Match Report- 13/03/2011 v Pudsey Juniors (Away)

With the Wanderer’s title hopes continuing after two good
wins in the last couple of weeks, the lads had another test of their abilities
against mid-table Pudsey. It was the first time the two teams had met this season, Pudsey were on a high
after 2 wins in their last 3 games, including a narrow win last week against
Queensbury, The Wanderers remain unbeaten since September, playing their first
away game in 2 months.





In the end Wyke ran out comfortable winners, with a glorious
second half performance, and they ended up with a brilliant 8-2 victory against
a good side.





It was a very tight start, with both teams battling to get
control of the game. Wyke’s defence looked in good shape with newby-defender
Damien Hields doing a great job of organising them. Most of the play was
focused around the middle, Nathan Khan had a tough start, but did a great job
of getting stuck into Pudsey. Wyke nearly took an early lead, but Pudsey
managed to scramble the ball clear to avoid letting Michael Brooksbank his 100^th
goal for Wyke Wanderers.





It took Wyke Wanderers 12 minutes to take the lead. Calvin
Barker kicked a brilliant ball over to the Pudsey back four, the defender
mistimed and it played through Michael Brooksbank, his shot was saved and the
ball fell to Scott Morris who curled the ball into the net with his right foot
from the edge of the area. A great goal, and wyke deservedly led.





Moments later Wyke were pegged back. Pudsey scored from a
corner, the scorer winning a header on the front post and flicking it into the
net.





Pudsey where suddenly full of confidence after their
equaliser, controlling much of the possession. The Wyke lads looked a little
lethargic, allowing Pudsey to win a lot of balls in the middle. Luckily Damien
Hields was on brilliant form at the back and they couldn’t break through.
Calvin Barker did everything right in goals.


Wyke did have a few chances, but both Connor Rhodes and
Mikey Brooksbank didn’t seem on their ‘A-game’ just yet.





With 5 minutes to go, disaster struck for Wyke Wanderers,
Damien Hields missed a through-ball and the Pudsey striker did a great job to
outmuscle Tai Pedder and fire the ball into the bottom corner past the
outstretched arms of Calvin Barker. Pudsey led 2-1, and to be fair they had
played well.





However Wyke showed they had turned a corner, unlike
previous matches where they had lost confidence after conceding a goal. They
hit back with a goal within a minute of going behind. Mikye Brooksbank fired in
a freekick from 40 yards, and Mudiwa Tegama rose ‘like a salmon’ flicking the
ball with his head, it trickled in and Wyke were back in the game.





Not satisfied with going into the break on equal terms, Wyke
snatched a lead just before the whilst. Jack Lamch played a clever chip ball
through to Mikey Brooksbank, who easily chipped the keeper to score a very
special goal. It was Michael’s 100^th goal for Wyke Wanderers, an
incredible achievement for their all-time top scorer, especially as it has only
taken him 67 games to get there.





Half Time- Wyke 3-2 Pudsey





Wyke came out for the second half all guns blazing, it only
took them 4 minutes to extend their lead, Mikey Brooksbank crossed in an
excellent corner, and Mudiwa was there again on his head, totally unmarked,
firing it past the keeper to give him his second goal of the game, doubling his
season’s total goals. Wyke now led 4-2.





It was now all-Wyke. Nathan Khan was really up for the game
and worked his backside off to stop Pudsey formulating any attacks. Wyke now
had most of the possession and were using it very well. Mudiwa playing very intelligent
football in the middle, and both wingers Scott and Jack were excellent. Pudsey
were getting well-outplayed by a fantastic team.





11 minutes gone, it became 5-2, Michael Brooksbank broke
down the right and forced the goalkeeper to make a good save, but Connor Rhodes
got hold of it and fired it in, a good finish from Wyke’s top scoring striker,
and it was his landmark 75^th goal for Wyke.





Wyke broke away again a
minute later, Connor Rhodes fed through Scott Morris down the left, he
turned in and played an excellent ball to Mikey Brooksbank, Mikey confidently
rounded the keeper and fired into an empty net. Wyke had a 6-2 lead and were
playing brilliantly.





At the back Wyke have never looked as solid. Damien Hields
was outstanding, putting in some excellent challenges and his organisation of
the back four was top class. Pudsey barely got anywhere near Calvin Barker’s
goal. Toby Stanley also came on as a sub and had a faultless performance,
proving a point after a disappointing display last week. Also Jake Gilderdale
played out of his skin at right back, with some key tackles and some very good
distribution in the second half.





With 6 minutes to go, Wyke still kept applying the pressure,
and were rewarded. Michael Brooksbank once again floated in a brilliant corner
and Nathan Khan was there to control and shoot into the back of the net giving
Wyke a 7-2 lead and Nathan Khan a well-deserved goal from the hard working
skipper.





Late on, the skipper was involved in the action again,
playing a top class through ball to Scott Morris on the left, who was brimming
with confidence and he showed it by placing it past the helpless keeper. Wyke
had an 8-2 lead, a brilliant performance from the lads.





Full Time- Wyke 8-2 Pudsey





Goals





Scott Morris (12, 70), Mudiwa Tegama (32, 39), Michael
Brooksbank (34, 47), Connor Rhodes (46), Nathan Khan (64).





Man of the Match x2:


Mudiwa Tegama- Tigz was brilliant today, he compliments
Nathan very well, because he is a patient player, always looking for a clever
pass. Also he has put in his fair share of tackles. A top performance from him
in an unfamiliar position.





Damien Hields- What a great lad! Damo hasn’t just
played well today, he has done an incredible job of organising the back four.
It was Wyke’s best defensive performance for a long time, and that was down to
Damien’s fantastic play, and the way he works with his defensive team mates.





Dave’s Comments


TOP TOP TOP OF THE LEAGUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


GET IN


What a performance today lads! I couldn’t be happier with
our second half performance.. What a top result and a great way to play before
next Sunday!! We are now where we should be… Top of the League.. This is what
we deserve. I was pleased our defence played well today, and that we seem to
have players settling into new positions. But honestly it was a great performance
today, even after going 2-1 down we showed great character to get back into the
game. Top class today fellas..