Report: U12 NW vs. Wroughton 20-Jan-2008

The ¼ final of the North Wilts League Cup saw fellow title rivals Wroughton come over to the Triangle Field. With the rain during the week, the pitch could be described as heavy but the ball rolled and bounced OK and both management teams agreed that the game could go ahead, as, more importantly, did the ref. Karl had been ill over night but the normal 11 started the game.

Wroughton had the initial pressure, as in the first minute a Wickham defensive throw in was won by them and switched into the middle when Nana, who had started playing as a centre forward, somehow flicked the ball on. Jesse half cleared the ball to their left winger who flashed a shot some two yards wide of the post. Wickham then went on the attack playing down the right wing. Karl got the cross into Callum who got his shot away just as the defender dived in but this also just went past the post. The wind and rain was into Wickham’s faces but, like last week, they started to dominate the game. In the 4th minute Jack broke up a Wroughton attack and fired the ball to Karl on the right. After going past a man he played the ball into Callum, who sent Charlie though on the left of the goal. He drew the keeper switched to the right, evaded a sliding defender before slamming the ball home. In the 12th minute Christie Miller, in the Wroughton goal, pulled off a cracking save from Karl and from the resulting corner Duncan’s flicked header just went past the far post. The Wickham back four were dealing with everything which came their way, with William playing in a slightly deeper roll sweeping up anything which came through and Olly doing a similar covering job from the left back position. With 16 minutes gone Wickham’s pressure paid off. Charlie won the ball and fired it out to Albie who had now switched to the right. He got past his man and fired the ball into the middle. Callum could not get the finished touch to it but he stopped it going out for a goal kick, cutting back into the box. He seemed to have his legs taken away but somehow stayed on his feet to shoot under the diving keeper for 2-0. The last 10 minutes were all Wickham attacks. Albie had two volleys drift just wide of the post and a third cannon off the post, Callum had a chance which went just wide, Charlie put the ball into the back of the net following a Duncan return header from a goal kick but he was adjudged to be off side. Finally, in the 27th minute a corner was headed in by Callum which was just reward for all the prior pressure. The rain had now stopped but the wind was still quite fresh as the lads came off 3-0 up.

Wroughton, just like Windsor last weekend, came out strong against the wind but they had now pushed 3 up front. More of the play was now in the Wickham half but again the back four were clearing the lines with James limited to goal kicks. In the 8th minute Duncan was free near the edge of the box and he got his shot away. The keeper fumbled it, so Fraser picked it up, went round the keeper and got his shot away only to see it cleared off the line. In the 13th minute Fraser got down the left pulling a cross into the middle which missed Albie but Charlie at the back post slammed the ball in only for Albie to be given off side. With 15 minutes left Wroughton brought on a different keeper with Christie going back into his midfield role as Wroughton now switched to a 2-4-4 formation. Ollie replaced Fraser to strengthen the midfield area and the Wickham’s defence still held strong until the 21st minute when Wroughton attacked down their right. The Wickham defence moved across to cover but they were badly outnumbered. As the ball was centred Jack had come from right back into the centre and got there before the two forwards; however his attempted left footed volley clearance was sliced over the top of James and into the back of the net for a cracking own goal. The last 9 minutes were mainly in the Wickham half but James only had one shot to deal with, which he comfortably saved. Thus a 3-1 victory and now the lads are only 1 game away from a final at Swindon Town F. C.


Player of the Day Trophy was given to a player who was asked to do a specific job and did it so well that the parents noticed as well. He also could have had a hat trick and considering he only played the first half it was a great performance by Callum.
James Davies
Jack Bolton, Bert Cherrill, William Herrington, Olly Sopp
Albie Oakman, Karl Admans, Duncan Lorraine, Jesse Bowers
Charlie de Fraine, Callum Johnson
Subs:- Jordan Shaw, Ollie Norman, Fraser Roberts

Report: U12 NW vs. New Windsor Youth 13-Jan-2008

The 4^th round of the Berks & Bucks cup saw the lads travel to Eton Playing Fields to play in the shadow of Windsor castle against New Windsor Youth. Having seen Windsor’s form, this was likely to be a close, hard game and if the lads were not concentrating from the start then the game could be out of reach very quickly.

Wickham kicked off and almost immediately gave the ball away as it was hit directly to the ref. Windsor, playing with the wind, seemed to have the best of the initial stages as it was a slow start by the lads. Fortunately the back 4 were looking solid and James was not really tested. Time flew by with the first Wickham chance coming in the 8^th minute. Callum worked the ball down the left, chipped it into the middle where Charlie flicked it on into Albie’s path. He hit a rasping shot which, unlike Geoff Hurst’s hit the underside of the bar and came out. In the 11^th minute a Windsor throw in was won by Duncan who laid the ball off to Callum. He again went down the left, before tucking the ball inside for Ablie. He seemed to be squeezed out by the defenders but as the keeper came out Albie was able to block the clearance which cannoned over the keeper and gave Albie the chance to run round to put the ball into the back of the net for 1-0. In the 17^th minute Windsor had the first corner of the game which was played short but Duncan won the ball, playing it out to the left. Here Karl and Callum combined before Karl whipped the cross in, but Albie’s volley went over the top. Despite the wind Wickham were dominating and 2 minutes later some lovely interplay between Jesse, Karl and Albie ended with a cross coming in which Charlie just failed to apply the finishing touch to. Wickham won their first corner after 25 minutes but Bert’s header just went just over and wide.

Despite Wickham having, the now stronger, wind on their backs Windsor, as expected, came out strongly. However after 30 seconds Albie put Charlie through but the keeper made a great save. Windsor went straight on the attack pulling Wickham’s defence all over the place but eventually William cleared the ball up field. Wickham were now playing on the counter attack and in the 5^th minute Jack sent Albie away, he cut into the box but again the keeper made the save. Windsor were now pushing hard and after 8 minutes the Wickham defence were all dragged across to the right leaving two Windsor players unmarked in the centre. As the ball came across to them Duncan made a timely tackle to clear the danger. With 13 minute gone the inevitable happened. Following a breakdown of a Wickham attack, Windsor broke down their right. First Duncan and then Olly were beaten by the winger, Bert came across but was beaten for pace but William got the tackle in; unfortunately the ball ricochet of the attacker and set him free. Having got close to the by line he had two team mates to pick out with only Jack to defend them and sure enough the ball was fired home. In the 15^th minute Albie was beautifully put through the middle by Jesse but as he approached the edge of the box he was brought down. His free kick was heading towards the corner of the goal but the keeper got across to make the save. A minute later Albie got through again but this time his shot just went over the bar. In the 21^st minute some interplay between Jesse and Albie saw a cross come in which Callum’s loopy header went over the keeper but also the bar. Another attack down the right saw the ball fired into Charlie at the near post but the defender just got to the ball first. The resulting corner it was partially cleared out to William, who drilled the ball towards the goal but unfortunately straight at the keeper. The goal kick was again won back by Wickham and then put back into the box where Charlie and Duncan battled for the ball. Eventually it was squared out to Callum on the apex of the 18 yard box who hit a dipping, bending shot into the top left hand corner. Wickham continued to create chances but could not get the third goal to kill the game off, until eventually, in the dying seconds, a throw by Olly went down the line to Callum. He played the ball to Jesse who crossed it into the box where Charlie hit it. The keeper made a partial stop but the ball slipped under his body and Charlie raced round to slam it into the net. There was only just time for Windsor to kick off, thus Wickham had won this highly competitive game 3-1 and progress to the quarter finals.

Player of the Day Trophy was not awarded to anyone as this was seen as a great team effort by everyone, with it being possible to make a case for most of the players to win it. The next round on 3rd February is a home match against either Newport Pagnell or Kennington from the Oxford Mail League.

James Davies

Jack Bolton, Bert Cherrill, William Herrington, Olly Sopp

Albie Oakman, Karl Admans, Duncan Lorraine, Jesse Bowers

Charlie de Fraine, Callum Johnson

Subs:- Jordan Shaw, Aiden Weeks, Tom Farman, Ollie Norman, Ben Cipolla

Report: WW U12 OM vs. Didcot Casuals

It was a long time since the Appleton game but with a full squad of 16 players the lads seemed up for this trip to Didcot Casuals, who were 1 point ahead in the table. Josh Newbrook was making his debut for the side so Aiden and Jack were given the freedom of the right hand side, able to swap positions whenever they wished.

Despite the lay off Wickham started playing some lovely football. Didcot’s little no.16 was causing a few problems getting down the line quite easily at times but the new central pairing were dealing well with anything which got to them. After 8 minutes the ball was worked down the right and then switched to the left. As the cross came in Jack was steaming in; his shot was parried out towards Fraser but the keeper was quick enough to smother the chance. In the 9^th minute neither Jack nor Aiden were in the right back position so the forward had a clear run on goal but Ben timed his run perfectly to make the initial block and got up quickly to complete the save. A minute later Jack was in the right wing position on the edge of the area where he played it back to Aiden. This allowed Jack to get some space and after receiving the ball back drilled a shot against the post. Ben was there to place the rebound into the back of the net. After 12 minutes Ian finally notice that Tom was playing in trainers, he was therefore replaced by William so he could put some boots on. Wickham now attacked more down the left and the ball was played into Ben, who, after drawing the keeper just placed his shot wide of the post. After 17 minutes William, Luke and Fraser played some lovely one touch football which eventually set William free. As he cut into the box he seemed to be crossing the ball but it beat the keeper at the near post for 2-0. Tom now returned for William. Three minutes later Jack did some great work on the right but was grossly out numbered. He kept battling for the ball eventually winning it and getting into the box where he was fouled. Fraser stepped up to take the penalty which came crashing back off the post to him which he duly tucked away. Did the keeper push it onto the post? He must have done as the goal stood! AO and Max now replaced Jack and Fraser and shortly afterwards Harry and Stephen were also introduced into the game. With time running out Didcot again broke down the left but Ben came out and made another great save.

Didcot were taken away into the changing rooms for their half time “talk” so Ian warned the boys that they would come out hard in the second half and it was important not to concede and early goal. Sure enough, the game changed around, with Wickham struggling to clear the ball and Didcot being a constant threat. With 14 minutes gone Didcot went straight down the middle and for the first time the Jordan / Josh combination did not cut out the danger. Ben came out to narrow the angle but the ball was just slipped past him into the corner for 3-1. Ben and William now replaced Harry and Stephen but this had very little effect, as Didcot were buoyed by the goal. The Wickham players were now picking up injuries forcing subs to be made with players now playing out of position. In the 23^rd minute Ollie slipped Ben though, who then played the ball out to the right where Fraser was now playing. His cross came back to Ben who crashed the ball against the keeper but Fraser got to the rebound first, drilling a cross to the far post where Max had arrived to score. Didcot went back on the attack but Aiden, now at left back, won the ball sending Max away down the line. Having advanced down the line Max played the ball across to Ben, who then slipped the ball inside the fullback for Fraser to run onto and slam the ball into the back of the net for 5-1. With 3 minutes left Ben was again sent though but this time the defender was able to catch him; however his back pass was picked up by the keeper, so Wickham had an indirect free kick some 14 yards out. William and Fraser stood over the ball but it was touched to Ollie who duly slammed the ball into the net through a crowd of players.

This was a great performance, with the lads passing the ball around, looking for space and helping each other out. Ben had a great game in goal pulling off three fantastic saves and was a candidate for the Player of the Day. However, by one vote it went to Fraser.

Ben Grey

Aiden Weeks, Josh Newbrook, Jordan Shaw, Tom Farmer

Jack Wild, Luke Evans, Jordie Rowlands Ollie Norman, Fraser Roberts

Ben Cipolla

Subs:- Alex Olford, Max Nicholls, William Herrington, Stephen Enever, Harry Russell.

Report: WW U12 NW vs. Ferndale Rodbourne

The first game in the New Year was against last years runners up Ferndale Rodbourne. These are always highly competitive games and one which the lads would have to be up for. James was suffering with illness so Ben Grey returned back into the side after a year and a half away.

The opening exchanges must have been exciting since the first check of the watch saw that 5 minutes had already gone, but shortly after this the first goal arrived. Jesse threaded the ball through the middle, up Charlie who laid it out wide to Albie. He simply advanced into the area before blasting the ball over the keeper. From the centre Ferndale just went straight through the middle of the Wickham defence but fortunately Olly got across to make the saving tackle. The warning signs should have been seen, however, within a minute Ferndale again attacked and three Wickham players had the chance to clear the ball but went for the playing it out option. Eventually, the ball fell to the Ferndale forward who hit his shot first time over Ben and into the net. This set off wild celebrations both on and off the field. Ferndale were able to limit Wickham to half chances in the box and long range efforts during the next 15 minutes. Olly hit a cross shot into the area which Charlie just failed to get his head to and the ball fell into the keepers arms. An Albie free kick was headed just over by Charlie and in the 21^st minute Charlie was set free by a quick throw in but he was forced wide and his shot went into the side netting. The last 5 minutes saw Wickham encamped in the final third of the pitch but just could not put the ball away. In the 28^th minute Jesse let fly from outside the box beating the keeper all ends up but the ball came back off the post. Charlie raced in and put the ball away but Callum was adjudged to have been off side when the initial shot came in, becoming active after the ball hit the post, so the goal did not stand and it was 1-1 at half time.

Wickham attacked from the start but in the 5^th minute it was Ferndale who had the first chance. A free kick was hit into the area; Bert made a great sliding tackle, with the ball coming out to Duncan. He placed the ball between the centre backs for Albie to run on to. Despite the defender getting close enough to push him in the back, Albie coolly slotting the ball home for 2-1. Three minutes later Charlie and Albie worked the ball between themselves down the right hand side. Charlie laid the ball back to Karl who drove the shot goal bound only to see the keeper make a great save, however Fraser was following in and, despite an initial miscontrol, he squeezed the ball home from a tight angle. More Wickham pressure followed and you felt that a 4^th would kill the game off. In the 14^th minute an Albie corner went to the back post but some how the ball was eventually cleared off the line. Ferndale, as expected, were always dangerous on the break and after 18 minutes they had a 3 on 2 but William timed the tackle perfectly to break up the attack. More Ferndale pressure followed as they looked to get back into the game. In the 20^th minute William again stopped an attack and, seeing the Ferndale defence pushed up, hit a long ball over the top of the centre backs. Fraser and Charlie raced past the defenders and as the keeper came out Fraser knocked the ball into Charlie’s path for him to walk the ball into the back of the net. Wickham won the ball from the centre but a great double save from the keeper, first from Albie and then from Charlie ensured Wickham did not score again. There was now only one team in it. In the 25^th minute another great save from the keeper kept out a rasping drive from Fraser. Wickham then had a series of corners which were all hit to the near post but all dealt with by the defenders; however the 4^th was hit long to the back post where William rose unchallenged to power his header home. A good 5-1 win and now off to Eton for round 4 of the B & B cup.

Player of the Day was a very close battle. Two players had the votes split between them but for a fine defensive display and scoring with a bullet header the award went to William.

Ben Grey

Jack Bolton, Bert Cherrill, William Herrington, Olly Sopp

Albie Oakman, Karl Admans, Duncan Lorraine, Jesse Bowers

Charlie de Fraine, Callum Johnson

Subs:- Fraser Roberts, Jordan Shaw, Max Nicholls

Report: WW U12 NW vs. Coleshill

The postponed fixture against Coleshill was slotted in just before Xmas. A surprise frost did put the game in some doubt but by moving to the U14’s pitch and delaying the start to 11.15 the game was able to go ahead OK although initially the surface was quite hard.

Coleshill kicked off but Charlie chased the ball down before feeding it out to Albie, who unfortunately could not get his shot away before being closed down. However the early goal sequence was continued as in the 2^nd minute Jack played the ball down the line to Albie. Albie jinked past a couple of players before playing the ball square to Jesse. He seemed to take an age to get his shot away but the rebound came out to Charlie who scored. In the 3^rd minute a slide rule pas from Jesse sent Albie away but his dipping shot hit the apex of the right hand upright before going out of play. The 6^th minute saw a Charlie shot from a corner cleared off the line and away to safety. The lads seemed to be in cruse mode and in the 7^th minute almost paid the price as Coleshill broke but the shot cannoned off the post for a goal kick. Wickham were creating chances but still the normal passion did not seem to be there. In the16th minute a Coleshill corner was headed clear by Bert to Jesse. He feed the ball up-field to Charlie who laid it back to Karl for him to send Jack away down the right. He played an inside pass to Albie and went for the return but Albie spun round and chipped the keeper from the edge of the box for 2-0. in the 18^th minute Wickham worked a throw on the right hand side which saw Albie whip a cross in which cleared Callum at the back post. Karl chased the ball down knocked it to Charlie who scored from the edge of the box.

The first Coleshill attack of the second half seemed to have been cleared up by William but as the attacked closed him down an over exuberant shoulder charge lead to a penalty being conceded. Despite James going the right way the ball found the back of the net. This spurred Coleshill on and they had plenty of position during the next 10 minutes, in fact they had a great chance to get another goal but James got his angles right and the forward shot wide. In the 15^th Minute Ollie Norman, who was now on for Duncan, played a lovely ball between the two centre backs for Charlie to run onto and as the keeper came out he slotted the ball into the corner. Three minutes later the ball was bouncing around in the Coleshill box, with shots coming in from Albie, Karl and Charlie but eventually Albie put the ball away. Wickham now started to play their normal flowing football scoring four more times in the last 6 minutes. The first saw Ben drive in a cross fired in from the right. Straight from the centre Wickham won the ball back and played some lovely one touch football which eventually saw Karl through on goal. His shot was well saved but the ball was then played back into the box for Charlie to finish. In the 26^th minute Charlie rattled the post following another slick passing movement which started with Olly at left back. Two minutes later following two cleared corners the third was played short and then out to William on the edge of the box. His drive was handled by a defender in the six yard box but Callum pounced on the ball to drill it home. In the final minute Albie found himself on the left hand side following a corner, so he dinked a cross into the box where Bert fired the ball home giving Wickham a, little flattering, 9-1 victory.

Player of the Day went to Charlie for a great attacking display which yielded four goals, but also for a great effort in working back and creating opportunities for other people.

James Davies

Jack Bolton, Bert Cherrill, William Herrington, Olly Sopp

Albie Oakman, Karl Admans, Duncan Lorraine, Jesse Bowers

Charlie de Fraine, Callum Johnson

Subs:- Ollie Norman, Ben Cipolla