Wickers stunned by Stags comeback

When former Wick player, Gary Norgate, scored Midhurst’s winner just three minutes before the end of normal time it capped a great second half comeback from the Stags after they trailed 2-0 at half-time.

The snowy weather relented to finally allow this fixture to go ahead and what transpired in this game was very much a metaphor for Wick’s season (good first half followed by a disappointing second half. First 14 games of the season 35 points, second 14 games just 15 points).

Wick started this game well and another ex-Wicker, goalkeeper Billy Nash made a number of key blocks early on. However, with 10 minutes gone after excellent work by Ash Hawkes on the right, his powerful cross was sliced into his own net by Stags’ centre back Mark Broughton (a true centre backs own goal!). Midhurst then got back into the game and squandered at least 5 chances in the first half. Nash made good saves to deny Wick duo Hawkes and Josh Irish. There just did not seem to be much defending going on in what was a typical first division encounter. The second goal for Wick came just before half-time with further good wing play from Hawkes to set up Irish with a good chance which he finished well. A harsh score line on Midhurst perhaps but surely a winning position for Wick?

It was not to be however as Midhurst’s lively forward Kieran Carter pulled one back on 63 minutes, 1-2. Then Alex Kew was in in a good position to score for Wick a little while later on the left hand side of the penalty area, this was Wick’s best chance of the half but it went begging. So what happened next? Midhurst went straight back down the other end and equalised. Mark Broughton, turned from zero to hero by scoring at the right end this time from an un-cleared corner. Norgate provided the winner but Wick tried to the end and the introduction of substitute George Cody created some scares for the Stags defence in the final minutes. Midhurst had dominated the second half and deserved the win.

A few collector’s items in the Wick line-up: Ryan Barratt was deployed as an emergency midfielder with Weir and Ediker both missing and the returning Karl Westbrook, who has made the majority of his Wick appearances up front was pressed into service at right back when Jolyon Hillier left the pitch through injury.

With no game this Saturday, the next fixture is on Saturday 31 March with the long trip back to second placed Langney Wanderers followed by the Easter Monday visit of Selsey to Crabtree Park.

Wick: Belcher, Hillier, Bingham, Barratt, Greenslade, Northeast, Hawkes, Conolly, Irish, Crouch, Kew. Subs: Westbrook, Cody

Courtesy of Steve Cox