Wickham started confidently with Stratton initially having very few attacking opportunities. The game was being played mainly outside of Wickham’s defensive third but when Stratton did attack the back four looked very solid. There did not seem to be the normal bite which has been present in previous encounters, as both sides seemed to be paying each other a lot of respect. After 10 minutes Wickham had two corners in succession but both times Albie slipped over whilst taking them, so the crosses went a little wayward. Wickham were using both the wings well but were not really creating any clear cut chances. The ball through the middle for Charlie and Albie to run onto were normally cut out by Stratton’s no24 who was having a great game at the back. Finally, with 18 minutes gone, Albie got managed to get through the defence. However, he had been forced out wide and the keeper managed to come out and save the ball with his feet. As the half went on Wickham started to give away a few free kicks in and around the centre circle. With half time fast approaching one such kick created Stratton best chance of the half. A shot came in from some distance, with a Stratton forward in an off side position, which was not given. James could only parry the shot straight back to this forward but he was quick enough to make the double save thus keeping the scores level at half time.
The chat was all about keeping the shape of the side and working for each other…basically keeping up the good work from the first half. Stratton’s big centre forward had been Replaced, which gave William and Bert a different problem to deal with. Callum and Albie worked like mad down the flanks usually only getting corners as their rewards. After 5 minutes they switched wings which did seem to confuse the defenders for a little while. After 10 minute Fraser replaced Callum on the right and almost immediately Jesse seemed to have set him free with a cross field ball, but the defender just got to him before he could get his shot away. Wickham were always looking dangerous from corners and eventually the goal came. Albie hit a corner deep to the back post where Charlie headed the ball back for Bert to smash into the net. The big Stratton forward now came back on but was played as an advanced midfield player, which meant Karl had to mark him. This change, which coincided with Aiden picking up a knock, saw Stratton have their best period of the game. In the next five minutes they had two long range efforts which fortunately both drifted wide of the goal. Aiden came off for Max with Fraser dropping back into the right back position. Stratton did not create another chance after this but with the game being more open Albie had a couple of half breakaways just staying in front of the recovering defender but both also just went wide. Wickham deserved to win this match but you must feel sorry for Stratton. Since winning the U10’s cup their first round opponents in the next two competitions have been a top side, last year losing to Wroughton who went onto the final. Let’s hope the same happens this season.
The Player of the Day award was very close between the two centre backs as they had both done the jobs asked of them well but by one vote it went to William.
Aiden Weeks, William Herrington, Bert Cherrill, Olly Sopp,
Albie Oakman, Karl Admans, Jesse Bowers, Duncan Lorrain, Callum Johnson.
Charlie de Fraine.
Subs:- Fraser Roberts, Max Nicholls.
