Wick beaten by MGCL Leaders

By Matt Davis

Wick 0 - 2 Lebeq Utd

After a massive effort from our groundsmen Mark (Fluff) Faithfull and chairman Johnny (JT) Towler in the week to prepare the pitch, the teams kick-off on what was an outstanding playing surface at 2pm and it wasn’t long before both teams were engineering chances.

The first chance of the match fell to Lebeq Utd after 5 minutes with a well worked move down the left, but the resulting shot found the side netting with Wick’s goal wide open. Lebeq continued to pressurise the Wick goal, this time it was Elan Plummer, who’s crisp shot failed to trouble Joe Pople in the Wick goal. Wick’s real first attempt of the first half came on 20 minutes when Sam Thomas crisp drive fizzed past an upright following a through ball from Charlie Stevens. The game changing moment came after 25 minutes, when Wick were reduced to 10 men when Jordan Scott was shown a straight red card for what deemed to be a reckless challenge. Wick had to re-shuffle, but the sending off seemed to spur Wick on and they began to create some pressure and possession. Sam Thomas was causing the Lebeq Utd problems and it was his cross on 27 minutes that found his brother Joe on the edge of the box, but his run into the box was well defended by the resolute Lebeq Utd defence. But it was Pople in the Wick goal that was brought into action with the very last kick of the game forcing a 25-yard free kick round the left hand upright. The half finished 0-0. Mike Strawford was forced to make a half-time substitution having to replace the dangerous Joe Thomas with Ben Daniels due to injury.

With the sun setting, the second half didn’t really get going until Lebeq made the break through after 60 minutes when Elan Plummer took a short free-kick collecting the return pass to curl his shot round Pople from 20 yards. On 65 minutes, Mike Strawford brought on Dan Wingfield returning after a one-week absence replacing Grant Hewitt wide on the right side of midfield. On 70 minutes, Wick’s captain also got his marching orders after picking up a second yellow card for a foul in the box giving away a penalty. Sam Thomas took over between the sticks to face Cameron Brown, who made no mistake from the spot. Sam Thomas was brought into action again after 80 minutes but saved well from a fierce Aaron Cornwell shot. Wick’s final substitution saw James Pocock replace Shaun Morris. For the remaining of the half Lebeq Utd failed to used the 2-player advantage, and the game ended 0-2 to Lebeq Utd.