Report: U13NW vs. Avonvale 23-Nov-2008 (cup)

A week off from League action saw the long trip to Tetbury to play against Avonvale in the cup. With rain lashing down during the whole journey the sun came out as we arrived at the ground. Following a slight delay with the ref arriving late the game kicked off at 11.30.

Callum had the first chance in the 1^st minute as he cut in from the left but he shot straight at the keeper. In the 5^th minute Karl hit a goal kick up the middle which was feed left to Duncan. He was able to get an early cross in which Callum

controlled in the air before cracking a volley into the back of the net. In the 7^th minute the ball was worked by Jesse and Iggy out to Albie on the right. He got to the by line before pulling the ball back for Callum to hit a crisp volley which the keeper saved. The next attack saw Duncan again whip a ball in from the left which Callum struck straight at the keeper. In the 13^th minute Callum and Albie combined again but again the keeper made the save; however a minute later saw the same two combine but this time Callum scored. Avonvale got their first corner in the 15^th minute which Ben cleared from the near post. In the 22^nd minute a Wickham corner was partially cleared, which Jack knocked back to Albie. His cross was missed at the near post but Marcus was there to head the ball powerfully home for 3-0. In the 23^rd minute some good passing and movement from Avonvale created a chance for a midfield player but his shot went past the post. The next minute Wickham moved the ball down the left then across to the right via Iggy and Albie. Albie’s cross was collected by Duncan who set up Marcus on the edge of the box. Despite his shot being saved Iggy was there to turn the ball into the net. In the 29^th minute Albie was brought down wide on the right, he swung the free kick into the box where Jesse guided a header into the net for 5-0. In the 32^nd minute the ball was worked out of defence via Karl to Callum, Duncan and then Marcus who feed Albie but his shot just cleared the bar.

There were three changes for the second half as Albie, Duncan and Jack all took a break. It took Wickham a while to settle but in the 5^th minute Charlie and Callum combined to set up Marcus for a shot from the edge of the box which was well saved. Two minutes later an attack down the right saw Charlie get a shot away which was parried by the keeper. Charlie continued to battle for the ball before laying it back to Marcus to crash into the roof of the net. In the 13^th minute William had moved up from right back to take a long throw. Charlie’s flick on was headed out by a defender but only to Marcus who again drove the ball in just under the bar. In the 20^th minute Jack had come on into central midfield found Albie who played the ball out right for Charlie to run onto. He outpaced the defender before drilling the ball in for 8-0. Now either Wickham eased off or Avonvale picked up their game but the home side now became more of an attacking force with their captain (no3) imposing his influence. In the 23^rd minute a break down the right saw the Avonvale forward shoot across James but the player at the back post could not quite slide the ball in. In the 26^th minute again the ball was worked down the right with the no3 beating Karl for pace before getting a good cross into the near post which saw the forward head powerfully past James. Wickham still pressed forwards looking to score but in the 33^rd minute Avonvale broke with 3 players and only William in defence. He was able to stay with the forward and hold the attack up but as they got into the area the forward shot between Williams legs and into the corner for 8-2. In the last minute Wickham had two corners out on the right, the second of which Marcus produced a powerful header into the top corner for a final score of 9-2.

The passing game was evident again with some good performances throughout the side. However, with 4 goals Marcus won The Player of the Day Award.

James Davis

Jack Bolton, William Herrington, Karl Admans, Ben Finch.

Iggy Ilott, Jesse Bowers, Marcus Guest, Duncan Lorrain.

Albie Oakman,

Callum Johnson

Subs:- Bert Cherrill, Olly Sopp, Charlie de Fraine.

Report: U13 NW vs. Wroughton 16-Nov-2008

A trip to Weirfield, the largest pitch in Wiltshire, was the venue for the game against Wroughton as 2^nd played 3^rd. The full squad were available but some of the lads were in different positions.

In the 1^st minute Charlie went down the right firing a cross into the near post which the keeper and Albie got to at the same time but it was the keeper who ended up with the ball in his hands. In the 3^rd minute the ball was worked this time down the left. Charlie laid it off to Iggy who shot directly at the keeper. The 5^th minute saw Charlie back out on the right. He sent the ball to the edge of the area where Olly got a terrific shot away which the keeper did well to turn around the post for a corner. In the 7^th minute, Wroughton had their first attack down the right. The ball was played into the box and then laid back to an advancing midfield player who crashed the ball against the bar. Despite playing into the wind Wickham kept going forwards with Duncan intercepting a goal kick in the 11^th minute. He went off down the left playing a nice 1-2 with Marcus before whipping his cross into Albie who, unfortunately shot at the keeper. Play evened out for the next 15 minute but from the 25^th to the 30^th minute Wickham were encamped in the Wroughton half but were unable to score. In the 34^th minute, after some Wroughton pressure the ball was played out down the left and then into Charlie. His shot from distance was held up in the wind and dropped comfortably into the keepers arms.

In the 2^nd minute of the half, Nana broke down the left. He got past Karl and then Bert but Ben, who had come on for Olly, got across to concede the corner. Wickham broke from the corner with the ball played up to Albie who set Charlie free. Having taken a touch he shot but this was well saved. In the 7^th minute Wickham attacked down the right with some good interplay between Iggy, Albie and Charlie before Iggy was set free. He got his cross into the back post for Duncan to place the ball into an open goal for 1-0. Wickham were now dominant and in the 15^th minute Albie put Iggy through but he shot tamely at the keeper. In the 17^th minute Duncan was chasing a ball out of the area but was brought down from behind. Albie drilled the resulting free kick into the area where no one seemed to want to apply the finishing touch before Jesse poked the ball over the line. Straight from the centre Nana went on a run before being brought down some 25 yards out. The free kick rattled against the bar but, for a change, the Wickham defenders were following in and eventually cleared the danger. With 21 minutes gone another Wroughton attack was stopped and Ben found Albie. He linked up again with Charlie before sending Marcus racing through. As the keeper came out and with Callum in support he chipped the keeper to make it 3-0. This seemed to knock the stuffing out of Wroughton, who now seemed unable to get out of there own half. Jack who had come on for Bert was making runs up the right leaving the back three to cope with Wroughton’s three attackers, they had now switched to a 3-4-3 formation. With 10 minutes to go Duncan came off with Olly playing in midfield. In the 31^st minute Charlie combined again with Albie who sent it wide to Olly to get a cross in. This seemed to have been deflected off for a corner but Charlie chased it down before playing a simple ball into Albie’s path for him to score. In the final minute the ball was worked down the right for Callum to get his cross him. Albie controlled it before passing to Charlie for him to walk the ball into the net for a final score of 5-0.

Having battled against the wind, the second half saw some great passing football using all the wide open spaces. Duncan had worked his socks off down the left hand flank as was rightly given The Player of the Day Award.

James Davis

William Herrington, Karl Admans, Bert Cherrill, Olly Sopp.

Iggy Ilott, Jesse Bowers, Marcus Guest, Duncan Lorrain.

Albie Oakman, Charlie de Fraine.

Subs:- Jack Bolton, Callum Johnson, Ben Finch.

Report: U13 OM vs. Garsington 16-Nov-2008

A bright and cheerful Sunday morning turned into a horrible, cold and wet afternoon, just in time for the Garsington kickoff.  Although Garsington are sitting towards the bottom of the table we knew this was not a true representation of their abilities, this was going to be a tough game.  The boys were told to fire themselves up and start quickly; Luke went midfield and was tasked with taking long shots whenever the opportunity arose.

At the kickoff the boys started brightly and had the main run of play, Luke, Max and Aiden all had great shots at goal, but these either went just wide or were contained by the keeper.  After 10 minutes without a goal the boys settled and started to play football and pass out from the midfield.  The ball was often flicked through to Ben but his runs were being checked by the Garsington defence with his runs often ended in the right corner.  Whenever Garsington managed an attack on the goal it was usually well dealt with by Tom, his resultant drop kicks would be sent right up past the half way line for Ben and AO to chase down. With 15 minutes gone Aiden stepped up a gear, found some space and pushed forward on the right, his first attempt at a cross bounced back off a defender, but a dink right and a fantastic and powerful cross saw the ball powering toward Max who volleyed it into the back of the net. Garsington were not holding back though and the next 10 minutes saw concentrated runs down our left side, these were generally well debt with by Josh and Joe but this was some cause for concern. Josh came off from right back, Joe moved over to left back and Jack was moved back to take his position, Jordie came on as holding mid.  Wickham continued to dominate and this resulted in netted shot from Luke, however this was disallowed.  Several sitting chances were missed and in one incident the ball seemed to be bouncing endlessly in the Garsington penalty area, players and legs were all over the place and the one place the ball didn’t go was in the net.

At half time the boys were reminded again to take extra care in tackles, to keep their hands down and make sure they get hold of the ball not the player.  But the general feeling was good and more of the same was the order, but lets see more passing. With 10 minutes gone of the second half Aiden provided the all important second goal with a fine individual effort. Five minutes later in an ‘across the goal’ scramble Luke was accidentally caught by the Garsington keeper, the resultant penalty was put away decisively by Luke. With nothing to lose Garsington moved their big players up and had their main attacking player moving freely from one side of the pitch to the other. Joe was next on the score sheet with a long range high free kick towards Ben, but it bounced in front of the keeper who missed it with Ben closely shepherded the ball over the line but didn’t put a foot to it, unselfishly Ben gave Joe his first Wickham goal. Stephen came on for Harry and went to left back; Joe was pushed up into midfield. Wickham were enjoying the game and growing in confidence, at times though they were a bit too cocky. The final goal was from Max who scored his second with a powerful shot which the keeper was unable to stop.

Tom

Aiden, Jordan, Joe, Josh

AO, Luke, Jack, Harry, Max

Ben

Subs:- Jordie, Stephen

Report: U13 OM vs. Old Town 9-Nov-2008

A friendly between Wickham Wanderers OML side and Old Town (North Wilts Div 2)
This week Wickham returned to the familiar formation of 4-5-1, however with Jordie Rowlands away and this being a friendly it gave us the opportunity to try a few players in unfamiliar positions.  The first half was set with Fraser in defence pushing forward with AO; this gave Aiden and Bradley an opportunity to play in midfield.  Luke was our holding midfield player and
Ben the target man up front.

Ben.

Max, Bradley, Luke, Aiden, AO

Josh, Jack, Joe, Fraser.

Tom

From the outset it was clear that this was going to be quite an evenly matched game with two teams in similar positions in their prospective leagues.  After just five minutes AO was first to score for Wickham followed by a disallowed (offside) goal from Ben.  AO picked up the resulting free kick and ran through for a valiant attempt which was saved by the keeper. Wickham were beginning to control the game though as Luke held his position off the defensive line and Aiden gained confidence in midfield.  Aiden started to make runs off of Luke and Wickham looked comfortable, most of the pressure was in the Old Town half with occasional breaks from Old Town.  An unfortunate clash with Bradley saw Max limp off with a dead leg and Stephen came on as left back and Josh moved forward into the left midfield position. Wickham continued to press and powerful strike from Ben was met with an equally fantastic save from the keeper.  A long kick from the keeper and punt forward from midfield saw Robert Baldwin through the Wickham defence to score a quick equalizer for Old Town. After the kickoff and a messy period of play in midfield, a string of interplay between Josh, Luke and Aiden put Ben through again but this time he slotted the ball to the side of the keeper to put Wickham ahead for half
time.
For the second half Fraser moved up front, Jack moved into the holding midfield position with Ben and Joe as central midfielders, Jordan swapped with Tom to become keeper.

Fraser
Bradley, Ben, Jack, Joe, AO
Tom, Luke, Aiden, Stephen
Jordan

Within minutes of the kickoff a fired up Fraser scored a break away goal and Joe beat the keeper to have the defender save off the line. But Old Town started to increase the pace and the Wickham defence came under a period of pressure.  Luke and Aiden made several good tackles as Old town continued to press with quick runs through the centre.  Eventually the pressure was rewarded when Jamie Gentlemen managed to pull a goal back for Old Town. But the Wickham midfield was now dominant and most of the chances were going Wickham's way.  Old Town broke several times but their attacks were well contained by Jack and the central defence and the Wickham pressure resulted in a goal from AO 22 minutes into the second half and a final goal from Ben 3 minutes before full time to put the game beyond doubt and to finish the
match at 5-2 to Wickham, (not 4-2 as rumoured or 7-2 as per the Old Town web site).

The Parents player of the Day Award went to AO.

Report: U13NW vs. Wotton Bassett 2-Nov-2008

Games against Wootton Bassett are always tough games but playing them off a prior defeat is not the best preparation. Hopefully the weekend off will have refreshed the boys and they will get back to winning ways.

In the 1^st minute a Bassett clearance found William in the centre circle. Having controlled the ball he launched it towards the goal but it drifted wide on the wind. Bassett’s first attack came down the left, unfortunately Jack turned his back as the attacker went round him to get the cross in to which a neat flick was added and it went inside the far post for 1-0. In the 5^th minute Charlie went down the right getting the ball into the middle but Bassett scrambled the ball away. In the 12^th minute Wickham won the first corner of the game. It was flicked on at the near post but William’s header was deflected wide for another corner. The Wickham pressure continued and in the 14^th minute a free kick was again scrabbled away by the Bassett defenders. In the 23^rd minute a Bassett corner was cleared to Charlie in the centre circle, he threaded the ball through to Albie to run onto and score but he was adjudged to have been off side. In the 27^th minute another long range free kick saw Bert’s header this time go wide. In the 30^th minute a forcing run from midfield saw Bassett awarded a free kick some 25 yards out. Fortunately this was blasted high over the bar. Close to half time Albie was hacked down and after some verbals to the ref the Bassett player was booked.

For the Second half Albie switched to the left with Iggy going onto the right for Duncan. In the opening seconds Bassett attacked down the left Jack hesitated and Josh was able to get into the box but a good sliding tackle from William stopped the danger. With 10 minutes gone James went down having cleared the ball up field with what looked like a hamstring strain so Jordan came on to replace him. In the 12^th minute a throw in by Karl cleared the first set of players and then the second as no one wanted to heads the ball, when it was knocked out to the edge of the area Iggy hit a scissors kick into the top left corner for 1-1. There only looked like one team would win it now as Wickham pilled forwards but there were no clear cut chances on goal. In the 24^th minute Bassett broke away as a player just onside was one on one with Jordan. He made the initial save but the ball rebounded out to Alex Baker who lashed his shot wide. The 27^th minute saw a Bassett corner partially cleared out but Jack lost the ball before the ball was sent into the middle for a forward between Bert and William to knock the ball into the net. In the 29^th minute Wickham seemed to have equalised as a through ball to Charlie saw him lob the keeper with the ball going to an unguarded net but somehow a defender managed to get back and clear it off the line. 31^st Minute saw William set up Ablie but his left footed drive cleared the bar. 33^rd minute another long range free kick saw William’s header saved. Wickham had one last chance from a corner which saw everyone in the Bassett box and Jordan on the half way line but as the ball was partially cleared the drive back goal wards went well wide and Bassett had won 2-1 to go to the top of the league.

A disappointing result as the lads had the majority of the game but could not convert the pressure into clear cut chances. That is now the first time they have ever lost two games in a row and it does not get any easier next week as the attention switches to and Away B & B cup game against Didcot. The Player of the Day Award went to Jesse.

James Davis

Jack Bolton, William Herrington, Bert Cherrill, Olly Sopp.

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

Charlie de Fraine.

Subs:- Jordan Shaw, Iggy Ilott, Fraser Roberts.

Report: U13 NW vs. Didcot Boys 9-Nov-08 (cup)

With Didcot’s ground waterlogged the game was switched to the Triangle. A strong wind was coming from “The Hedge” end which Wickham decided to play with in the first half.

In the 1^st minute Charlie was through but was adjudged off side. In the 3^rd minute a clearance from James saw some interplay between Charlie and Albie, which eventually sent Charlie through but the keeper saved with his feet. Didcot broke from this save with the no.14 able to go round the outside of William but the shot was well saved by James, conceding a corner. It was now the same story from the last few weeks, the majority of the play but no clear chances. In the 12^th minute Albie cut in from the right, but shot into the side netting. In the 14^th minute Karl tapped an indirect free kick to Albie but a weak ball into the area was cleared out to Marcus who tried an overhead kick which just cleared the bar. A minute later came Wickham’s first corner which was cleared out to Olly whose right footed shot was just grabbed by the keeper under the bar. In the 18^th minute some quick passing between Karl & Jesse sent Albie away. He found Duncan but his shot bent into the wind and wide. Two minutes later Jesse also shot into the side netting which was followed almost immediate by another shot from Olly which the keeper pushed round for a corner. This corner flashed all the way across the goal going out for a throw. The 25^th minute saw Albie hit a free kick in from the left and with three players attacking the ball, it hit someone and just went wide of the post. An attack down the right saw Albie put Charlie in but the keeper came from no where to block the shot which rebounded just wide of Albie following in. In the 28^th minute a goal kick was intercepted with Duncan becoming free but his shot curled into the keepers grasp. Jack then had a chance but his shot from distance was well saved. With the half running out, James, with one of his rare touches, played the ball out to Olly and then onto Duncan. He played it inside to Albie but his curling shot did not quite bend enough just going outside the far post; so despite Wickham’s dominance it was 0-0 and an uphill battle in the second half.

Ben and Iggy came on for Duncan and Olly and within 30 seconds Charlie was put through only for the keeper to get their first. A second chance was created in the first minute as an Albie shot was blocked, Jesse’s follow up parried and the defender cleared the danger. In the next minute Iggy was through but his tame shot was turned wide for a corner. Next a Didcot corner was swing into the area and hit the near post. Wickham failed to clear the ball with Karl losing out at the edge of the box for Didcot’s no.10 to clip the ball over James for 1-0. In the 10^th minute a goal kick was picked up by the Didcot no 14 who advanced before driving the ball from 25 yards over James for 2-0. Jack & Karl came off with Olly back to left back Ben moving to centre and William out right with Duncan in central midfield. Straight for the centre Wickham won a free kick but William’s head went wide. Wickham were pressing forwards but in the 19^th minute the no.14 broke down the left getting past William before shooting across James but he was able to make the save with Olly clearing the danger. Wickham then switched to 3 at the back with Karl replacing Bert & Olly going up into left midfield. Wickham pushed forwards even more and in the 22^nd minute Albie’s corner was headed off by a defender just before Ben to get there. In the 27^th minute Charlie worked the ball down the right crossing into Duncan but a defender put it off for a corner. Albie knocked this into the near post, the ball found it’s way to William who drove the ball through a crowd of players into the bottom left hand corner. Didcot now started to panic and with 4 minutes left the keeper dived at Albie’s feet to make a save with Didcot then clearing the danger. In the last minute, William was up taking a throw in. Only Karl was left marking a forward as the throw went over the first defender and to Jesse. He played it to Albie on the edge of the box who duly laid it back to Ben to smash a left footed drive into the net for 2-2 and extra time!

Wickham played against the wind & in the 8th minute Albie’s shot was parried by the keeper which Charlie was able to force home, however it was disallowed for hand ball. In the 1st minute of the second half Olly had a shot which was blocked to Charlie and somehow the keeper saved his shot. The 2^nd minute again saw Olly just shoot wide. It was all Wickham and eventually in the 6th minute William was running down the right, got his cross in which bounced over the defender for Duncan to control and crash home with his left foot. From the centre Didcot attacked but Karl won the ball playing it to William. He found Jesse who threaded a ball through for Albie to run onto. Despite the close attention of two defender he placed the ball neatly inside the near post for a 4-2 victory.

Despite their dominance in the first half this was probably a game which the lads were fortunate to win but they did battle until the end and their efforts were rewarded. The Player of the Day Award went to William. Next up is New Windsor Youth who will be looking for revenge from last year.

James Davis

Jack Bolton, William Herrington, Bert Cherrill, Olly Sopp.

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

Charlie de Fraine.

Subs:- Jordan Shaw, Iggy Ilott, Max Nicholls, Ben Finch.

Report: U15 vs Greenmeadow B 26-Oct-2008

With the forced folding of the South Chiltern team the lads were slowly getting signed up for the North Wilts side. Having only had 1 training session together and Glenn getting to know all the lads it was going to be interesting to see how they all gelled together.

Wickham attached from the start and in the 2^nd minute a throw in was taken down the line which Liam battled for. He was able to get his cross in which Harry and the keeper reached at the same time and the chance went wide. In the 4^th minute the ball was worked through the middle for a long range shot to come in which was well saved by the keeper. It was 7 minutes before Greenmeadow had their first sight on goal as a forward was sent racing through but Thomas came racing out to clear the danger. In the 9^th minute Harry was away down the left winning a corner; this was swung into the box, partially cleared out to Dan but his loopy shot just cleared the bar. In the 17^th minute a free kick was given away some 25 yards out. The shot was curled round the wall which Thomas was able to get down and save but with no Wickham defenders covering back it was a simple tap in despite Thomas getting a hand to the ball. Greenmeadow were now seeing more of the ball and a 21^st minute corner was punched clear by Thomas to the left. The ball was knocked back into the box but Thomas made the catch between two advancing forwards. He then immediately through the ball out to the right where Dan advanced before switching the ball inside to Harry whose shot was saved for a corner. After 25 minutes a free kick from the half way line for Greenmeadow was pumped into the box where it was flicked on for three on rushing forwards. The Wickham defence stopped and it seemed an age before one of these slotted the ball home. Wickham were still dominating but could not find the end product then in the 29^th minute from the first real piece of sustained Greenmeadow pressure the ball was crossed in from the right into the box. Thomas came for the ball but it slipped out of his grasp onto his knee then onto the forwards knee to deflect into the goal. Greenmeadow had a few more breakaways but Thomas came out of his area on each occasion and was successful in clearing the dangers except for once when Sammy was their to tidy up. A half time score line was really not a fair reflection of the lads play and all the effort which they had put in.

Still Wickham attacked; surely they would score in the second half. A corner in the 6^th minute seemed the ideal chance as Ben get his header away but another good save and then a clearance off the line halted the chance. It was 12 minutes before Greenmeadow’s first attack and again they scored as a cross from the left was pulled back to the edge of the box for an advancing midfield player to slam the ball into the roof of the net. The lads were still all working hard and their head had not dropped. Sammy and Chris were having great games at the back with Morgan working tirelessly in the midfield area and Liam leading the line well. After 22 minute a killer blow as the ball was lost in midfield and the Greenmeadow player went on a mazy run to slot the ball in off the far post for 5-0. Still Wickham attacked and in the 24^th minute Dan dragged a shot just wide of the post. Even in the last minute Liam was still chasing the ball down winning it in the left hand corner. Looking for help played it back to Morgan who dinked the ball into the box where a dipping shot came in which was brilliantly pushed over the bar by the keeper.

Glenn mentioned a number of players who had played well but his Player of the Day was Chris Croker. With another week of training together hopefully the lads will improve some more but it will be a stiff test against Pewsey who have not yet dropped a point.

Report: u13NW vs. Stratton Juniors 19-Oct-2008

It was Wiltshire Cup weekend, so there were no North Wilts games planned, however a fixture against Stratton Juniors A was pulled from the spring half term week into this spare slot. These games are always tough ones with history telling us that the points are usually shared between the two sides. Hopefully, having won the home match things would change this year.

Just like the first match at Kintbury, Wickham seemed to be the better side in the opening exchanges but in the 5^th minute a free kick was conceded some 25 yards out. The ball was knocked into the box and headed goal bound. James made the initial save but with no recovering defenders a forward was there to force the ball home. Fortunately for Wickham he had been in an offside position when the ball was played so the goal was disallowed, but this should have served as a warning to the defenders. A minute later Duncan’s cross from the left was cleared out to William. He found Marcus on the right who threaded a ball into Charlie. His shot was parried by the keeper with the rebound hitting Charlie and going just wide. In the 9^th minute Wickham gave away a free kick for obstruction near the half way line. The ball was launched high into the air just going over the top of James and into the net, with a goal being awarded despite the free kick seemingly being an indirect one. In the 15^th minute there seemed to have been a handball in the box, where even the Stratton defenders stopped playing for a moment, but the ref waived play on. Wickham still pushed forwards gaining a number of free kicks but these were all too far out for Albie to be effective. In the 22^nd minute Duncan got to the by line but was forced to play the ball back to Olly. His cross was met at the back post by Albie but his header just drifted wide. In the 27^th minute another Stratton free kick was hit over the defenders which James diving right, however three players followed in clattering into him and as the ball fell loose it was slammed into the net. The ref saw nothing wrong and awarded the goal. James needed a lot of attention (for not being hit) and eventually, after the centre was taken, he was forced to come off and go to hospital to get checked over. Karl replaced him in goal with Iggy coming on in midfield.

At half time Olly was replaced with Ben at left back with Jack coming on at right back. In the 5^th minute another free kick saw Albie hit it towards the near post. The keeper fumbled it but neither Charlie nor William could force the ball home and Stratton scrambled it clear. The two corners that followed cause panic in the Stratton defence but both were eventually cleared. In the 9^th minute the ball was worked from the corner flag to Ben on the edge of the area but his shot flashed wide. The first 20 minute were all Wickham pressure with Karl having very little to deal with but Wickham had not forced the Stratton keeper to make any sort of difficult save either. It was then that a break away down the Stratton left saw Jack Clifton seemingly miss hit a cross, but it had such power and swerve on it that it beat Karl on the near post for 3-0. Straight from the centre Wickham won a corner which flashed across the goal with no one able to get the finishing touch. From the resulting throw in Bert was put though but shot into the side netting. Olly then came on for Ben and Callum for Bert as Wickham switched to a 3-4-3 formation, but still they still could not get any shots on target as Stratton absorbed all the second half pressure to run out worthy winners.

A disappointing score line considering that it could be argued that the first two goals should not have stood plus the injury to James did not help. However, with very few chances created the lads probably did not deserve to score and therefore win the game. The Player of the Day Award went to Karl.

James Davis

Ben Finch, Jack Bolton, William Herrington, Bert Cherrill, Olly Sopp.

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

Charlie de Fraine.

Subs:- Jack Bolton, Iggy Ilott, Callum Johnson.