Having had another 2 weeks off, it was Oxford to play Kennington B. Jordan, Ben C and Fraser were all missing and with 10 minutes to go so were 5 other players. Fortunately Kennington’s A team, who were already using the pitch, had their OML cup game go into extra time, allowing everyone to get to the ground for the start.
From the start Wickham had two quick attacks down the right then in the 3rd minute AO got past the full back before getting his cross in. Harry’s initial shot was blocked, as was Max’s follow up, but Harry was able to put the second rebound away. Wickham totally dominated the next 10 minutes creating lots of chances but never quite able to force the ball home. Most of the attacking was coming from the right and in the 12th minute AO delivered another cross to the back post where Max was waiting to hit his shot across the keeper into the far corner for 2-0. Two minutes later another cross from AO saw Harry’s shot saved, the defenders clearance only found Max, who scored again. In the 19th minute it looked like Max would complete his hat trick but the keeper made a fine save pushing the ball out to the left. Max chased after it and turned it back into Tom’s path for him to hit it across the keeper and in. With the half running out a rare Kennington attack saw Jack boxed in near his own corner flag. He created a little space and played it inside to Jordie, who had been everywhere during the half, and he, in turn gave it to Luke. Luke then played a simple ball between the two full backs for William to run onto, who then duly went round the keeper to tap the ball in.
Despite the lads being 5-0 up at half time Ian was not happy with the performance. Players were bunching together not keeper the ball on the floor and generally not working for each other. A big improvement was needed in the second half, and it came. Ben made his first real save in the 5th minute and then his long clearance saw Ollie hit the ball over the bar. From the resulting goal kick Luke won the ball and played it forward to Ollie. With his back to the goal, he flicked the ball up in the air, span round and volleyed it over the keeper into the back of the net. From the centre Wickham attacked and Harry hit the post with his best shot of the day. A minute later Kennington broke up an attack and went down the right. With the Wickham defence appealing for offside the attacker was away and had no problems in putting the ball past Ben. This stunned Wickham into playing their best football of the match. A series of attacks were partially cleared until finally in the 13th minute the ball came out to Luke who hit a stunning volley from 35 yards into the net. A minute later Ollie intercept a goal kick and went past two defenders before drawing the keeper and slotting the ball home. Wickham kept on going forwards and in the 19th minute a cross was drilled in from the left which AO neatly laid back for Jordie to deservedly score. Kennington mounted a few attacks in the next couple of minutes but this only left them exposed. With 23 minutes gone Max was left free on the left and just went on a run from the half way line. He went past the full back and then duly completed his hat trick. With 25 minutes on the clock Josh cleared the ball up field to Stephen who neatly laid the ball into AO’s path. He cut into the box and hit his shot into the back of the net for 11-1. There was still time for one more as Luke played the ball up to Harry who drew the keeper before setting up Stephen to score the final goal of the day.
A much improved second half in terms of passing the ball around was capped by two great goal and it was Luke, one of those scorers, who won his first Player of the Day award.
