Day 1 of Wickham Wanderers Annual Six a Side Tournament was played in overcast conditions but fortunately there was no rain.
The first semi finals of the day saw Wickham beat Ballers FC (of Hammersmith) 2-1 and then Hatch Warren beat Stratton Juniors 1-0 in the other semi.
Hatch Warren were the favorites, having already beaten Wickham in the group stages, but Wickham were determined not to let lightning strike twice and scored through Harry Hoareau from a corner just before half time. Both teams had chances in the second half but Wickham held on to become the day’s first winners.
It was then the U11’s turn. The 1st Semi saw Bourne End run out deserved 2-0 winners against Oxford. The second semi between Bournemouth academy U10’s side and Lydiard A went to penalties, after the match ended in a 1-1 draw, with the academy side winning though 2-1. The final was a great advert for U11 soccer as both teams passed the ball around playing lovely football but after extra time the game was still goalless. It was back to penalties with Bournemouth won 3-2.
The U16’s were next up on the finals pitch last on in the afternoon. North Greenford and got past Rusthall (from Kent) 2-0 in one semi final with Swindon Soccer Skill getting past Ealing by a similar score. Both sides had won their groups by only conceding 1 goal apiece so a tight final was expected which it proved to be. With time rapidly running out Swindon Soccer Skills scored the only goal of the game to win 1-0.
The last game of the day was the U12’s final. Wroughton A had got past Rusthall 1-0 in one semi final but Wickham had needed to go though Extra time and then penalties to get the better of Ballers 1-0 on penalties. The final between these two top North Wilts league sides was always going to be a tough game and Wickham took the lead after 3 minutes. Wroughton struck back almost straight from the kick off and then scored again just before half time. As Wickham attacked in the second half a free kick just outside the Wroughton box was cleared and a breakaway goal made the game safe and a 3-1 for Wroughton, who were the best U12 side at the Tournament,
