After a scintilating display the week previous against Bramham, Wigton travelled to Brafferton in the league where they named an unchanged starting eleven however a dissapointing slow start Wigton saw Wigton be second best in the opening 10 minutes.
It was a little against the run of play then when Wigton took the lead. Good work by Ebun following Wigton’s first passing move down the left saw him get past the full back before drilling a low cross across the face of the goal where a Brafferton defender turned the ball into his own net with Trueman waiting to meet the cross.
The goal was just the spark Wigton needed and following some pressure over the next 5 minutes Wigton doubled their lead following Trueman’s corner when Jack rose at the back post before heading back across goal and into the far top corner.
With Brafferton shellshocked and still reeling after their bright start Wigton added their third when good link up play from Ebun and Warren after a good ball from trueman allowed Warren to calmly beat the keeper when played through one on one.
Brafferton did try to make a game of it but despite their endeavour they lacked any real quality to trouble Jack and Captain Shatwell with Grimes being a spectator for most of the half. Brafferton were fortunate though to remain with 11 men on the field when Ebun was recklessly sythed down when through on goal by Brafferton’s last man however the ref only showed the Brafferton skipper a yellow card.
The second half started much as the first had finished with Wigton being the dominant and confident team however their passing game was not at it’s best as they struggled to create many clear cut opportunities over the opening 15 minutes, despite the majority of possession.
Wigton did add their fourth though just after the hour mark in rather somewhat bizarre circumstances but probably more of note in the shape of the scorer. Captain Shatwell managed to put his shocking penalty miss the week previous well and truely behind him as he finally ended his goal drought in a Wigton colours! Following a marauding run upfield Shatwell found himself in space out towards the right touch line and as he shaped to cross, managed to shank the ball before watched in amazement as it looped over a despairing Brafferton keeper and into the far top corner...
What came to follow was of further amusement though as Shatwell let out a high pitched “Yes, Yes, Yes,” before running off in celebration as if he’d just smashed one in from 35 yards!
The fourth goal killed of any hope Brafferton had for a comeback and gave Wigton the confidence to play with a little more freedom. Arron carried the ball well into midfield and chipped a delightful ball over the top of a high Brafferton defence where Warren timed his run to perfection to beat the ofside trap before taking it round the keeper and adding his second and Wigton’s fifth of the day. Shortly after the Gaffa rang the changes as Darryl continued his comeback along with Gary and Bill Davey being given a run out.
As the clock ran down Ebun finally got his rewards for some good running and a high level of work rate when heading in from close range after a good cross from Darryl on the right wing.
All in all, despite a slow start Wigton showed once again that they are becoming a well disciplined hard working passing side and with some concerted hard work from all the lads for the rest of the season will surely be in the mix up for some honours this year.
Next week Wigton host Brafferton in the Alverton trophy quarter final where they will be looking to cement their place in the semi final of the competition they were beaten finalists in last year.
