With the rain easing just before the kick off, Wickham lined up knowing that a win today against 2nd in the table St. James would keep their hopes alive of finishing second themselves. A quite team talk in the changing rooms was the order of the day but by then end of it everyone knew what was expected of them.
Despite St James kicking off Wickham were quickly on the attack as Fraser went down the left played the ball inside to Ben and then getting the return, but unfortunately he dragged his shot just wide. St. James were not being given a chance in midfield as the central three were chasing after everything and winning most of them. In the 4th minute Jordie, Luke and then Ben all had good shots blocked by the St James defenders. In the 9th minute a St James attack was broken up by Josh who knocked the ball through to Luke. A great ball sent Jack away down the right, he cut into the box but seemed to scuff his shot but it still cleared the keeper and found its way into the back of the net. In the 19th minute St James, who were beginning to find their feet now, were caught off side. Jordan’s quick free kick sent Ben away but his left footed shot was well saved. Wickham were now getting their shots in but were failing to chase down the rebounds and chances were being missed. Following the clearance of a corner, Ben beat the last defender and raced clear. He shot cleared the keeper but a recovering defender cleared the ball. In the 22nd minute a cross from the right seemed to clear everyone but Fraser was at the back post and could only head at the keeper; again there was no Wickham follow up. A minute later a free kick wide on the right was struck well by Ollie to the back post and it drifted it to give Wickham the second goal their play had deserved. A minute later and Fraser again went down the left but his cross missed everyone. Jack turned the ball back to William, who had come on for and injured Luke, and hit a rasping drive, which the keeper did well to save, however Jack was there to tap in the rebound. In the last minute Aiden went on an overlap but his cross cleared the far post. From the goal kick William won the ball, heading it to Ollie who sent Ben away to chip the keeper for a 4-0 half time lead.
Ian told the lads that they must still concentrate in the second half and carry on playing the stylish football which they had produced in the first half. Jordie came off, due to his back problem with Luke coming back on with Max replacing Jack. The style of play remained the same with Max creating the first chance as the ball was switched from the right wing to Fraser on the left but the shot drifted wide. In the 8th minute some nice neat passes got the ball up to Ben. He had Fraser to the left and Ollie right. It went right and after dummying 3 defenders Ollie slammed the ball into the corner of the net for 5-0. Wickham’s play then deteriorated as the lads tried some “fancy stuff”, but this was quickly stopped. With 15 minutes gone Ben took a knock and AO came onto the right with Max switching to centre forward and almost immediately he was able to get onto a rebound from Ollie’s shot to score. A minute later and AO raced clear down the left. He seemed to have knocked the ball a little too far but as the keeper came out he clipped it into the middle where Max had another simple tap in. Wickham were still going forwards but the occasional lapses in concentration were giving St James long range free kicks. The back four however were easily dealing with these. Stephen now came on for Fraser, with Max switching out to the left. With 22 minutes gone one of ST James’ free kicks was cleared to Luke, who drove forwards. He seemed to have Stephen in plenty of space but spread the ball even wider for AO to run onto. Again the keeper came out and again AO chipped him with this time Stephen following the ball into the back of the net. Luke then made way for Harry as Wickham switched to 4-4-2 but still they attacked. With 2 minutes left a deep corner from Ollie was powerfully headed home by William and then a break through the middle saw Ollie draw the last defender before knocking the ball sideways for Harry to score.
A great performance by the lads which most parents confirmed was the best they had played all year. Despite all the goals which were scored today, the player of the day award did not go to a goal scorer. The back four played absolutely superbly allowing St James very few chances. Having probably covered more ground at the back than anyone and for marshalling his troops very well the award went to Jordan.
Ben Grey
Aiden Weeks, Josh Newbrook, Jordan Shaw, Tom Farman.
Jack Wild, Luke Evans, Jordie Rowlands, Ollie Norman, Fraser Roberts.
Ben Cipolla
Subs:-Max Nichols, Alex Olford, William Herrington, Harry Russell, Stephen Enever.
