Berks and Bucks ¼ final week saw Kennington, a top 3 OML side, come to the Triangle. As they had lost to Didcot in the OML Cup ¼ final the previous week, we were expecting them to be up for this game. Wickham were without Jesse, who had fallen off a trampoline on Saturday evening, and with a strong wind blowing, Kennington elected to play the first half against it.
The initial stages were quite even but in the 6th minute an Olly throw in cleared both Duncan and Callum but Fraser had cut to the line to get the ball. He went past his man and found Charlie in the middle, who, after controlling the ball, tucked it away with his left foot. With 10 minute gone Fraser was fouled out near the touchline. Albie hit the kick to the back of the box but it just drifted wide of the far post. The second goal soon arrived, all be it by an unusual method. Albie took a corner from the right hitting it long and deep. With the aid of the wind the ball drifted in at the back post for 2-0. Wickham continued to attack getting a number of corners but all these we just scrambled away. In the 17th minute some work between Karl, Duncan and Albie saw the latter fouled in a similar position to the early free kick. This time Albie’s kick was more accurate and went straight in at the far post for 3-0. A minute later some great passing between Charlie and Albie put the latter in some space but his quick shot drifted just wide. With 25 minute gone Bert broke up an attack, immediately hitting the ball to the left wing. Good work from Callum and Fraser put Albie into some space and his early cross was controlled by Charlie before slotting the ball home. The whole back four were playing well with James only touching the ball twice, which included a save from a free kick from about 25 yards out, thus a 4-0 half time lead.
Straight from the kick off Charlie intercepted the ball and went on a little run getting past all the defenders before reaching the edge of the box, but unfortunately hit shot, under pressure, went over the bar. Despite the wind, which now seemed to be even stronger, Wickham were not getting over run by Kennington. The back four were still playing well covering for each other, with William and Bert winning most things in the air. After 10 minutes a rash challenge near the edge of the Wickham area saw Kennington have a free kick about 22 yards out. They tried to float it into the far corner but fortunately the ball went about 2 yards wide. Wickham were now keeping the ball on the floor and were getting some space down the left as Kennington push 3 and sometimes 4 players forward however, Wickham failed to use this space until there was only 10 minutes left. Jack won the ball out wide on the right and played it up the line to Karl. He played it inside to Charlie who turned and immediately sent Callum away. As he got past the last defender he shot and the ball slipped nicely past the keeper and into the net for 5-0. In the 24th minute another corner caused panic in the defence and the ball came out to Bert, who’s shot shaved the outside of the post. With five minutes left a lovely move involving Karl and Albie saw the ball crossed to Charlie at the near post but his flick ended up in the side netting. In the 27th minute a Kennington break away looked certain to give them a consolation goal, but some good chasing back and then a great tackle from William stopped the initial shot. James was then able to make the block and gather up the rebound from the follow up. Thus, a 5-0 victory was secured and now the boys must travel to Harwell to play the semi-final at East Hendred’s ground, another top 3 OML side.
Player of the Day Trophy was given to William who was again a rock at the back, covering his fellow defenders, but when he made a mistake he always seemed to have enough time to regain control and then clear the danger.
James Davies
Jack Bolton, Bert Cherrill, William Herrington, Olly Sopp
Albie Oakman, Karl Admans, Duncan Lorraine, Fraser Roberts
Charlie de Fraine, Callum Johnson
Subs:- Jordan Shaw, Ollie Norman, Max Nicholls, Ben Cipolla
