Match Report- 18/04/2010 v Kirkheaton (Away)

After a phenomenal result last week, Wyke had the opportunity
to earn a slightly easier three points, especially considering their opponents
Kirkheaton were starting the match with 17 straight defeats in a row, and
without a win in seven months.


The Wanderers won the game in style with a massive 8-1 win,
helping them increase their goal difference.
Wyke have now scored 51 goals in the last 8 games.


As usual with Wyke, it was a slow start which saw few
chances, but Kirkheaton made a good account of themselves and most of the early
play was in the Wyke half.


5 minutes into the game, Wyke started to look the stronger
team, and Scott Morris put a shot narrowly over the bar to mark the first
chance of the game.


Mikey Brooksbank and then Nathan Khan both came close to
opening the scoring, but were both denied by excellent goalkeeping from the
Kirkheaton number 1.


Wyke then took the lead, Nathan Khan slotted a ball over the
top to Mikey Brooksbank who flicked it over the keepers head and into the net.


Seconds later the Wanderers extended their lead when Mikey,
the goalscorer, made an excellent cross into Connor Rhodes who shot, the keeper
saved but Connor was there on the follow
up to nod it in, Wyke now led 2-0.


For the next ten minutes, Kirkheaton improved their
performance, and Wyke found themselves having to do a bit of defending. Joe
McLoughlin was outstanding for the first half, and along with Tai Pedder, they
were totally in control at the back. Danny McGregor was very good at left back
and put in a good shift to help keep it tight at the back.


Wyke then started to dominate shortly before half time,
firstly Mikey had another shot well saved, and then Quinn came close but hit the post from a volley. It
was Connor Rhodes who gave Wyke a third goal though, having received the ball
in the box he turned a defender and fired the ball into the back of the net, a
great goal by the in-form striker.


Half Time 3-0


Wyke continued strongly, and within a minute they had scored
again. A Mikey Brooksbank corner wasn’t cleared by the Kirkheaton defence and
it fell to Tai Pedder who smashed the ball from close range. Wyke 4-0.


The Wanderers came close again, Jake Gilderdale had a great
effort, curling the ball on the half volley, but it just went wide. Then Mikey
put a shot over the bar.


The next goal came from a lad who hasn’t scored in 14 games,
and what a goal it was. The ball was played out to Scott Morris who without
even thinking cracked the ball first time, and it shot straight into the bottom
corner, what a great goal for Scott to end his goal drought on.


Seconds later Wyke had a 6^th, courtesy of Connor
Rhodes who got a slight touch on a Mikey Brooksbank cross, and it trickled past
the keeper to give Connor his hatrick.


There was a lot of space in the middle of the pitch, and
Nathan and Scott were running the team for much of the game, with most of the
attacking play going through them. It was an excellent team display, with the
Wyke defence being strong throughout, Joe McLoughlin was playing very well, and
Dom Pickersgill was also putting in a strong defensive performance at centre
back.


With 8 minutes to go, Jake Gilderdale showed a wonderful
performance to set up Connor Rhodes for his 4^th, sliding the ball
through to Connor who fired into the back of the net, then less than a minute
later he did it again, lofting the ball through once again to Connor Rhodes,
who flicked the ball past the keeper, it was Connor’s fifth goal of the game
and Wyke’s 8^th.


Keeper Joe Couble was trying his best to keep a clean sheet,
and was playing more of a sweeper role, coming out of his box on several occasions
to clear the ball, he also made a couple of comfortable saves, but in the last
minute of the game Kirkheaton scored a goal. It was a lapse in concentration
from the Wyke defence, but it would take nothing away from Wyke Wanderers who
had put in an outstanding performance, and had got the right result.


Goals


Mikey Brooksbank, Connor Rhodes x5, Scott Morris, Tai
Pedder.


Man of the Match:


Joe McLoughlin: Only one given today because Joe was
excellent today. He bossed the defence all the way through the match and made
some great tackles. He also made some excellent cover plays for his fullback
team mates, and came to their rescue a few times.


Manager Comments


It was another excellent performance from us today. I’m
pleased because it was a very good team effort, we played well all over the
pitch, and lets be fair to Kirkheaton they weren’t the worst team we have
played this season, and we still came out with a very convincing result. Lets
keep it up because I can see us winning every game for the rest of the season
now!! J