FOOTBALL: Gaskin fires Wick into the final

They will meet either Peacehaven or Crawley Down in the final on April 28 at Lancing's Culver Road. They were playing their semi-final tie last night (Wednesday).

In truth, despite late pressure, a tiring Hawks did not make the most of the possession and never really looked like scoring, despite having more of the chances.

As expected, for a semi-final, the game got off to a cagey start and there was little to choose between the two sides. Wick's Scott Murfin fired an early effort straight at Hawks keeper Lloyd Anderson, and the other number 10, Marc Whiteman, also went close when he shot narrowly wide

Murfin was unlucky with a lob that dropped just over, before Wick edged ahead on 36 minutes. Neil Murfin's ball forward was controlled by the lively Gaskin, who outpaced Sam Fisk and coolly slotted into the bottom corner for his 19th goal of the season.

Whitehawk's Scott Kirkwood fired into the side netting before, at the other end, Gaskin fired wide after a flowing move, but Wick saw out the remainder of the half relatively untroubled.

The second half continued in a similar manner but, while Whitehawk huffed and puffed, they failed to land that killer blow. Justin Harris saw his goalbound snap-shot blocked by the alert Ben Buckland and the well-placed Sam Crabb fired just over.

Hard-working Wick continued to create chances of their own, though, and could easily have doubled their advantage had Lee Barnard kept his shot down.

As the clock began to run down, it was Hawks who took the upper hand during a nervy last 15 minutes. Substitute Kevin Townsend headed wide from seven yards out, and Kirkwood should have done better than direct his effort straight at the grateful Alex Bryant.

The Wick keeper was tested moments later, though, and did well to keep out a Whiteman effort. Hawks desperately searched for the equaliser but it was not to be and a jubilant Wick side deservedly held out to earn their shot at silverware.

Matchwinner Gaskin said: "It was a good team performance and everyone worked really hard and played well.

"It's always nice to score but the most important thing is for the team to win. It's excellent for us to reach a final and obviously we want to go all the way. We've not had great results and performances of late, so it's great."

Wick boss Carl Stabler said: "I'm really proud of the boys. They worked so hard and showed good character and I'm really pleased.

"Whitehawk are a quality side and we knew it was going to be tough. It was a real battle, especially as we didn't have everyone 100 per cent fit. It keeps our season going, though, and I'm really chuffed."

On Tuesday, Wick reached the semi-finals of the Brighton Charity Cup with a 3-1 extra-time win over Worthing United.

Division-lower United had Scott Packer red-carded on 10 minutes for a foul on Ben Buckland but took the lead through a Buckland own goal six minutes later.

Scott Murfin levelled on 76 minutes before Daren Pearce, from substitue Louis Defraitas' cross, and George Gaskin, from Luke Huggett's cross, sealed Wick's win in extra-time.

WICK v Whitehawk: Bryant; Torode, Sharman, Pearce, Buckland; West, N.Murfin, Huggett, Barnard; S.Murfin, Gaskin. Subs: Turner (N.Murfin 61), More (S.Murfin 84), Wrigley (West 90), Hand, French.

v Worthing United: Lebrum; Torode, N.Murfin, Barnard, Buckland; Gaskin, Pearce, West, Huggett; More, S.Murfin. Subs: French, Defraitas, Wrigley (More, Buckland, West 75), Hand, Kew.

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