A blustery Saturday was want greeted the lads at Wantage. It was also a larger pitch than our own which hopefully would suit us. With Wantage electing to play 3-5-2 everything was set for the wingers to dominate and create the chances.
Wickham had to defend the first corner in the 2nd minute but this was cleared out by Ollie to Stephen. He played it back to Ollie who then switched the ball out to Max on the left. His early ball found AO in the clear in front of goal but is was adjudged to be off side. The 6th minute saw a chip over the Wantage defence for AO to run onto however the defender was just able to recover and get the ball out for a throw in. A minute later a William long throw cleared everyone for AO to run onto but a weak shot was easily saved. Another ball through the middle saw Ollie get away but he took the ball too close to the keeper who made the save. In the 11th minute some great interplay between Luke and Ollie saw the ball come into the middle for Stephen to crack the ball against the underside of the bar and then cleared. Aiden then replaced Stephen and in the 13th minute another long throw from William cleared everyone and then even bounced over the keeper for Max to hit into an unguarded net. Wantage were always looking dangerous when they attacked but the back four were playing well as a unit. In the 24th minute William committed himself to a tackle just short of the half way line and then went on a run down the right. He pulled the cross back and everyone missed it until it reached Max at the back post who’s first time effort went wide. Despite the missed chances Wantage had more than their fair share of the game and could consider themselves unlucky to be 1-0 down, but they had not really tested James.
In the first minute a break down the Wickham right saw Aiden put through. As the keeper came out he tried to lob him but the keeper just reached the ball. Wantage then did not get the ball clear and eventually the ball came to Max who s shot just cleared the bar. Another break down the right saw Aiden and AO work well together which ended with Aiden ‘s shot being well saved. The ball was cleared out to Luke near the centre spot, who seeing the keeper at the edge of the box hit a long range effort into the back of the net. The 6th minute saw Max charge down the left to get a great cross in which neither Aiden or AO could get onto. The chances were still coming as this time AO when trough the middle onto to shot straight at the keeper. After 15 minute another William throw in cleared everyone and got Ollie clear. His shot was well saved by the keeper but Max was again there to tap in. Wickham continued to attack with the keeper making another save from Ollie as he tried to chip him from the right hand side of the box. With 18 minutes gone William had a free kick some 35 yards out but instead of shooting he slipped Ollie in through the centre of the defence but again hit it straight at the keeper who made the save. Right near the end Wantage had a break away and with Jack and William converging on the attacked Tom somehow got a tackle in sending the ball out left to the unmarked winger but he snatched at his shot sending it well wide of the post. So a 3-0 win keeps the lads in 5th place but it is all tightening up now.
For a good all round performance, battling back in midfield and covering for other player, plus scoring a long range goal, the parent’s choice for the Player of the Day Award went to Luke.
