Bramford travelled North to face Wickham Market’s Under 17s side for their first game in March. Wickham had given Bramford a good game at Acton Road only to see their efforts wiped out by a very professional performance which saw us run out 8-2 winners.
Starting XI: Joel, Gus, Tom, Reece, Alex, Iddy, Will, James R, Lewie, George and James K. Subs: Mark and Logan
It was Bramford’s first game in 3 weeks (last game against Stowmarket) and it showed that the B’s were a tad rusty. It only took Wickham less than 2 minutes to get their first when the Wickham midfielder was left at the back post totally un-marked to Volley home past Joel. 0-1.
Bramford had re-shape and just go again from kick off and try and get Wickham back as early as possible. James K got down the right hand side, crossed it across the box, to Lewie who made a late run in only to see his shot fly over the bar.
Just a minute later, Will played a lovely ball to George who dummied it to roll through to Lewie who tried to turn his marker before being pulled down just outside the box.
George lined it up, hit hard and under the wall past the diving goalkeeper to make 1-1 minutes after going 1 down.
James K made it 2-1 6 minutes later when Wills brilliant determination and skill got him past a whole host of defenders before laying it across the 6 yard box for James to knock it in. 2-1.
Bramford now in the lead took dominance of the game and could have been up by more before the break, a couple of offside decisions that cancelled goals out and then the post and a good save from the Wickham keeper to deny George and James K.
Wickham did have the counter and used it to effect in stages, but between tactical fouls and scuff shots or wingers with no real end product, nothing really came about for the hosts.
2nd half saw some changes, with Reece ill he was rested for the 2nd half.
Starting XI: Joel, Gus, Alex, Iddy, Tom, Mark, Will, James R, Lewie, George and James K. Subs: Logan and Reece.
Wickham had a long half time talk and within a couple of minutes that idea had completely gone out of the window, a lofted all from Will set up James K in a 1 on 1 for the keeper to save with James knocking in the re-bound to make it 3-1.
Wickham had a good run of play played some nice passing football and it nearly set up a goal to get them back in it only to see Joel tip it round the post.
Bramford then went down the other end to kill the game, Lewie made a superb run inside from the left before hooking it past the keeper, only to smash it against the bar within the 6 yard box, the re-bound fell to James R and Lewie tucked it in off James’ shot. 4-1.
Wickham then had a spell of domination when they had a shot saved by Joel and Iddy headed it back to safety with in Joel’s hands before the Wickham attacker could react.
A goal mouth scramble from a Wickham corner could have had them back in it, when the strikers shot was cannoned off the cross bar and then shot towards goal only to see Joel save it again, to Tom’s delight with a loud scream of laughter at the forwards expense.
Bramford settled down a bit, and Mark had the left back running backwards when he got down the left hand side, but little came about Bramford adding a 5th.
Joel was called on again when the Wickham #7 had a right foot shot saved again and pushed round the post.
Iddy and Alex delt with the keepers long kicks all morning really well deep into our half.
Bramford played some of really nice football second half, but always wanted to look for a ball over the top which maybe not the right option on such a short pitch like at Simon’s Corner.
Wickham’s number 11 finally got his goal when he was found left un-marked at the back post to head it back across Joel’s goal into the far corner, much to his delight to celebrate infront of Tom’s face, (I don’t think he’d realised the score)
Wickham forced some pressure for the final few minutes but Bramford saw out the win and vital 3 points for the title race. We head to Hadleigh next week.
