Report: U13s Berks & Bucks Cup Final 19-Apr-2009

Today probably saw the lad’s biggest day of their footballing lives so far as they took on Slough Crusaders in the final of the Berks & Bucks Cup. They were however buoyed by the news that on Saturday Bassett had lost 2-1 to Pewsham so the title challenge was now back in our own hands. Wallingford was a bigger pitch than the Triangle so hopefully this would suit the boys.

Slough kicked off and quickly went on the attack. After a minute they won a corner on their right. This was well cleared out by Albie on the near post and Wickham pushed out. However the ball fell to Olatide Omotolia, unmarked some 30 yards out and he hit a first time shot just overt he top of James and under the bar for 1-0. Wickham took some time to settle after this but in the 4^th minute Iggy got a cross in which saw Charlie get above the defender but his header went wide of the goal. In the 11^th minute Wickham battled for the ball in the left hand corner with it coming out to Marcus who then switched the ball back to William. He advanced and played a channel ball between the centre back and full back for Charlie to race onto but the keeper just got there first. In the 17^th minute a long free kick from William found Ben who tried to put Charlie in but a defender got there first to clear over the bar. Albie hit the corner to the near post which was flicked to Iggy on the edge of the box. His shot was blocked but rebounded to Ben who shot for the far post but Marcus changed the direction of the ball with his volley scoring inside the near post for 1-1. A minute later and another William free kick from the half way line again found Ben on the edge of the box and this time his flick for Albie was just gathered in by the keeper. In the 24^th minute Slough won two consecutive corners. From the second Harry Snelling, the Slough captain, came running into the box to power a header into the back of the net. From the restart Wickham initially attacked down the left but when this was blocked the ball came back to William who chipped it over the left back for Iggy to run onto; he got his cross in for Albie to head home. In the 29^th minute Slough had a free kick some 40 yards out which they hit straight at James. His long clearance was flicked on by Albie for Charlie. The ball was laid back to Jesse on to Albie again who then sent Iggy away down the wing. As he got to the corner of the box he fired a long range shot in which went over the keeper and into the net.

There was lots of passion in the second half as the next goal would prove vital. Slough had the first chance from a corner in the 3^rd minute but Wickham successfully cleared the ball away. A minute later and a long range dig from Ben was fumbled by the keeper who just gathered the ball in before Charlie could pounce. The next minute saw a Duncan throw flicked on by Albie to Charlie. He gave it back to Albie to get a cross in to Iggy at the back post who stabbed his shot against the post. The ball was partially cleared to Charlie who saw the keeper make a great diving save from his shot which was going just inside the post. With 7 minutes gone Duncan was replaced by Olly at left midfield. In the 9^th minute Karl was force to make an overhead clearance as a ball over the top seemed to be sending two Slough forwards clear, then a minute later and Albie free kick from distance drifted harmlessly wide. Another ball over the top saw Bert just get his head on it to guide it back to James but Wickham were going through a period of not being able to keep the ball. Slough were using their subs to constantly change formation and with 15 minutes left were now playing 3 up front. Almost immediately their no 9 was free just 6 yards out but Karl somehow got back to concede a corner. Iggy now came off with Duncan coming back on the right. With 10 minute left Bert came off & Jack came on at right back. With 4 minutes remaining a Slough free kick on the right saw the ball swung into the box and a powerful header seemed destined for the left corner of the goal but James made a great diving save turning the ball round the post. Ben took a knock in the face and had to come off with blood poring out of his nose so Olly drop back to left back. With 90 seconds left Wickham attacked down the left, winning a corner. This was played into the near post where Duncan Lorrain flicked the ball to the back post for Marcus to head home. Straight fro the centre Slough attacked with a cross coming in fro the right which saw a Jack Bolton defensive header well saved by James. Wickham had one more shot before the final whistle went sealing a 4-2 victory.

A great display by all the boys to battle back from the early set back was shown in the parents voting. Eight players received a vote but again it went to someone who played in two positions during the game thus the Player of the Day Award went to William. To cap a great day we also heard that Bassett had lost 5-1 to Ferndale, both of these sides being our next two opponents in the League.

James Davies

William Herrington, Bert Cherrill, Karl Admans, Ben Finch

Iggy Ilott, Marcus Guest, Jesse Bowers, Duncan Lorrain

Albie Oakman, Charlie de Fraine.

Subs:- Olly Sopp, Jack Bolton, Max Nicholls, Jordan Shaw, Fraser Roberts.

Report: U13NW vs. Stratton Youth 14-Apr-2009

The day after Easter and another game, this time away at Stratton Youth. Prior to kick off we received a phone call saying Albie had broken down on the way and would not make it so Iggy moved up front with Charlie.

Wickham had the better of the initial exchanges but in the 4^th minute a long clearance by the Stratton keeper saw both Ben and Bert go for the same ball, both missing it but James was quickly to the edge of his area to stop the danger. The next minute Charlie battled for the ball in the corner getting it into the middle where it seemed to stick under Iggy’s foot and the chance was gone. The first quarter hour seemed to fly by without very much more happening. A long throw saw Charlie flick the ball on but Iggy’s volley went wide. After a game of head tennis in the centre circle Charlie got the ball to Iggy who laid it back to Marcus but his shot was turned away for a corner. In the 24^th minute Karl came off after receiving a blow to the foot with William switching to centre back and Jack at right back. A diagonal ball from Jesse sent Iggy and Duncan racing goal wards which Duncan won but the keeper made a great save when the ball seemed to have gone beyond him. Stratton had their first corner after 30 minutes which was only cleared to the edge of the box but fortunately the shot went well wide. In the 33^rd minute Ben took a knock and needed to come off but fortunately he stayed on as a minute later Charlie won the ball on the right got a great cross into the back post where Olly arrived to smash home his first League goal of the season. Had Ben come off Olly probably would not have been their.

At the start of the second half Ben did come off with Olly dropping to left back, Duncan switching wings and Max coming on to the right. Wickham started slowly but in the 5^th minute Stratton had an indirect free kick some 35 yards out which was chipped into the box but James dealt with in well. Two minute later Wickham had a free kick out near the left touch line which William hit to the far post but Iggy was just beaten to the header. A minute later Max got in one of his telling crosses, Iggy’s header eventually came out to Jesse but his shot was deflected wide. Another Max cross moment later seemed to have put Charlie in but the defender just cleared the ball. In the 12^th minute a throw down the left found Duncan whose cross seemed to be handled but the ball ended up with Iggy who tucked the ball away nicely for 2-0. Stratton had their first corner of the half in the 15^th minute which was swung in beautifully for an unchallenged header to just go straight up in the air which then allowed the Wickham defence to clear. In the 19^th minute a Wickham attack down the right was stopped with Stratton then heading down the wing. Sammy outstripped Jack for pace and as William came across he shot to the near post, instead of passing to his fellow attacked who was not free in the middle, but James made the save. Bert then picked up an injury and Ben came back on to the centre of the defence. Stratton now switched tactics, just like the cup game a month ago with another tall striker coming on. In the 25^th minute this almost paid dividends as the two strikers got the better of the Wickham defenders and only a last ditch tackle from Jack stopped a shot from shot distance going in. From a Jesse corner in the 29^th minute the ball was cleared out to Marcus. He played it back to Jesse who whipped the ball towards to far post where Charlie and Iggy were closing in on the ball but it flicked a defenders head and went in. Wickham continued to attack and to their credit so did Stratton. With two minutes left James came out to dive at the forwards feet then hit the ball long down the right. Max got the ball getting a good cross in, which the keeper could only get fingertips to, allowing Charlie to force the ball home.

A patchy display from the boys with the ball often in the air however for good work in two positions on the left The Player of the Day Award went to a very surprised Olly.

James Davies

William Herrington, Bert Cherrill, Karl Admans, Ben Finch

Duncan Lorrain, Marcus Guest, Jesse Bowers, Olly Sopp

Iggy Ilott, Charlie de Fraine.

Subs:- Jack Bolton, Max Nicholls.

Report: U13NW vs. Abbey Meads 9-Apr-2009

Another game in hand to clear; this time a win would take the boys back top. The opponents are Abbey Meads who are in the bottom half for the table but the lads have never beaten them at home, which is a surprising fact.

William was again captain and decided to kick up the slope. Wickham attacked from the start with Marcus having a long range shot which seemed destined for the top corner but the keeper saved it. In the 6^th minute Olly hit a couple of great crosses from the left, the second one finding Charlie but again the keeper made the save. A minute later a goal kick was won by William who played it up to Albie who slipped Charlie between the centre backs to open the scoring. The 9^th minute saw an Abbey Meads attack stopped by Ben who switched the ball to Duncan on the right. His pass found Albie who got past his man and drilled the ball into the top right corner. A minute later the ball was won by Marcus who tried to play Albie in. He seemed to have lost the ball but won it back before tucking a left foot drive just inside the post. In the 15^th minute a throw in saw Charlie battling for the ball by the corner flag. He played it back to Olly who fed the ball into Albie. As he advanced into the area he was brought down by two defenders but duly stuck the resulting penalty away to complete his hat trick. In the 17^th minute Marcus played a lovely “channel” ball for Duncan to run onto. He got to the by line then cut back inside the defender hitting the ball to the back post where it drifted into the back of the net for 5-0. With 5 goals in ten minutes things had to calm down a little. With 20 minutes gone both wingers were replace with Iggy coming on the left hand side and Max on the right. Iggy then had two runs down the left getting in good crosses to no avail but in the 23^rd minute he pulled the ball back to Albie who saw hit shot cleared off the line but only as far as Jesse who drilled it into the roof of the net. In the 25^th minute Albie intercepted a goal kick and after taking a touch curled the ball into the far corner to give a half time score line of 7-0.

At the start of the second half Jack came off with the rest of the back four shifting across a slot with Olly dropping in at left back. In the first minute a throw in cause problems in the Abbey Meads area as they conceded a corner. From this the ball went all the way across the area to be cleared giving the visitors a break down their right. The ball was knocked over Ben to a sticker in the clear but James came out made the parry for Ben to run round and clear the ball to safety. Abbey Meads were now a different side matching everything Wickham through at them. However, in the 9^th minute Iggy went on a run down the right cutting into the box and getting his shot away which the keeper blocked but Iggy put the rebound in. This was the start of another goal blitz. Albie was now replace by Fraser and it was Fraser who knocked the ball inside to Charlie, who despite being force left, was able to hook a left footed shot across the keeper and in. Two minute later again an attack down the right saw Iggy battle his way past two defenders and hit a shot across the keeper into the far corner. Play was now constantly down the right as a ball was played back to William who sent Charlie clear. He was about to shoot when he was pulled down. Charlie was persuaded to take the penalty and duly completed his hat trick. Another long throw caused problems in the Abbey Meads defence as both Charlie and Jesse attacked the ball. It was cleared out to Fraser on the edge of the box and he drilled it into the net. Finally, in the 21^st minute the ball was worked to the left flank with Duncan tucking it inside to Fraser who got past his man before curling the ball inside the far post. With 6 goals in 12 minutes the stuffing had been completely knocked out of Abbey Meads and chances were still being created. In the 25^th minute a corner was played into the box and after an almighty scramble Jack, who had come on for William. forced the ball over the line for his first goal of the season. The final goal was scored in the 27^th minute as a long clearance from James was flick on by Marcus for both Charlie and Fraser to chase, Charlie getting there first to score. Abbey Meads did hit the crossbar in the 30^th minute direct from a free kick but this was their only real chance of the game.

Following a fantastic first half display scoring 4 goals and continuing the good work in the second half Albie won The Player of the Day Award plus the opposition coaches award as well.

James Davies

Jack Bolton, William Herrington, Bert Cherrill, Ben Finch

Duncan Lorrain, Marcus Guest, Jesse Bowers, Olly Sopp

Albie Oakman, Charlie de Fraine.

Subs:- Iggy Ilott, Fraser Roberts, Max Nicholls.

Report: U13NW vs Ferndale Rodbourne 5-Apr-2009

With Wroughton not playing this was a chance to use one of the games in hand and close the gap at the top. With Bassett away on tour the gap from them could also be increased, but away games at Ferndale are always tough hard ones.

Without Karl, William was captain winning the toss and kicking off. In the 2^nd minute a long throw went over everyone for Iggy to try run onto, the keeper got a touch to it diverting the ball just away from Duncan and to safety. Two minutes later Wickham conceded a free kick out wide on the left. This was swung into the box to a tall lad running in but James was able to gather the ball. Wickham went on the attack with Charlie battling for the ball, which he won only to have his shot charged down. The 7^th minute saw Ben and Duncan attack down the left. The ball eventually came to Albie whose reverse pass sent Iggy away but he hit his shot over the near post. In the 9^th minute Iggy was brought down near the touchline. Albie hit the ball into the box where Charlie flicked it on for the ball to bounce around in the area with it eventually coming to William who slammed it into the roof of the net for 1-0. In the 16^th minute William broke an attack up sending a ball out wide to Iggy who got an early cross in which just evaded Charlie in the middle. Three minute later another long throw went all the way across the box to Iggy in the clear but he somehow failed to connect with his shot and the chance was gone. In the 21^st minute a Wickham attack down the right saw Ferndale win the ball and quickly switch play to their right. The attacker beat Bert for pace but drove his shot well wide of the near post. A quick throw a minute later saw Charlie get free and burst into the box. He had his ankle tapped and went down but the ref gave a free kick right on the edge of the area which came to nothing. In the 29^th minute another Ferndale break down the left again saw the forward shot wide of the near post. A Wickham free kick saw Bert win the ball near the by line but he was pushed off the ball as the defender conceded a corner. More Wickham pressure followed and with a minute left Charlie, battling hard for the ball in the corner, managed to get a cross over but Albie’s near post header just went wide of the far post. There was still time for Charlie to get a powerful left foot shot away which the keeper saved next to the post. Right on time Ferndale had a free kick, 30 yards out, which just cleared the bar.

Half time saw Duncan switch wings as Iggy came off with Olly coming onto the left. In the second minute following a Wickham corner, Ferndale quickly attacked down there left with Duncan and Jack leaving the ball to each other. As the forward cut into the area Bert got back to clear the danger. In the 4^th minute Charlie switched the ball out to Olly, the early cross came in to Albie who laid it back for Jesse to drive just over. A Ferndale break in the 6^th minute saw a brief 3 onto 1 but James made the save with his foot for Ben to clear. The ball went down the other end again for Olly to get a cross in which the keeper palmed out for Jesse to shoot over. In the 10^th minute a long Ferndale clearance sent their left winger away, he cut into the box and as William came across to cover the forward hit the shot wide. Wickham then suffered a double blow as Jack turned his ankle, so Iggy came on at right back; then Bert had to come off injured as well so Ben went to the centre, Olly to left back, Iggy to left wing, Duncan to right back and Max to right wing. This naturally caused some disruption and soon after James came rushing out of his area to clear the ball up field. Max was now making good runs and getting some great crosses in, one of which found Iggy at the back post. His shot was blocked by the keeper with the ball coming back and hitting him in the face before going off. With 10 minutes left Ferndale had a free kick some 35 yards out which was powerfully struck, hitting the underside of the bar and just bouncing over the line. Both sides wanted to win the game and a long throw saw an overhead kick from Albie just clear the bar. In the 30^th minute a long goal kick was flicked on by Charlie sending Albie racing through. As the keeper came out he drilled the ball past him for 2-1. Ferndale then switched to 3 at the back and 3 up front but Wickham seemed the most likely to score again but the score line remained unchanged and the win was secured.

Another great battling display up front chasing everything down saw Charlie deservedly win The Player of the Day Award.

James Davies

Jack Bolton, William Herrington, Bert Cherrill, Ben Finch

Iggy Ilott, Marcus Guest, Jesse Bowers, Duncan Lorrain

Albie Oakman, Charlie de Fraine.

Subs:- Olly Sopp, Fraser Roberts, Max Nicholls.

Report: U13NW vs. Wroughton Juniors 29-Mar-2009

Finally a home game which saw Wroughton, who are 5 points clear at the top of the table but having played three games more than Wickham, visit “The Triangle”. This was therefore an important game for both sides with a victory for one denting the others title ambitions.

Wickham kicked off going up the slight slope and against the wind immediately sending the ball to the left. It was switched to the right and Iggy go the cross in but this was cleared. William picked up the ball near the halfway line sending it up to Charlie who got past the defender and slipped the ball under Christie Miller in goal to score. With 3 minutes gone Wroughton got a cross into the box and William, not under any pressure, headed the ball off just past the post. From the resulting corner Ryan Rawlings headed just over. The 6^th minute saw a long throw eventually come out to Marcus whose shot was deflected wide for a corner. The corner saw both Marcus and Jesse compete for the ball, it was knocked out sideways where Bert laid it back to William who hit a snap shot which just cleared the bar. In the 11^th minute Iggy got a cross into Charlie who was pushed across the left hand side of the box but he got away a left footed drive which came cannoning back of the post only for his second left footed shot to go just wide of the far post. Marcus picked up an injury so Ben came on with Olly pushing up to left midfield. It was mainly Wickham attacks but in the 17^th minute a Wroughton attack was cleared out of the area but a midfielder was not picked up who hit a low drive from approx 30 yards out which James could only parry into the roof of the net. This buoyed up the visitors who now had more belief. In the 27^th minute a throw on the Wroughton left was played back to a midfielder who whipped the ball to two unmarked players at the back post for Josh Riggs to score. In the 31^st minute a Wroughton corner saw Wickham clear the ball out but Karl stayed in the box. As the ball was played back in he found himself with three onside Wroughton players who were able to convert the chance.

Jack now came on at right back with Bert coming off; Olly came off with Duncan switching to left midfield and Marcus back in the middle. Wickham were pushing forwards chasing the game but the play was always through the middle with the wings being strangely unused. In the 14^th minute Charlie battled for the ball near the left hand corner flag winning a free kick for a push in the back. Albie swung the corner to the far post where it drifted into the top far corner. A minute later a corner caused some panic in the Wroughton defence but they were able to clear it away. In the 21^st minute William stopped a Wroughton attack and Charlie flicked the header into Albie’s path but under pressure he shot wide. In the 249^th minute Ben got a cross into the box which Jesse brought down on his chest hitting a first time Volley which Christie somehow parried and was able to scramble back to dive on the ball before it crossed the line. In the 25^th minute a Wickham corner came out to Jesse and his shot cleared the bar. It seemed that all the Wickham pressure would not get the goal which they needed however with a minute left the ball was played down the right with the cross coming to Charlie at the back of the area where he knocked it past Christie for Albie to beat the defender and slid the ball into the box for 3-3. Wroughton attached from the centre but the defence won the ball sending it up to Charlie but unfortunately he could not get past the defender to get his shot away. Despite a number of stoppages for the ref to talk to various Wroughton supporters and players no time was added and this was the last play of the game.

Despite not starting the game, the injury to Marcus ensured Ben got onto the pitch midway through the first half. He then produced his best game of the season at left back and was duly voted The Player of the Day.

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, Max Nicholls.

U13's Berks & Bucks Champions 2008-2009

It was Berks and Bucks County Final time at AFC Wallingford on Sunday 19th April as Wickham took on Slough.

Slough shocked the North Wilts League side opening the scoring from a corner in the first minute. Wickham took time to settle but got back to their passing game and in the 17th minute Marcus Guest level things up. Wickham were in the ascendance but in the 24th minute they conceded a corner which was powerfully headed in by Slough's captain. Straight from the centre Wickham went up the right with Iggy Ilott putting in a point to point cross for Albie Oakman to head home. This time Wickham were to make their ascendancy pay as in the 29th minute Iggy hit a shot from distance which deceived the keeper and flew into the top corner. Thus Wickham went in 3-2 up at half time.

The second half was a torrid affair as both sides threw caution to the wind. Iggy hit the post in the 4th minute but despite Wickham pressure they could not add the 4th. Karl Admans was at hand to rob the Slough forward as he seemed destined to score. With 10 minutes left a Jack Bolton defensive header was turned round their post by James Davies and two minutes later did the same as a powerful shot came in. With three minutes left he was there again to punch clear a free kick from the right and Wickham attacked down the left winning a corner. This was played into the near post where Duncan Lorrain flicked the ball to the back post for Marcus to slam home as Wickham ran out 4-2 winners.