Date: 26th September 2004

Scorers:
Invicta - Mason 6, Hermitage 18, Nicholls 15, 65
Wickham 38, 60

Man of the match:
Glen Nicholls, playing at only 80% fit, was asked to play up front to keep the defence busy and gave them more trouble than was imaginable. His second goal secured Invicta’s win.

Invicta completed an early double over Wickham Wanderers in a delayed kick off caused by pitch congestion. With only 11 players available, this was an even more impressive performance than the scoreline suggests as makeshift striker Nicholls, nursing an injury from last weeks encounter delivered far more than was expected of him.

That said that his 10 team mates worked their socks off to make it two wins in two.

Kicking against a the breeze and up hill in the first half, Invicta found themselves 3-0 up in 18 minutes through some positive football and excellent finishing.

Invicta opened the scoring on 6 minutes when Macey drilled the ball home after an excellent cross from Nicholls. Nicholls made it 2-0 on 15 when a Parsons through ball was not cleared and Nicholls was on hand to lob the advancing keeper. Two became three as Macey turned provider with a shot that was parried by the keeper only to see Hermitage blasting home the rebound.

Wickham looked a bit shell shocked and gradually worked their way back into the game pushing Invicta deeper as the half wore on. Two fine saves from Smith denied the home team a goal before they eventually succeeded with a one on one 2 minutes before the break.

Invicta held a 3-1 lead at half time through some dogged defending with Jack Parsons and Barnett marshalling Wickhams danger man with good effect.

Invicta took the slope in the second half and soon found themselves under early pressure with the midfield having to defend early on. Thompson again showed tremendous spirit and determination to win the ball and clear the Invicta lines.

As the game opened up chances fell at both ends, but some inaccurate shooting from Hermitage, Thompson and Nicholls gave Wickhams keeper little to worry about until the 55 minute when Nicholls hit the post with a fine free kick.

Wickham made it 3-2 on the hour when the Invicta back line was finally broken but nerves were settled on 65 as Nicholls broke free, rounded the keeper and spanked home his second from a tight angle.

Solid performances all round with Taylor and Holmes giving their 100% to the cause will provide some selection problems for next weeks home game v Eden Eagles.