Report: U12 OM vs. Kidlington

Following a week off due to B & B cup action, the lads travelled up to Kidlington. Not having played them this season, and knowing they were only just behind in the table, a difficult game was expected.

Straight from the centre Kidlington attacked and won a corner but this was cleared. Almost immediately they broke again and despite the player looking offside Ben made the save. In the 2^nd minute Max went down the left cut inside and shot across the keeper, however the ball came back off the far post for Jack to put in, but he was adjudged to have been offside. The first goal did however follow a minute later as Ben burst through. Just on the edge of the box he lost control of the ball but knocked it sideways for Ollie to score. Wickham were running the game but they were vulnerable on the break and in the 13^th minute a ball over the top seemed to be played to an offside forward but the flag stayed down. The player shot across Ben who pushed the ball onto the post but it went in for 1-1. Wickham continued to press and Kidlington break until the 20^th minute when Jack got through only to see his shot turned away for a corner. The corner was taken short to Jack who played it into the near post. Jordan’s flicked head was blocked on the line but he then slammed the rebound in for 2-1. In the 23^rd minute Wickham attacked down the left with Max and Tom battling for the ball. Eventually it was played into the middle where Ben hit the ball under the keeper. Two minutes later Ben just failed to convert another chance but then the clearance went over the top of all the Wickham defenders and despite Ben G getting a good hand on the ball, there was just enough power for it to go into the net. In the 29^th minute it was Wickham’s turn to break as Ben went straight through the middle. As both defenders closed on him he flicked the ball over the keeper with just enough power for it to reach the back of the net. Jordie then won the ball from the centre sending Jack away down the right. After getting past two players the ball came into the middle where Ollie had his shot saved but Ben turned in the rebound, thus giving Wickham a rather flattering 5-2 half time lead.

Ian asked for a better controlled style of football in the second half with the midfield working back more. The first 8 minutes were all played in the Kidlington half with multiple corners won but all were well defended, but then Kidlington broke away 2 on 2. Aiden won the ball back, then lost it but the second Kidlington player had drifted offside. In the 9^th minute a Kidlington clearance came out Tom in the centre circle who had a shot which hit the post and went to safety. In the 15^th minute Kidlington had a corner which Ben G saved next to his back post. An early long clearance found Ben C racing past the defender and he duly slotting it past the advancing keeper. Wickham won the ball immediately from the centre and Jack sent AO away down the right. He passed the ball inside to Ollie who then feed Ben for him to score his 5^th of the day. Ben and Luke were then substituted for Steven and Harry but Wickham continued to go forwards. In the 25^th minute a break down the left eventually saw Ollie cut into the box. With Harry and AO waiting at the back post Ollie’s cross shot found its way into the back of the net. Disappointingly, with a minute, left Kidlington went down the right and crossed the ball into the middle. As Ben came out to meet the forward he was chipped, to make the final score 8-3 to Wickham.

For a good all round performance and not just for scoring 5 goals in the game, the parent’s choice for the Player of the Day Award went to Ben C.

Report: U12 NW vs. Stratton Juniors A 10-Feb-2008

Back to League action this weekend and the visit of Stratton Juniors. These are always hard games and they have just come off the back of a good draw against Bassett, so would be a real threat today. Marcus Guest was making his debut but Jesse seemed to be carrying and injury.

Wickham seemed to have everything under control in the initial stages, as the majority of the play was in the Stratton half. Despite the pressure no clear cut chances were created. In the 6th minute a long clearance put the Wickham defence under pressure and the ball was put out for a corner. This initial one was put out for another corner, but the second was an out-swinger which was volleyed goal bound but Olly headed it off the line. This seemed to spur Stratton on and if anything they now became the dominant force. Wickham were playing with very little width and as they tried to play down the middle the balls were easily dealt with by the Stratton central two. James was force to come rushing off his line and clear on a number of occasions but in the 17th minute Stratton attacked down their left. With 6 Wickham defenders back and only one forward in the box there seemed little damage but the cross was pulled back to the edge of the area where a midfield play arrived unmarked to crash the ball into the roof of the net. Neither side created much more in the half, so Wickham found themselves 1-0 down at half time.

The lads came out much stronger in the second half with Albie pushed out on the right and Callum, on for Jesse, on the left. In the 6th minute Olly hit a ball into the box for Charlie but the defender just got there with his head first. The ball seemed to be going in but it cannoned back off the post straight into the keeper arms. After 10 minutes Albie had drifted across to the left and received the ball from Callum. As he cut inside he hit a dipping shot which just dipped too much and the keeper was able to gather at full stretch. A quick Wickham attack down the right after 15 minutes saw Jack feed Albie. As he got away from his man he cut into the box but his cross shot just missed the far post and Callum could not quite reach it to tuck it away. In the 18th minute a rare Stratton break saw them get past Jack and then William as well, as he came across to cover. The cross then came into the box on the 6 yard line and unfortunately under pressure Olly put it in. The next minute saw an Albie corner go to the back post which Marcus just headed over. An Albie free kick was then well saved by the keeper which was quickly followed by another free kick from Bert, which hit Albie on the back as he seemed certain to get through the defenders. This was to prove costly as in the 22nd minute a high ball was back headed by Bert sending the forward through 1 on 1 with James and it was duly slammed into the net. The next minute saw a similar incident but this time James made the initial save. However, the ball came out to another forward who slammed the ball towards the goal. Fortunately William had got back onto the line, stopping it in his midriff before clearing it. The 26th minute saw a Wickham corner hit the post and then a second well saved by the keeper. James made another good save coming to the edge of his area before the final corner of the game was crashed against the Stratton bar by Bert. Wickham had gone down to a 3-0 defeat on a day when nothing seemed to bounce for them; however nothing must be taken away from Stratton who deserved their victory.

Player of the Day Trophy was given to James who was off his line quickly during most of the game making some vital saves near the edge of his area.

Report: U12 NW vs. Kennington 3-Feb-2008

Berks and Bucks ¼ final week saw Kennington, a top 3 OML side, come to the Triangle. As they had lost to Didcot in the OML Cup ¼ final the previous week, we were expecting them to be up for this game. Wickham were without Jesse, who had fallen off a trampoline on Saturday evening, and with a strong wind blowing, Kennington elected to play the first half against it.

The initial stages were quite even but in the 6^th minute an Olly throw in cleared both Duncan and Callum but Fraser had cut to the line to get the ball. He went past his man and found Charlie in the middle, who, after controlling the ball, tucked it away with his left foot. With 10 minute gone Fraser was fouled out near the touchline. Albie hit the kick to the back of the box but it just drifted wide of the far post. The second goal soon arrived, all be it by an unusual method. Albie took a corner from the right hitting it long and deep. With the aid of the wind the ball drifted in at the back post for 2-0. Wickham continued to attack getting a number of corners but all these we just scrambled away. In the 17^th minute some work between Karl, Duncan and Albie saw the latter fouled in a similar position to the early free kick. This time Albie’s kick was more accurate and went straight in at the far post for 3-0. A minute later some great passing between Charlie and Albie put the latter in some space but his quick shot drifted just wide. With 25 minute gone Bert broke up an attack, immediately hitting the ball to the left wing. Good work from Callum and Fraser put Albie into some space and his early cross was controlled by Charlie before slotting the ball home. The whole back four were playing well with James only touching the ball twice, which included a save from a free kick from about 25 yards out, thus a 4-0 half time lead.

Straight from the kick off Charlie intercepted the ball and went on a little run getting past all the defenders before reaching the edge of the box, but unfortunately hit shot, under pressure, went over the bar. Despite the wind, which now seemed to be even stronger, Wickham were not getting over run by Kennington. The back four were still playing well covering for each other, with William and Bert winning most things in the air. After 10 minutes a rash challenge near the edge of the Wickham area saw Kennington have a free kick about 22 yards out. They tried to float it into the far corner but fortunately the ball went about 2 yards wide. Wickham were now keeping the ball on the floor and were getting some space down the left as Kennington push 3 and sometimes 4 players forward however, Wickham failed to use this space until there was only 10 minutes left. Jack won the ball out wide on the right and played it up the line to Karl. He played it inside to Charlie who turned and immediately sent Callum away. As he got past the last defender he shot and the ball slipped nicely past the keeper and into the net for 5-0. In the 24^th minute another corner caused panic in the defence and the ball came out to Bert, who’s shot shaved the outside of the post. With five minutes left a lovely move involving Karl and Albie saw the ball crossed to Charlie at the near post but his flick ended up in the side netting. In the 27^th minute a Kennington break away looked certain to give them a consolation goal, but some good chasing back and then a great tackle from William stopped the initial shot. James was then able to make the block and gather up the rebound from the follow up. Thus, a 5-0 victory was secured and now the boys must travel to Harwell to play the semi-final at East Hendred’s ground, another top 3 OML side.

Player of the Day Trophy was given to William who was again a rock at the back, covering his fellow defenders, but when he made a mistake he always seemed to have enough time to regain control and then clear the danger.

James Davies

Jack Bolton, Bert Cherrill, William Herrington, Olly Sopp

Albie Oakman, Karl Admans, Duncan Lorraine, Fraser Roberts

Charlie de Fraine, Callum Johnson

Subs:- Jordan Shaw, Ollie Norman, Max Nicholls, Ben Cipolla

Report: U12 NW vs. Highworth C 27-Jan-2008

Back to League action and Highworth C came to the Triangle on a lovely sunny afternoon. Karl was ill so William took the armband and Ollie Norman stepped into the starting eleven.

Wickham started slowing and it was noticeable that the drive (and the voice) were missing from Wickham’s midfield. The tentative approach was almost exposed in the 4^th minute as Highworth attacked down their left. The winger got past Jack and as the defence shifted across he whipped the cross in to an unmarked player at the back post only 5 yards out. Fortunately he could get no power into the shot and James got across to make the save. Wickham did not really test the Highworth keeper until a corner in the 15^th minute was bundled off the line and away to safety. In the 17^th minute Duncan took a throw in to Callum who then turned the ball inside to Albie. He seemed to be blocked out and was forced across the edge of the Highworth box until he was able to create a little space to lash the ball into the roof of the net. The game was still quite even and in the 23^rd minute a Highworth corner was partially cleared. The ball was knocked back to the corner taker who was just onside and he hit a good cross to the back post for a simple tap in equaliser. A minute later Wickham attacked down the left with the ball eventually coming inside to Albie. The ball seemed to get stuck under his feet but somehow he dug it out, getting power into the shot which ended up hitting the top of the bar. With time running out Highworth broke through but James came out to make the initial save which William then cleared for a corner.

Jon impressed on the lads that things had to improve in the second half as the Highworth manager could be heard to say “more of the same boys, the job is only half done”. In the first minute Wickham almost got back in front after some play down the right but Jesse’s shot was headed off the line for a corner with the keeper nowhere. The corner was played in and the defender sliced his clearance back out to Albie. His measured cross found Duncan, who chipped the ball into the corner of the goal for 2-1. In the 4^th minute the Highworth sub no.12 used his pace to create some space but William got across to rob him and in turn sent the ball up to Charlie. Charlie battled on his own for the ball, somehow winning it and then able to get his shot away. This was initially save but he put the rebound away for 3-1. Highworth were packing the defence only leaving the No.12 up front but this paid dividends in the 9^th minute as a long clearance set him free. William could only just keep pace and as James came out the forward neatly clipped the ball into the back of the net. The next minute saw Ollie put the ball through the middle for Callum and Charlie to attack. Callum got a shot in which was saved but he got to the rebound only to hit the outside of the post. In the 15^th minute the ball was worked down the right and then into Charlie. Despite the presents of two defenders he was able to force the ball home. The next 6 minutes were all Wickham and they were able to secure the game. The 17^th minute saw Charlie complete his hat trick as he played two 1-2’s with Albie before tucking the ball inside the right hand post. In the 19^th minute a goal kick was headed back by Duncan to Charlie with his back to goal. He played a little reverse ball to Albie who drilled the ball home from the edge of the area. Two minutes later the Wickham defence cleared the ball up the right wing. Max should never have got near it but he battled and won the ball, then immediately feed Albie. The keeper saved the initial shot but Albie had followed up to put away the rebound completing his hat trick and a 7-2 win for Wickham. As Bassett could only draw again Stratton Juniors, Wickham’s position at the top of the division became a little stronger.

Player of the Day Trophy was given to a player who worked even harder than normal without Karl by his side and who actually scored against a side who did not play in Orange…..Duncan.

Report: U12 OM vs. Kennington 27-Jan-2008

Having had another 2 weeks off, it was Oxford to play Kennington B. Jordan, Ben C and Fraser were all missing and with 10 minutes to go so were 5 other players. Fortunately Kennington’s A team, who were already using the pitch, had their OML cup game go into extra time, allowing everyone to get to the ground for the start.

From the start Wickham had two quick attacks down the right then in the 3^rd minute AO got past the full back before getting his cross in. Harry’s initial shot was blocked, as was Max’s follow up, but Harry was able to put the second rebound away. Wickham totally dominated the next 10 minutes creating lots of chances but never quite able to force the ball home. Most of the attacking was coming from the right and in the 12^th minute AO delivered another cross to the back post where Max was waiting to hit his shot across the keeper into the far corner for 2-0. Two minutes later another cross from AO saw Harry’s shot saved, the defenders clearance only found Max, who scored again. In the 19^th minute it looked like Max would complete his hat trick but the keeper made a fine save pushing the ball out to the left. Max chased after it and turned it back into Tom’s path for him to hit it across the keeper and in. With the half running out a rare Kennington attack saw Jack boxed in near his own corner flag. He created a little space and played it inside to Jordie, who had been everywhere during the half, and he, in turn gave it to Luke. Luke then played a simple ball between the two full backs for William to run onto, who then duly went round the keeper to tap the ball in.

Despite the lads being 5-0 up at half time Ian was not happy with the performance. Players were bunching together not keeper the ball on the floor and generally not working for each other. A big improvement was needed in the second half, and it came. Ben made his first real save in the 5^th minute and then his long clearance saw Ollie hit the ball over the bar. From the resulting goal kick Luke won the ball and played it forward to Ollie. With his back to the goal, he flicked the ball up in the air, span round and volleyed it over the keeper into the back of the net. From the centre Wickham attacked and Harry hit the post with his best shot of the day. A minute later Kennington broke up an attack and went down the right. With the Wickham defence appealing for offside the attacker was away and had no problems in putting the ball past Ben. This stunned Wickham into playing their best football of the match. A series of attacks were partially cleared until finally in the 13^th minute the ball came out to Luke who hit a stunning volley from 35 yards into the net. A minute later Ollie intercept a goal kick and went past two defenders before drawing the keeper and slotting the ball home. Wickham kept on going forwards and in the 19^th minute a cross was drilled in from the left which AO neatly laid back for Jordie to deservedly score. Kennington mounted a few attacks in the next couple of minutes but this only left them exposed. With 23 minutes gone Max was left free on the left and just went on a run from the half way line. He went past the full back and then duly completed his hat trick. With 25 minutes on the clock Josh cleared the ball up field to Stephen who neatly laid the ball into AO’s path. He cut into the box and hit his shot into the back of the net for 11-1. There was still time for one more as Luke played the ball up to Harry who drew the keeper before setting up Stephen to score the final goal of the day.

A much improved second half in terms of passing the ball around was capped by two great goal and it was Luke, one of those scorers, who won his first Player of the Day award.