The OML side had a week off from League action, so a friendly was arranged against Marlborough from Div. 3 of the North Wilts League and initially the rain lashed it down. Jordan was missing so Luke dropped into the centre back role for this match that should be quite close given the two side’s results against Bassett Rangers & their performance against Pewsham in the cup.
Marlborough kicked off and went straight through the middle of the Wickham defence almost scoring straight away; fortunately Jack just got the interception in. In the 3rd minute Fraser went down the left cut inside but took ages to get his shot away which was deflected for a corner. In the 5th minute Ollie hit a corner deep into the box. The ball came out to Jordie whose drive was blocked but then Ben hit a rising drive in off the bar for 1-0. A minute later another corner saw Ben volley the ball just over the bar but within a minute the lead had been doubled. Ollie swung a free kick in from the right to the back post where Frazer knocked the ball back for Max to score. Wickham then fell asleep from the centre as Marlborough just went straight through the middle to score. Within 2 minutes the two goal margin was restored. Despite Marlborough pressure Jack coolly won the ball and then laid it out to Aiden. He seemed to shape the pass down the line; but bent it between the centre backs to Fraser to run onto. Having cut in from the wing his cross shot was nicely planted into the far corner off the post. Wickham were using the wings well with the 4th goal coming from a whipped in cross from Ollie which Ben side footed home. The game became a bit of a midfield battle for the next 5 minutes or so. In the 20th minute an attack down the left saw Fraser and Ollie working together with Ollie getting to the by-line before playing the ball into Max for him to score his second. Marlborough pressed forwards again having a good little spell but after 24 minutes Jordie sent Fraser away and clear down the left. He headed straight towards the goal and slotted the ball under the keeper for 6-1. There was one more goal before half time as AO went down the right but went down under a heavy challenge but Ollie retrieved the ball. He played a little reverse pass back to AO who duly scored.
Straight from the centre the ball was played out to Max, he then put a cross in which Harry flicked onto Fraser for him to complete his hat trick. After such a bright start to the half the game got a little scrappy. The visitors seemed to be going down injured almost constantly and because of this, the Wickham lads seemed to back off a little. Two corners around the 10 minute mark caused panic in the Marlborough area but neither could be converted. The 17th minute brought the next goal which was a well worked one built up from defence. The ball was played by Luke, Jack, Steven, Ollie, Ben and then eventually to AO to smash into the roof of the net. The next minute saw route 1 football as a long punt from Ben Grey was allowed to bounce over the defenders which left Ben C a clear run on goal and he duly completed his hat trick. The 22nd minute saw the most spectacular goal as Ollie’s corner was cleared out to Tom some 30 yards out from goal. He steadied himself and then let fly, seeing the ball dip just under the bar for 11-1. A minute later another flowing move from the back saw the ball end up with AO on the right. He switched the ball via Ben out to Max; his shot was parried by the keeper but AO was there to complete his hat trick. With Ollie having swapped with Luke and now playing centre back the final goal I guess was inevitable. Ollie picked the ball up in his own half and just drove forwards. With Max screaming for the ball on the left Ollie just kept going to score himself.
