30-Mar-2007 by admin.

Wickham Wanderers 4-5 Highworth A

Highworth A came over to “The Triangle” with 6 players and were happy to play a 6-a-side, 20 minutes each way game, which gave Wickham two subs. Highworth had come with the reputation of being the strongest side in the North Wilts League so this was to be a big test for the lads.

Right from the start you could see that Highworth were a strong team without a weak link in their side. They went on the attack straight away pinning Wickham back in their own half. It was a good two minutes before Wickham could get out of their own half and a throw in was won near the corner flag. Matthew took this and played it to Devin who laid it off to Harvey and then back to Matthew who was on a run into the box. Despite being pushed towards the by-line he got his shot away which creped inside the near post for 1-0. This seemed to pick Wickham up and the game became more even, however the Highworth keeper had a good kick and this was to be Wickham’s down fall. With 11 minutes gone a long goal kick was allowed to bounce over the midfield and the attacker ran onto the ball so score. Highworth scored a great goal at the end of the half as a throw in was hit on the turn and volley into the roof of the net.

Ian tried to get the lads back up again, with Charlie replacing Chloe at the back, asking them to chase harder and pass the ball around more. Wickham were unlucky not to score straight from the kick off as Harvey had his shot well saved for a corner. However, the corner was hit to Tom at the back post who in turn knocked the ball back into Devin to smash into the roof of the net for 2-2. Again, the game remained even but with 10 minutes gone Harvey made a clumsy tackle in the box brining the Highworth player down and the penalty was conversed with ease. Chloe now came back on for Charlie but with 5 minute left a Wickham corner was quickly cleared and suddenly there were 4 attackers against Chloe. The ball was moved around nicely and as Ellis came out it was chipped over him for 2-4. Wickham did not give up and with a minute left Tom went down the right cut into the box and hit a cross shot into the back of the net. With a minute left Wickham had another corner so had pushed everyone up to get the equaliser, however Highworth broke and despite Devin getting one tackle in, there were three forwards available and they were able to score. Almost directly from the centre Matthew went on a solo run and was able to score. Despite winning the ball back immediately from the centre Wickham could only just get out of the centre circle before the full time whistle went for a 4-5 defeat.

The Player of the Day was in no doubt. All the Highworth parents liked the way he played. He was aggressive, but fair in the tackle, his passing was good and he scored a cracking goal so the award went to Devin.

Ellis Dawkins, Chloe Morgan, Tom Butler, Devin Bowers, Harvey Tooth, Matthew Newbrook.

Subs:- Charlie Saunders. Eric Baker

Report by Ian Herrington

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

28-Mar-2007 by admin.

Wickham Wanderers 3-1 Wootton Bassett

Wootton Bassett came to the Triangle in what could have been billed as the “Championship Decider”. A win by Wickham would put them 4 points clear of Bassett with only 2 games to play; any other result would open the title race up. With the 4-5-1 formation having worked against the strong teams before, this was used again. In the team talk, Jon asked for a strong performance from everyone with plenty of support and commitment.

Almost straight away Wickham won a corner which was swung into the box to Bert, but the ball got stuck under his feet and the chance was lost. After only 2 minutes a clash of heads between Fraser Evans and Jesse saw blood gushing from Jesse’s mouth. He duly left the field to be patched up and Wickham played the next 4 minutes with only 10 players, during which time Bassett took the initiative.

Despite the injury Jesse did not shirk out of the next header or any tackle that followed. The first real chance fell to Basset in the 10^th minute. A free kick was played into the box where the Bassett forwards timed their runs perfectly but James was able to gather the ball in under pressure from 4 players. The next chance after 14 minutes also fell to Bassett. The Wickham defence was pulled all over the place with Olly ending up at right back covering. The ball was switched to the free space on the Bassett right and as the cross came in it was just too high for Josh Way at the back post. With 20 minutes gone Wickham had a free kick just inside their half. William hit the ball forwards and eventually it came out to Jesse on the right. He cut into the box and it looked like he was going to shoot but he laid it into Charlie’s path who duly flicked the ball over the keeper for 1-0. Three minutes later a cross from Callum was struck first time by Albie but the ball just drifted past the post. As the half was running down, Basset pressed forwards forcing James to tip a shot over the bar keeping Wickham in front at the break.

The half time talk was all about more of the same, keep working for each other and supporting each other. Keep it going for another 30 minutes! The game was turning into a midfield battle with neither side wishing to give way. With 8 minute gone Albie went down after a crunching tackle on the right wing but following treatment he carried on although limping slightly. With 11 minutes gone Jesse burst through two players and as he entered the area Fraser brought him down. Just like the away game Albie stepped up and put the penalty away to make it 2-0. With 10 minutes left Wickham cleared a Bassett corner to Charlie who sent Albie racing through on goal; however a great save from the keeper produced a Wickham corner. This was hit to the back post where Callum’s shot just cleared the bar. With 7 minutes left it was Charlie attacking the keeper, who he went round but the Bassett defenders got back to cover and put in a crunching tackle, from which he stayed down before he could get his shot away. As the minutes ticked by it was all Bassett pressure as they had pushed 4 players forward. William made a great tackle but went down under the challenge; however the game was not stopped. Eventually he was finally treated for four stud marks down his thigh. With 4 minutes remaining one of the Bassett forwards (Sam) broke down the right and cut into the box. James made a great initial save but the ball came back out and the rebound was smashed against the post and off for a goal kick. Two minutes into injury time Wickham attacked down the left with Callum sending the ball inside to Charlie. He took on a number of defenders before smashing the ball into the roof of the net for 3-0. Bassett still did not give up and 2 minutes later Josh Way was sent through, outpacing Jack, to hit his shot over James for 3-1. Remarkably almost 7 minutes of injury time was played which, following Bassett’s goal, was mostly in Wickham’s half but there were no more goals with Wickham probably getting the result their performance deserved.

Following a great display out at right back, never seeming to miss a challenge and for keeping Josh quiet for most of the game, The Player of the Day Award went to Jack Bolton.

James Davies

Jack Bolton, William Herrington, Albert Cherrill, Olly Sopp

Albie Oakman, Karl Admans, Jesse Bowers, Duncan Lorrain, Callum Johnson

Charlie de Fraine.

Subs:- Jordan Shaw, Aiden Weeks, Adam Fisher.

Report by Ian Herrington

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

18-Mar-2007 by admin.

Wickham Wanderers 2-1 Ramsbury

On a very windy day Wickham went over to Ramsbury to play this Division 3 local derby knowing a win would keep their hopes of finishing 3^rd in the division alive.

Ramsbury kicked with the wind in the first half and were almost permanently encamped in the Wickham half but they did not really create a clear cut chance in the first 10 minutes. With 12 minutes gone Wickham broke away down the right and as the cross came in Ellis hit a first time shot which just cleared the bar. With two more minutes gone Wickham some how conceded a penalty, for what no one really seemed to know. This was well struck to Thomas’ left and he just failed to reach it. Aiden and Marcus were playing well in defence with very little getting past them but corners were being conceded. Ramsbury continued to push forwards but Aiden and Thomas were clearing their lines well from the goal kicks some of which were making the half way line even against the wind. Wickham created a few more chances but were unable to convert any of them. With 3 minutes left following yet another Ramsbury corner, their forward found himself unmarked by the penalty spot and hit a rasping drive into the corner of the goal which somehow Thomas managed to push out for a throw in. Just as the clock ticked over for injury time Harry was put through the middle and he calmly slotted the ball past the Ramsbury keeper for a half time score of 1-1.

The wind seemed to have got even stronger for the second half and this time it was Wickham constantly on the attack. In the 3^rd minute the Ramsbury keeper made a brave save at Simon’s feet with the latter having to come off injured. In the next minute Aiden hit a powerful drive from just inside his own half which had the keeper beaten all ends up but it just cleared the bar. After 8 minutes Thomas tried to get into the act as his drop kick again deceived the keeper but it went just wide of the post. It was not all one way traffic as Ramsbury kept the ball on the floor and tried to pass through the Wickham defence but either Aiden or Mucus were there to tidy up. Wickham were not using the high ball very much but when they did break through the final pass always seemed to be just over hit and the Ramsbury keeper quickly pounced on the ball. Finally with 10 minutes remaining Harry got on the end of a through ball and was able to put it into the back of the net for 2-1. Ramsbury’s heads seemed to temporarily go down but Wickham could not take advantage of this to get the killer goal. The last 5 minutes were tense but Wickham held on to a win which they probably deserved for their battling first half

Thomas Herrington.
Alex Macintosh, Aiden Howe Marcus Taylor,
Andrew Warren, Simon Morgan, Ellis Ball, Felix Gialombardo, Robert Morgan
Harry Ward, Will Lansley.
Subs:- Ben Cookson, Alex Egan, Thomas Saunders.

Report by Ian Herrington

Posted in Under 13's NW (2006-2007) | 1 Comment »

18-Mar-2007 by admin.

Wickham Wanderers 12-2 Greenmeadow

Greenmeadow came over to “The Triangle” with 7 players which matched the number Wickham had available, so a 6-a-Side game was played. With Chloe back in defence it was Charlie who started this weekend as the sub.

The training routine for Tom playing wide right and Harvey wide left worked very well in the first half as everyone seemed to have more space to play in. With three minutes gone Tom was sent away down the right and he wasted no time in cutting into the area and putting his shot into the back of the net. Wickham continued to attack but their shots were going just wide until in the 6^th minute Matthew intercepted a goal kick and then blasted it into the net from the edge of the box. In the next minute Harvey took a quick throw in to Matthew who raced into the area to score again. Greenmeadow then put Wickham under some pressure winning their first corner. This took an age to clear but Chloe then found Devin who set Matthew free for him to race clear and score again. Every time Wickham attacked now they seemed to score. Harvey went down the left cut inside and passed the ball to Matthew for an easy tap in. In the 11^th minute Devin won the ball just in his own half then, using Matthew as a decoy, went all the way through to score himself. In the very next attack he turned provider sending Harvey through to open his account for the day. Still the goals kept on coming. Charlie had replaced Tom on the right and he now played a lovely ball through to Matthew for him to score again. After 14 minutes Charlie and Devin combined to send Harvey away on the left and he drilled his shot in. There was still time left for Devin to go on a solo run to score making the half time score 10-0.

Greenmeadow changed their keeper at half time and also changed the way they were playing in the second half. There was much more commitment from them in this second period, almost is if it was a different set of players. With 4 minute gone Devin seemed to have everything under control at the back but due to the constant harrying of the Greenmeadow players he lost possession and the forward went through to beat Ellis for 10-1.Still the visitors pushed forwards in search of more goals but with 10 minutes gone Harvey won the ball, went down the line and crossed it in for Matthew to complete his double hat-trick. Three minutes later Matthew was sent through again and as the keeper came out he just got his foot to the ball first to gently roll the ball into the back of the net with Tom following it in. Almost directly from the centre Greenmeadow attacked and scored a great goal, struck from well outside the box giving Ellis no chance. This was a great second half performance from the visitors but it did mean that Wickham ended up 12-2 winners.

Having been asked to stay out on the left and look to pass the ball around plus for scoring two goals on the day The Player of the Day Trophy went to Harvey.

Ellis Dawkins, Chloe Morgan, Tom Butler,

Devin Bowers, Eric Baker, Harvey Tooth,

Matthew Newbrook.

Subs:- Charlie Saunders.

Report by Ian Herrington

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

14-Mar-2007 by admin.

Wickham Wanderers 2-2 Abbey Meads

Bottom of the table Abbey Meads were the visitors to The Triangle this weekend as Wickham went in search of another win. The team lined up in an attacking 3-5-2 formation in the hope of killing the game off early.

For the second week running Wickham were playing against a very strong wind in the first half which gave Abbey Meads the advantage. However with only 3 minutes on the clock Karl laid the ball out to William who in turn sent Charlie away down the line. As he reached the edge of the box he crossed the ball into the middle where both Callum and Olly were waiting unmarked. Callum crashed the ball into the back of the net only for a late flag to be raised and the goal disallowed for offside. The resulting free kick was won by Charlie who laid it off to Callum but his shot just cleared the bar. Abbey Meads now pushed Wickham back into their own half and although not creating many clear cut chances they were stopping Wickham from going forwards. Their players always seemed to be first to the ball and when Wickham did attack the goal clearances were long and always seemed to be won by their players. With 10 minutes gone Abbey Meads were themselves caught offside near the edge of the centre circle. Bert hit the kick over the top to Olly on the left wing. He went down the line and got a great cross in where Charlie was on hand to ensure that the ball went into the back of the net. With 16 minutes gone a lovely through ball from Duncan found Charlie, he turned and sent Callum through for him to duly put the ball in the back of the net but again this was ruled offside against Charlie. Abbey Meads kept on pressing forwards and had a number of corners near the end of the half, one of which James pushed over the bar. Wickham therefore went in at half time 1 up.

The half time talk was not pretty! Jon tried to get the lads to understand that they needed to battle for the ball, to take time and to pass it around. Aiden was brought on for Olly, William switched to the left with Jack Wild coming onto the right wing for Callum, and thus the formation was now a 4-5-1. After only 2 minutes this change seemed to have paid off. A Wickham attack seemed to have been stopped as Charlie’s shot was blocked but the ball came out to William on the left and from 22 yards he hit a left footed shot just inside the far post for 2-0. Instead of demoralising Abbey Meads this just seemed to act as a tonic and pick them up. Despite them playing against the wind Wickham failed to attack any of the goal kicks and the ball was always won by an Abbey player. With the change in formation Charlie was left isolated up front as the midfield took too long to get up and support him. Then, with 10 minutes gone, disaster no.1. A through ball from the Abbey Mead defenders was somehow missed by Jack and the forward latched onto it. In a straight race for goal Jack was always second best. The forward lobbed the ball over James and there was just enough pace on it for it to reach the goal. This gave the visitors a great boost. Olly came on for Bert at the back but it was becoming difficult to spot which side was at the top of the table and which one at the bottom. The Wickham midfield had disappeared and were reduced to playing through balls to Charlie. With the wind on his back the keeper was always favourite to get there first. With 5 minutes left there was a big scramble in the Wickham box from which, somehow, Abbey Meads failed to score. However the clearance was picked up by the Abbey Meads midfield and lofted into the box. As the ball hung in the air their forward was bundled over and a penalty awarded. This was tucked nicely into the bottom left corner. Callum now came on and almost immediately created a chance for Karl which somehow did not go in. In the last minute Jack Wild had a chance but this was clear off the line. Wickham, like last year, only managed to get a draw at home to Abbey Meads which now throws the title race open again.

The parents were so disappointed with the result that no one voted for The Player of the Day Award, so therefore it went to William who was voted for by the opposition coach.

James Davies

Jack Bolton, Jordan Shaw, Albert Cherrill

William Herrington, Karl Admans, Jesse Bowers, Duncan Lorrain, Olly Sopp

Charlie de Fraine, Callum Johnson.

Subs:- Jack Wild, Aiden Weeks, Adam Fisher.

Report by Ian Herrington

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

13-Mar-2007 by admin.

Wickham Wanderers 11 - 0 Croft

Wickham came away worthy winners against Croft Juniors. Excellent passing and link up play involving the whole team meant Wickham created plenty of great chances. Harry Hoareau was man of the match with 2 goals. Ronan Ford and Matthew Berry also scored 2 goals each and Charlie Knight scored 5.

Report by Lorna Parr

Posted in Under 8's (2006-2007) | 1 Comment »

13-Mar-2007 by admin.

Wickham Wanderers 3 - 0 Croft

Croft came over to the Triangle with a big squad of 13 players. With Chloe missing for Wickham, eight players were available so a 7 a side format was agreed with Croft holding a number of players back for the second half of the game. Tom again took Chloe’s place at the back with Matthew playing the loan attacker.

Alex was the unlucky player to start on the bench but the rest of the side seemed “up” for the game. Croft kicked off but Matthew immediately won the ball to set up an attack. The majority of the play was initially in the Croft half so Tom pushed up leaving Charlie on his own at the back. After 5 minute a croft defender seemed to pick the ball up on the edge of the box but no free kick was given. Finally, after 7 minutes, a goal mouth scramble saw the ball come out to Harvey, he knocked the ball inside to Tom who drilled the ball into the net. Alex then replaced Eric but Wickham continued to dominate the game. The Croft keeper was having a great game making a number of saves at Matthew’s feet and thanks to his efforts the half time score was 1-0 to Wickham.

The second half was much more even with Ellis called upon to make a number of saves. Wickham were now so keen to get the ball that they were often getting in each others way. With 7 minutes gone Croft had an attacking throw in but this was won by Tom who past it to Devin down the wing. He seemed to have taken on too many players but was able to get his cross into the box where both Harvey and Matthew were unmarked giving Harvey the easy chance to score. Croft never gave up but with 10 minutes gone a quick throw from Matthew found Eric who then past to Harvey. He sent the bal into the middle where Devin looked to shot with his left foot but played it onto his right to then score. 3-0 was the final score but more work needs to be done with getting the lads to spread out and pass the ball.

The Player of the Day Trophy went to Ellis who had shown a big improvement in his goal kicks, he can now can turn defence into attack, and also for keeping his first clean sheet of the season with some good saves.

Ellis Dawkins, Charlie Saunders, Tom Butler, Devin Bowers, Eric Baker, Harvey Tooth,
Matthew Newbrook.
Subs:- Alex Walters.

Report by Ian Herrington

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

08-Mar-2007 by admin.

Wickham Wanderers 4-3 Shaw

The big games are now coming up fast as today Wickham visited last year champions Shaw. Duncan and Albie both fell ill around mid day and did not make the trip but Wickham were only down to 13 players, thanks to Fraser being prepared to travel even if he was not needed. The pitch seemed very small and was probably only a ¾’s one with ¾’s sized goals and thus not really suited to Wickham’s normal play. The team switched back to its more familiar 4-4-2 formation.

Wickham were playing against a very strong wind with Shaw constantly pressing forwards. It now seems to have become the norm that when we are under pressure the midfield goes even deeper and we quite often have a back 5 or 6. This was again the case here which just encouraged Shaw to attack even more. As the defence tried to clear the ball it would fall into the vacant midfield area where the Shaw midfielders picked the ball up. Apart from an early break from the centre it was almost 15 minutes before Wickham mounted a worthwhile attack during which William had a shot deflected over and from the resulting corner Callum’s shot just cleared the bar. James was playing well in goal making himself big whenever necessary, making some great saves to deny the Shaw forwards. They were causing a lot of problems from corners which when clearing the front post generally created a chance. Twice Wickham were forced to clear off the line, a Bert header just cleared the bar and then James tipped over another chance which seemed to be going into the top corner. Eventually the midfield pushed out a little and started to compete for the ball. With 28 minute gone Jesse found Callum with a lovely through ball. He advanced towards the goal before slipping the ball to Charlie to hit past the keeper for 1-0. Shaw’s heads did not go down and immediately sent the ball up towards Bert who got nowhere near the ball allowing Chris Siddle to nip in behind him a strike the ball past James. However straight from the kick off Karl played the ball back down the middle to Charlie who went on a mazy run past 6 players before putting the ball in the back of the net giving Wickham, what must be considered as an unlikely 2-1 lead.

In the second half playing with the wind it was important to get the next goal, it was not long in coming. A Shaw attack was broken up with the ball sent down the ring wing. Callum never gave up chasing for it and won it back. He laid the ball back to William and sprinted into the middle. This freed Charlie up who William knocked the ball into. Charlie beat his man and sent the ball to the back post where fist Olly had his shot blocked followed by Callum’s shot being blocked but Charlie was on hand to force the ball over the line to complete his hat-trick on the day and 50 goals in the North Wilts League this season. In the 8^th minute Callum seemed to have won a corner, however a goal kick was awarded which was then headed back to Charlie by Karl. Charlie seemed to have put Callum through but the ball came back to him and as he fell to the ground he was able to send the ball goal wards. The ball might have gone him but Callum ensured it went in giving Wickham a 4-1 lead. Shaw through everything forward leaving gaps at the back but even the fresh legs of Fraser and Jack Wickham could not capitalise on the extra space. With 6 minutes left, with the linesman signalling for a goal kick the game continued and the ball fell to Callum Marshall who hit the ball into the roof of the net for 4-2. Shaw still pushed forwards and with 2 minute to go a free kick in the Shaw half was placed between Jack B and Jordan for Chris Siddle to get his second of the game. Fortunately for Wickham, the majority of the game was played out in the Shaw half as Wickham won 4 corners in quick succession and they were able to hold onto a slender 4-3 victory.

The Player of the Day Award, for making some great stops and ensuring that Wickham were not facing a big half time deficit, went to James.

James Davies

Aiden Weeks, Jack Bolton, Jordan Shaw, Albert Cherrill

William Herrington, Karl Admans, Duncan Lorrain, Olly Sopp

Charlie de Fraine, Callum Johnson.

Subs:- Jack Wild, Fraser Roberts.

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

08-Mar-2007 by admin.

Wickham Wanderers 2-0 Manydown

Manydown returned to the triangle for a second game but were unfortunately let down by one of their players so a six a side game was agreed. With the rain lashing down it was fortunate that a second mini soccer pitch had been prepared on the Saturday since the normal one was virtually unplayable with lots of puddles starting to form.

Harvey had not arrived so Eric started the game helping Chloe in defence but it was
Manydown who started the stronger side. Their little player in the middle of the field was dominating the game and Matthew was often on his own up front. With 6 minutes gone Eric wanted to come off so Alex came on to replace him. None of the Wickham players seemed to be able to kick the ball and thanks to two good blocks by Charlie in goal the score remained level. With 11 minutes gone Alex was now feeling the cold so was replaced by Ellis. Somehow as cross from the right flashed across the Wickham goal but the ball was cleared by Devin who went on a run all the way past the Manydown defence to tuck the ball past the keeper for a half time lead of 1-0.

Ellis now replaced Charlie in goal with Charlie going into the defensive role. Matthew was now too cold to play on so Harvey came on to play up front. With the wind on their backs Manydown dominated the second half but somehow their always seemed to be a Wickham defender just able to make a block at the right time. Ellis made a couple of good stops but struggled against the wind to get the ball clear. With 10 minutes gone one of the Manydown players his a rasping shot from well outside the box, and as the Manydown parents went up shouting goal the ball just went past the angle of the bat and post. Shortly afterwards Tom raced though on goal, but as the keeper came out, he hit his shot wide. With 2 minutes remaining another Manydown cross from the right flashed across the goal and Ellis went out of his area and picked it up thinking the ball had gone out. However, a free kick was correctly awarded but Devin intercepted the cross and drove out of defence. He sent Tom through who outpaced the defender and this time he tucked the ball away, giving Wickham a very fortunate 2-0 victory.
For scoring a great solo goal in the first half and then sending Tom through for the second plus helping the defence out, Devin was awarded the Player of the Day Trophy.

Charlie Saunders, Chloe Morgan, Eric Barker, Tom Butler, Devin Bowers, Matthew Newbrook
Subs:- Ellis Dawkins, Harvey Tooth, Alex Walters.

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