Another disappointing result saw Wigton slip to their 5th consecutive defeat and were once again left scratching their heads as to how they had failed to not take anything from another game.
Having only made 1 change from the team that performed so well the previous week at Masham, Wigton looked a shadow of themselves as an inability to do the simple things well resulted in a disjointed first half display. Despite Wigton's inability to put simple passes together they should have taken an early lead when a rare moment of good play found Bedders in a one on one situation with the Ripon keeper but instead of looking to beat the keeper himself he played a pass to the unexpected Ebun who was unable to get on the end of the it and the opportunity was lost. A few speculative long range efforts from Bedders and Adam tested the Ripon keeper but the weak looking Ripon defence held out.
In the minutes before half time Wigton were once again punished for an inability to eradicate defensive errors which at present are costing them dearly every week. As Wigton failed to clear their lines the Ripon winger was able to put a cross into the Wigton defence for an unmarked Ripon forward to tap in from a few yards out.
Strong words from the Gaffa at half time did produce an better second half display from the Wigton team and within minutes of the re-start they were back in the game, Ebun tapping in from a few yards out following a driven ball into the box from Adam Day as Ripon failed to clear their lines from a Wigton corner.
Unfortunately, as has been the case this season Wigton again gifted the lead back to the opposition when a speculative free kick was played into the penalty area, the shot proving too hot to handle for Grimes. As the ball came back off Grimes’ chest it was a Ripon player who was able to get the first touch to loose ball to give Ripon the lead.
Wigton immediately hit back following a goal mouth scramble through the rejuvenated Scott Turner, ending a personal goal drought longer than that of former Blackburn winger Stuart Ripley…! Wigton were now in the ascendancy and it looked only a matter of time before they would take the lead however it was not to be the case. Wigton lost the ball on the half way line minutes later and a quick Ripon counter attack lead to the ball being played across the face of goal, a collision between Grimes and Shearer leaving a Ripon player to tap in to regain the lead for Ripon.
Wigton were not done however and showed great courage and determination to battle back for a third time and bring the scores level when Darryl was able to put the finishing touches to a Bedders header that rebounded off the bar following a Wigton corner.
As the game entered the final stages Wigton were confident of getting a winner which following their second half display would not have been undeserved. It was not to the case though as Wigton again surrendered parity. A Ripon corner late in the game lead to a Ripon player getting a header off however the header rebounded from Grimes’ clutches before being bundled over the line to condemn Wigton to a fifth straight defeat.
