Stratton kicked off but Wickham probably then scored their quickest ever goal. Duncan won the ball and after creating some space sent a ball between the two centre backs for Charlie and Albie to chase down. Charlie got there first, went round the keeper on the edge of the box and tapped the ball into an empty net....1-0 after 17 seconds. Two minutes later Stratton attacked down their left, got past Jack but fortunately the cross shot cleared James’ bar. This shook Wickham up but they took control of the game as chances came and went. In the 10th minute a clearance from James found Albie on the right. He hit a cross deep to the back post where Callum hit a sweet left foot shot against the bar which rebounded back into the midfield area. The ball was again worked back out to Callum who advanced into the area before chipping the keeper for 2-0. Four minutes later a poor Wickham goal kick fortunately found Jesse, who laid the ball off to Duncan, who then sent Albie away down the right. He cut into the box forcing the keeper to make a great save. The rebound came to Charlie, who was facing away from the goal so he off loaded it to Callum who blasted it in. From the centre Wickham pressure force Stratton to give away throw in level with the 18 yard line. Olly took this and on receiving the ball back from Karl hit a speculative cross into the box which found it’s way into the net (we believe you that it was a shot Olly). In the 17th minute a Stratton attack was broken up by a combination of Bert and William with the ball quickly being fired out to Albie. He got to the edge of the box and seemed to hit a cross to Callum at the far post but in drifted into the net for 5-0. With 25 minute gone more good play in the midfield saw Duncan, the furthest up of the central middle three, received the ball from Jesse. With a jinking little run he went past 3 defenders before scoring and continuing his remarkable run of always scoring against Stratton Juniors.
The central midfield three were duly substituted for the second half with Jordan going into the centre back role, Ben up front with Bert and Charlie slotting into midfield with Luke. This did disrupt the normal balance but the back four were happy to play the ball amongst themselves when ever necessary. This however was probably the reason why Stratton opened the scoring in the second half. Some casual play between Jack and William saw the ball knocked back to James. He initially went to pick the ball up but then realised he had to clear it. His clearance went straight to a Stratton forward who stroked the ball into the back of the net. After seven minutes, Jack won the ball and knocked it inside to Bert. He looked up and threaded the ball through for Albie to run onto and he duly tucked the ball under the advancing keeper. After 15 minutes the second half subs were all replace and Wickham went back to their normal formation but with Albie pushing up more with Charlie. A minute later Albie was pulled down 25 yards out but he stepped up to smash the ball into the back of the net. Wickham won the ball straight from the centre and it was spread out right to Jesse. He cut inside and hit a rasping shot which the keeper could only parry into the net. There was no let up from Wickham and in the 23rd minute Albie swung a corner to the far post where Jesse drilled his header into the roof of the net. Probably the best worked goal of the game came right on time William, having robbed the Stratton forward played the ball out to Jack on the right. He played the ball inside to Jesse who then played it up to Charlie. A little flick over the defender saw Albie in the clear and he hit a lovely dipping half volley, from some distance, into the far corner. There was only just time for Stratton to kick off before the full time whistle went.
The Player of the Day award was a close run thing but for finally opening his NWL goal scoring account and for a good display in midfield it went to Jesse.
Jack Bolton, William Herrington, Bert Cherrill, Olly Sopp,
Albie Oakman, Karl Admans, Jesse Bowers, Duncan Lorrain, Callum Johnson.
Charlie de Fraine.
Subs:- Jordan Shaw, Luke Evans, Ben Cipolla
