This Saturday was arguably our biggest game of the season and it was one of our best performances – perhaps not in terms of the quality of football but certainly in terms of commitment to the cause and sheer effort. We knew Wickhambrook would be a tough test and the game became scrappy and interrupted almost straight from the kick off with both sides closing down quickly on the small pitch and nobody backing out of a challenge.
With clear-cut chances at a premium, first blood went to Wickhambrook as a corner was half cleared to the edge of the area and when the ball was floated back in, it found the back of the net via a post. It wasn’t long before The Boy were level though, and it was something of a gift as a long throw was flicked on by Chris Wager and inexplicably punched clear by a Wickhambrook defender. Pete was left to dispatch the penalty and we could have been ahead moments later after Ben released Charlie down the line and his centre was almost stroked home by Phil. Half time came with few other chances created and both sides needed the break after a scrappy half played at break-neck speed.
The second half became stretched, scappy and dirty but with Chris and Carl winning every 50/50 ball in the centre, it was the type of game we were always going to dominate in that area. Both sides threatened more with pockets of space opening up and legs getting tired. Ben went close for us before a Wickhambrook break ended with their striker poking the ball home between Charlie and Rees who had got back to cover on the line.
By this point the game was very stop-start with arguments, elbows, tempers flaring and a succession of bookings for both sides. Stand in manager Sean Wiggins began the changes with Mark coming on up front and causing a real nuisance while Jock and Chris Rogers shored up the defence. It wasn’t long though before the equaliser came, Charlie’s first time volley being redirected by Chris’s head as the goalkeeper was diving in the other direction. The reaction of both teams showed what it meant to each of our seasons.
From that point on there was only ever one team that was going to win it. Mark went close with a dipping effort from range before another penalty appeal identical to the first half was turned down. At the other end the back four were repelling everything in relative comfort and restricting Wickhambrook to wild long-range efforts.
Then we got the slice of luck needed to finally get ahead as pressure from Mark Austin allowed Charlie to nip in ahead of a defender, turn him and run-in on goal with his shot squirming in under the keeper with a few minutes left to play. Despite an injury to the imperious Baz in central defence, the Boy battled on with 10 men and never looked likely to concede with Driver smothering at the feet of their striker with the last action of the game.
We knew before this game that a loss could mean falling out of the title race, a draw could take matters out of our hands and a win would set us up perfectly for the end of the season finale. It was all about the result and we earnt it this week through commitment and a will to win. We now have two games left in order to finish the season as strongly as we can and this game will be all for nothing if we drop points against two improving sides in Elephant & Castle and Beck Row. Let’s not underestimate them or think we are unbeatable. Let’s be professional and finish the job we started on Saturday.
Kim-Leight-Un
North Korean Bastard Mongler Dictator Midget
