On the back of a poor performance the week previously at home to Burley the Gaffa was looking for an improved performance and a win to give their relegation battle a much needed kick start.
Wigton started the game brightly and were quickly on the attack as they looked to expose the space in behind the full backs as Spa set up with what appeared to be a 3 man defence. The bright start brought a period of sustained pressure on the Spa goal and Wigton were unlucky to not take the lead after 5 minutes when Trueman, looking to end his recent goal drought, was denied by the post following a good run and shot.
Wigton did take the lead a few minutes later following good work down the right side by Trueman and his low driven cross was turned into the Spa net by Mike from 10 yards out.
Unfortunately, instead of building on the good start Wigton then totally dropped off the pace as passes went astray and a lack of togetherness began to appear between the lads. With this lack of communication and encouragement Spa were able to break the Wigton defence and despite Triggers covering run and being able to hold up the Spa forward, the rest of the defence stopped playing as they appealed for offside giving the Spa forward time to find an unmarked team mate who beat Grimes with a good effort.
Spa then enjoyed a good 20 minutes spell and were for a period the better team as they broke the Wigton defence on a few occasions only to be denied by Grimes who was having probably his best game of the season to date.
As half time approached Wigton began to get a hold of the game again and should have regained the lead shortly before half time when a quick counter attack found 3 Wigton players in the Spa area only for no-body to take responsibility and get a shot off on goal as the ball was passed between the players and the opportunity lost.
The second half was all Wigton’s as despite playing up hill as they used to wind to their advantage as Spa were penned into their own half. Despite this sustained pressure though very few clear cut chances were created. Greg Turner was unfortunate to see a one on one chance go wide whilst Trueman decided to play a ball across goal when a shot on goal would have been the better option. Bedders was unlucky to see a long range effort go narrowly wide whilst a late Darryl free kick was hit straight at the Spa keeper.
When Wigton did finally get the ball in the net, Scott’s effort was ruled out for offside.
Spa could and probably should have grabbed a second midway through the second half when on one of their rare attacks a cross was hit towards the far post and with the Spa right winger facing an open goal one of his team mates inexplicably handled the ball earning himself a yellow card in the process. Grimes also did well to deny a Spa forward on another attack.
In the end the performance and result was similar to the game away at Burley when despite the lions share of possession Wigton were unable to score more than one goal whilst also restricting the opposition to only a handful of chances. Credit to Spa though who defended resolutely and battled well for their point.
Next week sees a repeat of this fixture as Wigton look to book their place in the semi-final of the Alverton Trophy.
