in form goalkeeper.
Onwards and upwards for Paget, who can take plenty of positives from this game and face bottom of the league Khalsa Football Federation in their next game on Tuesday 24th August at Tividale FC, 7.45pm kick off.
Paget Team: Ben Ntiri, David Anani, Adil Mohammed, Cameron Day (Dom Ellington 45′), Jamie Hyland, Ryan Tait, Ryan Butler (C), Connor Johnstone, Tim Oyanda, Josh Brown (Leslie Omoridion 73′), Rivel Mardenborough (Jarrell Hylton 73′).
Subs Not Used: Dylan Mandaracas, Louie Newbold.