WELLINGTON Association Football Club Wanderers Under 11s welcomed Victoria Park Rangers to Court Fields and the 3G pitch for a tightly contested match that showcased real progress from the home side. From the first whistle, Wanderers demonstrated a much-improved performance compared to the previous week, with better team shape and more composed passing that helped them retain possession effectively.

Their efforts were rewarded when Jack Pitts rose to the occasion, converting a well-delivered corner to score his first goal for the club — an exciting moment for the young midfielder and a deserved lead for the team. Throughout the match, every player contributed positively, showing increased confidence and teamwork. While there are still areas for development, the signs of growth were clear.

The defensive unit, marshalled with determination, worked tirelessly to keep Victoria Park Rangers at bay for long periods, with strong tackles and brave blocks ensuring Wanderers stayed competitive. In midfield, the players showed greater composure on the ball, linking up well to create scoring chances, while the attacking line pressed intelligently, forcing mistakes and putting the opposition under pressure. The energy, organisation, and commitment across the pitch highlighted the team’s progress in a short space of time.

The final five minutes proved decisive. VPR capitalised on tired legs and defensive gaps to score two late goals, turning the game in their favour and securing a narrow win. Despite the result, the Wanderers can take pride in their performance, which reflected discipline, effort, and clear improvement.

This was a strong showing from a developing side, and the coaches will be encouraged by the progress. A special thank you to Roadchef, the side’s shirt sponsor, and R&M Motor, the ball sponsor, for their continued support of youth football.

John Norman