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 4th 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 2nd goal which duly arrived in the 6th 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 16th 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 25th 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.
