Match Report 08/05/2011 v Ossett Town (Home)

Finally the end of the season was here. Wyke v Ossett had all
the makings of a great game. Both teams had promotion hopes, with Ossett still
with a chance of winning the league, if they won the game. Although Wyke had
had a poor recent run of form, culminating in a defeat last week to Savile
Town, they still had a very good chance of winning the game. Wyke had only
suffered one defeat at home this season, and Ossett had only won 3 out of 9
away games.





It was a fantastically competitive game in the end, a well
earned draw for both teams in a game full of twists and turns. Ossett will have
been disappointed to have lost out on their league title, but in fairness it
was Wyke Wanderers who were the more likely to win in the end.





A great start from the Wanderers, meant Wyke only took 9
minutes to take the lead. Damien Hields cleared the ball long, Mikey Brooksbank
picked it up and slotted it through to Connor Rhodes. Connor ended his goal
drought in style, firing it home. Wyke 1-0.





However in similar fashion to last weeks game, Wyke threw
their lead away instantly. A freekick 30 yards out, was blasted into the roof
of the net. A great goal, but Wyke had once again been unable to hold onto a
lead.





Wyke continued to play some good football, both Mikey and
Connor looked much livelier than the last few games. Scott Morris looked
outstanding as well.





After 17 minutes,Nathan Khan, at centre defence powered a
fantastic header over and it fell to Jack, but he put it over the bar. Also
Wyke had another couple of half-chances, Scott Morris had a shot saved by the
keeper.





Although Wyke were lucky not to take the lead, Joe McLoughlin
was called in to pull off a great save to keep Wyke in the game.





Wyke Wanderers kept up their domination, with a couple more
chances, Connor Rhodes turned the defender and shot, the keeper spilled but it
was cleared off line, then he layed the ball off to Mikey, he blasted the ball
and once again the Ossett keeper pulled off another save.





24 minutes gone, Wyke did get their well deserved second
goal. Mikey Brooksbank took the ball down the right and his cross deflected off
the Ossett defender, Jake Gilderdale picked up the ball and cut inside and
played the ball into Scott Morris. Scott turned inside and curled the ball
perfectly into the side of the net, a great goal leaving the Ossett keeper with
no chance.





A lead at half time wasn’t to be, as just before, Ossett
pegged them back again. The Ossett Number 7 played in an excellent cross which
wasn’t dealt with by the Wyke defence and Joe McLoughlin couldn’t punch clear,
it was flicked into an open net by their striker.





Half Time 2-2





Wyke had a brilliant start to the 2^nd half, taking
only two minutes to take the lead for the third time. Mikey Brooksbank placed a
perfect pass to Scott Morris who wellied it at the near post which somehow
managed to sneak between the post and the keeper, Scott’s second and Wyke’s
third.





After the goal Ossett began to take control of the game, and
9 minutes gone, found another equaliser, after their midfielder skipped past
three Wyke defenders and finished coolly.





Things suddenly took a turn for the worst, Ossett scored
another, this time a brilliant long range effort giving Joe McLoughlin no chance
of saving it, and Wyke were now trailing with 20 minutes to go.





However Wyke didn’t fall to pieces, and showed a lot of
character, especially in the last 20 minutes. It didn’t take them long to get a
goal back. Jake Gilderdale did excellently to get hold of the ball from a
corner and play through Connor Rhodes, Connor went on a long run down the left
flank and crossed in to Scott Morris, who blasted the ball past the keeper to
earn his hatrick, a great bit of linking up from Scott and Connor once again.





It was a fantastic last 15, and both teams had chances, but
Wyke had the better chances, Jake Gilderdale looked almost sure to score but
put over the bar, Connor Rhodes also did brilliantly to turn the last defender
on two occasions, but put both over the bar. Scott also had another chance, as
did Abel Mariwandi but the ball just didn’t want to go in.





At the other end, the Wyke defence did hold strong, and Joe
McLoughlin made a couple of good saves.





Full Time- 4-4








Goals





Connor Rhodes (9), Scott Morris (29, 37, 54)





Man of the Match (2)





Connor Rhodes: Connor had a tough game today against
one of the strongest defences in the league, and it was clear he was really up
for the game today. He made some great runs and looked so strong, he was a
constant provider to his team-mates, bagging two assists, and creating some
great chances. He came close to winning the game as well, but was unlucky not
to find the net late on after doing everything right.





Scott Morris: Once again Scott has proved his goal
scoring credentials. His first goal was fantastic, and his next two were such
an inspiration to the team. Scott links up so well with his team mates, and he
showed that today, most of Wyke’s attacking play came down the left flank, and
through him.





Manager Comments





What a season! Its finally over, and I think we all deserve a
nice long rest. Ok, we didn’t fulfil our potential this season, but I hope we
have all learnt some lessons on the way. Today we got a good results and played
well because we had the right attitude, we played for each other and got on
with the game, so we showed that when we do play well, we are the best team in
the league. We should have won today, but I was just very pleased with the
performance, because luck didn’t quite go our way. But on the whole a great team effort today!