After three cup fixtures on the bounce Wigton looked to get back to winning ways in the league following their last league encounter which saw them slip to defeat away at Dalton.
Having lost 2 of their opening 5 league fixtures Wigton can not afford to drop many more points throughout the remainder of the season. Boroughbridge, having had a much improved start to the season arrived high in confidence and with a number of new faces amongst their ranks from previous seasons.
Wigton however started very brightly as the Gaffa’s message of quick high tempo one and two touch football got through to the lads. The pace of Ebun and Jhun up front who were being supported well by Scott and Chris Lone on the wings was causing the robust, yet relatively immobile Boroughbridge defence a tough opening to the game. With a little over 5 minutes on the clock Jhun was able to get free down the left touch line and having beat a defender and cut into the box he beat the Boroughbridge keeper at his near post with a well disguised shot, having shaped to play the ball across the front of goal.
Boroughbridge were all at sea and it wasn’t long before Ebun grabbed his first of the game doubled Wigton’s lead, a long ball played through from the back saw Ebun out muscle the Borougbridge full back before calmly lobbing the ball over the advancing keeper.
After 15 minutes it was 3-0 to Wigton as Chris Lone got in on the act and a little before half time Jhun was able to add his second of the game and Wigton’s fourth when Chris Lone provided a good ball across the box for Jhun to turn in from 6 yards out.
Grimes had been called into action earlier in the half to deny a Boroughbridge forward who broke through the Wigton line but other than that Boroughbridge had been restricted to noting other than speculative long range efforts as Jack and Trigger supported by Eddie and Ryan looked solid at the back.
With the score at 4-0 at half time the game for Boroughbridge was over. The Gaffa and the Wigton players alike were impressed with the way that they had played in the first half as not only had they taken the chances they had created but they had restricting the visitors to nothing whilst also keeping possession of the ball for large spells of the game.
It was important therefore that Wigton maintain the level of display they had shown in the first throughout the remainder of the game however it was not to be. The lads were sent out with two specific requests…keep a clean sheet and not pick up any unnecessary yellow cards for dissent. Unfortunately, Wigton were unable to do neither…!
The second half started brightly for Wigton following a good passing move of one and two touch football as Wigton played the ball through from defence into midfield and within 5 minutes or so Scott was able to add to his increasing tally with a good finish from close range.
After that however the rest of the half was a big disappointment. With the score at 5-0 Wigton began to lose their shape and discipline as the ‘Hollywood’ long ball made a return as everyone bombed forward to get a piece of the action. The classy passing and movement from Defence into midfield of the first half was all but a distant memory.
As is always the case when Wigton adopt these tactics the opposing team were able to get a foothold in the game and following a Boroughbridge counter attack they pegged a goal back. The Wigton midfield were found out of position and following some slack defensive work when none of the three defenders in the box picked up the run of the sole Boroughbridge forward he was able to find space in the Wigton box where he beat Grimes from 8 yards out.
Jhun shortly after received a booking for dissent before being replaced along with Ryan and Mike who made way for Arron, Adam Freeman and Trueman.
Wigton did get their sixth and Ebun’s second 15 minutes before half time rounding off a comprehensive win however the Gaffa was far from pleased.
Despite a tremendous display in the first half the second half performance was a shadow of what the Wigton team are capable of and another example of complacency that on occasions sets in. Had Wigton turned out such a second half display against stronger opposition the result could have been different.
Next week Wigton travel to high flying Pannal with a number of players unavailable. If Wigton turn out a performance then as they did in the second half of this game they are likely to come home empty handed.
