Wick lose RUR Cup semi-final

One might have thought Division 2 high-flyers Uckfield were the underdogs being in the lower division, but a glance at the teamsheets would suggest otherwise, with Uckfield able to field a number of players who have played at a higher level.

This game was not a classic by any stretch of the imagination, with chances at a premium. Few passes found their intended destinations and ultimately it was a mistake that separated the two teams.

Wick’s keeper Maciej Kason was kept the warmer of the two custodians on show making his first save from Andy McDowell after just three minutes. Kason came to Wick’s rescue again just two minutes later when he punched clear a goal-bound flick from former Worthing striker Stafford Browne.

After 17 minutes, Joe Miller crossed for Steve Davies at the back post, but his header only found the side-netting, and two minutes later a snap-shot from McDowell on the edge of the box saw Kason called into action once more.

The best chance of the half fell, once again, to lone striker McDowell, who latched onto a long ball that was allowed to bounce. He bravely got his head to it ahead of Kason and was left red-faced after celebrating as the ball hit the post and then was hacked away by a desperate Wick defence.

The deadlock was broken after 56 minutes when Wick’s otherwise reliable Rob Brown under hit a back-pass, and left winger Miller capitalised by poking the ball beyond Kason into the empty net. The only other goalmouth action came in the final minute of the game when Kason produced a flying save from Lawrence Edwards’ free kick.

Wick will be disappointed they never actually worked Adam Laundon in the Uckfield goal and have missed the chance of winning some silverware, but this result will allow them to concentrate on climbing the league table, a sentiment shared by boss Gary Block.

He said: “We could have played all night and not scored to be honest, but we had an inexperienced frontline and so many unavailable.

“I felt they edged the game, but they had a bit of luck with their goal. At the end of the day staying in the division is more important to the club than winning this cup.”

WICK: Kason; Urquhart, Hotson, Rob Brown, Boniface; French, Baggura, A.Brown, Towers; Woolston, Asare. Subs: Dormer (French 78), Richard Brown (Baggura 82), Hunter.