Pre-Season Team Report (02/08/2025): Hype Train FC vs. Westwood Wanderers

Welcome aboard the home of Hype Train Football Club. Here, you can read the match reports from the Train's outings across Saturday League action throughout the 2025/26 season, with the team competing in the Thames Valley Premier League (TVPL). All aboard.

Match Report: Hype Train FC

Date: Saturday 2nd August 2025

Competition: Pre-Season Friendly

Opposition: Westwood Wanderers FC

Location: Waingels College, Woodley, Reading, RG5 4RF

Final Score: Hype Train FC 1-5 Westwood Wanderers

Request Photos: contact@thehypetrain.co.uk

Match Report:

The Train's encounter against Westwood Wanderers was our 2nd pre-season fixture of the 2025/26 season, ahead of our maiden season in the Thames Valley Premier League (TVPL), where the team will compete in TVPL Division One. This was our first encounter against any Westwood Wanderers outfit, with ourselves facing their first team.

Facing off against a strong, treble winning team last season, we at Hype Train found ourselves sorting out our defensive shape against a good side that were patient in trying to break down the team. The opening goal arrived in the 10th minute for the visitors when a knockdown from a set-piece allowed a free man at the back post take all the time in the world before simply putting the ball in the net.

The opening goal kicked The Train awake as we got to grips with the game, with several key moments keeping the score at 1-0 leading into half-time. First, at the back Robert Austin made a save with the tips of his fingers to deny a one-on-one attempt, with the follow up shot on goal on the volley by a Westwood player was well struck, though Mark Bush did superbly to come across the goal and block the shot on the line. Then in the 39th minute, good work on the ball by Obeydah Abdulwahab released Conall Gorman through on goal, with the winger shooting between the legs of the opposing goalkeeper, who somehow caught the ball between his legs.

Into the second-half, a fortunate second goal extended Westwood's lead during the 48th minute. After winning a corner following a save at the near-post, the resulting corner was whipped in and went all the way in, though goalkeeper Austin was stepped on by two players inside the six-yard-box, which meant the direct corner looped into the net.

A lifeline opened for the team during the 59th minute when Gorman won a penalty kick after gliding into the penalty area and was blocked off when cutting in with the ball - a soft penalty for sure, but a spot-kick that was converted well by Bush low to the goalkeeper's right to take the game to 2-1.

The lead for the visitors was extended to 3-1 in the 71st minute, starting when a midfielder ran through the heart of the team and playing the ball to a forward. Kieron White did well to intercept the pass, though the second ball fell to a Westwood attacker to shoot into the roof of the net, with White denied a chance to block the shot when he was dragged down at the edge of the box - the referee allowed the goal to stand, nonetheless.

With some forced rotation, the visitors took a 4-1 lead when they played a ball through to the left winger, whose close range shot inside the six-yard-box pinballed in between Austin's legs in goal, whilst a 5th goal wrapped up the game in the 86th minute when a cut back at the edge of the box allowed for a low drive and well-placed shot to calmly be stroked into the net.

Regardless of the score, this was a good test for the squad, with a lot of positives to build upon, as we head towards the new season - best of luck to Westwood in the new season!

Next up, The Train are back in pre-season action on Saturday 9th August 2025, with the squad currently set to host Bracknell Aces at Waingels College.

Hype Train FC: Matchday Squad

Manager: Robert Austin

Starting 11:

GK: Robert Austin

DEF: Anwar Mmanga (C) (Osman 56')

DEF: Mark Bush (Mmanga 72')

DEF: Kieron White

DEF: Emmanuel Boateng (Ka 80')

MID: Emmanuel Cudjoe

MID: Aiden Iqbal (Burles-Nash 60')

MID: Nadim Gharabli

MID: Kaao Ka (Java 46', Gorman 80')

MID: Conall Gorman (Darsouni 67')

FOR: Obeydah Abdulwahab (Follington 55')

Substitutes:

SUB: Ahmed Osman

SUB: Yacine Darsouni

SUB: Brad Burles-Nash

SUB: Luke Follington

SUB: Java

Goals & Assists:

Goal 1: Bush (goal), Gorman (assist)

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