Match Report- 13/03/2010 v Norristhorpe (Away)

Dave Turner Sun Mar 14, 2010 6:59 am

Norristhorpe have always been big rivals with Wyke Wanderers over the past few years, with a guarantee of a great game, and this one was no exception. Norristhorpe ran out eventual winners by a very flattering 5-1 scoreline.

Wyke had a few changes to the lineup, with Tai Pedder moving out to right back, and Dominic Pickersgill taking up a spot as central defender, also Michael Brooksbank was dropped into the centre of midfield.

A cross from Nathan Khan early on nearly had the home team trailing, but Connor Rhodes just knocked it wide of the post.

Norristhorpe had their fair share of attacking early on, and were very good at using the wings. They had a massive advantage playing downhill on pitch with a huge elevation. The Wyke defence made a good effort of keeping Norristhorpe out, but they did score after 4 minutes, when their left winger broke down the wing and crossed in the ball, which was met by their centre forward and buried into the back of the net.

Norristhorpe then scored again, when a through ball left the striker one on one with Joe Couble, he hit the ball with power and Keeper Joe Couble had no chance.

Wyke were now trailing 2-0, although they had had a good few chances. A counter attack from a corner, almost gave Wyke a chance to get back into the game, but Mikey Brooksbank’s through ball couldn’t reach Jack Lamch.

Connor Rhodes had a shot well saved by the keeper after making a break down the left.

At the other end of the pitch, Wyke’s defence were making a fine effort of defending against a very strong attacking team. Joe Mcloughlin put in some great challenges to keep Wyke in the game.

Half way through the first half, Wyke were given the breakthrough they needed. Skipper Nathan Khan broke through the defence and slotted the ball coolly past the Keeper. Nathan had been having a great game up to this point and fully deserved his goal.

Connor Rhodes came so close to equalising the game, but was unfortunate and hit the post from a shot, Nathan Khan was left on the follow-up but the Norristhorpe Keeper did well to save his shot.

Norristhorpe extended their lead 5 minutes later, when Joe Couble saved the ball and spilled it, he was unable to get the ball to safety leaving an almost open net for Norristhorpe to score, which they did, giving them a 3-1 lead.

Wyke were knocked back once more, moments before half time, after a fantastic attacking move from Norristhorpe, a great run down the left wing, and a cross was met by the Norristhorpe striker who had a fine header into the back of the net.

Wyke will have felt unfairly done to, trailing 4-1 when they had had so many chances, but credit to Norristhorpe who had taken their chances.

Half Time- Wyke 1-4 Norristhorpe

The second half started with a very positive and bright attitude from the Wanderers. Tai Pedder played a wonderful ball over the top and Connor Rhodes connected and took it past the Keeper, but it was cleared off the line.

Connor Rhodes then came close again, controlling the ball well from a corner, but he could only put it into the side netting.

Wyke were very settled at the back, and the combination of Joe Mac and Dom Pickersgill was working very well, with the Norristhorpe strike force being given very little time on the ball. Tai Pedder was having a very good game at right back, and had the chance to play plenty of throughballs again.

Because the defence was settled, the team had much more structure, and the central midfield partnership was looking good, Nathan Khan was playing brilliant football, his first touch and distribution was top class, and many of Wyke’s attacks came through him. Scott Morris was also working very hard in the middle, and as usual was linking up well with the strikers.

Joe Couble saved a couple of one on ones to keep Wyke with a glimmer of hope, but it just didn’t seem like the Wanderers’ day, especially when Mikey Brooksbank played the ball past the keeper, but just couldn’t quite reach it, and then he strook an amazing 30 yard freekick which cannoned off the bar.

Mikey had another chance, and was so unlucky not to score, but the Norristhorpe Keeper was fantastic and made a top class save.

Mikey was once again denied a goal, when the Keeper once again pulled off another great save. Nathan Khan had a shot which was also saved.

The ball didn’t want to go in for Wyke today, and in the last minute a defensive slip up gave Norristhorpe a goal, the only goal of the half.

Full Time- Norristhorpe 5-1 Wyke

Goals: Nathan Khan

Man of the Match:

Nathan Khan: Nathan showed what a talented footballer he was today, his ball control was amazing, and he was strong into the tackle, and he was good in the air against a physical opposition, and made some key passes.

Dom Pickersgill: Dom played in an unfamiliar position today, and had a very good game, He played well with Joe Mac, and especially the second half, he was strong and fast to the ball against a strong attacking side.

Manager Comments

How we lost by so many goals today I will never know. Sometimes luck doesn’t always go your way and it is one of those things. We need to remain positive though and not feel sorry for ourselves or have a go at each other. We are a team, and need to play for each other. I thought we played really well today, especially at the back, and we made some good attacking moves, but we were unfortunate that we didn’t take our chances. But Norristhorpe are a damn good team, and we were as good as them for most of the match, so it was a very pleasing performance, so well done. J