Wotton Rovers AFC

After a long Christmas break off from football, Wotton were eager to don the boots once more and step foot on to the hallowed turf of Stad de Syn. With heavy rain fall in recent weeks Wotton were lucky to play the fixture at all, with many of local games being postponed, but despite the rain fall the pitch had held up well and gave a good surface to play this eagerly anticipated fixture.

As the game got underway there was an air of nervousness in both sets of players, neither side wanting to give anything away early. Wotton had lined up with 3 across the defence, backed up by the solid and ever reliable keeper Alan Thomas, this game being especially big for him as once a player for Wickwar!!

Wotton were showing great spirit in the early stages and were clearly passionate and up for the battle, with the tight back 3 of Tomlin, Cook and Bennett and anchor midfield general Lee Terrett there didn’t look a way through for the visitors. Wotton began to build from the back and started to find ways through on the break, with the speed and strength of strike partnership Jackson and Thornhill a goal looked on the cards. Wickwar however had not come to be out played, and soon got back into the game, clearly showing why this young team were top of their league with 14 wins out of 15. A hotly contested first half battle went in at half time at 0 0.

As the second half got under way the local crowd began to grow on this bright winters afternoon. Both teams were giving it their all with skillfull passing and runs being created by both teams midfields. Wotton had made a change at half time seeing David Jackson come on for the veteran Gareth Terrett slotting into the left wing back position nicely offering some fresh legs down the wing. On the opposite flank Wottons Marcus Watkins was having an outstanding game putting every last bit into his performance.

With time creeping on and still no goals it was hard to see where one might come from. Wickwar substitute “Gadget” had come on in the middle of the park and it wasn’t long before his well timed through ball set one of his players through on goal finishing neatly on the rebound from a good close range save by Thomas.

!5 or so mins left and Wotton were pilling everything forward in search of the equalizer, again great work rate and running off the ball by the strike due created chances, with midfielders Bird and Frosty pilling on the pressure. It was left to a perfectly weighted pass from Lee Terrett on the half way line to unleash Jackson on goal who cooley slotted past the out rushing keeper bringing the scores level, and setting the tie up for an agonising Penalty Shoot out!!

Wotton were drawn to take the first of the shoot out, playing into the Dereck Walker end and in front of a 50 plus crowd behind the goal, it was none other than goal scorer Simon Jackson to get things under way…..

Pen 1 Wotton – S. Jackson calmly slotts home, bottom right
Pen 1 Wickwar – Alan Thomas SAVES

Pen 2 Wotton – D. Thornhill converts bottom right
Pen 2 Wickwar – Goal

Pen 3 Wotton –K. Frost smashes in mid right
Pen 3 Wickwar – Goal

Pen 4 Wotton - D.Jackson blasts home straight as a die, middle
Pen 4 Wickwar – Goal

Pen 5 Wotton - N.Tomlin Perfectly excicuted bottom left
Pen 5 Wickwar – NO NEED PAL !!!!!!!!!!!

The crowd erupted when the final penalty went in and Wotton sailed through to the Semi’s. A massive performance by everyone out on the pitch with every one of them having an equal share of man of the match.

Quality!!