New Wick bosses start with Bexhill defeat

Ryan Pharo, who was first-team coach, stepped up to manage the side for the first time, alongside Dave Towers, the son of former Wick boss, Richard, in what is now a joint manager role, but Bexhill’s Jack Aston spoiled the party at Crabtree Park.

Aston netted once in each half to earn his side the points in a 2-0 win and leave Pharo to reflect on a pleasing performance, which he felt was worth a point.

Pharo said: “It was a very good performance and a very even game. A point would probably have been a fair result.

“We worked hard all across the pitch, but lack an end product, really.”

Aston netted his first on 31 minutes after a well-worked move from the visitors, while Wick, despite looking solid, failed to test the Bexhill goalkeeper.

Aston doubled his tally on the hour mark when he collected the ball on the halfway line, ran through the defence and beat young goalkeeper Matt Neocleous.

The shot-stopper then produced a number of fine saves which caught the eye of the on-looking Fulham scouts to earn himself a trial at the Premier League club this week.

Pharo added: “Matt plays for an under-18 side as well, which is where he was spotted and they have been watching him for the past couple of weeks, and have now invited him up for a trial.”

Wick have added four new faces to their squad. Arthur Mwambi and Dennis Mwambi, from Portsmouth, go into the side for their derby clash with Rustington on Saturday, along with Lewis Husbands, from Horndean, who also plays for Portsmouth University, and Simon Bamidele, who plays for Alton and also Portsmouth University.

Pharo added: “To be fair, we played really well this weekend and did the right things in the right areas.

“But, hopefully, this weekend we’ll get a bit closer to the goal and test them – as they have been known to concede a few.

“I have a lot of good friends in charge over there, so I am looking forward to it. They have had a few good results and then some poor ones, so who knows what’ll happen.”