Super-sub Chick stars as Wick edge closer to safety

An inspired second-half showing from Wick saw Chick and Dan Simmonds both net twice, while Gary Norgate also struck to ensure their side cruised to a 5-1 home success over fellow strugglers Hailsham Town.

Victory for Richard Towers’ side, who sit fourth-bottom, means they now have a nine-point gap over Town, though, they do have three games in hand on them.

It could have been different had Adam Daubeney’s free-kick not struck a post or Danny Towers been on hand to clear on the line in a dominant first 45 minutes for Hailsham.

As it was, Wick went into the break level and Chick came on as a half-time change for Morgan Forry. The replacement took just six minutes to make an impact as he flicked Jordan Matthews’ goal-kick into Simmonds’ path and the forward found the bottom corner with a first-time strike to make it 1-0.

It was two just three minutes later, this time Chick and Joseph Matthews combined and the former fired into the top corner on the half-volley.

A third came with 20 minutes still to play, Ben Gray’s pinpoint cross found an unmarked Simmonds at the back post to tap home.

That man Chick just could not be stopped, with his fine solo run and 25-yard strike beating Paul Hawkins to make it four ten minutes from time.

Wick failed to fully clear a corner four minutes later and Joey Pout saw his effort find the net off the underside of the bar but that proved just a consolation.

Another substitute, Gary Norgate, met Joseph Matthews’ corner to head home with a minute left as Wick made it five and secured an emphatic home success.

Wick travel to Newhaven next Saturday as they go in search of a third straight league victory.

WICK & BARNHAM: Jordan Matthews; Forry, D.Towers, Playle-Howard, Madden, MacIver; Austin, Daniels; Joseph Matthews, Gray; Simmonds. Subs: Noble (Daniels), Chick (Forry), Norgate (Gray), Dunlop, Fellows.

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