Men's 2XI Vs Marlborough B

West Wilts 2nd XI travelled to Marlborough to play their B team in their final league game before the Christmas break. A win would guarantee Wilts would stay 3 points clear at the top of the table.

Motivated by this, and by the fact Wilts beat Marlborough A team last week, Wilts started hard and fast. Great play from the Wilts defence and midfield created chance after chance for the Wilts attack to get on the board. The first goal was beautifully struck on the reverse by captain, James Baker, and went in off the top corner of the post; an unstoppable shot. Next up Joe Veacock picked up the ball in the attacking ‘25’, wobbled past a couple of defenders and hit another clean reverse, low and hard, to get his first of the game. The half was finished off with Veacock getting his brace through a beautiful drag flick off a short corner. Wonderful to see Veacock getting back to his goal scoring ways.

The second half started in much the same way as the first, with Wilts going hard and fast. Marlborough had resigned themselves to a ‘damage limitation’ exercise and defended deep in their own half with lots of bodies behind the ball. This caused Wilts a great deal of difficulty and forced them to think about their hockey, rather than just going hard for goal. After a few minutes of adjusting, Wilts put the new game plan into action and managed to score 6 in the second half. 3 of those 6 came within 3 minutes. Baker got his hat trick and Hugh Newmarch, Toby Dorgan, Ant Crosbie and Matt Naylor each netted a goal to ensure the spoils were shared around. 

The only disappointing part of the game was when Wilts made a mistake and Marlborough were able to pounce and get their consolation goal. In the grand scheme of things it was never a worry for Wilts, but ultimately they need to get a few more clean sheets to really stamp their authority on the other teams in the league. Looking at it another way through, the Wilts goal has only ever really been under threat when they have given the ball away in the last few games – itself an impressive and positive point to take away. 

Wilts are in high spirits, clear at the top of the table and have double the goal difference to anyone in the division going into the Christmas break. They’ve beaten off all of their league champion (hopeful) rivals and looked dominant throughout. They’ll take a few weeks off and look to start where they left off in the New Year.