Arriving at the ground for the 10.30 kick off, Cricklade were not keen to play but the pitch was taking a stud OK with the grass being lightly frosted. We were again treated to ¾ sized goals and a small pitch but this time even the goal mouths were ¾ sized measuring only 13 yards. We were without Charlie and Bert so Fraser and Jordan stepped into the starting line up. The question was how would yesterday’s game affect the boys.
The early chance to score in the first 2 minutes came and went as did the keeper dropping the ball and then being allowed to pick it up without penalty. However, in the 3rd minute William cleared the ball to Karl who in turn sent Callum through on the left who neatly lifted the ball over the keeper and into the back of the net. In the 8th minute Wickham again moved the ball from the back via Jack and Jesse to send Albie through. He was forced wide and just hit his shot over the top. When Wickham played through the middle of the park they were constantly being given off side but in the 10th minute it was Jordan’s turn to find Duncan and he sent Albie way. He neatly side stepped the keeper to tuck the ball into an empty net. Two minutes later Albie was pulled down and from the resulting free kick Callum slammed the ball home but he was given off side. In the 17th minute a Cricklade throw was won by Duncan on the halfway line. He beat two players before slipping the ball between the two centre backs for Albie to run onto and score. In the 28th William took a quick free kick on the halfway line after being fouled for Fraser to crash against the crossbar. The 30th minute saw a great ball for Fraser run through the defenders to score but Callum on the other side of the pitch was given off side. The last kick of the half saw Albie drill a shot goal bound which hit the keeper in the face and go off for a throw in.
The 3rd minute of the half again saw Wickham score as the ball was chipped forward for Callum to run onto. The keeper came out of his area but messed up the clearance giving the ball to Fraser to score. Albie added another a minute later and the game was effectively over. Two minutes later Olly played the big switch ball fro the left wing to Albie on the right. He got past the left back to score again. The game then went end to end as Wickham’s midfield started not to work back putting pressure on the back four. Jack Bolton came off for Jack Wild and Max replaced Fraser. With 15 minutes left Jesse hit a rasping drive which seemed to be in the back of the net but the ref decided that it went through the side netting. Cricklade went on the attack but William broke this up with a big clearance up field. The ball went out left where Karl controlled it and sprinted goal wards. Having drawn the keeper the birthday boy scored inside the left hand post. In a space of 2 minutes Wickham added three more goals. Having had one ruled out for off side, Cricklade made a mess of the free kick giving it straight to Albie who got his cross in for Callum to have a simple tap in. From the centre Albie won the ball and found himself out on the left wing. Again he hit his cross to the back post where Jesse was to tap in this time. From the next centre the ball came to William who clipped the ball over the advancing Cricklade side. Albie was in a 1 on 1 with the keeper but he made a great save only to see Max there to slot the ball home. All day the midfield players had been slipping diagonal passes through for the forwards to run onto so it was only fitting that in the 27th minute Duncan played Albie in again for his to score his 5th of the day matching is efforts of yesterday and bring up his 50th goal for the club.
Player of the Day went to Jordan who stepped into Bert’s shoes with no problems what so ever. He was as solid as ever at the back inspiring confidence to all around him.
James Davies
Jack Bolton, Jordan Shaw, William Herrington, Olly Sopp
Albie Oakman, Karl Admans, Duncan Lorraine, Jesse Bowers
Fraser Roberts, Callum Johnson
Subs:- Aiden Weeks, Jack Wilds, Max Nicholls
