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Whizz: Promotion test starts tonight

Win tonight would prove the Wonderboy's promotion credentials, says Whizz

Long term planning and stability is a much talked about area in football, but after a bright start to Season 23, Billy Whizz's Wonderboys could potentially bypass plans made by the club management by achieving a speedy promotion to Division 4.

After collecting 11 points from their opening 6 games, the Whizzers sit 5th in division 5.10, yet only 2 points off the promotion places. Optimism filled Shitters Palace after hanging on for a draw against promotion favourites Shipley Juniors, and manager Billy Whizz is urging his team to continue their lively start:

"We've had a good first few games, far better than the last 2 seasons thats for sure! I've said to the players, if you carry on playing like this, there's no reason why we can't end up in Division 4. The club isn't going to not go up, because it's too soon - far from it, I believe it would be fantastic if we could be in Division 4 next year"

"The players will have to believe it's possible though. We've got 20legend up next away from home, and if you're going to go up, they're the sort of games you've got to be winning. This is a true test of a promotion side, can you win at places where a draw isn't a bad result?"

The Wonderboys will have fond memories of their visit to 20legend, where they won 3-2, with new signing Phin scoring a 92nd minute winner, and Whizz believes his team may have to earn the points in a similar manner tonight:

"That season we were fighting for our lives - it was our first away win I believe, and we had some great celebrations at the final whistle. Tonight may have to be the same way - we may have to scrap to get the three points, but, if we want to go up, we'll have to get used to doing that."

The Wonderboys will once more be without midfielder Maurice Meredith, who misses out due to injury. Phil Jones may slot in at right midfield ahead of Anton Fletcher, who played in the draw against Shipley Juniors on Sunday.

Wonderboys rise to summit

Thrilling victory lifts the Whizzers to top of the league

Billy Whizz's Wonderboys treated their fans to yet another goal fest at Shitters Palace last night, as they beat former bogey team Soccer of Napoli 4-3 to claim top spot of 5.10


Before the match, manager Billy Whizz said his team should be 'confident, yet cautious', and it seemed as though his team responded to the advice, although perhaps a little too literally for Whizz's liking at times.


The match started with 4 bookings inside 20 minutes, before the hosts seemed to score out of nowhere. Nice play by Konz set up Meredith, who fired home from close range. The referee then booked another player soon after that, much to the frustration of the Napoli fans, who had seen 4 of their players in the ref's notepad, with only a quarter of the game gone.


Despite the odd scare by the visitors, it seemed the Whizzers who seemed the most likely to score, with Meredith, Konz and Groves all coming close to extending the home side's lead. However, Napoli capitalised on a mistake by Phil Jones just a minute before half time to level things up going into the break, stunning the home crowd into silence.


That silence didn't last long in the second half though, as Richards headed home a cross from Fribo just 2 minutes after the restard, and Luke Groves curled home a free kick soon after to make it 3-1. Although the tempo seemed to slow a little, only a fool would say that the game was over, and so it proved when Napoli striker Jacoby smashed home a wonderful volley to make the scoreline 3-2 with just under half an hour remaining.


The match had plenty left to come though, as just 2 minutes later Mick Richards was on the end of a Matt Hawthorn cross to restore the Wonderboys 2 goal lead. Heads visibly dropped among Napoli players, as they saw their hard work once more undone due to a defensive lapse.


With 10 minutes to go, the visitors stepped up a few gears in both determination and desperation. Waves of Napoli attacks seemingly came and went, with Seymour and Fenell going close, before in the 91st minute Jacoby fired home to make the score 4-3, and ensure a nervy end to the game for the Wonderboys fans.


Whizz's verdict

It's pleasing to finally beat Soccor of Napoli - it's taken a while, but I think tonight was worth it. I'm shattered just watching that game - god knows what it was like for the players.

Overall, I thought our performance had positives and negatives. We were sharp up front, and Mick took his two goals particularly well. At the back, it was sort of the same old story really, but we should have one or two more players available for Friday, so we can perhaps be a bit tighter defensively.


Being top of the league is great, but we mustn't let it get to our heads. It doesnt mean we're the best team in the league, and it doesnt mean we can just turn up and win games. We've worked hard to get here - now we have to work even harder to stay here. Challenging for promotion is a difficult task, being consistent enough to stay up there, and it will be interesting to see how we do. It will be a big test for all of us, but its pleasing to be at this end of the table, rather than the relegation side of things.

Whizzers confirm Matthews signing

Wonderboys splash the cash for rookie defender

Billy Whizz's Wonderboys announced their record signing on Friday evening, as Richard Matthews was brought to Shitters Palace for a fee of 35m.

Following the season opener against Rogues FC, which was drawn 3-3, manager Billy Whizz claimed a new defender was 'an urgent necessity', and after chairman Jack Richardson confirmed that Whizz would have substantial money to spend, Matthews was recruited in time for Friday's match against Gunsablazing.

"We're very happy to bring Matthews in" said Whizz "While he may not have had a lot of experience, he's a highly skilled player, and can hopefully shore up our defence."

"It may take him a while to get used to playing regular football, but he's young, and will improve on a week to week basis. If things work out for him here, he could be a massive player for us in the next few seasons"

Matthews is a product of the Nike Celtic youth academy, but didn't play a single game for the club or reserve team. 

Whizz eyes defensive targets

Transfer market scoured for new defenders

Billy Whizz declared today that he is looking to spend the cash given to him by Billy Whizz's Wonderboys chairman immediately, and admits he's come close with several players.


 "The chairman and I had a chat yesterday, and we worked out how much I would have to spend" said Whizz. "I'm pleased that he's been able to back me, and I think it shows we really mean business this year - we're desperate to get as high up the league as we can"


"A defender is obviously the priority, and I've already missed out on a couple. However, all you can do is keep looking at the players on the transfer list - I've shortlisted dozens since yesterday afternoon. Another player we looked at before the end of last season has already had a transfer agreed for the weekend, so it's a pretty frustrating time at the minute"


"We know that one will come eventually though, and we're looking for a player that is experienced, but can stay in the team for a good couple of seasons, if not longer. It's a difficult task, but we hope to bring someone in shortly"




All transfer news will be on the blog before anywhere else, so follow to ensure you hear first about any new signings the Wonderboys make.
 

Whizzer given 35m in defender quest

Richardson backs manager in attempt to find 'special player'

Billy Whizz's Wonderboys manager Billy Whizz was given a boost last night, when club chairman Jack Richardson announced he was to give 35m to fund early season signings, in particular a defender.

After the Wonderboys 3-3 draw against Rogues FC in the season opener, Whizz declared that buying a defender was 'a complete necessity' for the team, and would be his 'number one priority' in the transfer market. With former club captain Enver Mandirah now over 35 years of age, Whizz is known to be yearning for a fresher defender that can remain at the club for many seasons to come. 

"It is important to back the team when money is available, and it is clear that signings need to be made" said Richardson. "I fully trust Billy to spend the money wisely, and hopefully a signing can be completed over the weekend period."


The Whizzers play Gunsablazing fc away on Friday night.   

Season starts with 6 goal thriller

Whizz pleased despite late equalizer

Billy Whizz's Wonderboys drew the first game of Season 23 3-3 at Shitters Palace, in a thrilling encounter sure to leave both managers scratching their heads.

Despite a bright opening period, in which Konz, Meredith and Fribo all tested opposition keeper Jones, it was an all too predictable sight for the Wonderboys faithful, as  Rogues FC took a 2-0 lead. The Wonderboys defence was twice split by long balls, and Shehata beaten by two long range efforts, leaving the Whizzers reeling at half time.

The second half began as the first ended, with Shehata having to be at his best to stop Robinson scoring a third for the visitors, however the home crowd were soon awakened when Phillip Konz, who had been the most wasteful Wonderboys player so far, headed past Jones top make it 2-1.

The Whizzers then pushed hard for an equalizer, and soon got it when Groves continued his rich vein of form from last season, when he fired home from 18 yards out. This turned the game on its head, with both teams playing for the win, but untimately happy for a point - resulting in an open end to end game, with nervy moments for both sets of fans.

With the game slightly slowing down, the Wonderboys managed to grab a goal through Luke Groves, as he headed home a Hawthorn cross in the 82nd minute. However, there was more late drama to come, as the visitors managed to scramble home an 89th minute leveller to rescue a point that seemed secure at half time.

"It was a pulsating game of football, and don't think either team deserved to lose" said Whizz. "Perhaps the fans will be disappointed, seeing as we were winning with 2 minutes to go, however we were 2-0 down early on, so we did well to get back into the game"

"Our defence continues to be a problem. Conceding goals was a problem last season, and first game today we let in 3 at home. We know that recruitment is a necessity, and we hope to bring someone in over the weekend. At the moment, we're not good enough at the back, we realise that, so one or two new faces can help extinguish that problem. The good news is that our attack is looking sharp, and our midfield sharp, so we are just looking for a couple of defenders"