Wick 5 (1) v (0) 0 Godalming Town
All the heady emotions of the Horsham YMCA victory seemed a distant memory while returning from this encounter after the Gs crashed out of the Peter Bentley Cup.
This was a 7.30pm kick off, which makes it even more difficult to get to before the action starts. In this case we were a few minutes late. I believe Jack Sherwood was also late, so started from the rather empty bench, alongside just James Mariner. The good news was that Athan Smith-Joseph was back on the pitch.
Seems like perhaps it was hard for some of the squad to get there as well, as it looked a rather depleted team. But, we had Ollie Ballam in goal, Ollie McAleese and Rob Parrott were reunited as the centre back pairing with Alex Afful on the right and Matt Cox on the left of a back four.
Matt Kellett-Smith, Cameron Edwin and Elroy Wealthyland in the middle with Bradley Fangas in the number nine shirt with Athan and Deji Alabi as wide players.
In short, for the first 25 minutes, although Ollie Ballam needed to be on his toes on a couple of occasions, the Gs looked pretty comfortable and even had the ball over the line, but there was an offside in the build up.
Then minutes later the home side went ahead when the Gs defence failed to clear the ball, when a sliced clearance fell kindly to a home forward who took the opportunity well. Wick 1-0 up.
Although the Gs did not manufacture a shot on target after that, they did have plenty of possession and territory in the first half. At the other end the writing was on the wall as Ollie Ballam was called upon to make a couple of lively interceptions and saves before the whistle blew for the break.
Half time 1-0 to the home side.
Jack Sherwood came on, at the expense of Bradley Fangas, to go to right back, allowing Alex Afful to move further forward.
Unfortunately, the Gs lost possession in the midfield as they were moving forward in attack and after a good long pass from a home defender found a Wick forward who advanced on the Gs goal and Ollie B was out like a greyhound, but was unable to do anything about the lofted chip that landed in the net to put the home team 2-0 up.
The Gs made their first proper shot on goal from Deji on the edge of the box but although the home keeper spilled the ball their defence dealt with it.
At the other end Ollie Ballam was again forced to tip over a good shot for a corner.
Then with Rob Parrott and a Wick player in a tangle, they both ended up on the floor and a bit of a melee developed. Both players, I think, were yellow carded, but the free kick went to the Gs.
Wick, by now were looking pretty comfortable and dominated possession with some good passing and dragging the Gs defence around. Ollie Ballam was forced to make two blocks outside his 6-yard box and as he went scampering across the goal area, the third shot beat him and only Rob was on the goal line and appeared to handle it as he blocked the shot. Second yellow to Rob, so he was off, and a penalty that the home side despatched to go 3-0 up.
Mazza came on to try to shore up the defence and rest Cameron.
The Gs mounted a couple of attacks and the ever energetic Matt Cox made a couple of runs into the opposition. Unfortunately he also picked up a yellow card for a challenge for the ball which seemed a bit harsh at the time.
Wick then added a fourth from a player who hit a shot on the turn that sneaked just inside the far post to put them 4-0 up.
The ten men became nine when Athan was sin-binned in frustration. More than a mountain to climb.
The final goal was a late attempt from a high ball to a large forward, or two, who bundled the ball in.
Probably a match to forget.
But the Gs will re-group and go again on Saturday at home against Oakwood, when hopefully there will be more of the squad available and we will bounce back to winning ways and keep the points coming.
GOYGs