Report: U13NW vs. Liden Community 21-Mar-2009

Back to League action and a Saturday game at Liden. Again things did not start well as an accident on the M4 meant a long struggle for some people and other going round back rounds but come 12.30 we had all arrived. The ref was also delayed so on a lovely sunny morning the kick off was delayed 15 minutes until 13.00.

Wickham immediately won the ball in midfield with Jesse and Marcus playing the ball out left to Duncan but his cross was blocked. In the second minute Wickham’s first corner was flicked on by Charlie and William’s stab at the ball was turned wide for another corner. the 7^th minute saw a free kick was given away near the touch line some 35 yards out. This was swung to the back of the box where three Liden players found themselves with only one Wickham defender and the ball was duly headed home. In the 9^th minute a long throw was flicked by Albie to Charlie who played the ball back to him but his cross field shot just drifted past the far post. In the 10^th minute Charlie battled for the ball out left, knocking it into Albie. His path was blocked so he laid it back to William who also saw his deep cross shot drift past the far post. A minute later a throw on the left came into Albie. He drifted past three defender before chipping the ball over the keeper to level the scores. The 13^th minute saw

Wickham have a free kick similar to the one which Liden scored from, but, as the ball came into William, in the clear, he was flagged off side. In the 16^th minute, following a Wickham throw in near the corner flag, Liden won the ball sending a speculative ball towards the goal. Unfortunately it was perfectly placed just dropping over James and under the bar. This rocked Wickham, being behind for the second time. Bert came off injured with Jack replaced him. It was five more minutes before Wickham created another chance which was a long range effort from Albie which was turned round the post for a corner. There followed a series of scrappy play, before, in the 29^th minute, Iggy took a throw which Charlie flicked on. There was now one behind him so he battled for the ball eventually stabbing it across the goal for Duncan to stretch and force the ball home.

Ben replaced Olly for the start of the second half and within 12 seconds of the restart Iggy battled for the ball before seeing his shot go past the post. A minute later, Jack whipped a ball into the far post for Duncan to head just wide. In the third minute it was Duncan’s turn to cross the ball in for Albie but the ball would not come down for him and his snap shot went over.

However, from the resulting goal kick Duncan won the header in midfield knocking it beyond the left back for Iggy to cut into the box slotting it inside the near post for 3-2. Wickham won the ball from the centre and attacked again. Liden were able to clear their lines but Duncan headed the ball forwards for Jesse to send Iggy through who this time hit the ball across the keeper and inside the far post for 4-2. Any fear had now gone from the lads play as they started to play some good passing football however Liden were still dangerous on the break. In the 12^th minute some flowing play saw Duncan & Marcus involved as Charlie was played in. He laid the ball out to Albie on the left and having reached the by line cut it back over the top of Charlie to Iggy who was charging in at the back post to complete his hat trick. Liden continued to cause problems especially when silly free kicks were conceding in the midfield areas. A couple of times long balls into the box saw some hesitation from the Wickham defenders but James either gathered the ball or Karl, Ben or William cleared the danger. Wickham however were still dominating procedures and it came as no surprise when in the 28^th minute a long ball was well controlled by Iggy which gave him a one on one with the keeper which he duly netted.

There was no doubt who was going to get the Player of the Day Award, so with 4 second half goals and hit first hat trick for Wickham, it went to Iggy.

The 16th League match against Stratton Juniors B saw them fail to get a side out giving Wickham the game, so 6 points form the weekend, only playing once was a very nice return. Wroughton, next weeks opponents, are now top, 2 points clear but having played 2 games more. Thus next week’s match against them is very important. However; even a win may not put us back on top as they have an extra game on Saturday against Liden.

James Davies

William Herrington, Bert Cherrill, Karl Admans, Olly Sopp

Iggy Ilott, Marcus Guest, Jesse Bowers, Duncan Lorrain

Albie Oakman, Charlie de Fraine.

Subs:- Jack Bolton, Ben Finch.

Report: U13NW vs. Stratton Youth 15-Mar-2009 (Cup)

Another weekend, another Cup game. It was the League Cup Semi Final at Stratton Youth with the side suffering two blows before the game. Karl was not available and Jack had been delayed on route from the wedding in Aylesbury, so a reshuffled back 4 took to the field. With Ben going to School with a lot of the Stratton players he knew they were up for this game.

Wickham kicked off, immediately going down the right. Iggy’s cross came in but Olly just failed to force it home. Marcus then put Iggy thought but he just failed to clear the keeper with his cross. It took a little time for William and Bert to judge the length of the keepers kicks but this was soon sorted out with William playing the Karl role. After 5 minutes a deep cross by Olly just cleared Iggy at the back post. A minute later Albie got a cross in for Charlie to flick on which just evaded Olly at the back post. After 8 minutes Duncan swung the ball into the box but under pressure from Olly Stratton cleared out to Ben on the half way line. He hit the ball back into the middle where Jesse flicked a header for Charlie to run onto and as the keeper came out he slipped the ball under him and into the net. Stratton had their first corner after ten minutes which was headed clear by Marcus. In the 12^th minute Albie headed the ball onto Charlie who headed it into Olly’s path; as the defender and keeper hesitated Olly got a foot to the ball but it went just wide. A minute later Iggy got past the left back but his shot drifted past the near post. Jack now replaced Ben with Olly switching to left back and Duncan to left midfield. For some reason this seemed to spur Stratton on as they created a chance coming down the left flank with the shot flying past James’ back post. The no7, playing at centre back started to cover everything which Wickham were creating and Sammy Russell was coming more into the game up front for the home side. Despite Stratton having the better of the last 15 minutes James was never really trouble. Charlie almost scored from a corner right on half time but the header went the wrong side of the far post so the lads went in 1-0 up.

In the first minute Charlie created a half chance but his volley was well saved by the keeper. It was mainly Wickham attacking and in the 8^th minute Charlie created a chance from nothing, hitting the far post with the ball rebounding to safety. Wickham were picking up the majority of the Stratton clearances which was putting more pressure on the home defence. With 14 minutes gone a Duncan throw was flicked on by Charlie to Albie. He was blocked off on the edge of the area but Marcus hit a drive from 25 yards out which hit the bar and went over. In the 21^st minute a throw in saw Charlie get down the right. He battled for the ball near the corner flag before getting his cross into the far post where Duncan volleyed it home. Max then came on for Iggy and Ben replace Jack at right back who looked absolutely shattered. Stratton changed their shape for the last 10 minutes moving the no.7 into midfield. As a Wickham attack broke down the long clearance saw both Bert and William go for the ball. It came off one of them sending Sammy through on James. The forward just got to the ball first knocking at around James and despite William getting back to attempt the block the shot he was able to knock the ball into the net. There followed 2 minutes of intense Stratton pressure but again James did not have to make a save. With 8 minutes left Charlie broke through and seemed to have slotted the ball past the advancing keeper but the ball hit his foot and was then cleared by a defender. With 5 minutes left James was called upon to rush out of his area and clear long up field. In the 32nd minute Duncan was taken down from behind some 30 yards out, so Albie hit the free kick into the area. The ball dipped and swerved, with the keeper doing well to push the shot onto the bar but Jesse followed in to put the ball in the net. Two minutes later Charlie seemed to be through on goal but as a defender came across he knocked the ball sideways to Max for him to drive the ball across the keeper and in by the far post.

There were two candidates for the Player of the Day Award, both getting 6 votes but when the final vote was cast Bert, who undoubtedly had his best game of the season, took the trophy. So it’s back to the County Ground to again play Bassett, who got through in extra time 2-1 against Liden, who we play next Saturday in the League. The games do not get any easier.

James Davies

Duncan Lorrain, William Herrington, Bert Cherrill, Ben Finch

Iggy Ilott, Marcus Guest, Jesse Bowers, Olly Sopp

Albie Oakman, Charlie de Fraine.

Subs:- Jack Bolton, Max Nicholls.

Report: U13NW vs. Highworth (1-Mar-2009)

A break from the cups saw an away trip to Highworth Juniors who had moved up to 3^rd in the League. With other big games coming up it was important that the lads concentrated on this game to consolidate their position at the top of the table as Bassett were playing in the Wiltshire County Cup semi final this weekend.

The lads kicked off up the hill, as seems to be the norm now on this ¾ sized pitch immediately attacking down the right. Iggy got the cross in which Charlie flicked on but Albie’s shot went just wide. Almost immediately another chance was created but this time it was Charlie’s shot that went wide. The new back 4 line up were dealing well with the Highworth attacks and this also allowed William to get forwards down the right and use his long throw. On a number of occasions the Highworth defenders failed to judge the distance on these throw ins which then put Iggy or Albie away in space. Wickham’s first corner came in the 11^th minute which Albie drove low across the face of the goal but no one seemed to attack the ball and it went out on the far side. Jesse was again dominating the midfield with Marcus initially taking on the roll of marking Fraser Evans. Wickham were dominating the territory but not really testing the Highworth keeper. After 20 minutes Olly knocked the ball inside to Charlie who feed Albie but the shot went just wide. Charlie then seemed to be though but a last ditch tackle stopped him. From a corner in the 23^rd minute the ball came out to Jack but his shot was charged down. After 30 minutes a long throw from William sent Albie away. He cut into the box drawing the keeper who made the save with his knee deflecting the ball over the bar. Jesse then had a left footed shot from outside the area which flashed just wide as it seemed the goal would never come. However, with a minute left, Albie was sent through the middle and this time as the keeper came out he slotted it into the bottom right hand corner for a half time 1-0 lead.

In the 2^nd minute of the second half James was called into action for the first time making an initial save and after grabbing the ball a second time felt the full force of Fraser. After receiving some attention he was OK to continue. Wickham’s attacks down the slope were now more positive with Iggy and Olly getting crosses in forcing the keeper to make saves. After 10 minutes Olly was replace by Max & Bert by Ben as the defence moved back to a more familiar shape. In the next minute, following a Highworth attack, Fraser picked the ball up in the centre circle, advanced a little way and seeing James off his line hit a speculative shot goal bounds. As James back peddled the ball went over the top of him hitting the back of the net. Highworth all celebrated the equaliser but then they noticed the ball going up the hill beyond the goal and realised that the ball had also just cleared the bar. This did spur Highworth on as they now had their best period of the game. You felt Wickham needed a second goal, which arrived some 3 minute later. A cross from the left was flicked on by Albie for Charlie to run onto and slam home. This seemed to knock the stuffing out of the home side who now just hit the long ball into the Wickham half which was easily dealt with by Karl and William. In the last minute Karl knocked a ball over the Highworth defence for both Albie and Charlie to chase. As the ball dropped in the area Charlie had his shot blocked by the keeper but Max had been following up on the right hand side and duly knocked the ball into the unattended net.

So, goals at the end of each half showed the necessity to keep going throughout the game but it was a deserved result with the score line not flattering the lads. Karl was the Parents Player of the Day for another good game at the back. Next week is off to Burnham in the hope that this time we can reach the Berks & Bucks Cup final.

James Davies

William Herrington, Bert Cherrill, Karl Admans, Jack Bolton

Iggy Illott, Marcus Guest, Jesse Bowers, Olly Sopp

Albie Oakman, Charlie de Fraine.

Subs:- Ben Finch, Max Nicholls, Jordan Shaw

Report: U13NW vs. Burnham 8-Mar-2009 (Cup)

Following a lovely morning, it was overcast and very windy on our arrival at Burnham. As the boys warmed up it turned into driving rain, so it was off to the changing rooms as the ref delayed the start until 2.15. Wickham were forced to play into the wind and rain but within 5 minutes the rain had stopped and after 25 minutes the wind had calmed down a little. However, how did the game go against a side that had only lost once (against Slough Crusaders in their League Cup) so far this season?

With a minute gone a William long throw eventually came out to Charlie who hit a powerful volley straight at the keeper. The clearance down the middle was missed by Marcus and then William and with Bert missing a sliding tackle the forward went clear down the left wing. As Karl came across to make the tackle the ball was fired into the middle for a simple tap in at the back post. A minute later an Albie corner was cleared out to Iggy who hit a spinning shot goal bound. This spun past the keeper but Marcus was stopped from putting the ball in. However, in the 4^th minute Jack took a throw down the left, the ball was cleared back to him so he played it sideways into William by the centre circle. He immediately sent the ball up to Charlie whose little flick put Albie clear to equalise. Despite the wind the game became even with Burnham hitting long balls and Wickham trying to play on the ground. As the half moved on more of the play was in the Wickham half but James was still to make a save. With 25 minutes gone Olly replaced Bert and almost immediate Olly played the ball to Marcus then onto Duncan sending Albie through to go round the keeper but from a tight angle put his shot wide. With 8 minutes to go Burnham stopped a Wickham attack down the left. The big no3. sent the ball out to the left and history repeated itself as the ball was crossed into the box for another tap in. With 6 minutes left Marcus was fouled near the centre circle so Albie floated the free kick into the box. Marcus controlled it on his chest turned and drove it goal bound only for the keeper to save it with his legs, then, as the ball came back to him, he stubbed his shot which was then cleared off the line. With 3 minutes left James had his first shot to save as an effort came in from the edge of the box. A minute later Iggy was sent away down the right; his early cross came to Marcus who hit an early shot just over the bar. Would the equaliser ever come? With a minute left Marcus had the ball in midfield and he gave it to Jesse who spread it wide to Duncan. It pass was over hit but as Duncan got his cross in the big no3 handled the ball and Albie duly drilled the penalty home.

Jon gave the boys lots of “encouragement” at half time making sure they knew what they were doing wrong and how to sort it out. With Wickham now playing with the wind they continued to play the ball on the floor and not pumping it long. In the 5^th minute an Albie corner saw both Marcus and Jesse have attempts cleared off the line. A minute later Albie went away down the left got his cross in for a defender just to clear in front of Charlie. With 8 minutes gone Marcus was bundled down in the centre circle. After some discussion Albie hit the free kick into the box where William, having lost the big no3, tucked is header inside the near post. A minute later Albie was challenging for the ball near the left corner flag forcing the defender to clear directly to Charlie. He took the ball into the box before shooting only for the keeper to palm the ball onto the top of the crossbar and over for a corner. Burnham continued to try to go aerial but the Wickham defenders were always there to deal with this threat. With 15 minutes gone an error in the Burnham defence almost saw Charlie latch onto a through ball but the keeper just got there first. Two minutes later it was Albie’s turn to chase a pass from Charlie from the half way line but the strength of the wind kept the ball those vital few feet in font of him just allowing the keeper to get to the ball first. When Burnham did play the ball on the floor their no16 looked dangerous and in the 20^th minute he seemed to be though on goal but James made a good save despite the player being eventually given off side. Burnham had now changing things around playing three at the back and started to put Wickham under pressure but without forcing James to make any more saves despite them having a number of free kicks within shooting distance. With 7 minutes left Iggy had a chance saved and from the resulting corner Charlie’s header was cleared off the line for a throw in near the half way line. Olly’s throw was feed through to Albie who turned and got his shot away, which the keeper saved but Charlie was there to tap it in. Wickham created a couple more half chances but the final result was 4-2 and a place in the Final on 19^th April against Slough.

There were a number of candidates for the Player of the Day but having played probably his best game of the season it went to Albie.

James Davies

William Herrington, Bert Cherrill, Karl Admans, Jack Bolton

Iggy Ilott, Marcus Guest, Jesse Bowers, Duncan Lorrain

Albie Oakman, Charlie de Fraine.

Subs:- Olly Sopp, Ben Finch, Max Nicholls, Joe Withers, Aiden Weeks

Report: U13NW vs. Stratton Juniors 22-Feb-2009 (Cup)

It was another 1/4 final weekend; this time in the League Cup away at Lydiard Park against Stratton Juniors A. Both sides were suffering a little due to half term as both teams only had 12 players available. On a sloping pitch with the wind blowing down the slope Wickham elected to play against the conditions.

As expected Stratton were immediately on the attack moving the ball down the left. A goal kick saw the ball return back into the area with a corner being conceded. This came in from the right but cleared everyone. A Stratton player stopped the ball going out and with the Wickham defence clearing out, a lofted ball to the back post started to curl in but Jack Doult was there to head in from a yard out giving Stratton the lead within 2 minutes. Stratton were playing everything at a high tempo getting the ball back into play as soon as possible. It was not until the 7^th minute that Wickham were able to have there first attack which resulted in a corner. Albie hit a good one into the box but everyone had gone to the front post so despite the ball dropping

invitingly in front of goal no one was there and Stratton easily cleared the ball. More Stratton pressure followed as the ball went from James into midfield and then back to him again. In the 14^th minute Jesse gained control of the ball just inside Wickham’s half and played it up to Albie. He headed the ball out to Duncan on the left who hit a cross to the back post for Charlie to run onto. The defender and keeper got there at the same time and as they collided Marcus was on hand to hit the ball home. More Stratton pressure followed but either Karl or William dealt with it when it came through the middle or the ball was over hit for James to gather. In the 20^th minute the ball was worked down the left by Duncan and Charlie before it was played back for Marcus to dink into the near post. Albie battled for the ball before crossing for Iggy who initially missed the ball but it came back off a defender to him but his shot on the turn was saved. Again the next chance fell to Wickham some 2 minutes later as Albie got past his man but his chip into the box was just gathered by the keeper before Charlie arrived. A free kick in the 26^th minute for Stratton was hit into the box but James dealt with it easily. A minute later Jack Clifton did have the ball in the back of the net but he was well offside. Another free kick, some 35 yards out, was conceded in the 29^th minute but this was hit straight at James. Three corners in quick succession for Stratton were eventually cleared and Duncan had a shot go just wide of the post towards the end of the half.

In the 5^th minute of the 2nd half Charlie was brought down near the touch line 18 yards out. Albie’s free kick seemed to have deceived the keeper but he got a hand to the ball and it was cleared off the line. The wind seemed to have died a little allowing Stratton to get out of their half more than Wickham had been able to. In the 7^th minute an Albie corner just drifted over the bar and then a minute later he was eased off the ball near the penalty spot before he could get a shot away. In the 10^th minute Albie cut the ball back from the by line but it was just two high for Duncan who was free at the back post. A free kick given for handball in the 14^th minute saw Albie swing the free kick in from the left hand side. This cleared all the Stratton defenders for William to power a header in from 3 yards out. From the centre Wickham won a corner, which when played into the box, seemed to have been handled but play continued. Stratton went straight up the other end but a great sliding tackle from Marcus stopped the shot. It was noticeable that both sides were now getting tired. Max came on to replace Duncan with Iggy switching wings where he had a little more success. With 8 minutes left James came out of the area to get a block in which William then cleared away. In the last minute an Albie corner came out to Marcus who hit a shot on the turn which struck the underside of the bar and then seemed to be helped away by a defenders hand. Play however continued and Stratton broke up field but James again came out to deal with it. That was the last play of the game & a hard 2-1 victory was the result. It’s now another away game in the semi final at Stratton Youth in 3 weeks time.

It was a good team effort from all the boys today but Jesse had a great game in midfield battling for everything and he duly won all three Player of the Day awards.

James Davis

Jack Bolton, William Herrington, Karl Admans, Olly Sopp

Iggy Ilott, Jesse Bowers, Marcus Guest, Duncan Lorrain

Albie Oakman, Charlie de Fraine.

Subs:- Max Nicholls.