Didcot kicked off and looked to be the stronger, more organised side. This was maybe not surprising as Jordie was missing and Aiden had therefore been moved up into his midfield role. Declan was caught out a number of times but Aiden was working hard to help cover whilst also going on his up field runs. Jack and Jordan seemed to be coping well in the middle of the defence which was helped enormously by Didcot’s no.10 constantly getting too far forward and getting caught off side. AO and Max were having some joy in getting behind the full backs but the crosses were then either too close to the keeper or just behind Ben. In the 16th minute an innocuous Didcot attack down their right seemed to have been dealt with by Tom. However, instead of putting the ball out he tried a little back heal to create room and gave the ball away by the by line. The forward created himself an angle to shot but Ben made a great block only to see no support from his defenders as an unmarked forward knocked the ball into the net. Aiden and Declan now switched roles but after 20 minutes Tom got a knock in the back and found that he could not raise his arm over his shoulder but he wanted to carry on. In the 25th minute a pumped clearance by Jordan sent Ben away but the defender just closed him down. The resulting corner caused major problems in the area but no one could hit the ball home.
The lads were told to use the wings more and that this was a game they could win, if they really wanted it, but more effort in midfield was needed. In the second minute a free kick just inside the Wickham half was sent forwards by Jordan towards Ben. The ball bounced over him and the defender for Max to run onto. As the keeper came out he played a lovely chip over him and into the back of the net. Wickham were now pressing forwards often leaving just three at the back. A series of corners followed but none could be converted. As Didcot mounted their first real attack after the scores had been levelled a great through ball from Luke sent Ollie away through the middle. As the keeper came out he slipped it past his right hand and into the corner of the net for 2-1. Ben was now replaced by James up front. Some great work between Tom and James in the 12th minute on the left saw AO eventually get the ball in the middle but his shot was well saved. The 20th minute saw Wickham increase their lead as Ollie got a cross in from the left for James to smash the ball goal bound. His shot was saved but Luke was there to put the rebound away. Didcot attacked from the centre and almost walked through the middle of the defence but in their very next attack Jordan had 3 forwards bearing down on him. He forced the ball wide and the shot which came in was well saved by Ben but the ball fell to one of the other forwards for a simple tap in. With two minutes left James was sent away for a 1 on 1 with the goal keeper but unfortunately his touch was just too heavy and the keeper was able to just make the save at his feet. Despite a few panics Wickham held on to a deserved 3-2 victory.
The Player of the Day award was very close but again for his constant effort all day and some driving forward runs it went to Aiden.
Declan Hess, Jack Wild, Jordan Shaw, Tom Farmer
Alex Olford, Aiden Weeks, Ollie Norman, Luke Evans, Max Nicholls
Ben Cipolla.
Subs:- James Davies, Stephen Enever, Harry Russell
