After a number of times of asking Appleton finally lined up but then had 12 players on the field... nice try, which again took some time to sort out, but eventually the game started. In the first minute Max was put through on the left beyond the last defender. However, a poor final touch saw the ball get away from him and into the waiting keepers hands. In the second minute the ball was fired across the box from the right to Max at the back post but having controlled the ball he could only produce a weak finish into the keepers hands. After five minutes, the ball was again at Max’ feet on the left hand side. This time he hit a cross to AO who was just beyond the far post but his first touch was too heavy which made the angle for the shot too narrow and the chance was gone. Wickham were pushing forwards and dominating the game; surely a goal would come shortly? The 7th minute saw another chance created by good midfield play from Jordie, Ollie and Max. This time the ball ended up at Ben’s feet only 3 yards out from goal but he hit it straight to the keeper and another chance had gone. It was very much a case of “de je vois” as this was exactly what happened in the game at Appleton, multiple chances were created with most of them wasted. More pressure in the 9th minute looked as if it would bring the opening goal. The ball was partially cleared out to Jordie on the edge of the box. He went round the first defender but was then clattered to the ground….. “Penalty Ref”…but after some thought and after moving the whistle to his lips Jon waived play on. Appleton then broke away but in a 1 on 1 with Ben, he did just enough to force the forward to shoot wide. Appleton were now beginning to find their feet and in the 16th minute they cut through the Wickham defence again. This time Ben came diving out at the same time as the forward slid in. The ball bounced free but Jordan was there to clear it away. Wickham attacked again & a nice pass from Ollie saw William flick the ball over the defender for Jordie to run onto but his shot was well saved by the keeper. In the 23rd minute William dragged a shot just wide of the left hand post. A minute later Appleton went on the attack which saw Ben C foul the forward near the edge of the box.. The free kick was hit well but Ben G managed to make the save at the second attempt. However, in the 26th minute Wickham were made to pay for their misses. A through ball split Jordan and Jack and despite the forward looking off side the flag stayed down. Ben came out to narrow the angle but the forward knocked it past him and into the net, just inside the left hand post. In the 27th minute Wickham attacked down the left with the cross coming into AO, who saw his shot saved. In the final minute Max seemed to have sent William clear but, despite a covering defender on the opposite side of the pitch, the flag went up for off side.
The lads were cold at half time so more layers of clothes went on. Wickham won their first corner of the game in the 3rd minute but the keeper gathered this in at the near post. Wickham were still attacking, despite now having the wind in their face but they had not yet tested the keeper. In the 10th minute Jack went to clear an Appleton attack and moved progressively up the field. He eventually got to the edge of the box where he laid the ball off to Ben but his shot just cleared the bar. Which ever team were now defending were finding it hard to clear the ball, as both teams suffered from the cold. In the 22nd minute Jodie won the ball in defence but tried to dribble the ball out. Unfortunately he lost the ball and then fouled the attacker…penalty to Appleton. Despite it being well struck to Ben’s right, he made a great save gathering the ball at the second attempt after knocking his hat off which had come over his eyes. Unfortunately the fresh legs provided by Stephen and Harry in the last 10 minutes of the game could not help produce a goal, so the lads went down to an unfortunate 1-0 defeat, which they did not deserve.
Player of the Day was almost unanimous and for some great saves including the penalty it went to Ben Grey.
Aiden Weeks, Jack Wild, Jordan Shaw, Tom Farmer
Alex Olford, William Herrington, Jordie Rowlands Ollie Norman, Max Nicholls
Ben Cipolla
Subs:- Stephen Enever, Harry Russell.
