This was a cracking encounter as Shoreham eventually shaded a game which went down to the wire. Both teams are currently in the top three of the league and the quality of football from both sides suggests that neither side will be far away when it comes to dishing out the trophies.

Wick were the better side in the first thirty minutes as Shoreham struggled to keep possession of the ball. It didn't help their cause when their outstanding captain, Dan Jordan, was booked for an uncompromising tackle on the diminutive Scott Murfin. Shoreham were playing  the 4-5-1 formation which had served them so well last year. Ryan Bradley was a lone forager upfront as he struggled to get into the game.

Wick were the more creative of the two sides and only solid defending by Shoreham kept the game scoreless. As the half progressed Shoreham got better and a beautiful struck goal from nowhere by Ryan Bradley on 36 minutes put the home side ahead. Bradley had received a flick on 30 yards out and instictively struck a first time volley which gave outstanding Wick keeper, Alex Bryant, no chance. Bradley started to receive a much better service of ball and Shorehams overall play improved.

Minutes later Bradley rolled a great pass to Eastman and the energetic midfielder strode forward only to see his shot go wide of the target. Then Scott Murfin silenced the home crowd when he twisted and turned two defenders and his firmly struck shot from 15 yards beat Hunter to bring the teams back to 1-1. A minute later Bradley darted into the Wick penalty area, shot across goal only to see an overstretched Owen Callaghan fail to connect. Shoreham finished the half strongly and Wick were now being pressed from all angles as we won the midfield battle. Half time: Shoreham 1 Wick 1

Shoreham continued to shade play in the second half- the game was being played at a fast tempo and the quality of attacking options on both sides meant neither defence could feel comfortable. On 62 minutes Ryan Bradley received the ball to feet in the box, turned one way then went the other and shot past a startled Bryant. 2-1 to Shoreham. Minutes later Fogden saw his header flash over the bar after Jamie Groves, making a welcome return on the home defence, put in an inch perfect corner.

Shoreham could not relax as the Wick attacking threat was always there in evidence.On 83 minutes Wick's Turner had a chance but put his shot wide as Hunter advanced. 90 minutes passed and just as it looked we were going to hold on, substitute Rob Boddy,on the field for no longer than a minute, gave us a demonstation of his twinkling ball skills by evading several challenges and knocked the ball to the grateful Dean Smith to touch into an empty net and put the result beyond doubt, 3-1 and game over.

This was a really solid all round performance by Shoreham. Every player played their part and the flexibility of the 4-5-1 formation allowed the team to defend well as a unit and for players to arrive late in the opposing teams box to creat all sorts of problems. The MOM award goes to Ryan Bradley-the lone striker ran his socks off and came up with two superb goals

Match Reporter: Pat Callaghan

MOM: Ryan Bradley