Loddon 3, Wenhaston 2LODDON were given a severe test at Maltings Meadow in an entertaining Wightman-King Cup game against a quick, competitive Wenhaston who gave Loddon no time to settle.

Loddon 3, Wenhaston 2

LODDON were given a severe test at Maltings Meadow in an entertaining Wightman-King Cup game against a quick, competitive Wenhaston who gave Loddon no time to settle.

The game was fast and furious with a couple of early half chances to each team.

On 10 minutes Matt Ayre found Steven Wise with a clearance. He then crossed to Andy Hayton who controlled, swivelled and hit a good shot which brought a great save from the Wenhaston keeper.

Wenhaston then had a shot blocked before their number six drove the rebound inches over.

Ayre, up for a free kick, picked up a loose clearance but scuffed his shot wide. A lovely move started by Gary Summons, and via Chris Hancock and Ricky Summons, ended with a powerful header from Wise which the keeper just palmed over at full stretch.

From the resulting corner Robin Andersen forced another save and another corner. This, well driven by Gary Summons five minutes from half time, was headed home by Hayton for 1-0.

Within six minutes of the restart, Loddon extended their lead. Gary Summons picked out Dan Andersen and his cross eventually found Ricky Summons. He neatly flicked it to Hayton who made no mistake from close range.

Dan Andersen saw an effort blocked and Wenhaston shot high. On the hour the energetic Wise was replaced by James Marjoribanks. Almost immediately, a poor clearance from Loddon was picked up on the edge and driven home wide of Collins to put Wenhaston right back in, 2-1.

Chris Andersen was replaced by Matt Sadler. A long ball then created some misunderstanding in the Loddon defence. No-one attacked the ball and Wenhaston went through to deservedly level.

Loddon almost got back in front when a neat step-over

by Sadler enabled Robin Andersen to return the ball but Sadler sliced his effort tamely to the keeper.

Andersen himself then struck a fierce drive just wide. Marjoribanks was just wide before a Hayton header was tipped away by the keeper.

Good approach play by Sadler and Robin Andersen put Marjoribanks through but his chip was read by the advancing keeper. On 78 minutes a cross was cleared as far as Sadler. He drove the ball back in where Hayton was

well placed to complete his

hat-trick. Hayton had a chance for number four but hit his shot over and Loddon held on against a spirited Wenhaston.

Musker McIntyre man of the match has to go to Andy Hayton for his terrific work-rate and of course his hat-trick which was the vital difference between the teams.