Wick cruise to win over Gala

It was Wick’s second home game on the bounce and with an impressive 1-0 win in the GFA Challenge Trophy mid week against title rivals Shirehampton, Wick were looking to get back to winning ways at the ‘Nest’ after a scrappy 1-1 draw against Patchway Town.

Wick made one change from the previous weeks starting line-up, Ben Harris replaced Henry Sady, with Rob Moore and Luke Lecrass returning to the bench after injury layoff’s. Starting line includes Joe Pople (GK), Tommy Longhurst, Kyle Curtis, Nathan Gore (‘C), Sam Thomas, James Pocock, Ben Harris, Mike Hardiman, Ben Weaver, Shaun Morris and Joe Thomas. Wick started the game with real promise and this was rewarded with only a few minutes on the clock, when Wick’s Number nine Todd Carter, making only his 3rd start of the campaign, nodded in a Ben Harris corner. Carter had another golden opportunity after six minutes, when on the end of a Joe Thomas cross to the far post, he could only steer his shot wide of the goalpost. Wick were well on top and minutes later if it wasn’t for Carter’s wayward finishing that Wick could have doubled their lead. On twelve minutes, Gala were reduced to ten men after Alex Gayner was shown a straight red after a reckless challenge on Mike Hardiman. One minute after the restart, Wick doubled their lead, when Gala’s keeper, Curtis Wilkins could only parry a hard Ben Harris shot and Rob Moore was on hand to tap the ball into an empty net. On twenty three minutes, Wick created yet another glorious chance, when Joe Thomas pinpoint cross into the box could not find a Wick touch to finish a flowing move. Wick made it three – nil on twenty seven minutes, when the dangerous Moore headed a Sam Thomas cross onto the crossbar, for Todd Carter to force the rebound into the Gala net. Gala’s first real chance of the game came after thirty five minutes, when a free kick just outside the eighteen yard box was set wide of the Wick goal. Gala pulled a goal back, five minutes before the break, when Connor Waters was put clear of the Wick backline and fired past Wick’s keeper, George Hale.

HT 3-1 to Wick

The second half did not live up to the first 45 minutes with the visitors although down to 10 men having their fair share of possession. However, it was Wick’s Nathan Gore, who’s shot just after the restart shaved the Gala crossbar from twenty-five yards out. Wick continued to press the advantage of an extra player and wasted a number of chances. On sixty five minutes, Wick made two substitutions with the impressive Carter and Kyle Curtis being replaced by Tommy Longhurst and Ben Weaver. On seventy minutes, it was Hale that was called into action, after good work and a hot shot from Gala’s striker, Dan Gayner. Wick’s final substitution was made after seventy five minutes, when Ryan Ross after missing four of the last games replaced captain Rob Moore, with Vice captain Nathan Gore taking over the armband. With minutes to go, Gala pressed Wick’s defence, but they stood firm and the score remained unchanged. FT Wick 3 – 1 Gala Wilton

MOM – Ben Harris
Wick’s Goalscorer – Todd Carter x2, Rob Moore
Attendance – 35 (Kick-Off 2pm)