Seniors 2 - Stonehouse 1

Written by James Smith

REVENGE!

Having gone down 3-2 away at Stonehouse in the league, the cup game at home 8 days later was the perfect chance to put things right.

With a strong starting 11 Wickwar played the patient game in the early minutes, breaking up play well and looked very dangerous on the counter attack.

With Steed making his first appearance of the season on the left and Addle keeping is place on the right Wickwar always looked dangerous on the break, twice just missing the chance to take the lead.

But then, it was an all to familiar story. Stonehouse went in front. A long ball over the top wasn't dealt with and their forward ran through clear on goal to slot past Brown with a neat finish.

Right from the re-start Wickwar pushed forward, minutes later Austin was played through and when it looked like all the angles were against him he managed to squeeze the ball past the keeper from what seemed like an impossible angle to level the game.

The equaliser resulted in a new found confidence and Wickwar started to really get on top. Steed, Austin, Mckean and Mackie all went close to putting the home side in front for the first time in the game.

Just before half time Addle robbed the away side's right back on the half way line and was through on goal until he was cynically bought down. With the crowd baying for a red card, the referee produced only a yellow.

After half time the home side's dominance continued, some beautiful flowing attacking football was being played and it looked like there was only ever going to be one winner. But, the longer it went, the more frustrated Wickwar became.

Everyone was trying to get in on the action, even Bates had a chance but he just couldn't get the ball back on to his left foot 7 yards out.

In an attempt to strengthen the attack Minter was bought on for the tiring Steed to mark his come back from suspension and Banister came on for Mabbutt.

Then, Addle sent the home fans into raptures. Brilliant control from Austin 30 yards out and a sublime volley sent Addle through on goal and just when it looked like he had taken to much time he slotted the ball under the keeper and made it 2-1.

The third and final sub saw Whatley coming on for Austin with 10 minutes remaining.

Whatley was involved almost immediately with some fantastic control and link up player with Minter and Addle. He then had the chance to put the game to bed but just couldn't control his volley after good work on the left by Minter.

The two were again threatening just before the end, a deep cross from Bates was superb and Whatley neatly headed the ball back across goal only for the keeper to pull off a miracle save from Minter's header.

Some solid defending saw the game out and Wickwar progressed to the the next round. Final Score 2-1

Team: Brown, Bates, Evans, Etherington, Mabbutt (Bansiter), Mckean, Gadge (c), Mackie, Steed (Minter), Addle, Austin (Whatley)

Unused Subs: Hall

MOTM: Addle