Wigton travelled to nearby rivals Bramham high on confidence after a thrilling 4-3 win the previous week against Dalton. Bramham, who despite a good finish last season in which they gained promotion have found life tough this season having sustained 4 defeats on the bounce, albeit by a solitary goal on each occasion.
Despite missing a number of first team regulars in Thomo (ankle), Adam (work), Gregg Turner (uni) and Trigger (holiday) the Gaffa was able to utilise the strong squad at his disposal and called in Chris Lone and debutant Ryan Weekes as replacements.
Wigton started the brighter of the two teams and despite the inability of either team to get the ball on the deck they looked the most likely of the two to open the scoring. Colombian John partnering Ebun up front looked a genuine threat and was unlucky to not open the scoring following some quick footwork on the edge of the Bramham area when he wrong footed one defender before nut megging another however his effort on goal drifted wide.
The deadlock was finally broken on the 20 minute mark when Ebun was able to finish from close range and open his account for the season following some good work down the right wing by Scott.
Bramham looked to bounce back immediately and for the remainder of the half looked to better of the two teams in what was becoming a scrappy game with few passages of good passing football being played by either team. Bramham looked for the long ball continuously to their big striker who despite being a bit of a handful was being well marshalled by Captain Shatwell and the impressive Jack Shute who was playing his first game in central defence. Despite winning a few corners though Bramham failed to create any genuine goal scoring opportunities.
The second half Bramham again started brightly and looked to get themselves back in the game with an early goal. Shatwell and Jack however, who were looking more impressive as a partnership as every minute went by were able to keep the Bramham forwards at bay as they failed to create any opportunities whatsoever.
The game was still somewhat scrappy however Wigton were soon about to drop a gear as their free flow passing finally clicked into place. On the hour mark another reckless challenge from a Bramham defender allowed Colombian John to double Wigton’s lead with a lovely curling free kick from some 25 yards.
The Gaffa then rang the changes as first he introduced Chris Lone up front for Colombian John and Eddie at right back for Gary Coates who had performed admirably in a position that he was unaccustomed to.
As Bramham began to tire and a number of somewhat ragged challenges continuing to fly in Wigton were able to find the spaces and begin to pass the ball around at ease. It was no surprise then when Wigton quickly extended their lead when a good team move saw Chris Lone feed to ball in for Ebun to get his second of the game from close range.
The ref by this time had already booked 4 of the Bramham players and when harshly booking Mike Shaw for a simple tangle of legs the Gaffa thought it best to not risk Mike picking up a further booking in a game that was already won so gave debutant Ryan Weekes his chance to impress in central midfield. Ryan’s first touch of the ball caused the ball to run fractionally away from him as he stretched to regain control of it, he was unceremoniously dumped to the floor by a Bramham midfielder….Not the welcome I’m sure Ryan had imagined to his Wigton career! Ryan and the Gaffa however saw the funny side of it and he quickly dusted himself down before getting stuck in and showed some good movement and range of passing in the remaining part of the game.
Ebun didn’t have to wait too long for the hat trick after another team move allowed him to score his third and Wigton’s fourth. Goal scorer then turned provided as he was able to return Chris Lone’s earlier assist as he played Chris through before his casual finish made it 5-0.
The result was a fair reflection on a second half performance in which Wigton totally dominated the play. The team worked well collectively in their defensive responsibilities with Jack looked very assured alongside Shatwell. Once the team were able to settle and get the ball on the deck which allowed them to play through the midfield and up to their forwards the win was never in doubt.
