Wantage were made to work from the start of this game as a lively Bicester stormed down the slope to put pressure on the visitors. Wantage took a while to settle, but increasingly as the half progressed, the midfield three of Andy Wallbridge, Liam Illsley and Ellis Langford became more influential. In the 16th minute, Sean McKeon neatly set up fellow striker Danny Keen, but the in-form line leader blasted narrowly over. Wantage continue to apply pressure, and were the more sure-footed side on the lumpy tufty surface. Wantage got their reward in the 32nd minute when Bicester keeper Tom McNamara brilliantly parried a goal-bound Keen shot, only for the ball to rebound to Ellis Langford ten metres outside of the box. Langford coolly returned the ball past the Bicester defence into the goal to put the visitors 1 – 0 up. As Wantage continued to press, Danny Keen narrowly struck past the wrong side of the Bicester post in the 39th minute, and a few minutes later the best flowing move of the game saw Wantage winger Gavin Jones strike a precision cross into the path of the onrushing Sean McKeon, whose well connected header brought a brilliant save from Tom McNamara in the Bicester goal. Wantage keeper Darryl Simms was called into action as the half came to an end, Simms saving well when his defence failed to clear. The half ended with a spot kick when the lively McKeon was clipped from behind as he made his way into the box, Danny Keen making no mistake as he drove the penalty with power past McNamara, to send Wantage into the break with a 2 – 0 lead.
Again Bicester were the first team to show as the second half got underway, but once more the Wantage midfield began to dominate, with Liam Illsley particularly featuring. In the 53rd minute substitute Richard Guy got his first goal for the Club, when his pace created the space that he needed to neatly chip McNamara to put Wantage 3 – 0 up. Just after the hour, Gavin Jones repeated the trick, quickly breaking into the Bicester box and also clipping the ball over the advancing McNamara for the visitor’s fourth goal.The game was marred by a serious injury sustained by Matty Horsell, who had appeared to be getting back to form after a pro-longed lay-off. The Wantage winger turned his ankle in an innocent tackle on the lumpy pitch and was stretchered off. This took the edge off of the game and the last 15 minutes petered out with little direct action, although to their credit the Bicester team kept up their workload until the final whistle.
Wantage’s run of form and goals comes late in the season, and if maintained, may secure a tenth position in mid-table. But they are also involved in the race for the top spot as on Saturday, Wantage travel the short distance to near neighbours Hungerford, and then next Wednesday, entertain Shortwood at Alfredian Park.
Team :- Darryl Simms, Tom Rowe, Andy Wallbridge, Adam Learoyd, Gary Swann,
Liam Illsley, Gavin Jones, Danny Keen, Ellis Langford, Sean McKeon, Matty Horsell.
Substitutes :-Liam McCullough, Richard Guy,Richie Bourne.
Great game to watch lastnight!!! The lads are coming good at last. Some great individual performances!! Adam was a rock in the defence again and Gav and Matty down the flanks both put in a good shift. In the middle of the park Chick and Ellis are rolling back the years as for the forwards Danny and Sean linked up well and both caused the defense problems. A final mention for the lively Richard Guy who came off the bench to score his first goal for the club. Bring on Hungerford !!
