Craftmatic Chiltern Engineering Services

26th Mar 2006: vs. Highworth A

The away game at Highworth A was the match with the potential for deciding who was going to be the Divisions champions. Only Jack Moore was missing and the lads seemed determined to give a good account of themselves.

Wickham kicked off and Karl was away down the wing. His cross was met by Charlie who drew the first save from the keeper. In the second minute Josh went away down the left, he cut inside before drilling his shot against the post. The ball came out to William on the edge of the box but his side foot shot went wide. Two minutes later another run from Josh saw the ball again come out to William. His volley seemed to be going in but the keeper parried the ball and caught it at the second attempt. The 5th minute saw Jordan Shaw send Karl away down the right following a quick throw. His early cross was flick on by Charlie but it just went the wrong side of the post. Highworth were struggling to get out of their half as Wickham drove forwards. With 10 minutes gone William won a good header in midfield sending the ball up to Charlie. He laid the ball into Karl's path and despite getting pushed wide got his shot away which was pushed around the post for a corner. In the next minute Highworth had a chance but the shot was blasted well over the top of Ben's goal. Wickham continued to push forwards and in the 15th minute following Josh's corner numerous headers went goal bound but Highworth cleared each one from off the line. With 20 minutes gone Highworth looked as if they had a break on but Jordan S. got to the ball first and found Josh on the left. He went down the line and got his cross in which was partially cleared out to William. He was quickly closed down but laid the ball off to Karl who unfortunately shot just wide. Ben had his first save to make with 22 minutes gone as a long range shot thumped against his chest but Jack was there to clear the ball for a corner. This was the last chance of the half for either side.

The lads were just asked to carry on playing as they were, keep battling and follow in on the shots and the goal should come. Highworth restarted the match and then dominated the first 5 minutes with Frasier Evans having a great chance at the back post in the first minute but his shot went well wide. At the end of this spell a free kick from Highworth from near the half way line flew over the apex of the bar and post. This seemed to wake Wickham up and two minutes later they had a similar chance as Josh was brought down but William also hit the ball just over the apex. Wickham started to press again and in the 14th minute a corner was headed just over the bar from Jordan Shaw. The last ten minutes was a hectic affair with both sides trying to win the match. In the 22nd minute Jack as adjudged to have used his hand as he headed the ball back to Ben but the three man wall did their job in blocking the shot. With 25 minutes on the clock, a Highworth corner was swung into the near post causing great panic in the Wickham defence, but eventually it was banged away up field. Two minutes of injury time had now been played and Wickham broke away. Josh got to the by-line and crossed a great ball in. It was cleared to the right where William got a shot away which again was cleared to the edge of the box. Here Jack was waiting. He brought the ball down, steadied himself and hit a powerful shot towards the goal. We all thought it was in but the ball came crashing back off the post and went down the by-line. There was still time for Olly to break up a Highworth attack and send Josh away but as he went down the wing the whistle went on a very entertaining 0-0 draw.

It was decided not to award the play of the day trophy because it was a great team effort and no one should be singled out.

Ben Grey, Jordan Shaw, Jack Bolton, Karl Admans, William Herrington, Josh Way, Charlie de Fraine.
Subs:- Aiden Weeks, Olly Sopp, Jordan Burnett.