Report: U12 NW vs. Ferndale 22-Apr-2008

As the season starts to draw to a close another midweek game saw the trip to Ferndale Rodbourne. Jack was still suffering with his bad knee from Thursday and Ollie Norman was out so in stepped Aiden and Callum. Bassett were also playing tonight at Highworth so potentially there could be a big turnaround at the top of the table.

The lads started the game well enough attacking almost at will. In the second minute Albie got a cross in from the right which just cleared Charlie but Marcus got his head to it only to see it drift wide of the post. In the 4^th minute Duncan did well to win a corner on the left. Albie hit it into the box, the ball cleared William but Marcus following in behind could only head over. It was all one way traffic and you felt that a goal had to arrive shortly. In the 8^th minute Duncan was fouled near the touch line but about 35 yards out. Ablie hit the ball into the box but no player could get their heads on it and the keeper gathered it in without having to move. In the 12^th minute Ferndale had a free kick midway in there own half which Karl intercepted. He knocked the ball forward to Charlie, in the post position and he played a lovely reverse pass into Albie’s path. He raced away towards goal and neatly slipped the ball past the keeper into the back of the net for 1-0. In the 15^th minute Charlie seemingly chased a lost cause to the by line and won a corner. This came into the middle where Marcus again unfortunate headed over. In the 17^th minute Ferndale had their first real attack. The forward seemed to outpace William but he got in the tackle to stop the initial danger. However the ball was clipped back into the box, Jordan went up for the header but it fell to a forward who shot against the post, the ball was still not cleared and another shot came in which James turned round the post for a corner. This seemed to wake Ferndale up and they now seemed to believe that they could get a goal back. In the 23^rd minute an Albie corner came into the near post, was partially cleared to Karl who gave it back to Albie. He hit a cross back into the middle but no one could get a touch on it as it hit the back post before being scrambled clear. In the 28^th minute some panic in the Wickham defence as a Ferndale throw in turned into a game of head tennis before William thumped it of for a throw near the half way line.

No changes were made at half time but the boys were told to concentrate and pass the ball around to create the chances. In the 2^nd minute a ball through the middle saw James come out and dive at the forwards feet at the edge of his area. A minute later the roles were reversed as this time Charlie was put through but again the keeper got to the ball just in time, and in the 4^th minute it was Duncan’s turn to be frustrated by the fast advancing keeper. Ferndale seemed to have much more belief in the second half and they seemed to be pressing forwards the most. In the 12^th minute a forward first got past Jordan and then as Bert came across got the cross in for James to push out for a corner. Callum now came on for Jesse and 3 minute later he almost got ontot he end of an Albie cross but the defender just got there first to concede a corner. In the 19^th minute Ferndale really should have equalised. Wickham had chances to clear the ball but didn’t. Eventually the ball came across from the Wickham left to a player totally unmark. Jordan made great efforts to close the guy down and just did enough as the shot flew over the bar. In the 22^nd minute Karl brought the ball out of defence and slipped it between the centre backs for Charlie and the left back came across he found Callum who chipped the keeper only to see the ball come back off the underside of the bar. Charlie’s follow up header was then pushed wide for a corner. It was end to end stuff for the last 8 minutes but neither side really created a clear cut chance. However a potential blow for Wickham happened in the 28^th minute as James cleared the ball he seemed to pull his groin. Jordan took over in goal with Aiden playing at right back but we just need to hope James will be fit for the cup final on Saturday as Ben has not qualified to play in the game.

This was a pressure game which the lads battled for but at other times panicked a little. The back four were again strong with all the votes going to three of these players but it was William who got the Player of the Day Award. Bassett won 5-0 at Highworth, so Wickham remain just 1 point clear.

James Davis.

Jordan Shaw, William Herrington, Bert Cherrill, Olly Sopp

Albie Oakman, Marcus Guest, Karl Admans, Jesse Bowers, Duncan Lorrain

Charlie de Fraine

Subs:- Aiden Weeks, Callum Johnson, Fraser Roberts.

Report: U12 NW vs. Wroughton 17-Apr-2008

With Halcrow not available the Thursday night game against Wroughton was played in the middle of the village on an even larger pitch….18 yards from touchline to 18 yard box. It would be very interesting to see how the lads played having played on Tuesday and then with 5 of them having a trial at Southampton on Wednesday. It was into the wind in the first half but Wroughton were looking into the sun.

The lads knew they had to step up their game but in the 1st minute Nana had a run on William but he managed to get the ball off for a corner. This was cleared by Albie to Jack who got the ball up to Charlie but the move then broke down. Wroughton were pushing forwards but the back 4 were again dealing with most things but they were giving corners away. Being such a wide pitch most of these were only getting to the near post but in the 6^th minute a corner did find its way to an unmarked Nana at the back post. Marcus quickly attempted to close him down but he got his shot away which came crashing back off the post and was eventually cleared. More Wroughton pressure followed but in the 10^th minute a quick break through Albie down the right saw him get a great cross in which was just in front of Charlie, and Duncan could not quite get there at the back post. Playing with the wind Wroughton continued to have the majority of play but without really troubling James. In the 20^th minute Wickham won the ball on the left, Duncan knocking it into Karl who then switch it wide to Jack. After a couple of touches he sent Albie away who cut in towards the box and tried to bend the ball inside the post but it drifted wide. After 25 minutes a Wroughton ball was hit over the top of William and Bert. James came out of his area but fluffed his clearance which went straight to Nana but his chipped missed the wide open goal. The 27^th minute saw a sweeping move; Jack to Karl, then to Albie, Marcus & wide left to Duncan. His through ball to Charlie was just too strong & the keeper got their first. Jack took a knock on his knee tackling Nana and was replaced by Jordan.

Half time saw a major change around. James came off feeling sick, so Jordan now switched into goal. Ollie came on at right back and Fraser for Jesse whose knee was now hurting as well. No more subs for the second half then. In the second minute Fraser battled for the ball down the left, some how won it & laid it back to Duncan and then to Marcus. He found Karl but his shot went over the top. The goal kick was won by Albie but his cross went behind both Charlie & Fraser and with no midfield players running in the chance went by. In the 5^th minute Wroughton never really cleared a Wickham attack and when the ball came out to Duncan. He hit a speculative shot high into the box which cleared the keeper and went into the net, 1-0. Two minutes later a Wickham corner seemed to have been cleared but Ollie won the ball back. He knocked it forward to Charlie who seemed to have put Fraser through but a last ditch tackle gave away another corner. It was now all Wickham pressure but the lads can not get the 2nd goal to hopefully kill the game off. In the 14^th minute William got above Nana for a clearance, the ball went to Charlie and then onto Albie but he volleyed over the bar. The next minute Ollie sent Albie away but his pull back to Duncan saw him shot wide. The 22^nd minute saw Charlie send Albie through but his shot came cannoning back off the far post. Fierce tackles were now coming in with Marcus and Ollie needing treatment. In the 24^th minute William now took a blow in the face just outside the 6 yard box as Wroughton pushed forwards. Time seemed to be up but in the 31^st minute Fraser dinked a ball into the middle however the new keeper just got there in front of Albie. In the 33^rd minute Albie pulled the ball back to Fraser who was able to force the ball home. Still time went on as Wroughton throw everything forwards. Wickham cleared the ball to the Wroughton keeper, just short of the halfway line. His kick could only find Charlie but his long range shot went wide. With 37 minutes on the clock Albie was through, he went round the keeper, steadied himself and then shot but somehow the keeper got back to concede a corner. This was the last kick of the game; Wickham had got a hard fought 3 points.

This was a great battling performance and defiantly a game of two halves. Everyone gave 100% despite the pressures of the last few days but Marcus stood out in the midfield and was duly awarded the Player of the Day Award.

James Davis.

Jack Bolton, William Herrington, Bert Cherrill, Olly Sopp

Albie Oakman, Marcus guest, Karl Admans, Jesse Bowers, Duncan Lorrain

Charlie de Fraine

Subs:- Jordan Shaw, Ollie Norman, Fraser Roberts.

Report: U12 OM vs. St. James 13-Apr-2008

The big game had arrived. St James were 4 points ahead in the Division but this was their last fixture. A Wickham win and this gap was down to a point with two games remain and thus 2^nd place and promotion in the side’s first season could be a distinct possibility. Ian warned that lads that St. James could not play as poorly again as they did at the Triangle and they would have to battle for everything. A lost toss meant playing up the hill on this small pitch first.

Despite the slope Wickham were determined not to let St James settle into there stride. The majority of the play was at the top end of the field as Wickham pressed forwards. With 4 minutes gone Fraser was brought down out on the left. William hit the free kick goal bound but it just went past the left hand post. Still Wickham went forwards and two minutes later Ollie was brought down near the edge of the area. He got up and hit the free kick over the wall and into the top left hand corner of the goal to open the scoring. A minute later William sent a ball between the centre backs for Ben to run onto but the keeper was quickly out to clear the danger. A goal kick was headed back into Ben’s path by Ollie but his shot was well saved by the keeper who had already kept St. James in the game. Jack then sent Ollie down the right who then suffered a horror tackle being taken out just below the knee which the ref played on for with Wickham eventually getting a corner. After long treatment Ollie was forced to come off and was replaced by Max. Justice was however done as the corner was headed in at the near post by Josh for his first goal for the club. Following a St James attack the ball was cleared to Ben in the centre circle who immediately sent Max away but his shot across the keeper just went wide. Another free kick on the left after 17 minutes was quickly taken by Tom into Ben. He played it out left to Fraser who after getting past his man crossed it into the box where Jack let it run for Max to slam in at the back post. St James’ heads had gone down but in the 22^nd minute they had a free kick of there own which was well dealt with by Ben. His early clearance sent Max away but again the keeper just managed to save it.

With all the elements now in Wickham’s favour they should have been able to continue to dominate the game but a totally different St James side came out pinning Wickham back in their own half. With 5 minute gone a corner came in and following a scramble William cleared it off the line and away to safety. A free kick on the edge of the area was again well saved by Ben and his long kick sent Ollie away but he sliced his shot wide. The St James keeper had now found his kicking boots and in the 8^th minute a long kick cleared the Wickham defence and the forward got to the ball before Ben and chipped it into the net for 3-1. This set the tone for the game but in the 12^th minute a long shot came bouncing back off Ben’s bar with him totally beaten. Wickham tried to play on the break but the next 8 minutes were all St. James pressure but fortunately no clear cut chances were created. With 10 minute remaining Aiden tried his luck from distance but his volley cleared the bar. The pressure was mounting as Wickham had created at least three 1 on 1’s but failed to put any away to kill the game off. Finally with 25 minutes gone AO attacked down the right and whipped the ball into the middle. Ben was clattered as he seemed destine to put the ball in but Max was following in behind and duly scored. In the 27^th minute Ollie flicked the ball on seeming putting max away but the defender handled the ball giving a free kick away. Ollie hit this to the back post which was just too high for Jordie to head in. This was the last chance for either side, so St James’ season ended with them just 1 point ahead of Wickham in 2^nd place but Wickham still have 2 games left to claim that 2^nd place.

The Player of the Day voting was again close between two players but despite having to come off in the first half after a good battling second half performance was noted by the parents and it went to Ollie Norman

Ben Grey

Aiden Weeks, Josh Newbrook, Jordan Shaw, Tom Farman

Jack Wild, William Herrington, Jordie Rowlands, Ollie Norman, Fraser Roberts

Ben Cipolla.

Subs:- Alex Olford, Max Nichols, Harry Russell, Stephen Enever.

Report: U12 NW vs. Pewsham Youth 15-Apr-2008

On a dark Tuesday evening it was off to Goatacre C.C. to play Pewsham. With rain all around the boys were very lucky to play the whole game with out getting wet. Having been buzzed by some aircraft going into RAF Lynham, Karl lost the toss, so it was up the hill and against the wind in the first half but as the boys lined up they found there were only 10 players opposing them. How would this affect them?

From the kick off Wickham were in the Pewsham half but were unable to take advantage of their pressure with an early goal. In the 4^th minute Bert had the ball near the halfway line where he played it across to William and then onto Jack before it was played up the line to Albie. Albie’s cross went all the way to the back post where Olly dinked the cross to the back post where Jesse at full stretch could only put the ball over the bar. Two minutes later the ball was again worked down the right, the cross was partially cleared back out to Ablie but he shot straight at the keeper. The next minute saw two quick corners with the latter coming out to William on the edge of the box but his left foot drive was also straight at the keeper. A minute later Albie found Charlie who tried to turn and get a shot away, this was blocked but the rebound came quickly to Marcus whose snap shot went wide. The 12^th minute final saw a goal as Albie’s corner cleared William and Bert but was controlled by Jesse at the back before he drilled it in for 1-0. In the 16^th minute a Pewsham clearance found Bert some 40 yards out, his shot was missed by the keeper but it came off the post and hit Duncan before going just wide. The next minute Karl found Marcus who sent Albie away but the shot was to close to the keeper and he again made the save. Pewsham only made the occasional trip into the Wickham half when normally the back 4 dealt with everything, in fact James only probably touched the ball three times by rushing to the edge of his area to gather. Despite all the pressure Wickham only lead by 1-0 at the break.

If the first half was one sided the second was even more so as Pewsham struggled to clear their lines. Marcus probably had the first chance after 3 minutes but his shot across the keeper just missed the far post. The goal kick was intercepted by Jesse who then shot directly at the keeper for an easy save. The next minute saw Olly Karl and Duncan work the ball down the left but Albie’s shot with the outside of his right foot went straight to the keeper. In the 6^th minute the ball was worked down the left and into Albie and this time his left footed shot went to the keeper. A minute later another chance went over the bar. Finally in the 9^th minute a ball through the middle saw Ablie get his head on the ball, Charlie had a shot which the keeper fumbled. Albie battled for the ball which came back to Jesse on the edge of the area to poke in for 2-0. Wickham still went forwards and the next minute saw Duncan and Charlie combine to get the ball to Albie who again had his shot saved. In the 15^th minute Albie took two quick corners with Bert heading the second just wide of the back post. In the 18^th minute Marcus won the ball from a goal kick and dinked the ball back into the box where, for some reason, the centre back handled. Albie made no mistake from the spot. The 20^th minute saw a quick break following James’ only save of the day as Jack found Albie who played a 1-2 with Karl before crossing for Karl whose shot got deflected wide. The corner saw Charlie go up for the header and almost have his head kicked off but no foul was given. Eventually in the 28^th minute the 4^th and final goal came. Charlie sent the ball out to Albie who knocked the ball back into the middle but just in front of Charlie and Marcus but Fraser was at the back post to walk the ball into the net.

Not a good performance by the guys today possibly caused by the high work rate of the Pewsham players but a win is a win. Charlie won the Player of the Day Award but the lads need to put in a much higher level of performance and effort in their game on Thursday away at Wroughton if they want to stay in the title hunt.

James Davis.

Jack Bolton, William Herrington, Bert Cherrill, Olly Sopp

Albie Oakman, Marcus guest, Karl Admans, Duncan Lorrain

Jesse Bowers

Charlie de Fraine

Subs:- Jordan Shaw, Ollie Norman, Fraser Roberts.

Report U12 NW vs. Shaw 12-Apr-2008

The run of away games continued with the trip over to Shaw. Their recent results of a 1-1 draw against Ferndale, hitting the bar right at the end, a 2-1 loss with Bassett scoring in the last minute and a 2-1 loss against Stratton Juniors all said it would be a tough game. Karl won an important toss and decided to play with the wind in the first half.

Shaw kicked off but Wickham quite quickly set their stall out to dominate the midfield. A few quick chances were created but were just off target. In the 4^th minute Albie had drifted into the centre circle. He twisted and turned and from fully 35 yards out made space for a shot which the keeper parried onto the bar and the ball was turned away for a corner. Albie hit the corner to the near post where Charlie flicked it on for Bert to volley into the back of the net for 1-0. Wickham were now rampant and this was illustrated by the 2^nd goal which duly arrived in the 6^th minute. Marcus won the ball in midfield and immediately gave it to Karl in space. He looked up and laid it out to Duncan on the left. Callum went on a run cutting out to the left wing and Duncan found him with ease. A great left footed cross, was controlled beautifully by Charlie on his chest. He dragged the defender to the left before turning onto his right foot and drilling the ball into the back of the net. Any Shaw attack was being kept at bay by all the members of the back four who again were playing well as a unit. The midfield players were all working so hard for each other but the final balls were tending to force the forwards a little wide giving the Shaw defenders time to get back and cover…just. With 13 minutes on the clock Duncan won the ball and gave it to Karl. This time he chipped the ball over the centre back for Albie to run onto. As the keeper came out he played a little chip into the back of the net for 3-0. A series of corners then followed which were mixtures of both front and back post ones; none of these were dealt with by Shaw but all the resulting volleys or headers just missed the target. However, the pressure finally did tell, as in the 16^th minute yet another corner from Albie was driven into the net by Charlie at the near post. With 20 minutes gone Charlie and Albie came off to be replaced by Jesse on the right and Fraser up front. Despite the change in personnel Wickham still kept going forwards looking for goals. James finally touched the ball in the 25^th minute as Shaw over hit a ball over the top but it was a simple collection for him. With 28 minutes gone Wickham had a free kick some 35 yards out. Karl took it driving it into the box but Marcus just failed to get a flicked header on target so it was 4-0 at half time.

The system was changed for the second half as Olly pushed into midfield leaving only three at the back. Although this gave extra strength going forwards the lads were a little stretched at times at the back due to the now stronger wind. James had more to do as the clearances by the Shaw keeper quite often cleared William and Bert but again the back three were dealing with most things. With 10 minute gone James cleared to ball to Jack who laid it inside to Olly and then onto Charlie. He immediately sent the ball out to Albie who after getting past his man crossed the ball back to Charlie to score off the inside of the far post. Jordan then replaced Jack in the back three and despite more Shaw pressure James had still not had a save to make. With 20 minute gone James made his first save as he dived to he right and at full stretch pushed the ball past the post. The resulting corner was partially cleared and William following out knocked it up to Charlie. With no one in support he held the ball up and then was amazed to see William go running past him. He duly played the ball into his path but just before William could shoot, a covering defender got back to put the ball out of play. A few more chances were created but none were taken, however a good result putting the boys back into second place a point behind Bassett on level games.

The Player of the Day voting was close. Marcus had had a great game in midfield but he was pipped for the award by hat trick boy Charlie.

James Davis

Jack Bolton, William Herrington, Bert Cherrill, Olly Sopp

Albie Oakman, Karl Admans, Marcus Guest, Duncan Lorrain

Callum Johnson, Charlie de Fraine.

Subs:- Jordan Shaw, Jesse Bowers, Fraser Roberts.

Report: U12 OM vs. Radley 30-Mar-2008

With the lads having got themselves into a position where they could possibly finish second, this fixture against Radley was one of those games that they could be over confident and slip up. The next problem was that there were only 12 players available so any injury could have a big effect on the game; however the lads were up for it, so fingers crossed.

Wickham attacked straight from the centre and won a throw in on the left by the 18 yard box. A quick one sent Ollie away but his cross was behind all three players waiting in the box. However, AO chased it down and laid it back to Aiden who hit it back into the middle over the top of the keeper and into the back of the net for 1-0.With 6 minutes gone an AO cross was meet by Harry at the near post but his flick was well saved by the tail Radley keeper. The ball was played out but Luke won it in midfield, chipping it back towards goal. Ben brought it nicely under control before chipping the keeper and putting the ball into the back of the net, but he was adjudged to have been offside. The next minute saw a corner from Ollie headed over the bar by Ben. In the 9^th minute another Wickham attack saw the ball cleared to Ollie who was in the exact position that Aiden scored from but his shot just drifted wide of the far post. Luke then headed a corner wide as Wickham created chance after chance. Eventually in the 15^th minute Radley cleared their lines but Aiden won the ball sending Ollie away down the right. His cross found Ben, whose shot was well saved but Harry put the ball away for 2-0. More chances came and went but in the 22^nd minute James was called upon to make a great save diving at the forwards feet. With 2 minutes to go Radley again broke through and James made another good diving save but this time he stayed down having injured his back. Jack took over the keepers jersey with Luke going to centre back, Ben dropping into midfield and Stephen coming on to play up front.

There were no changes for the second half and no chance of James coming back on, so the pressure was on the lads to not concede an early goal. In the 1^st minute Ben hit a vicious shot which hit the post and went off for a goal kick. Radley had a few half attacks but any Wickham nerves were settled in the 6^th minute as a Wickham corner was cleared up field to Luke. He took his time and then sent the ball back for Ben, Harry and Stephen to run onto. A mix up between the Radley defender and the keeper let Ben in for a simple tap in. Two minutes later AO attacked down the right wing and on getting to the by line whipped the ball into the box for Stephen to hit home a first time volley. The football was now much less nervy from Wickham as they continued to create chances but the Radley keeper was in fine form keeping the lads out. After 15 minutes William brought the ball out of defence and then slipped it between the centre back and left back for AO to run on to. As the keeper came out he neatly chipped the ball over him for 5-0. A lovely move down the left hand side between Fraser and Ben eventually saw the ball played into the middle were Harry seemed to have loads of time. He controlled the ball and then calmly slotted it past the keeper to complete the scoring for the day at 6-0. Three games left and the lads are now up to 3^rd in the Division only 4 points behind St James with 2 games in hand. The next league match away at St. James is therefore a vital one in the pursuit of 2^nd place; but if it all goes wrong they can still finish in 5^th place.

Having had a good game at the back, getting up the right wing to support AO at every possible occasion and for opening the scoring, The Player of the Day Trophy was awarded to Aiden.

Report: U12 NW vs. Stratton Youth 30-Apr-2008

It was back to League fixtures with a trip up to Stratton Youth. Although they were in 8^th place the top 6 sides had all struggled to get good results against them with Bassett only winning 3-1 earlier in the month. A tough game was therefore expected with errors kept to a minimum.

In the second minute a free kick near the apex of the box was swung toward the back post by Albie was tipped round the post for a corner. The 5^th minute saw Fraser go down the left, having got past the first player he played the ball inside to Karl who tried to power the ball in with his left but only succeeded it putting it straight at the keeper. A minute later William sent Albie away down the right but just as he was going to cross the no18 got across to give away a corner. It was all Wickham pressure and in the 11^th minute Fraser got to the by line pulled the ball back which went high in the air from an attempted clearance but Charlie could not quite get onto it to force the ball home. The next minute saw Albie and the No18 battling again and again a corner was conceded. This time the corner was volleyed over by Fraser. The goal kick was won by Karl who feed Albie and his cross was headed into the keeper’s arms by Marcus. In the 16^th minute Stratton had their first real attack with Jack winning the ball near the right corner flag. He beat the forward then played it up the line to Karl. Karl followed the centre line to the middle of the pitch before playing it forwards to Charlie who played a lovely reverse pass to send Duncan away and he duly rounded the keeper to score. Almost immediately Duncan repaid the favour but this time Charlie was force wide and shot into the side netting. In the 22^nd minute a run down the right saw the ball cut inside to Charlie. He shaped to hit it with his left but dragged it back onto his right and placing it inside the post for 2-0. Two minutes before time Marcus played a ball out to Albie who got past the No18 before sending in a perfect cross for Charlie to head home off the underside of the bar.

Wickham played some better football I the second half and after 6 minute Karl sent Albie away on the right. He cut inside the defender and was taken down from behind with a penalty eventually given. Albie stepped up himself and slammed the ball into the net. More pressure followed but the Stratton keeper was now saving everything. In the 21^st minute, Albie stood over a free kick some 35 yards out. Instead of shooting he hit the ball low to Ollie (who had come on for Fraser) who turned at shot from the edge of the area but again the keeper turn the ball round for a corner. Albie took the resulting corner which came back to him from the near post. He got to the corner of the box and shot. This was blocked but the ball came back to Duncan, who after steadying himself, drilled it in for 5-0.

Following an outstanding game in midfield, never giving anything up and for scoring two goals, well the keeper was playing in orange, The Player of the Day Trophy was awarded to Duncan.

Report: U12 OM vs. Benson 17-Feb-2008

With nearly a full squad to select from and Ian away skiing, Jon took charge of this Oxford Mail fixture. A clear sky greeted everyone and it was a nice day to play football. Everything was set hopefully for a good game.

It was important that this time the lads started quickly against Benson and not to give them a four goal start like earlier in the season. With only a minute on the clock the ball was played out wide to Jack, who crossed first time. The ball landed at Jordie’s feet who hit a first time shot but unfortunately it went straight at the keeper for a regulation save. This was to be the pattern of the first half. 10 minutes went by with Wickham dominating the game. Chance after chance came and went. Prime examples where when Ben C hit the post and then Ollie somehow managed to blast over the bar from only 6 yards out. With 22 minutes on the clock, Jack cleared the ball from a Benson corner, every one pushed out, and Max helped the ball on. However, the Benson Centre half picked the ball up on this 18 yard box, and hit a ball over the top. Wickham had all pushed out up to the centre circle, with two Benson forwards just walking back still only 20 yards from the Wickham goal. This was clearly off side which was missed by both the linesman and the Ref. The Benson forwards turned took a touch and duly smashed the ball passed Ben G unopposed. Benson where now one up at half time, totally against the run of play.

The half time talk was set around the lads continuing to play the type of football which they had been doing in the first half but just converting a chance or two. The boys response was good and immediate. They attacked straight from the kick off. Ben C latched on to a pass from Max, and having taken a touch, hit low and hard into the bottom left corner of the goal. From this point on it was all one way traffic. Max was playing really well out on the wing creating lots of space for himself. Another ball played in into the box by Max was coolly finished by Ben C putting Wickham 2 – 1 up and the lads were flying playing some lovely football. Then come the best move of the game, the ball was played out left to Max; he passed it to Ollie in the middle, and after beating has man played it back to him on the half way line. Having controlled the ball Max looked up, and hit a 20 yard ball over the top, where Ben ran on to it hitting the ball first time into the back of the net, 3 -1 and a great goal. With 5 minutes remaining Max won a corner on the left. Ollie hit a great ball in right under the bar, it was clear to edge of the box where Luke hit a half volley which the keeper could only parry into the net for a final score of 4 – 1.

Ben Grey

Aiden Weeks, Josh Newbrook, Jordan Shaw, Tom Farman.

Jack Wild, Luke Evans, Jordie Rowlands, Ollie Norman, Max Nicholls.

Ben Cipolla.

Subs:- Alex Olford, Stephen Enever, Harry Russell.