Wingrave Juniors (02/02/2003)
2002 - 2003 Season, Hithercroft Under 16s



At long last we were able to play a game following many weeks of postponements due to the weather. Although snow had fallen during the week the pitch at Wingrave was quite good but rather muddy in places. The weather was sunny but chilly and there was a strong crosswind. As Shahid had left, Jack was injured and Kevin had decided to be unavailable we were only able to field eleven players. This included debuts by Phil Taberer in goal, Chris Terry and Andrew Morgan. Phil Lines vacated his goalkeeping position and came out to play in midfield. As the referee failed to make an appearance Ian Duncan, the Wingrave manager, officiated and the game kicked off at 10.48am.

After 9 minutes of play the home team opened the scoring when Paul McKenna jumped up to meet a cross and put the ball into the Hithercroft net. Three minutes later Paul crossed the ball into the middle for James Otter to chest the ball into the visitor’s net, scoring Wingrave’s second goal. Phil Taberer was called upon to pull off some fine saves as Wingrave upped the pressure. In the 19th minute, after numerous attempts by Wingrave players the No.10 hammered the ball past Phil to add to their tally. Paul had a hand in the next goal four minutes later when he drew the Hithercroft defenders to him before passing the ball across goal for James to score into an open net. In the 28th minute Wingrave’s No.12 increased their lead following poor defending by Hithercroft which allowed many shots at goal before he found the back of the net. Wingrave next ‘goal’ was disallowed because of an off-side infringement. Wingrave’s No.10 then sent a shot from the right-hand side of the field that went wide of the diving keeper but also went just outside of the goalpost. Shortly afterwards James Otter popped up again to hit a shot that Phil managed to get a hand to, pushing the ball onto the crossbar from where it was cleared by the defence. Hithercroft finally got off the mark in the 37th minute when David Blackman hit a long free kick into the Wingrave half that Shane Globe gathered and hammered the ball past the goalkeeper to bring the score to 5-1 by half-time.

After the break Hithercroft had a bit more of the play but their weaknesses were constantly being exposed. Wingrave had a shot cleared when Luke Patton ran back to clear the ball as it was about to cross the goal-line. Hithercroft then played the ball down the left and sent a high ball across to the goal area where Chris Terry headed the ball home to score a goal on his debut appearance. After 22 minutes of the half Wingrave’s Paul McKenna brought the ball down the left and squeezed it between Phil and the post to give the home team a 6-2 lead. In the 66th minute Paul, in spite of being closely marked, received the ball, turned and fired the ball past the goalkeeper for another goal. Then, within sixty seconds, the No.7 from out on the left hit a diagonal shot that ended up inside the right hand post to extend Wingrave’s lead. Four minutes later James Otter added another goal to his collection. Shortly afterward he had another opportunity when, following a corner to the home team the ball came across but James headed the ball over the crossbar. At the final whistle the result was a 9-2 win for Wingrave.

Wingrave are now top of the 4th Division and are looking good to finish in this position. They showed determination, good running and positional play. Ian Duncan officiated extremely well giving fair decisions and missing little. Well done Ian and well played Wingrave.


Hithercroft scorers: Shane Globe and Chris Terry.

Wingrave scorers: Paul McKenna (3), James Otter (3), Will Dawson, Chris Hunnings and Tommy Kibbles.