Match Report- 29/03/09 v Hepworth Utd (Home)

Wyke 0-4 Hepworth 4.


Wyke Wanderers were beaten for the second time this season, against Hepworth United, this time 4-0, the previous result being 5-1.

Even though the game was ended in a disappointing defeat, the performance was of a very high standard, and the attitude of the players was brilliant.

Wyke started off the livelier of the two teams, and had a couple of first half chances, Connor Rhodes came close to breaking the deadlock, and was unlucky not to score. Scott and Nathan in midfield, were also managing to control the middle of the pitch, and it gave Wyke the opportunity to have plenty of attacking chances, with Tai Pedder also having a couple of good efforts on goal.

At the other end of the pitch, Wyke's newly changed central defence were coping very well in their unfamiliar positions. Dom Pickersgill and Joe McLoughlin, worked very well together at the back to keep their goal safe, also Danny McGregor and Louis Muff, as full-backs were putting in key tackles to keep Hepworth at bay. However against the run of play, Hepworth took the lead, with a fantastic stike from 20 yards, which was struck into the roof of the net, keeper Joe Couble had no chance of saving it, although the goal could have been avoided with better closing down.

4 minutes later, an almost exact goal was scored again, and again the defence were too deep, and invited a shot, which was again taken brilliantly by the Hepworth striker.

Wyke were very unfortunate to be behind, especially by two, however they continued to battle, and created another few chances, however the Hepworth goalkeeper, was having a good game, and wasn't letting anything past him.

The second half started with Wyke needing two goals to get back into the game, and again they started positively, with Hepworth spending most of the second half in their own area defending. Wyke were in control of the ball for much of the half, and it was brilliant to see Wyke applying the pressure, after spending much of the season defending.

Wyke were desperately unlucky not to score on 5 or 6 occasions in the second half, Nathan Khan's couldnt really connect with the ball to score, but made some excellent runs, as did Scott Morris who was brilliant today. Connor Rhodes had a couple of chances saved, as did Tai Pedder, and Scott. Jake also had a couple of chances, but again the Hepworth keeper was having a great game.

As has been the general trend of the season, Wyke lost a little concentration in the last 5 minutes, and let in 2 soft goals, one from a corner, and the second from a poor goal kick from Joe Couble.

Manager Comments

We were very unlucky to not get back into the game, were were equal to Hepworth for most of the game, and in parts were the better team. We needed to take their chances, and were denied by a good goalkeeping performance from the Hepworth keeper, but really the shooting wasn't great. There were a lot of positives to take away from the game. The lads showed a lot of heart, and gave 100%, just like against Lepton, also Dom P and Joe Mac put in a great effort in defence, and the attacking players made some great moves and passes to each other, in particular Nathan, Scott and Connor.

Man of the Match

Joe McLoughlin, playing at centre defence was outstanding, he got to every ball, and gave 100% all the wasy through the game. He won almost every tackle and didnt stop running.