Wakehurst snap losing run with superb win at PSNI

Manager Ian Gregg admitted that the victory was much-needed after a run of four straight defeats in Belfast Telegraph Championship Two.

“The omens weren’t particularly great as we were travelling, on the back of four straight defeats, to a venue where we had lost 7-2 last season, to play a team who had scored the most goals so far in the division!” said Gregg.

“But as I have consistently said, I believe we are the match of any team in this division in terms of ability - we lack confidence in ourselves at times.

“Obviously it’s a relief to get out of that run we had been in and there will also be an element of reassurance for the players - we looked much more like our old selves.

“Our celebrations at the end were borne out, not so much as a result of beating PSNI, but more so that we had ended that run of defeats and it was a big weight off everybody’s shoulders,” added Gregg.

Wakehurst took a richly-deserved lead in the 18th minute when Jason Paul tested the PSNI keeper with a great strike and although Wilson got a slight touch, he could only place it in the path of the oncoming Conor Gregg and he made no mistake to make it 1-0.

Wakehurst only held the lead for 5 minutes when the PSNI struck from their first corner of the match and with the Wakehurst defence caught cold, Ashton McDermott headed home with a free header to make it 1-1.

Wakehurst were the team on top at the start of the second half and on 50 minutes it was Conor Gregg who got his second of the day with a magnificent strike from the edge of the box after great work by Jason Paul.

Again Wakehurst only held the lead for 10 minutes when unfortunately Ryan Young headed into his own net defending a PSNI corner.

On 80 minutes the PSNI captain, Noel Anderson received his marching orders for a ‘last man’ tackle.

Wakehurst never relented and on 85 minutes, sub Gavin Gilmore found Conor Gregg down the right and he beat the full back, cut the ball back into the box where sub Jordan Lemon powered it into the net to give Wakehurst the three points this performance deserved.

Wakehurst: Cairns, Dickey, Gage, Stevenson, Rodgers, Laughlin, Young, Mellon, Gregg(C), Paul, Gregg(R). Subs: McKay, Ross, Crawford, Lemon, Gilmore

Wakehurst play landlords Moyola Park this Saturday, October 26, at Mill Meadow (3pm).