Match Report- 31/10/10 v Northowram (Away)

Wyke faced their toughest test of the season today, against High-flying Northowram. Northowram had a 100% win record in tact after 5 games, and had scored 34 goals, and were already looking like early favourites for the title. However Wyke were coming into the game on the back of two strong victories, and had a full 14 man squad out including debutant Mudawi Tegama.

After an exhilarating and classic game of football, Wyke Wanderers were the victors. It was a hard fought match with many twists and turns, and Wyke should be very proud of a fantastic performance which gave them the win.

Wyke couldn’t have hoped for a better start, from the off they were attacking and it only took them a minute to take an early lead. Mikey Brooksbank fired down the right wing out-muscling the Northowram left back. He whipped an excellent cross into the box and Scott Morris was there to fire the ball into the back of the net.

Wyke continued to look strong and were fiercely competitive in the middle giving Northowram very little of the ball. Once again the partnership of Nathan Khan and Damien Hields was looking very strong and effective.

Northowram struggled to get into Wyke’s half and when they did Jake Gilderdale and Tai Pedder were more than up to the task of dealing with it.

11 minutes gone, Wyke increased their lead, Mikey Brooksbank played a great ball into Madiwa who squared it to Nathan, Nathan got up and did well to win the head in the six yard box, and Wyke had a deserved two goal lead.

After going two down early on, Northowram started to improve greatly, and started to create some chances which caused Wyke problems. Nothing was coming down the right side, as Louis Muff was doing a great job of keeping the Northowram winger at bay.

Northowram played a couple of balls over the top, and Jake and Tai did well to deal with them. However after 17 minutes Northowram fired a goal back. Another ball over the top and the Northowram Striker squared it to his partner. The goal did look offside, however the referee insisted that the well taken shot past Joe McLoughlin should stand.

The dubious goal did nothing to dampen the Wanderers’ spirit, as they continued to attack. Connor Rhodes and Mikey Brooksbank continued to be a threat to the defenders, and they simply couldn’t cope with Scott Morris who was tearing open their defence from the left.

Six minutes after the last goal, Wyke hit back with their 3rd to give them back their two goal lead. Mudiwa had nearly scored his first goal 8 minutes before, but his header was saved in style. However his next effort was never going to be saved, he broke down the right cut inside, and fired the ball into the far top of the goal. A superb effort and Wyke now had a more comfortable and deserved lead.

For the last ten minutes of the half, Wyke came close to increasing their lead, with both Connor Rhodes and Mikey Brooksbank having shots go wide. However it was Northowram who would grab the next goal, when another ball over the top wasn’t dealt with and the Northowram Number 13 grabbed his second goal with a well placed finish.

Half Time- Wyke still led 3-2.

Coming out into the second half, Wyke were very lucky not to have thrown their lead away in the early moments of the half. A string of sloppy clearances and Wyke had a shock to the system, however they had managed to cling on,

Northowram had come out with a much better attitude, and were rewarded after 11 minutes. Northowram equalised the game 3-3.

The next ten minutes saw Wyke let another two goals in. The first was a well taken corner, and the Northowram player did well to get up and head it into the goal. And then slack marking cost Wyke again as the Northowram striker had acres of space and time to score Northowram’s fifth goal. In the end it took a deflection and Abel put the ball into his own net.

Northowram had started to show why they were top of the league, and the Wanderers were starting to sink without a trace. Heads had gone down and things were looking bad!

With 13 minutes to go, Northowram were heading for their sixth victory of the season, but Wyke hadn’t given up yet. The defence had managed to hold strong and not let them extend their lead.

Credit to the midfield must be given to the midfield today who were working very hard. Scott Morris was working very hard, and was a key player, and Damien Hields kept battling to win the ball back.

Wyke had had chances in the second half but couldn’t score. Madiwa had nearly found the net, and Connor Rhodes had found it hard to find his usual scoring form against a strong defence. Connor was very unlucky not to score.

Damien Hields did well to win a ball and fed the ball through to Mikey Brooksbank, who took it past the last defender and advanced down the right wing, he blasted the ball past the keeper, it was now 5-4 and all to play for.

Jack Lamch came on as a sub, and showed he was really up for the game. He was straight into the tackle and won a few key balls. It was his next through ball which would give Wyke their equaliser. He fed the ball once again to Mikey Brooksbank who beat the same man again and blasted the ball under the keeper’s arms. Wyke had levelled the game, did they have the energy and drive to get a winner?

With 5 minutes to go, Mikey Brooksbank returned the favour, playing Jack in, Jack just got to the ball before the keeper and managed to round him and slot the ball into the back of the net! Wyke had snatched a goal to put them 6-5 up! What a great comeback and what an impact Jack had had on the game.

It was a nervous last five, which actually ended up being the last nine, with some excessive injury time being played. Northowram came so close to getting their equaliser, but it took some great defending from Abel, Jake, Matty and Tai and some good goalkeeping from Joe McLoughlin to keep them out.

The whilst went, to the vast relief of the players and parents!! There were so many ups and downs and Wyke were elated at their victory!

A great performance against a very good team.

Goals

Scott, Nathan, Mudiwa, Mikey x2, Jack.

Man of the Match: (x2)

Mikey Brooksbank: 2 assists and 2 goals from Mikey today. His performance was sheer class. His first goal gave Wyke the lift they needed to go on and win the game from 5-3 down. An exceptional performance from him today.

Scott Morris: Scott as ever was such a hard working player. He never gave up and was often back and chasing down the Northowram attackers. His drive and sheer determination were invaluable to the team today and his attacking literally tore the Northowram defence to shreds..they simply couldn’t cope with him.


Dave’s Comments

I couldn’t be happier today lads! A phenomenal performance. We have a great side and I knew we would give Northowram a good game, and I was confident we could win, but It took a hell of a performance from us today to to it! You should be really proud of youselves because at one point the game looked over, and we managed to find the inspiration to turn it around and beat a very good side. We are now contenders for the league, and other teams will be quaking in their boots now!

Great stuff.. Well done lads!