In the first game back from Christmas Coyles were looking to keep in touch of the top two in the league. With 11 players missing from the squad due to a number of reasons including injuries, other commitments etc, the outcome was not looking good.

Coyles started the game with 9 players in a 3-4-1 formation and for the first 20 minutes were under continuous pressure from a Wickham Royals Res side looking for their first win of the season. Chris Corney was running tiredlessly up top on his own to try and win the ball back but Wickham were making the numbers count.

At this point Tom Royce turned up for Coyles and came on at left midfield to allow a 3-4-2 to be deployed.

With Wickham proving deadly on the break, Ryan in the Coyles goal had to be sharp along with the Coyles defence.

Coyles were putting in the effort though and Wiggington went close when Ketland closed down a defender, won the ball and cut back accross the six yard box. However, Wiggington was unlucky to be tackled by a Wickham defender.

However, the extra man showed on 35 mins when a few good passes were exchanged and the Wickham striker was allowed to weave past two defenders in the area and fire into the far corner of the net.

Coyles then woke up and started to pass the ball more freely with Banks running tiredlessly and firing just past the post from 25 yards (still not on target then!).

Two minutes later a good move allowed Corney to get the ball in the area, beating two men and being brought down in the area. To the surprise of all players and fans the referee said no penalty and waved play on.

With 5 minutes to go in the first half Ketland gathered a ball from a throw in just inside the Wickham penalty area, turned and fired in a cross to the back post that hit the upright and bounced off of a Wickham defender for a corner.

HALF TIME - COYLES 0 V 1 WICKHAM ROYALS RES

Coyles started the second half with 11 players when Easton turned up at half-time and he slotted in to the midfield alongside Banks and Wigington.

Coyles started brightly but could still not find a breakthrough, and were limited to long range efforts for the first 10 minutes.

Wickham were always dangerous on the counter attack and this proved to be decisive in their 2nd goal. Coyles had a corner, but from that Wickham broke and eventually fired into the net.

Coyles immediately bounced back and Ketland was unlucky when he saw his shot curl millimeteres wide of the far post.

Coyles got their reward on 60mins when a corner was fired into the near post and Claridge nodded in for his first goal of the season.

This lifeline was short lived when Wickham were awarded a corner. The ball came into the far post where Ketland was pushed in the back by the Wickham player. The referee blew the wistle and everyone thought that it was a freekick to Coyles. However, to everyones surprise he had given a penalty, with even the Wickham players admitting that they didn't know what the penalty had been awarded for either. The striker knocked in the penalty.

Heads went down in the Coyles team and soon found themselves 4-1 down with a fine finish from the Wickham substitute at the far post. That penalty decision really had changed the game and gave the advantage to Wickham.

With not long to go a very tired Coyles side manged to score one more.

Ketland emerged with the ball, played a one-two with Claridge and then another one-two with Haore before slotting past the keeper.

A dissapointing result for the team. After all the hard work that the lads have put in this season, this one game could cost them dearly at the end of the season!!!!!

FULL TIME - COYLES 2 V 4 WICKHAM ROYALS RES