Debutant Daniels gets the winner for Wick

Daniels’ header on six minutes was enough to see Wick record an unlikely 1-0 home success over league leaders Eastbourne Town.

The victory saw Wick complete the double over Town, after they won 4-2 in the reverse fixture.

Wick now have a seven-point cushion over third-from-bottom Hailsham Town, who lost 4-1 to Broadbridge Heath on Saturday and have four games in hand.

Wick joint boss Richard Towers feels the win could give his side they boost they need heading into the final few weeks of the campaign.

He said: It was a massive three points for us. I thought Jake (Daniels) and Mitchell (Austin) on their debuts did really well. They have got really good engines on them and slotted into the side very nicely. It made a massive difference for us, they added a bit of bite and got themselves about the pitch for us.”

Wick started well and went ahead on six minutes. Joseph Matthews’ corner found Daniels and his bullet header went into the roof of the net.

Town were well below par but had a great chance to level five minutes before the break. After Chris Eyres handled in the area a spot-kick was awarded but Jason Taylor’s penalty was saved by Jordan Matthews.

Wick were much the better side in the second half as Morgan Forry twice tested Greg Nessling, while Dan Simmonds was prevented by a fine recovering tackle from Alan Foster.

Town piled men forward at the end and went close in the final five minutes. Sam Willett fired well over, before in the fourth minute of stoppage time Jordan Matthews flapped at a Dan Bolwell corner, but substitute Jack Turner saw his snap-shot cleared on the line by Eyres as Wick held on.

Wick entertain Hailsham, who they won 6-1 away to earlier this month, on Saturday.

WICK: Jordan Matthews; Eyres, Playle-Howard, Madden, MacIver; Austin, Daniels; Gray, Joseph Matthews, Forry; Simmonds. Subs: Noble (Joseph Matthews) D.Towers (Daniels), Fellows (Forry), Hallett.

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