Match Report- 11/04/2010 v Barugh Boys (Home)

Wyke Wandererers and Barugh boys were both relegated last season,
so they were very familiar with each other, and Barugh were expecting to come
and pick up the three points, especially after an easy 6-0 win against the
Wandererers in Barnsley at the start of the season.


However Wyke extended their unbeaten win to seven games,
scraping a 2-1 win in a very competitive and tight match. It was Wyke’s 10^th
goal of the season, and their sixth in the last seven.


Wyke started the game with a few changes to the team, with
both Tai Pedder and Joe Couble missing from the first team squad. Joe McLoughlin took over in goals, and Jake
Gilderdale took over in the unfamiliar position of central defence.


It was a quiet start to the game, with much of the ball
being played in the centre of midfield, and not much action in either penalty
area.


Barugh played a few balls over the top, but Joe McLoughlin
was quick off his line to pick up the loose balls. But other than that Dom and
Jake were playing well to get rid of the ball. Louis Muff was very solid at
right back, and Danny McGregor was very good at left back, and made some key
left footed clearances, which found Connor Rhodes.


It was Danny’s clearance on 9 minutes which found Connor
Rhodes, who played a perfect curling pass through the middle of the Barugh
defence and onto the foot of Mikey Brooksbank, who took the ball wide and shot
into an empty net, a great team goal for Wyke Wanderers.


Wyke continued to defend well, with some excellent defending
for Louis and Danny, but a couple of balls played through the middle gave
Barugh a chance to get back into the game but they couldn’t finish.


Joe Mcloughlin pulled off a great save to deny Barugh the
equaliser, and then Jake Gilderdale was called into action to block a shot when
the Barugh striker had rounded the keeper.


After 15 minutes, Wyke extended their lead, when Connor
Rhodes fed through Mikey Brooksbank who once again took his chance and scored
his and Wyke’s second of the game.


The Wyke defence fell back a little too deep, which gave
Barugh a chance to push up and attack, they had two really good chance to get
themselves back into the match, both both efforts went over the bar.


Half Time- Wyke lead 2-0


Wyke knew that they needed to keep control of the game, and
work hard in the second half, and without the luxury of subs, it was going to
push the lads to the extremes.


Within minutes of the first half starting, Joe McLoughlin
was called into action, and made a brilliant save. Had it have gone in, it
could have changed the game.


Wyke continued to work hard at the back. Nathan Khan did
excellent in the middle, making so many tackles in the middle of the pitch, he
won some key headers and did well to get the ball forward to Mikey and Connor.
Scott Morris also worked very hard in the second half, and put in some key
tackles.


Wyke spent much of the game defending against some strong
Barugh attacking, Dom Pickersgill made some good clearances, but he and Jake
Gilderdale were struggling to deal with the amount of pressure. Jake Gilderdale
was excellent up in the air to win the ball, and made some great interceptions.


Barugh had a few chances which were easily saved by Joe
McLoughlin.


After 20 minutes of defending, Connor made a great defensive
header from a Corner, and Nathan Khan drove the ball forward and played a ball
through to Mikey Brooksbank, with only the keeper to beat he shot just wide.


Minutes later Mikey broke through on the right wing, and
crossed the ball in to Connor Rhodes who got too much of his foot under the
ball and put it over the bar.


Jack Lamch and Quinn Riley were getting much more involved
in the game towards the end as Wyke put in a gritty defensive performance to
cling onto their lead.


With 4 minutes to go, Barugh got a freekick on the edge of
the box, which was well shot and went in. Wyke still led 2-1, but with such a
slender lead, Wyke had to be strong to earn three points.


Dom Pickersgill and Jake Gilderdale livened up a little for
the last five, and put in some key tackles to keep Barugh out.


With seconds to go Mikey Brooksbank made a great slide
tackle to deny Barugh a possible equaliser.


When the whistle eventually did go, Wyke were the ones
celebrating after a great win, and a great and hard working performance!


Goals


Mikey Brooksbank x2


Man of the Matches (x3?)


Nathan Khan (by Dave): Nathan was superb today, with
such a deep defence Nathan had a large pitch to work on, and he was up and down
for the full match, winning everything in the air, and putting in some very
good tackles to keep Barugh away.


Jake Gilderdale (by Gav): Jake did a great job in an
unfamiliar position today. He was good in the air for a little lad, and credit
has to be given for only letting 1 goal in, when Barugh were very strong at
attacking. Jake made some key clearances and tackles, and worked all the way
through the match.


Louis Muff: Louis worked very hard today. He played a
simple game, getting rid of the ball, but he was strong into the tackle, and it
was one of his best performances of the season. He also kept talking at the
back and encouraged the rest of the team to stay positive.