25-Apr-2007 by admin.

Having played both the “A” and the “C” sides it was Highworth Town “B’s” who were the visitors to “The Triangle” on a lovely Sunday morning. Highworth had 11 players available so a 7 a side format was played with all 9 Wickham players available this weekend. In a positional switch Harvey moved to the back this weekend with Chloe.

Highworth went on the attack straight from the start and then never left the Wickham half for the first 2 minutes. However despite this pressure Ellis, Chloe, Harvey and Devin were able to deal with everything. Wickham slowly got themselves back into the game and after a little while enjoyed their own period of pressure but again they could not get their shots in on target. A shot from Matthew did rattle the cross bar but it was easily cleared. After 9 minutes following some Highworth pressure Charlie released Devin down the left. He drew the defender and then played Mathew in who scored at the second attempt. A minute later Matthew broke towards the goal and just like last week was brought down on the edge of the area. Again just like last week the free kick was put away into the far top corner of the goal for 2-0. After 13 minutes Highworth were to get their first goal of the day from a corner which was played out to the edge of the box to an unmarked player to drill the ball past Ellis. Alex came on to replace Charlie with Wickham dominating the rest of the half. However, the lads could not convert the any of the numerous chances which they created with shots from Devin, Tom, Harvey and Matthew all being well saved blocked or just going wide.

Wickham started the second half as they had finished the first with Harvey push up much more but
always racing back to help out in defence. It was from one of his runs in the 3^rd minute that Wickham won a corner. Matthew drove the ball into the area and Devin volley it into the roof of the net. With 7 minutes gone Highworth pilled on the pressure. Three corners were well defended but then from the 4^th Devin took control of the ball and laid it up field to Matthew who outpaced the two defenders to score. However, corners were to be Wickham’s undoing as one in the 11^th minute somehow got past both Harvey and Devin at the front post and went straight into the goal for 4-2. The 3 goal advantage was restored a minute later as Devin took a throw in, which Eric flicked on to Matthew for him to drill into the back of the net from some distance. The last 3 minutes turned into a very nervy affair. A throw in near the corner was flicked on and somehow ended up in the back of the net. Highworth attacked for all they were worth and with 2 minutes left Devin seemed to have cleared the danger but his clearance hit Chloe and the forward had an easy tap in. Harvey was then injured having put the ball out for a throw with 20 seconds left. When the game restarted Highworth were clear in on goal but Ellis managed to make the save. Following his clearance the whistle went and Wickham had just squeezed home in the end 5-4 from what looked like a comfortable win with less than 5 minutes left.

The Player of the Day was given to Harvey, who despite his attacking tendency’s always managed to get back to help Chloe with the defensive duties.

Ellis Dawkins, Chloe Morgan, Harvey Tooth, Tom Butler, Devin Bowers, Charlie Saunders,

Matthew Newbrook.

Subs:- Alex Walters, Eric Barker.

Report by Ian Herrington

Posted in Under 7's (2006-2007) | 1 Comment »

22-Apr-2007 by admin.

Congratulations to the Under 11’s who have been confirmed as Division champions. Second year running!

Well done to whole squad - now you can really enjoy your tour.

Posted in Under 11s (2006/2007) | 4 Comments »

22-Apr-2007 by admin.

Wickham Wanderers 5 - 2 Blunsdon Colts

After the Easter break Blunsdon Colts were the visitors to “The Triangle” on a hot morning. Blunsdon had 11 players available so a 7 a side format was played. Alex was back today but started as sub, but Eric was missing.

Wickham started off playing Chloe and Tom at the back to hopefully allow Devin to push forwards more. Blunsdon kicked off with their golden shirts were dazzling in the sun light. This can be the only reason I can give for the visitor’s forward (Jack Newton) racing between Chloe and Tom in the first minute to drive the ball into the back of the net without either of them getting a challenge in. Eventually, the two of them worked out how to play together at the back with Tom getting forward as much as he could but then racing back to cover when the ball was lost. This did give Devin the freedom to go forwards and set up a number of opportunities. A minute after Blunsdon had opened the scoring, shots came in from Charlie, Harvey, Devin and Matthew but all that resulted was a corner; from which Devin’s shot went just wide. It was constant Wickham pressure but they could not put the ball into the back of the net. In the 7^thminute Ellis made a great save and immediately sent Harvey away down the left. He tucked the ball inside to Devin who then laid it off to Matthew to drill into the net for 1-1. Wickham still attacked, creating chances which some how were stopped but Ellis, Chloe and Tom always seemed to be just in the right place to halt the counter attacks until the 17^th minute. Ellis having made some brave saves found himself drawn out of his area where he handled the ball. He saved the free kick well and immediately kicked the ball out to Matthew, who laid it back to Harvey. Harvey found Devin who then played it into Matthew’s path, who duly hit a screamer into the back of the net. Alex came on for Charlie who had done some good work down the right hand side just before the half time whistle went.

The second half kicked off with Charlie still off but Wickham almost scored from the centre as Harvey’s shot flashed across the goal. Blunsdon had changed their keeper who was getting his kicks away much better and putting Chloe and Tom under a lot of pressure. In the 4^th minute one such long kick went all the way to Ellis. He responded by kicking it back up the field where Matthew controlled it before sending out to Alex and then onto Devin who was away down the right. He managed to cut into the box and hit his cross shot under the keeper for 3-1. Three minutes later there was almost a repeat as Devin this time crossed the ball in for Matthew to volley the ball into the back of the net, with Harvey just behind him in case he missed it. Despite the score line Blunsdon kept on attacking and with Devin sensing the danger he moved to play a little deeper. After 11 minutes Wickham had a rare attack which saw 3 shots come in before the keeper gathered the ball safely. His long kick caught out the Wickham defence. Ellis made a great initial save but the ball came out to Rhys Jones who slammed the ball in. Blunsdon continued the assault on the Wickham goal but Ellis remained calm(ish) in goal making the saves when necessary. Charlie came back on replacing Alex and was helping out with defensive duties when necessary. With 17 minutes gone Matthew seemed to have been brought down in the box but a free kick was awarded on the edge. Despite a two man wall Matthew hit the ball into the top corner for 5-2. There was still time for Blunsdon to have a free kick themselves on the edge of the box but again Ellis was able to make the save. Four minutes of injury time was played but there were no more goals as Wickham ran out the winners from this very entertaining and well balanced game.

The Player of the Day was awarded by the refereeing team and it went to Devin for being an inspiration in midfield.

Ellis Dawkins, Chloe Morgan, Tom Butler, Devin Bowers, Harvey Tooth,

Matthew Newbrook, Charlie Saunders.

Subs:- Alex Walters.

Report by Ian Herrington

Posted in Under 7's (2006-2007) | 1 Comment »

06-Apr-2007 by admin.

This weekend (7th April) an unprecedented 12 boys form the U11’s squad will be flying out to Jersey to represent Newbury Primary Schools FA in the annual Jersey Football Festival - 6 boys in the A squad and 6 in the B squad. The management team for the U11’s would like to wish the boys every success as they play 6 games against other district teams from within the UK plus 1 team from France. Enjoy the experience and we look forward to having you all back safely for the last League match of the season in 2 weeks time.

Posted in Under 11s (2006/2007) | 1 Comment »

04-Apr-2007 by admin.

Wickham Wanderers 9-0 Wantage Concorde

It was off to Wantage this weekend. Having turned up for a 12.30 kick off and put up the goals with the grounds man for the home team, Wantage eventually tuned up expecting a 13.00 kick off. A 7-a-side game of four, 10 minute quarters was the format this week. Alex called off ill in the morning so Charlie joined Mathew up front with Eric starting as sub.

The first quarter saw Wickham encamped in the Wantage half for most of the quarter. After two minutes Devin sent Matthew away but the defender forced him wide and his shot just went past the post. However from the resulting goal kick Matthew won the ball back and drilled the ball into the back of the net. Some other chances came and went but right on time Tom sent Matthew away and from the edge of the area smashed the ball against the bar and over the line.

Eric came on for the next section of the game in place of Charlie and it was Eric who sent Matthew through in the first minute but the keeper made a great save. Two minutes later Matthew was though hit his shot across the keeper but it came out off the post and Harvey was just beaten to the rebound. A lovely cross field play from Tom to Devin and then to Harvey saw the latter just drag his shot wide. This was the story of the half as Wickham created chance after chance but could not put the ball away. Matthew seemed to be brought down in the box but got his shot away just past the post and then Harvey put one into the side netting.

The second half kicked off with Charlie back on for Eric. Wantage were able to attack a little more now but after 2 minutes a quick throw-in from Devin sent Harvey away down the left. He got an early cross in for Matthew to fire the ball into the back of the net. The play then switched to the right hand side. This time two quick throw-ins from Tom to Devin saw the ball fired across the goal to Harvey at the back edge of the area. He controlled the ball then slotted it inside the near post for 4-0. Chloe was doing everything necessary at the back with Devin being the main midfielder getting back to help. With eight minutes gone, a goal kick was intercepted by Tom who duly placed the ball into the back of the net from some distance out.

Eric came on for the final quarter for Harvey with Charlie moving out to the left hand side. Straight from the kick off Wickham were on the attack with the ball coming to Tom at the back post but some how the ball went between his legs and off. However Eric picked up the goal kick and threaded Matthew through who hit the ball from distance to score. Lots of Wickham pressure followed and eventually Tom crossed the ball to Devin, he past it onto Eric who again slipped Matthew through for an easy tap in. Devin was again doing a good chasing back job (we really must get the other midfielders doing this as well) to help out Chloe but Ellis had very little to do in goal except to pick but the long ball. With seven minutes gone Devin drilled a corner into the box which went past four Wantage defenders for Matthew to again tap in. A hand ball near the edge of the area saw the Wantage keeper make a fantastic save high in the top right hand corner but there was still time for Matthew to add another goal making the final score 9-0.

The Player of the Day could have gone to lots of players. However, for showing a big improvement in his game from prior weeks, getting stuck into the tackles during the second half and for laying two goals on for Matthew it went to Eric.

Ellis Dawkins, Chloe Morgan, Tom Butler, Devin Bowers, Harvey Tooth,

Matthew Newbrook, Charlie Saunders.

Subs:- Eric Baker.

Report by Ian Herrington

Posted in Under 7's (2006-2007) | 1 Comment »

04-Apr-2007 by admin.

Wickham Wanderers 8 - 2 Lydiard

On a windy afternoon the lads were away at Supermarine playing Lydiard Youth. Although on paper this should not be a tough match, everyone could remember the Abbey Meads game and how that draw had made things difficult. A win today would guarantee a top two finish. Adam fell ill during the morning so Max was called up for his début.

Again, changing from the tactics used against Abbey Meads, Wickham kicked with the wind in the first half. Unsurprisingly Wickham dominated the initial proceedings. With Olly back out on the left wing the majority of the initial play came down this side, as Karl tucked in more on the right. The back four were spending most of their time on the half way line feeding the balls through to the midfield runners. A lovely cross from Olly just cleared Charlie and then a few minutes later a cross, this time from Callum, was hit just wide by Duncan. Wickham were creating the chances but could not quite finish. After 12 minutes Charlie went up with the keeper and headed the ball goal bound. With Callum following in he had it kicked off his head from no more that 3 yards out. Finally, with 14 minutes gone came the breakthrough. William intercepted a Lydiard clearance and sent Callum away down the left. Despite Charlie being available in the middle he cut into the area and as the keeper came out lobbed it into an empty net. Wickham still created chances mainly from crosses but could not convert. With 24 minutes gone Jesse won the ball just outside the box and laid it back to William. He hit a shot from fully 35 yards out which the keeper could only parry, Callum picked up the rebound and played it back to Olly for him to crash into the net with his right foot. After 27 minutes Duncan won the ball and threaded the ball through to Callum to run onto for him to tuck the ball inside the far post with the outside of his boot. Finally with a minute to go, Olly played the ball from the centre circle into Charlie’s path for him to run onto and slip it past the keeper for a 4-0 half time lead.

Jon emphasised that Lydiard would attempt to hit the ball over the top and use the wind and we should keep the ball down and pass it around. Jack W, Jordan and Max came on replacing Charlie, Aiden and Duncan respectively. Wickham, on occasions struggled to get the goal kicks clear against the wind as Lydiard over hit their through passes. However, after 5 minutes Jesse drove into the Lydiard half and as no one came to meet him he hit his shot from the edge of the area. The keeper seemed to have saved it but with Jack and Max following in the ball came out of his grasp for Max to score. The game was much more even now and after 13 minutes Lydiard won their first corner. However this was well dealt with by the defence. Wickham were now creating chance after chance which everyone seemed to be missing. Charlie came back on for Callum and immediately got onto the score sheet again but even he missed some guilt edge chances after that. With 5 minutes left, as the game seemed to be drawing to a close a long Lydiard ball seemed to be going through to James but Jack Bolton decided to clear it. The clearance fell straight to a midfield player who hit it first time into an unguarded net for 6-1. Wickham went back on the attack but the ball went safely though to the Lydiard keeper. His clearance was well headed forward by Duncan and then flick on by Charlie to Max. He battled for the ball then hit a shot over the keeper and into the back of the net. With two minutes left Charlie burst through the middle and was unceremoniously upended by the keeper which earned him a yellow card. William stepped forward to put the penalty away. Finally, with almost the last kick of the game a Wickham goal kick fell into the vacant midfield area when Lydiard gathered the ball. It was then sent through the middle for their forward to just beat James to the ball and tuck it inside the post for a final score of 8-2.

Well, one game to go and only Ferndale can stop the lads from being Champions - if they win all their remaining 8 games - …..…………..and who is Wickham’s last game against………………………..…
yes you’ve guessed, it Ferndale at home.

Player of the Day was a very close run thing, with four players getting 2 votes from the parents. However, after consulting with the parents who did not vote for any of these four, it went to Jesse.

James Davies
Jack Bolton, William Herrington, Albert Cherrill, Aiden Weeks
Karl Admans, Jesse Bowers, Duncan Lorrain, Olly Sopp
Charlie de Fraine, Callum Johnson.
Subs:- Jordan Shaw, Max Nichols, Jack Wild.

Report by Ian Herrington

Posted in Under 11s (2006/2007) | 1 Comment »

03-Apr-2007 by admin.

Wickham Wanderers 11 - 1 Cricklade Youth