My Season Review 2018/19 Part 108: February 2019 (Game 124)

Game 124: Monday 18 February 2019, 7:45pm, Denny Bros Ram Meadow Stadium, Thurlow Nunn Youth League South Division, Bury Town Under-18s v AFC Sudbury U18

‪MATCH PREVIEW‬

‪Bury Town Under-18s fall to 0-6 defeat to their AFC Sudbury counterparts who record 15 straight wins in the league this season. ‬

‪As the scoreline suggests, it was a very one sided first half, with the first chance of the game going the way of the visitors in the second minute, No.15's free-kick on the right edge of the box was taken short and played through quick to No.12 in the box with the Bury defender sliding the ball behind for a corner. The first shot then came four minutes later, Sudbury's No.17 getting down the right wing to shoot towards thw top near corner, but was caught by Bury 'keeper Reynolds. The visitors' No.15 then got through down the right side in the box, with a good angle to get a shot off. However, unselfishly the Sudbury man instead squared it across with Bury able to clear with 10 minutes on the clock. ‬

‪Sudbury then opened the scoring in the eleventh minute, No.17 getting possession in the box before finishing with ease into the bottom right corner, despite Reynolds' efforts to slide out and keep the strike out. Back came Bury though, as the home side chipped a ball over the defence into the right side in the box but the man running in was beaten to it by the keeper after 12 minutes. ‬

‪Down the other end, Bury midfielder Chester Rudnicki gained possession down the left wing in his own half, close to the penalty area. The home man's attempted clearance though bounced off Sudbury's No.17, with the goalscorer's low strike rushed into the sidenetting, as the game reached the 15 minute mark. It was then 0-2 to Sudbury two minutes later, a throughball down the right wing forced Reynolds to race out off his box to clear. No32 however intercepted the clearance leaving the Sudbury man with the simple task of walking the ball into the net. ‬

Although Sudbury's pace in attack was troublesome for the home defence, Bury did put up a good fight when putting the pressure on- that though wouldn't prevent Sudbury from adding a third on 21 minutes. No32 had a shot blocked on the left hand side in rhe box, which fell to No35 who finished well in off the far post. Blues stopper Connor Reynolds made a superb save on 23 minutes, to keep the score at 0-3, as No.17's squared ball across the box from the right was cleared partially by the home defence, the follow up shot however was palmed over his top left corner superbly by keeper Reynolds. Despite that stop, Sudbury increased their lead to four goals a minute later, with yet anothee a ball squared across this time from the left. No17 was on hans to grab a second with a simple finish into the bottom left corner. 

Sudbury then made it 0-5 in their favour, on the half hour mark, No.15 finding the bottom far corner from a tight angle on the left hand side in the box despite Aidan Browne down injured, after being headbutted in the buildup. Both sides then had a good chance to score each as the half drew to a close, Sudbury having the first and their latest on 36 minutes, No.32 getting through on the right hand side in the box. However, the chasing Conroy did just enough to put off the Sudbury man who shot just the other side off the bottom left corner. Four minutes later, it was Bury's turn, John Tinde's low shot on the right towards the far corner palmed away by the diving keeper. The away side though had the final two opportunities of the half in the space of a minute, with the first on 44 minutes. The low shot on the left hand side in the box going straight down Reynolds' throat. The second however almost saw an own goal add to Bury's disappointing evening, No.34 squaring across the face of goal on the right byline. Conroy in the middle however almost slid the ball accidentially past Reynolds, luckily for the hosts the Bury keeper adapted well to palm it away. That was it for the first half, as Bury grew into the half as time progressed. 

HALF TIME: Bury Town FC U18 0-5 AFC Sudbury U18

The second half was much better from Bury, restricting Sudbury to having less shots on target and pressing further forward- just being unable to get many shots off. However, Sudbury had the shot of the half a minute after the break, Sudbury firing a shot on the right over the top near corner. Sudbury then had another decent opportunity on 49 minutes, Sudbury crossing in on the right to the far post, where the header from point blank range was caught well by Reynolds. Next to go close for Sudbury was their No.32 who went for goal but was blocked by a Bury defender on 57 minutes. Four minutes later, the away side raced through down the right but shot wide off the left post. Sudbury had another chance on 66 minutes, the corner in on the left headed over the bar from close range. Sudbury then had another chance on 69 minutes, fizzing a low ball across the face of goal on the right but ending up just wide off the far psot. 

‪Back down the other end, the Blues almost pulled a goal back on 71 minutes, shooting low and just wide off the left post. Sudbury though rounded off the scoring on 73 minutes, adding a sixth taking their goal difference to +100 in the league. The visitors' dangerous cross in on the right headed into the roof the net from point blank range in the middle. That wasn't the end of the action however, as Sudbury again squared across goal from the left on 76 minutes, with the shot at the near post blocked by a Bury defender. Down the other end a minute later, Bury midfielder Josh Revell tried his luck from 25-yards out- the creative player shooting narrowly wide off the right post with the keeper gathering anyway. Sudbury then countered, with the shot put behind the left post for a corner. ‬

‪Two minutes later, a Sudbury attempt a yard from goal at the right post was blocked off the line by a well placed sefender. Sudbury then tried their luck again, going for goal on the right but shooting just over the near post on 81 minutes. Sudbury's No.45 was the next to go for goal with 5 minutes to go, however his shot from distance blazing wide off the top left corner. The final action of the game then saw Sudbury almost have a seventh goal on 89 minutes, the original shot on the left was denied before the follow up on the far side netted into the bottom left corner- but was ruled out for offside. That concluded a painful night for Bury, as Sudbury made it 15 wins out of 15 in the league. ‬

FULL TIME: Bury Town FC U18 0-6 AFC Sudbury U18

BURY TOWN U18:-

1 Connor Reynolds

2 John Tinde

3 Andrew Conroy

4 Joseph Gunn

5 Ethan Heap

6 Chester Rudnicki

7 Joshua Revell

8 Ben Lyddiatt

9 Joshua Martin

10 Aidan Browne

11 Will Allison

Subs:

12 Hari Jolland

14 Callum Stead

15 Taylor Rothon

16 Adam Newton

17 James Field-Rayner

Subs- 26' Stead and Rothon on for Bury. 58' Rudnicki is replaced by Newton. 79' Field-Rayner comes on for Bury. Attendance: 85

AFC Sudbury U18:-
Harry Critchley
Thomas Gardiner
Ellis Girling
Oliver Gravett
Adam Hanson (X1)
Joshua Hughes
Fred King (x1)
Thomas Maycock (X1)
Lewis O'Malley
Nathan Read (x2)
Benjamin Whiteman
Subs:
Reece Langridge
Ethan Mayhew (x1)
Joe Osborn
Joseph Grimwood (unused)
Ben Hammett (unused)

My Season Review 2018/19 Part 114: March 2019 (Games 130/131)

Games 130/131: Sunday 3rd March 2019, 10:30am, Hardwick Heath Pitches 1/3, Premier Logos Bury & District Sunday FL Divisions Three/Four, The King's Arms FC v Eastbury Eagles & Bury Wanderers v Bardwell Sport

Bury Wanderers fought back from 3-1 down to beat Bardwell Sports 4-3 at home in Division Four, whilst Division 3 side The Kings Arms lost 1-2 late on to Eastbury Eagles. 

Due to the fact that Kings Arms v Eastbury Eagles kicked off three minutes before Bury Wanderers, Kings had the first opportunity after a minute. A long throw in on the left was shot wide at the far post. More impressively however, within 20 seconds of getting their match underway, Bury Wanderers opened the scoring against Bardwell. Sunday League striker Kalum Benham dispossessing the keeper to find the left corner, after a fast start from the Blues. The Division Four hosts then found their striker, who netted a treble in the reverse fixture with Bardwell, in the box on 3 minutes. Benham's shot on the left hand side in the area however was hit low and kicked away by the keeper. The rebound though found a Bury man whose low shot was cleared away at the near post. My MOTM Kalum Benham then tried his luck with a volley from the left edge of the box in the fourth minute. This time though the strike went just wide off the bottom far corner. 

Over on Pitch 3, Kings tried their luck with a low shot at goal on 7 minutes, but went wide off the Eagles' left post. Back on Pitch 3 meanwhile, Bardwell had their first opportunity of the morning as the shot on the left edge of the box sailed over the bar on 5 minutes. At the other end, Bury goalscorer Kalum Benham tried his luck at goal from the left edge of the box on 6 minutes. The striker's shot though was tipped behind by the diving keeper up at his top near corner. The resulting corner in a minute later, was swung into the near post with both the shot at goal and the resulting shot driven low at goal blocked. Bury then won another corner on the right on 8 minutes, maintaining their early pressure. It could've been two nil, as the hosts' ball in was squared back across goal to find Benham two yards out at the right post. The shot however was a bit hasty and blazed just wide off the near post.

Back came Bardwell though, who had a shot at goal blocked twice within a minute, the first driven at goal but kept out by the Bury defence on 13 minutes. The second however, Bardwell players were convinced that their strike on the left who illegally blocked by a Wanderers' arm. The referee though said no, as Bardwell began to hit back after Bury's early dominance. Sure enough, it was Bardwell who took control of the remainder of the half, as the visitors shot low and just wide off the right post on 17 minutes. The away side then had another half chance a minute later, with the shot from the left edge of the box deflected towards the far post, to the keeper's relief who gathered it up. Bardwell then had another go at goal in the 20th minute, only this time the shot from the left edge of the box was blocked away by the head of a Bury player. Over to the goalless Division 3 clash meanwhile, The King's had a go at goal on 25 minutes, from the right but went straight to the keeper. 

Pitch 3 though, was an absolute classic. Bardwell threw everything at Wanderers in the first half and got rewarded, after having 3 chances within 3 minutes. The first fell on 23 minutes and was more of a half chance in truth, as the visitors had another shot blocked from the edge of the box. The second was fairly similar, the shot on the left edge of the box ending up straight at the keeper after 24 minutes. The final of this onslaught though did see Bardwell pull level and in spectular style, the cross in superbly finding a man in space at the left post to finish it with a just as amazing overhead kick into thecroof of the net on 26 minutes. 

The Bardwell game in truth, made Kings Arms v Eastbury Eagles look dull and boring (a testiment to the two division four sides, who in truth were both poor defensively with a lack of control in their own six-yard boxes)- but was fairly end to end. 

Staying with the Division Four clash however, Bury did respond by having another shot at goal on 27 minutes. Unfortunately for the Blues, the low strike went just wide off the right post. Bardwell though forced the Bury keeper into another stop on 33 minutes, again from a shot from the left edge of the box- this time however the keeper fumbled the strike which bounced fortunately, for the stopper, behind his far post. The resulting set piece meanwhile provided Bardwell with a fantastic opportunity to take the lead, as the ball in found a man at the far post, whose free header from two yards out went agonisingly wide. 

Eastbury though made sure of their chances over on pitch 1, as the Eagles took the lead on 38 minutes after finding the left corner. As if in response to Eastbury going in front, Bardwell did likewise. The visitors' cross in on the left finding yet another unmarked man at the near post, who ran into beat the keeper to it and direct a free header into the top left corner, 1-2 Bardwell but one Bury felt agrieved to have conceded so easily. With their tails firmly wagging, Bardwell had two further shots within seconds of each other on 37 minutes, desperate to increase their newly gained lead. They would have to wait for that though, as a shot from the edge of the box was blocked, whilst rebound strike bounced straight at the keeper at his right post. 

Back onto Pitch 1, Eastbury won a free-kick on the edge of the box on 41 minutes, and almost became a blessing in disguise for King's- whose wall blocked the set piece, before the home side countered upfield to win a corner. Bardwell however, continued to dominate the remainder of the first half on Pitch 3, finding a man open in acres of space on the left hand side in the box. The first time shot however went low and just wide off the near post, with 6 minutes to go before the break. Bardwell then had another go at grabbing their third unanswered goal, the shot though went over the bar on 40 minutes. Two minutes later though, Bardwell got their third goal with a bit of help from Wanderers- who failed to clear leaving a man open at the left post with an easy tap -in from two yards out. Wanderers though, had the last chance of the half, firing a low shot on the left inside the box straight at the keeper- half time as Bury went in 1-3 down whilst King's trailed by a goal to nil to the Eagles.

HT: Kings Arms 0-1

HT: Bury Wanderers 1-3 Bardwell Sport

Ironically, both second half's got underway at 11:21, with King's game resuming slightly earlier. It was the home side who had the half's first chance, as the low shot on the left forced the keeper into a routine diving catch literally seconds after the restart. Bury meanwhile, who were also behind at the break, started the half like the first. Kalum Benham, again, through on the right hand side the box a minute after the restart- this time however, the low strike from 8-yards out was blocked away. The away side though wouldn't rest on their lead, as Bardwell went up the other end to go for goal from 30-yards. They came mightly close to being rewarded for their efforts, shooting just wide off the top left corner on 48 minutes. Bury then countered down the other end, setting Kalum Benham through on the left byline in the box. Which despite the defender's attempt to slide behind for a corner, the Bury striker found the net from a tight angle to reduce the deficit to 2-3. 

Bury then went in search of an equaliser, winning a corner on the right on 51 minutes. The set-piece finding a Blues man in the centre but overhead kicked wide off the left post. Bardwell then had an opportunity to restore their two goal advantage on 55 minutes, firing a low volley from the edge of the box wide off the left post. Bury meanwhile, had parity a minute later as Benham grabbed his and Bury's third goal of the game. The striker found one-on-one thanks to a low through ball to take the risk off sliding in against the keeper, which proved well worth it from the hosts' perspective. Benham just beating the keeper to it to take the ball past him, leaving an easy pass into the empty net for his second treble against the sides this season. Back came Bardwell though, who sent in a low goalbound cross/shot on the right, unfortunately for them though a defender was on hand to slide it clear at the near post, after an hour played. Down the other end, Benham had a chance to add to his team's and his personal tally a minute later, instead shot over the bar. Bardwell though had the chance to go back in front, but were unable to make the most of it, instead shooting wide off the right post on 64 minutes. Bury then capitalised on the chance to go in front for the second time in the match, some 64 minutes and 40 seconds apart. The Blues' free-kick just inside Bardwell's half on the left found a man umarked at the near post in the six yard box to flick an easy header into the top left corner. In response to going behind, Bardwell had a flurry of shots kept out in quick succession on 66 minutes, the first was blocked from the left edge of the box whilst the second met the same fate, the third went just over the bar from the left byline. 

Bury on the other hand, countered and won a corner. Once more a free-kick proving troublesome to defend, as low the ball in from the right wing was shot at goal at the near post, but was blocked behind by the keeper's legs. From the resulting corner it could've been 5 for Bury, with the keeper only able to flap away amongst a crowd of bodies the ball found a Bury man 8-yards out from goal at the far post, only to be the shot just wide. Bury then arguably got their fifth goal, with a free-kick into the six yard box again not defended, a Bury man had enough space in the six yard box to tap into the net. The referee however, said no as Wanderers remained just the single goal ahead with 20 minutes to play. Shortly after on Pitch 1, King's finally breached the Eagles' defence to level proceedings at 1-1. Likewise on Pitch 3, Bardwell sensed the opportunity to draw back level as a long ball was shot at the Bury goal forcing the keeper to make a great save to turn behind, keeping his side in front with 18 minutes left on the clock. The following corner in was headed back across goal at the far post but was cleared off the line on 73 minutes. With 15 minutes remaining, Bardwell began to have another string of chances as they blazed the first over from thecright side in the box. The second meanwhile, also from the right, was blocked away from the goalline from point blank range on 76 minutes. The away side then went close again from a free-kick on the left on 79 minutes, this time though Bardwell sent a diving header wide at the near post. 

Bardwell then won a free-kick on the left edge of the box, as the clock ticked into the final 10 minutes, the set-piece though was curked just over the bar. Bury almost made the most of the latest Bardwell missed chance, sending a free-kick in from the right towards Benham, but just wide off the top near corner on 85 minutes, with Bury easing ever nearer to victory. 

Whilst Bury looked to hold out for the win, Eastbury Eagles were awarded a potentially match-winning penalty on 87 minutes. 

Whilst the spot-kick itself was saved by the keeper down to his left, the rebound was slotted into the opposite corner, soaring the Eagles back into the lead. Back on Pitch 3, Bardwell had one final chance to snatch a late point swinging a free-kick on the left as the game entered stoppage time. 

The goalbound set-piece however was palmed away by the Bury stopper, as Bury held on for all three points.

FT: Bury Wanderers 4-3 Bardwell Sport

FT: The Kings Arms FC 1-2 Eastbury Eagles

TEAMS:

Bury Wanderers:
Daniel Aldous
Kalum Benham (x3)
Adam Coombes
Gareth Edwards
Simon Hammond
Ben Kaye (x1)
Craig Leonard (C)
Christopher Robinson
Mark Robinson
Kevin Smith
Jonathon Clifford (GK)
Subs:
Jordan Bunning
Cameron Cross

Bardwell Sport:
Lewis Chalk
Max Connell
Clayton Deane (X1)
Daniel Hammond
Mark Heffer
Daniel Portway
Alex Snow
Luis Stannard
Alexander Thomson
Mitchell Thomson (capt)
Steven Tindall (x2)
Subs:
Finlay Inch
Damon Trench
Christian Wickham
Jack Taylor (unused)

Kings Arms:
Elliot Chaplin (booked)
Oliver Chaplin
Michael Coulson
Byron Gross
Robin Holland
Jack Hubbard (C)
Jack Marcham
Westley Newton
Josh Thompson
Calvin Tickner
Christopher Whitlow
Subs
Bradley Banks
Jordan Chaplin
Joshua Cornish (x1)
Kaion Rankin-Ebanks (sent off)

Eastbury Eagles:
William Gough (capt)
Iain Bentley
Liam Doe
Callum Goddard
Anthony Hickman
Jake Paddy (x1)
Jordan Paddy
Jack Phillips
Joe Phillips
Calum Smith
Harry Brown (x1)
Subs:
George Gough
Stuart Plaster
Liam Shore
Subs:
Mark Brown (unused)

My Season Review 2018/19 Part 111: February 2019 (Game 127)

Game 127: Sunday 24 February 2019, 10:30am, Great Barton Playing Field, Premier Logos Bury & District Sunday Football League Open KO Cup Semi-Final, Moreton Hall 96 v Moreton Hall Youth FC Ferals

Moreton Hall Ferals beat club rivals Moreton Hall 96 to progress to the Bury Sunday League Open Cup Final at Ram Meadow. Ferals goals from Jake Peasgood, Charlie Larter and Fred Stewart-Hogg ensure the Ferals make a cup final each season since joining the league. 

The semi-final derby saw Division Three side 96 welcome Division One inter-club rivals Ferals, as the higher division side came out on top. The Ferals had a good chance as early as three minutes, George Crowe's free-kick on the right edge of the box swung into the far post but missing everyone and going behind. The visiting Reds then won a free-kick on the left wing on 5 minutes, Jake Peasgood's inswinger into the near post forcing the keeper to punch away on his goalline. Again, Ferals had a decent opportunity from a free-kick on 12 minutes. This time George Crowe's free-kick onto the right wing was crossed into Cameron Nicholls at the far post, the striker's deft header though went wide. Three minutes later, good pass and move play from Ferals on the right wing saw Charlie Larter tee up a man on the edge of the box, who had their back to goal to lay off to Ben Newdick. The defender having his shot deflected over for a corner. 

Newdick then intercepted a 96 ball forward on 18 minutes, the Ferals' right back running from just inside his own half to the opposition's box. The low shot however went straight to the keeper. Back came Moreton Hall 96 FC though, as the hosts' low free-kick on the right wing was whipped dangerously into the box but bounced off George Rout at the near post and wide on 21 minutes. Down the other end three minutes later, Ferals looked to set Cameron Nicholls through in the box with a defence splitting pass, the ball however was overhit and went through to the keeper. Six minutes later, the hosts tried their luck from distance out on the right, only to fire a shot just over the bar. The Division three side then forced keeper Aston Fallows into action on 28 minutes, the ahot on the right forcing Fallows to get down to his left and palm behind for a corner. 

The resulting corner in however, was headed wide at the back post, for a Ferals' goalkick. Moreton Hall 96 continued to go for goal on 31 minutes, after winning the ball back down the left wing in Ferals' half with Matt Skevington's volley at goal off target but remaining in play. Ferals then countered, setting Cameron Nicholls through on goal- the defender though got back to briefly intercept, the loose ball meanwhile was picked up by Nicholls, whose low shot was blocked by the advancing  96's keeper. The rebound fell to Jake Peasgood to scored an absolute screamer, picking out the top right corner with a first time volley- top bins for 0-1 to Ferals with 13 minutes to go before the interval. The home side though responded to the setback, shooting low and wide off the far post from the right on 33 minutes. 96 then whipped in another low cross into the six-yard box on the right on 37 minutes, great defending from George Crowe however prevented the shot with a great sliding tackle. 

The loose ball though was stabbed at goal, from point blank range, by Jack Hempstead but was blocked behind well by the diving Fallows at his near post. The resulting corner in was then shot over at the near post. Ferals then had the final chance of the half, Cameron Nicholls low shot on the right side in the box, aimed towards the bottom left corner, went straight to the keeper. That concluded a fairly entertaining first half, with the Division One side Ferals leading thanks to Jake Peasgood's strike. 

HALF TIME: Moreton Hall FC 96 0-1 Moreton Hall Youth FC Ferals

The second half began with each side having a half chance, 96 having the first on 48 minutes. The keeper's free-kick from his own half finding Jack Hempstead who header was flicked straight onto Fallows. Ferals' first chance of the half then came 3 minutes later, Nicholls again set through one-on-one- beating the onrushing keeper who made amends after the striker's poor touch. Ferals then had the next chance, Ben Newdick firing a shot wide from the right on 52 minutes. The home side though pulled level on 53 minutes, keeper Aston Fallows' clearance 3yards out from his own goal blocked by the sliding Harry Rout into the net from the right. Two minutes later, the 96's goalscorer went for goal again, this time from the right edge of the box only to shoot wide off the top far corner. On the hour mark, the home side tried their luck from a low free-kick on the left wing. The shot towards the bottom far corner though, was palmed away by Fallows. 

Ferals then retook the lead on 63 minutes, George Crowe's left wing free-kick forced the keeper to come out to the edge of his box and punch clear, only as far as Ferals' skipper Charlie Larter who volleyed through the bodies and into the centre of the net- another good strike to regain the visitors' lead. Good linkup play between the Ferals' Charlie Glover, Fred Stewart-Hogg and Callum Dove down the left wing, saw the trio exchange quick passes. Stewart-Hogg's return pass towards Dove in the box though went through to the keeper. Ferals though extended their lead to 3-1 in the sixty-eighth minute, the roles reversed this time- Callum Dove setting substitute Stewart-Hogg through on the left hand side in the area. 

The latter then went on to drill into the bottom near corner from close range to cap a superb move snd a well worked goal. Back came 96 though, the cross in on the left finding Jack Child at the far post, only to head straight at stopper Fallows, standing at his top right corner on 70 minutes. Moreton Hall 96 continued to press for a second goal, to get back into the game, shooting low on the left but wide off the post on 72 minutes. A minute later, 96 tried their luck again, this time with a volley from the left edge of the box. However, the shot went straight to Fallows at his near post. Down the other end, Elliot Frost-Palmer was the next Ferals man to go for goal on 77 minutes. The substitute's shot from 25-yards out on the right though was blocked. Moreton Hall 96 then ensured that there would be a grandstand finish to this cup semi-final, reducing the deficit to a single goal with 12 minutes left on the clock. Harry Rout squaring across on the right, finding Hempstead sliding in at the far post to turn it past Fallows snd into the bottom left corner. As the clock reached its final nine minutes, 96 won a corner on the left but couldn't make the most of it- putting behind at the far post. A minute later, the home side then found goalscorer Harry Rout in the box on the left, the shot though went straight at Fallows at his near post. 

With time running out, Ferals had their last opportunity of the game to ensure their passage through to the Final, after a long ball through to Cameron Nicholls saw the striker beat the onrushing keeper on the left inside the 96 penalty area, the following touch however allowed the keeper to recover possession on 84 minutes. Moreton Hall 96 then had the final two chances, causing a few alarmbells in the Ferals' backline. The penulatimate chance of the game saw a header into the box overhead kicked towards the top left corner. A Ferals defender however was on hand to deflected behind for a corner. The set-piece in however was shot wide on 86 minutes. 96's final opportunity then came from a long throw on the right, however the throw into the box was cleared by Ferals- but went wide off Harry Rout a minute into stoppage time, with no time left for any further opportunities, meaning Ferals' recorded a 3-2 win to reach the Open KO Cup Final.

FULL TIME: Moreton Hall FC 96 2-3 Moreton Hall Youth FC Ferals

Teams:

My MOTM: Charlie Glover (Ferals)

MH 96:-

1 Ben Humphreys

2 Tom Skevington

7 Matt Skevington

8 Jack Child

10 Max Harvey

11 Scott Butcher

14 Will Rout (capt)

15 Harry Rout

16 George Rout

18 Jack Hempstead

20 Laurie Ridsdill

Subs:

19 Ed Ballam

9 Adam Clarke

21 Rob Fayers

MHFC Ferals:-

1 Aston Fallows

5 George Palmer

6 Callum Doneray

88 George Crowe

15 Charlie Glover (73' Peck)

2 Matthew Glover (56' Waterson)

3 Ben Newdick (56' Stewart-Hogg)

8 George Larter (c)

11 Callum Dove (83' Nicholls)

10 Cameron Nicholls (59' Frost-Palmer)

9 Jake Peasgood (68' Stobbart)

Subs:

12 Elliot Frost-Palmer

16 Will Stobbart

14 Billy Peck

4 Taylor Waterson

7 Fred Stewart-Hogg

Goals: H.Rout (53'), Hempstead (73'); Peasgood (32'), Larter (63'), Stewart-Hogg (68'). 

My Season Review 2018/19 Part 110: February 2019 (Game 126)

Game 126: Saturday 23 February 2019, 3pm, Evo-Stik Southern League Central Premier Division, The TRICO Stadium, Redditch United v Needham Market

Match Preview

Needham Market defeated 4-1 at Redditch United, as a dreadful second half from the 9th placed Marketmen at 19th placed United proves costly.

First half however, was better from the Suffolk outfit, arguably having the more chances and looking lively in attack. The second half though was far from the same, unfortunately for Needham. The travelling Reds though started the game brightly, with Luke Ingram crossing in two balls into the box with just a minute on the clock. The Marketmen though won a penalty on four minutes, top scorer Joseph Marsden's shot from the left edge of the box was blocked by the hand of Richard Evans. Marsden stepped up himself, to slot into the bottom right corner, giving Needham an early lead after 5 minutes, despite the keeper going the right way. His goal taking his league total for 17 for the campaign. The home side meanwhile, responded quickly equalising two minutes after conceding. Leachman-Whittingham with their first attack on the left hand side in the box, which despite Jake Jessup rushing out to narrow down the angle the Redditch man picked his spot into the bottom right corner. 

Following that goal, Robbie Bunn had a shot a goal a minute later. The attempt from the right edge of the box, however went low and wide off the near post with defenders in the way to block if necessary. Next to have a shot at goal was Redditch's Jack Storer, from a free-kick from the left edge of the box, on 14 minutes. The United No.10's set-piece though, curled narrowly over the top left corner. Down the other end, Needham broke down the left wing as goalscorer Joseph Marsden's cross in on the left found James Baker ten yards out, the striker's control allowed the striker the opportunity to shoot. That he did, but shot straight at the keeper at the top right corner on 15 minutes. 

Nine minutes later, a Redditch cross in on the left found a man unmarked at the far post in the box- his shot however was blocked with huge penalty appeals for handball waved away. Needham then created a decent opportunity on 29 minutes, the free-kick on the right wing found Jamie Griffiths at the far post. The striker's header across however was cleared. Soon after, the hosts corner in on the left found Keiran Morphew at the far post from point blank range. The centre-back's header at goal however, was deflected over the bar for another corner. As the half drew to a close, Luke Ingram ran down the right wing before cutting back to Jamie Griffiths inside the box on 40 minutes. The latter's shot ending up over top right corner. Two minutes later Redditch turned the game on its head, taking the lead with Leachman-Whittingham countering down the left wing before cutting inside and feeding Robbie Bunn from the left edge of the box. With space to shoot, the United No.8 drilled his strike into the bottom left corner. 

The Marketmen meanwhile, responded well, right-back Jake Dye getting past his man on the right and into the box a minute before the interval- the Needham man getting his body between the defender and the ball to win his side a second penalty. With the final chance of the half, Joseph Marsden stepped up once again to take the penalty, which despite being better taken and placed towards the same corner the keeper got down well to palm onto the post to be hacked behind by the defender. That was half time, as Redditch led a still very even game 2-1. 

HALF TIME: Redditch United 2-1 Needham Market

HT verdict:- Needham creating more chances, game very much still in the balance. Penalty would've tied up the scores at the break, but Needham have arguably been the better side. Defending though for those two goals was poor. 

The second half saw Redditch show the more urgency and desire, starting the half eager to add to their single goal advantage. The home side starting the half with a shot blocked from the right edge of the box on 47 minutes, prior to Robbie Bunn shooting low and wide off the bottom left corner moments later.  Down the other end though, my MOTM Callum Sturgess fired a cross in on the left, but went straight into the keeper's chest at his near post on 49 minutes. Joe Marsden then tried a speculative shot a goal, from the left edge of the box a minute later, only to be deflected wide for a corner. Gareth Heath's resulting corner in meanwhile, found Keiran Morphew at the far post as the centre-back headed just over the bar. Redditch on the other hand, increased their lead to 3-1 on 51 minutes, Leachman-Whittingham again involved. The goalscorer on this ocassion picking up his second passing it into the bottom far corner, from the left edge of the box. 

Two minutes later, James Bowen had a half chance for Redditch- slicing a volley on the left comfortably wide. Down the other end on 54 minutes, a Needham ball downfield found striker James Baker lurking. Although a United defender shoved Baker to the ground, just as the keeper gathered possession, the ref was unmoved to the penalty appeal. A minute later. the Marketmen's cross in on the right found skipper Gareth Heath at the far post. The midfielder's strike though was blocked. 

Redditch then won a penalty of their own, and the game's third on 57 minutes. In the buildup however, Redditch had a shot on the right blocked, before Jake Jessup saved the follow up attempt. Following that, a Redditch man went down in the box giving the hosts a chance to kill off the game. Johnson took the responsibiity of taking the spot kick, but was palmed away by Jessup low down to his right, the rebound though went straight to Johnson who had the easy task of tapping into an empty net- game over despite there being 32 minutes to play. Despite Needham rarely creating a half chances in the second half, there were several notable opportunities for The Marketmen. Firstly, Joe Marsden's shot on the right hand side in the box was blocked on 73 minutes, before Callum Sturgess impressed again two minutes later. The always reliable left-back getting through in the box on the left, with his dangerous ball across goal missing the man running in as Redditch clear out off their six-yard box. The Needham stand out performer then  crossed another good cross in from the left on 78 minutes. Even though Luke Ingram was able to get on the end of it, the attacking midfielder headed it down into the ground and the ball bounced comfortably for the keeper to catch. 

With time beginning to end a miserable second half from a Needham perspective, Bunn had a go at adding to their woes on 82 minutes, instead shooting low and wide of the near post, from the left edge of the box. Down the other end, a minute later, Marsden had a go at adding to his and Needham's goal tally, to reduce the deficit. The winger's shot from the right edge of the box, however, went over the bar. Nect to have a hit at goal was James Baker on 87 minutes, the striker's low shot from the left edge of the box though was deflected behind. Heath's corner short to Luke Ingram saw the latter cross into the box, but was flicked over by substitute Adam Mills at the near post. 

To end the game, the two sides both had an opportunity each, the home side going first on 90 minutes. Squaring the ball dangerously across the face of goal on the right being unlucky not to get a shot off. Needham then had the final chance on 90+1 minutes, Baker's shot on the right, inside the box, went straight at the keeper at his near post. That chance concluded a disappointing afternoon for Needham, whose search to return to winning ways continues, whilst Redditch end their own run of misfortunate with a vital three points in their survival bid. 

FULL TIME: Redditch United 4-1 Needham Market

Teams:

Redditch United:-

1 Adam Whitehouse

2 Jamie Ashmore

3 James Bowen

4 Michael McGrath 

5 Andrew Parsons (capt)

6 Robert Evans

7 Shaquille Leachman-Whittingham

8 Robbie Bunn

9 Danico Johnson (69' Downing)

10 Jack Storer

11 Richard Batchalor

Subs:

12 Jordan Stoddart

14 Harry Franklin

15 Michael Nelson (HT')

16 Jack Downing

17 Leam Howards

Needham Market:-

1 Jake Jessup

2 Jake Dye (68' Squire)

3 Callum Sturgess

4 Richard Short

5 Keiran Morphew

6 Daniel Morphew

7 Luke Ingram

8 Gareth Heath (capt, 88' Kamanzi)

9 James Baker

10 Jamie Griffiths (76' Mills)

11 Joseph Marsden

Subs:

12 Jeremiah Kamanzi

14 Samuel Squire

15 Adam Mills

16 James Carragher

17 Bradley Cook (GK)

Goals: Leachman-Whittingham (7', 51') Bunn (42'), Johnson ; Marsden (5'pen). 

Booked: Evans (26'), Leachman-Whittingham (28'). 

My MOTM: Needham Market No.3 Callum Sturgess.

Match Footage (Goals):

126: @RedditchUtd 1-4 @needhammktfc Marsden's pen (5') gave NM an early lead. Redditch though fought back to 2-1 HT after Marsden's 2nd pen was saved onto the post. Redditch then added two more 2nd half to round off scoring. Repprt done & up asap pic.twitter.com/OJlFhtnarF

— Drew Kendall (@drewney2000) February 23, 2019

Here's Redditch's 4th and final goal. pic.twitter.com/wVZvoI1RQ5

— Drew Kendall (@drewney2000) February 23, 2019

MATCH PREVIEW: REDDITCH UNITED V NEEDHAM MARKET 23.02.19

MATCH PREVIEW

Saturday 23 FEBRUARY 2019, EVO-STIK SOUTHERN LEAGUE CENTRAL PREMIER DIVISION, The TRICO Stadium, 3PM KO. REDDITCH UNITED V NEEDHAM MARKET

This weekend sees Needham Market go back on the road, after 2 straight home games- drawing 1-1 to Halesowen Town and falling to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Royston Town. The Marketmen’s last away match however, saw the Suffolk side lose 3-2 to leader Kettering Town after a 90+3 minute winner, despite Joseph Marsden levelling twice for Needham. The Reds go into this match on the back of one win in their last five, coming at home against Biggleswade Town, whilst their last five away trips have resulted in 2 defeats and 3 victories, those wins coming at Hitchin Town 2-1, Lowestoft Town 2-0 and Tamworth 2-1. 

League position wise, Needham Market sit in ninth, with 45 points having won 13, drawn 6 and lost 12 after 31 games- leaving The Marketmen 7 points off fifth placed Alvechurch. Redditch meanwhile, sit just two places and 6 points outside the relegation zone, after recording 9 wins, 4 draws and 17 defeats from their 30 games in the first season of this division. By contrast, Redditch’s last five matches have ended up in four defeats and one draw for the Midlands side, three of those defeats coming at home against Kettering Town 4-1, Stratford Town and Bedworth United both 0-1. Redditch’s last five at home however, feature two wins against Alvechurch 4-2 and Halesowen Town 3-0. For away form Needham Market sit fifth in the table, with The Marketmen faring better away from Bloomfields this season after winning 7, drawing 2 and drawing 6 from 15 travels in the league, scoring 26 and conceding 23 totalling 23 of their 45 points recorded this season, fourteen places ahead of Redditch in the away standings. Redditch meanwhile, sit fourteenth for home form which is four places below Needham, with Redditch winning 6, drawing 2 and losing 7 at The TRICO Stadium, scoring 25 and conceding 29, accumulating 20 of their 31 points at home this season. 

Top scorers wise, Needham’s Joseph Marsden sits joint second in the league standings, with 16 goals this season along with teammate Adam Mills sitting 15th with 9 goals in the league, whilst Redditch’s top scorer is Howards with 5 goals this campaign. 

In the reverse fixture, Needham ran out 3-1 winners on December 18th thanks to goals from James Baker (x2) and Adam Mills, whilst Redditch’s goal was scored by Richard Evans. 

Preview on club website: 

My Season Review 2018/19 Part 109: February 2019 (Game 125)

Game 125: Thurs 21 February 2019, 7:45pm, Bloomfields, Thurlow Nunn Youth League Central Division, Needham Market Under-18 v Walsham Le Willows Under-18

Match Preview & Report on club website

Match Preview on Blog

Young Marketmen smash five past Walsham
By Drew Kendall 

A brace from Callum Page and a treble from Akbaba make it 5-1 to Needham in a six goal second half

Needham Market Under-18s thrash five past their Walsham le Willows counterparts, as the Reds avenge the 3-1 defeat to Walsham in the reverse fixture.

Walsham though had the opening shot, Whitby shooting wide of the top right corner from 25-yards out, with just a minute on the clock. 

Back came Needham though, with the hosts corner on the left finding Matthew Cobbold, whose shot was blocked four minutes in. Following that, the Young Marketmen attacked down the right with the cross in being partially cleared twice before eventually falling to a Needham man in the box. The shot though went over the top right corner. Both sides then exchanged a chance each on 14 minutes, Walsham having the first, a long ball towards Selfe saw the strike chest it down to hold the ball up, his lay off however was hacked upfield where Needham countered into a one-on-one position but the defender made a great last ditch tackle in the box to prevent a shot, at the expense of a throw-in. Three minutes later, the Reds then set Callum Page through in the box, who jinked past his man only to see his low shot at the right corner saved well by Dan Stobbart. 

Walsham though went down the other end, on 18 minutes, with Morgan Browne's dangerous cross in on the right into the six yard box, the Walsham man pressing however fell over as Owen Elsdon made the catch. Needham then sent a good ball over the top finding Roman Carvell, but was beaten to it by the aware Dan Stobbart. The Young Marketmen then tried again on the right, but were again beaten to it by the Willows' keeper. Needham then had another chance on 26 minutes, Evan Collard's free-kick 25-yards out on the left found an offside Carvell in the middle, whose shot on the slide towards the bottom left corner was caught by Stobbart- with the flag up regardless. The home side then had another free-kick from 25-yards out on the right a minute later, this time hitting it over the top right corner. Back came Walsham though, the away side's low cross in from the right byline across the face of goal was cleared by a defender at the near post on 28 minutes. The Willows then won a corner on the right, 16 minutes before the break, however Owen Elsdon flew out to push the ball clear before catching the following cross in. 

At the other end, Needham forced another good stop out of keeper Stobbart- this time the hosts smashing a dangerous low ball into the six yard box on the right, forcing the visiting stopper to get down and get a strong hand out to palm it away on 32 minutes. Three minutes later, Callum Page won a free-kick on the left efge of the box in a shooting position. The Needham man took it himself, but hit the top near sidenetting. The home side though kept carving out great opportunities, as a ball through the defence and into Akbaba in the box gave the Needham forward with a great chance to open the scoring, instead shooting just wide off the bottom right corner on 37 minutes. 

Two minutes later, the home side again reached the right byline- this time the cutbsck to Akbaba was deflected as the Needham man was unable to get a shot off at goal, as Needham began to dominate proceedings, with their pass & move play succeeding throughout the match. Walsham meanwhile, looked to set striker Oli Selfe through on goal on 42 minutes which although Selfe chipped a great finish over Elsdon and into the net the flag was already up for offside. The Willows' No.9 was then involved with the final chance of the half a minute into stoppage time, Walsham's long diagonial ball from the left found the striker in the box. However, Elsdon was able to get a hand to it falling over the forward in the process for a Walsham corner. That though was the end of a goalless first half. 

HALF TIME: Needham Market Under-18 0-0 WalshamLe Willows Under-18

Second half, Needham dominated from the get go with Akbaba's shot from 7-yards out forcing a great save out of Stobbart who narrowed down the angle well. Callum Page then picked up the rebound but again the shot was blocked well by Stobbart on 48 minutes. Moments later, the hosts were denied again with the shot at the bottom right corner once more saved well by Stobbart. His resistence though was broken on 51 minutes, Callum Page picking out the top right corner with a superb free-kick, from the right edge of the box. 

Two minutes later, Needham were kept out again by Stobbart. The hosts' squaring the ball in from the right finding Roman Carvell in the centre. The Needham man turned to shoot at goal, but shot low and straight at Stobbart. Walsham though had a rare second half opportunity ten minutes after the break, but sliced their shot on tge edge of the box. Down the other end, the Reds found Akbaba on the left hand side in the box, whose shot was blocked on 56 minutes. A minute later, it was almost 2-0, Akbaba this time set through on the right side in the box close to goal, the strike then cut in past his man to shoot low past Stobbart. The Willows though had plenty off men back to block. Akbaba though picked up the rebound, but the shot was also blocked. Walsham meanwhile, got through on the left hand side in the box, and got a shot off at goal with Elsdon able to dive down and save on 59 minutes. 

Three minutes later however, Needham doubled their advantage, Akbaba through on the left in the box with a simple finish into the bottom far corner, a goal Needham deserved. The dominance continued, with Godward shooting into the sidenetting from the right byline on 63 minutes. As the game reached its final 25 minutes, Walsham pulled a goal back, punishing poor Needham defending. Whitby was found through on the right hand side in the box, forcing Elsdon to rush out as the Walsham man passed the ball into the net from a tight angle, even with a man getting back on the line. As the clock reached 72 minutes, Walsham won a free-kick on the left wing. The ball in however, was headed towards goal at the far post but was straight at Elsdon. Down the other end, Noah Collard then tried his luck from the edge of the box. The Needham man's fierce strike towards the right corner, though forced yet another great diving save from Stobbart. The Walsham stopper was then on hand to block the onrushing Akbaba's shot with his knee, keeping his side in it with 17 minutes to play. Walsham then had two chances in a row, the first seeing an effort on the left go straight to Elsdon at his near post on 74 minutes. The second, five minutes later, saw Walsham go close to equalising. A rocket of a strike on the left bouncing off the top off the bar and over. 

Needham then took advantage, restoring their two goal lead on 81 minutes. Callum Page picking up a brace, as his great shot from the right edge of the box deflected into the far corner. Needham almost had a fourth, with 5 minutes on the clock, firing a great strike just over the top right corner. Walsham meanwhile, hit a shot wide on 86 minute followed by Needham increading the lead just a minute later. Akbaba finding the right corner to pick up a brace himself. 

As the clock ticked into injury time, Walsham hit a desperate effort wide off the left post, before Needham rounded off a six goal second half. It was high fives for the hosts, as Akbaba picked up a hat-trick tapping in at the far, left, post from a yard out. That was the final chance of the game, with Needham going into next week's meeting, between the two sides, in the County Cup on the back of a 5-1 win. 

FULL TIME: Needham Market Under-18s 5-1 Walsham Le Willows Under-18s

Needham Market:- 

1 Owen Elsdon

2 Hayden Pollock 

3 Matthew Cobbold

4 Sam Garrod

5 Morgan Rushton

6 Noah Collard (c)

7 Jamahl Godward

8 Evan Collard

9 Kadir Akbaba

10 Callum Page

11 Roman Carvell

Subs:

12 Jack Boyle

14 Tom Fitzgerald

15 Alfie Miles

16 Jose Santa de La Paz

Walsham le Willows:- 

1 Dan Stobbart

2 Marley Browne

3 Jordan Asker

4 Taylor Waterson

5 Harvey Hubbard

6 Will Stobbart

7 Kehan Whitby (c)

8 Matt Glover

9 Ryan Stiff

10 Oli Selfe

11 Jack Spampanato

Subs:

12 Joe Mower

14 Konnor Dixon

15 Harry Roberts

16 Ed Spampanato

17 Ben Harris

Goals: Page (51', 81',), Akbaba (62', 87', 90'); Whitby (65').

MATCH PREVIEW: NEEDHAM MARKET U18 V WALSHAM LE WILLOWS U18 THUR 21.02.19

MATCH PREVIEW:

Thursday 21 FEBRUARY 2019, THURLOW NUNN YOUTH LEAGUE SOUTH DIVISION, BLOOMFIELDS, 7:45PM KO. NEEDHAM MARKET UNDER-18s V WALSHAM LE WILLOWS UNDER-18s:

Tonight at Bloomfields (which I hope will be my 125th game of the 2018/19 season), Needham Market U18s welcome local rivals Walsham Le Willows for Needham’s 12th game of the league campaign, having won 5, drawn 3 and lost 3 leaving the Young Marketmen fifth in the table with 18 points. Walsham meanwhile, this will be their 13th league match of the season, having won 8, drawn 2 and lost 2- taking the Willows to 2nd in the table a point behind leaders Framingham Town who have 27 points, with the 2nd placed side having two games in hand. 

Should Needham win however, they will remain in fifth with this their game in hand of fourth placed Hadleigh United, who the Reds lost 5-0 at home to in late 2018, with the current gap between the sides sitting at seven points. 

Form wise, Needham have won 3, drawn 1 and lost 1, with the defeat being at home to Hadleigh). Other recent results for the home side include, a 5-1 victory over Woodbridge Town at home, drawing 2-2 with Whitton United at home (after beating Whitton 4-1 in the previous round of the Suffolk FA U18 Midweek Cup to set up next week’s tie when Needham and Walsham lock horns again at Bloomfields). The Young Marketmen though returned to winning ways, at Whitton in their next outing running out 7-0 winners- which is the Reds’ biggest win of the season. Then came the 0-5 home loss to Hadleigh, before Needham once more got back to winning ways beating Felixstowe & Walton United 2-0 at Bloomfields in their last outing, with Needham’s home record in the league standing at 2 wins, 2 draws and one defeat out off five, scoring 11 and conceding ten. 

Walsham on the other hand, have won 3, drawn 1 and lost 1 of their five away outings in the league, scoring 19 whilst only letting in 9. In their last five outings, Walsham have only lost 1, losing 0-3 to Felixstowe at home, whilst winning the other four all at home. Those victories coming against Leiston 3-0, Coplestonians 12-1 (the Willows biggest victory of the campaign), Ipswich Wanderers 4-0 and Woodbridge Town 2-0 in their last outing. 

Head to head records suggest that Walsham have the upper hand over Needham, running out victorious in all of the sides’ last five meetings, across the last three seasons, these are as follows:

Walsham 3-1 Needham (league 2018/19 opening day)

Needham 1-3 Walsham (league 2017/18)

Needham 4-6 Walsham (league 2016/17)

Walsham 5-1 Needham (league 2016/17)

Needham 2-3 (AET) Walsham (Suffolk FA U18 Midweek Cup 2016/17)

When comparing the two sides’ League positions over the previous two seasons, Walsham have finished higher in the table on both occasions, in 2016/17 Walsham finished 2nd winning 13, drawing 2 and losing 3 of their 18 outings, just two points behind Champions Woodbridge who accumulated 43 points, whilst Needham ended the season in seventh winning 7, drawing 3 and losing 7 of their 17 matches. Last season meanwhile, it was slightly closer between the side’s final positions in the table, Walsham this time finishing 4th winning 7, drawing 5 and losing 4 of their 16 games, ending the season 16 points behind league winners Leiston. Needham however, finishing in sixth winning 6, drawing 1 and losing 7 of their 14 matches. 

The two sides will meet again at Bloomfields next Thursday, this time for the Suffolk CFA Under-18 Midweek Cup Quarter-Final. 

Match Report

My Season Review 2018/19 Part 107: February 2019 (Game 123)

GAME 123: Sunday 17 February 2019, 10:30am, Gainsborough Plating Fields BSE, Suffolk FA Sunday Cup Quarter-Final, Horringer Socials Club v Howards FC

Horringer Socials Club reach the semi-finals of the Suffolk FA Sunday Cup with a 2-1 victory over Howards FC, thanks to goals in each half from Avis either side of a Howards equaliser. 

The first half was arguably more open than the second, in which the second half saw both teams control proceedings more at times, whilst the first was the more even. The bunnies even had a chance with 40 seconds on the clock, the Howards keeper's clearance being blocked by a Horringer man, with the attempted chip over the keeper not quite getting the height leaving a comfortable catch for the retreating keeper. Horringer then had a go at goal after a minute on the clock, No.6 through one-on-one in the box to stab the ball towards goal. However, the keeper rushed out well to narrow down the angle and dive down to catch the low shot just inside the box. By the time the game reached 2 minutes, Howards had a good chance to score themselves. Steve Holder's free-kick on the right edge of the box curled well through the middle of the Horringer wall towards the bottom right corner. The keeper was up the task though, diving across well to palm behind for a corner. The resulting corner in on the third minute fell to Mitchell Bryant at the near post whose low shot at the near post towards the bottom left corner was cleared off the line. The very lively start continued, Howards going for goal on the left shooting well towards the top near corner but was caught by the keeper on 4 minutes. Back came the hosts though, Horringer's No.14 got down the left wing well, cutting across at the byline in the box with the keeper able to kick away, before his defence could clear on 6 minutes. A minute later, Howards went down the other end into the right byline in the box as No.9 shot into the sidenetting. The home side came back though and had another opportunity on 8 minutes, No.14 again set through one-on-one in the box. However, the defender was able to get back and make a vital sliding tackle at the expense of a corner. From the corner, the hosts had a good chance to go infront, heading at goal from 8-yards out but straight at the keeper. On 17 minutes, Horringer's No.4 swung in a decent free-kick on the left wing edge of the box, falling to a man in the box- unfortunately for the hosts though his shot was blocked as Howards were able to scramble clear. Two minutes later, Horringer strike Avis had a go at goal from the left edge of the box, shooting at the top right corner. Although Avis' strike fell just short off the target, he did well to get the shot off with a defender closing in. 

Next to have a shot at goal was Howards' No.6 on 22 minutes, the visiting man having a shot blocked from the right edge of the box by Horringer's No5. The Bunnies responded though, as Avis got through down the left wing five minutes later, the striker's cutback after reaching the byline being cleared behind for a corner. The set-piece in towards Avis at the far post was headed at goal, from close range, towards the right post. 

Steve Holder, however, was on hand to indirectly hash his clearance behind him towards goal, but was saved as it was caught by his keeper. On the half hour mark, Howards won a free-kick on the left wing just outside the box, but struck the set-piece low and into the sidenetting. Four minutes later, Steve Holder then went close for Howards, his effort on the right side in the box was blocked by a defender onto the post and behind for a corner. The corner in found a man at the far post, whose shot was blocked away from the right post. The visitors' follow up shot though was blocked by the home defence. Back down the other end, great play from Horringer saw Avis play a one-two to release a teammate in the box on the right-hand side who was unable to control it on 37 minutes. It was the hosts who had the remaining three chances of the half, the first of which three minutes before the break. Horringer's No.3 with a cross-turned-shot on the left wing going straight into the keeper's chest at his far post. The second chance of the three and the last before the opening goal on 43 minures saw the hosts look to set No.14 through on goal, one-on-one in the box but was narrowly beaten to it by the keeper. Horringer then opened the scoring after a mistake by the Howards keeper, on 45 minutes. The hosts squaring the ball in from the right byline in the box was spilt by the diving keeper at his near post, vacanting his goal for the running in Avis who had the easy job of tapping into the bottom left corner. That goal ended a half of very few clear cut chances, with the game due a goal, as Horringer went into the interval with a goal advantage. 

HALF TIME: Horringer Socials Club 1-0 Howards FC

HT verdict:- Even game, Horringer look dangerous with balls over the top, with their defence apart from goal standing quite resolute. Horringer also passing ball around nicely opening defence up well. Howards though have done well, had few chances.

The second half began with Howards on the attack, hashing a shot over the bar four minutes after the restart. Down the other end, Horringer opened up the Howards defence well on 51 minutes, No.14 getting down the left wing with ease before squaring across goal. However, the ball in just evaded the man running in. Six minutes later, Howards won a free-kick on the left wing finding Steve Holder from point blank range at the far post, with the Howards' No.11 only able to head straight at the keeper- although a free-kick was awarded for a foul in the box. Howards then continued to search for an equaliser on 58 minutes, the away side's shot on the left being blocked behind off a Horringer chest for a corner. From which, Howards took it short as the home defenders gave the man too much space to smash into the net, setting up an entertaining 31 minutes to go with the score level at 1-1. Following the goal, Howards got down the right byline looking to turn the scoreline on its head. The shot at the near post however was blocked on the hour mark. 

With the game once more becoming open, with both sides looking for a potentially game winning goal, Horringer's No.14 tried his luck from the left byline. Howards' No.6 though was able to block it into the sidenetting after 61 minutes. As the clocked ticked down to its final 25 minutes, Howards had two half chances to retake the lead. Number 16 with the first, his volley on the left ending up off target off the far post, which fell to Bryant on the right edge of the box. The Howards' Number 10 smashing his shot wide off the far post. Bryant then tried his luck again from the same area two minutes later, this time deflected wide off the far post for a corner. The aforementioned ball in finding Holder at the back post, who fired a fierce strike at goal. Luckily for the Socials though, there was a man on the line to clear off the bottom left corner, as the game remained level with 28 minutes to play. 

On 71 minutes, Horringer responded well to the pressure, finding No.6 on the right side in the box to stab towards goal. Once more, forcing the keeper to advance and again he did his job- getting a vital touch to deflect the shot behind. A minute later, the hosts No.4 went for goal from the right edge of the box. The shot though denied by Holder on the line at the near post. Horringer continued to pile the pressure on the Howards goal, goalscorer Avis' shot on the right hand side in the box being blocked on 78 minutes. 

Four minutes later, Avis settled the tie with his second goal of the game in superb style. The hosts releasing the striker through with just the keeper to beat. Although the Howards' stopper came rushing out he was helpless to stop Avis' lob up into the air which just managed to drop perfectly into the net in dramatic circumstances. It could've been three for Horringer just three minutes later, after great buildup play No.6 had a crack at goal on the right side in the box only to shoot wide off the near post. Avis then had a chance to pick up a hat-trick three minutes from time, the Horringer hero's low 25-yard free-kick going just wide off the bottom left corner. With times becoming desperate, Howards went straight down the other end and missed a golden opportunity to take the game to penalties, Steve Holder found through the defence on the left hand side in the area, but somehow put just wide off the top left corner.  

As frustrations got the better off Howards, Holder went from almost grabbing an equalising goal to being sent off, a minute into added time, after numerous offences earlier during the half. Ten men then became nine, Howards' No.23 given his marching orders a minute later for putting a Horringer man in a headlock. That was the end of the action, as Horringer progress to face Tostock Pirates in the semi-final on March 3rd. 

FULL TIME: Horringer Socials Club 2-1 Howards FC

Horringer:-

9 Avis

14 Reiss

Howards:-

10 Bryant

11 Steve Holder

Booked: Horr11, How17 (69'), S.Holder (80', 91'), 

Sent Off: Holder, How23 (92').

My Season Review 2018/19 Part 106: February 2019 (Game 122)

GAME 122: Saturday 16 Februady 2019, 3pm, Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Central Division, Bloomfields, Needham Market v Royston Town

Match Programme for 4th meeting between Needham and Royston this season

Needham Market defeated 0-2 at home by Royston Town, as Crows gain revenge for FA Trophy and League defeats earlier in the season. After the Marketmen won 2 and drew 1 of the previous three encounters between the two sides, the away side got the upper hand on this ocassion.

Royston flew out off the blocks, as the 13th placed side going into the game at Bloomfields won a free-kick as early as the second minute, on the left edge of the box. The set-piece however was fired into the wall, before Luke Knight's follow up shot on the right edge of the box was deflected over the top corner, for a corner. A minute later, the Crows opened the scoring, stand in skipper Kieran Morphew slipping in his own penalty area, with Vance Bola around to pick up the loose ball. The striker, who previously scored a brace against Needham in the trophy, turned in the box before picking out the bottom left corner, 0-1. Needham though, did respond but struggled to threaten the Royston goal that much. The away side though, who were clinical when necessary in order to pick up the points, won a corner on the right on 8 minutes.

Needham midfielder Jeremiah Kamanzi hashing his clearance as far as Eren Kinali on the edge of the box, with Kamanzi able to make amends by blocking the strike. A minute later, Royston then tried their luck from the left edge of the box, as Sam Corcoran's shot was blocked by the head of Kieran Morphew. It was the away side who then had the next opportunity on 12 minutes, this time curling a shot over the top far corner from the left side inside the penalty area. The home side though, grew into the game as time passed, winger Adam Mills setting left-back Callum Sturgess through down the left wing and into the box. The defender then squared the ball across to Reece Dobson eight yards out at the far post. The midfielder though unable to turn his shot on target. Royston then had another chance on 18 minutes, Eren Kinali blazing his shot on the right over the top near corner. Back came the Marketmen however, Adam Mills curling a shot wide off the bottom far corner from the left edge of the box 19 minutes into the match. The Marketmen then continued to press for an equaliser on 21 minutes, Jake Dye's long throw-in on the right finding a Needham man at the near post whose header on towards goal was blocked behind by Dan Braithwaite, with a goalkick dubiously awarded.

The Marketmen then eon a free-kick on the right edge of the box on 22 minutes, which despite missing everyone in the box went just wide off the bottom left corner. Nine minutes later, the hosts had the best chance of the half. A dangerous ball whipped into the box found Luke Ingram at the far post who then shot at the bottom right corner, only to see his shot blocked by a defender behind for a corner on 31 minutes. As the half drew to a close, Adam Mills was the next to try his luck for the home side, shooting once more from the edge of the box, only to be deflected wide off the left post for a corner with 13 minutes to play before the interval. The final chance of the half though also went the way of Needham, Luke Ingram firing a fierce strike just wide off the top right corner from the right edge of the box on 38 minutes. With the half entering stoppage time, the home side felt agrieved that Royston's Eren Kinali wasn't shown a red card for a foul from behind on Callum Sturgess, but instead both players saw yellow. That was the end of the first half, as Royston led 1-0, with Jake Jessup (from a free-kick) even indirectly going close to hitting the target from his own half.

HALF TIME: Needham Market 0-1 Royston Town

Second half chances were few and far between, as Needham struggled to break down the Royston backline. Substitute Jamie Griffiths however, did spark the Marketmen into life. The striker going for goal from the left side in the box, but firing low and straight at Welch at his near post on 59 minutes. Sponsors' MOTM Callum Sturgess was on of those who began creating those chances, with the full-back getting through on the left side in the box on 63 minutes, before teeing up substitute Griffiths on the left byline, who then squared across looking for the former. However, although Sturgess was unable to shoot the ball came to Luke Ingram whose shot at the far post was blocked behind. Moments later, Ingram went for goal again, on the right side in the box and was again blocked behind the near post for another corner. Despite the Needham midfielder having ample chances, Royston were able to survive, as the resulting corner was whipped into Luke Ingram at the near post. The Needham man's header at goal though was tipped over the bar superbly by Welch, as Needham remained a goal behind with 26 minutes to play. That corner into the box, on 65 minutes, fell to Adam Mills at the left post, who shot agonisingly just wide off the bottom left corner. From the goalkick, Royston went up the other end forcing Needham to ckear a shot on the left off the goalline.

Here came the sucker punch, from a Needham perspective, Bola doubling his and Royston's lead on 67 minutes. The Crows' number 9 firing a fierce strike passed Jessup and inside his near post finding the bottom right corner from the right edge of the box. Although the Marketmen were now up against it, as time continued to count down, the hosts continued to create chances. Despite the Marketmen's desperation to grab a goal back the home side only managed a few notable chances. The Reds' cross in on the right was indirectly sent towards his own goal at his near post by Gus Scott-Morriss but was caught by Joe Welch at his near post on 73 minutes. Two minutes later, back down the other end Joseph Newton took a free-kick on the right edge of the box but was blocked by a head of a Needham man in the wall. With 13 minutes to play, Jeremiah Kamanzi had a go at goal with a half-volley from the left edge of the box but strike wide off the left post. Substitute Regan Pelling was next to have a volley at goal for Needham. The recent signing, returning after a spell at rivals Leiston, having his shot blocked from the left edge of the box on 86 minutes. As the Marketmen began to feel that it wasn't their day, Luke Ingram was set one-on-one in the box four minutes into stoppage time. The midfielder's shot though was stopped well by the advancing keeper. That was the final chance of the afternoon, as the Crows ran out 2-0 winners. Up next for Needham, is a trip to Redditch United next Saturday.

FULL TIME: Needham Market 0-2 Royston Town

Teams:

Needham Market:-
1 Jake Jessup
2 Jake Dye
3 Callum Sturgess
4 Samuel Squire
5 Keiran Morphew (c)
6 Daniel Morphew
7 Luke Ingram
8 Jeremiah Kamanzi
9 James Baker
10 Reece Dobson (57' Griffiths)
11 Adam Mills (72' Pelling)
Subs:
12 Jamie Griffiths
14 Regan Pelling
15 Ethan Abrahams
16 Bradley Cook (GK)

Royston Town:-
1 Joe Welch
2 Gus Scott-Morriss
3 Joseph Newton
4 Scott Thomas
5 Taylor Parr
6 Dan Braithwaite (c)
7 Eren Kinali
8 Luke Knight
9 Vance Bola
10 Sam Corcoran (54' Castiglione)
11 Rohdell Gordan (72' Newman)
Subs:
12 Josh Castiglione
14 Thomas Newman
15 Harold Joseph
16 Devante Stanley
17 Adam Murray

Booked: Sturgess (45'), Kinali (45'). Att 252.
Sponsors MOTM: Needham No.3 Callum Sturgess
My Needham MOTM: No.3 Callum Sturgess/Jamie Griffiths
My Royston MOTM: 9 Vance Bola

My Season Review 2018/19 Part 105: February 2019 (Game 121)

Game 121 of 2018/19 (251 overall): Tuesday 12 February 2019, 7:45pm, Suffolk FA Premier Cup Quarter-Final, Greens Meadow, Stowmarket Town v Brantham Athletic

Stowmarket Town battled to progress to the semi-finals of the Suffolk FA Premier Cup after coming back from an early goal to score in the last two minutes to snatch a late victory against a very competitive Brantham Athletic. 

The all Thurlow Nunn Premier Division clash, which saw two sides separated by about 4 points in the league table started quite brightly. 

Brantham defender miscontrolling the ball allowed Stow skipper Ollie Brown to accelerate down the right wing in the second minute. The right-back's cross in however to Josh Mayhew at the far post, unmarked, forced a defender to head wide at his near post. The home side then created a chance from the resulting corner a minute later, flicking a header at the near post wide off the back post. The away side's response on the other hand was to have a hit and hope attempt at goal after 3 minutes. Albeit, due to a mistake by the keeper it paid off for them- as Clarke's shot from range seemed to be a routine catch for Stow 'keeper Callum Robinson, only to end up rebounding awkwardly off his hands and into his left corner- a harsh way to concede but proved to not influence the way in which the game would be played. The game was competitive throughout, as both sides defended well, with Stowmarket enjoying more possession- whilst Brantham were good at pressing. 

Stow though responded unfazed by the early goal, as playmaker Sweeney swung in a low corner in on the right in the fourteenth minute, forcing the keeper to come sliding out to gather. The Brantham stopper missed the ball, but was let off as nobody was around to take advantage for Stowmarket. The home side however, did cross the ball back in from the left moments later, as the ball fell to Scott Chaplin on the edge of the box. The Stow number 7 however sliced his shot, which was hacked away for a Stowmarket throw-in. The home side did continue to press the Brantham goal, but in a game where clear cut chances were few and far between neither keeper was really tested. Having said that, there were still opportunities to score- Stow midfielder Sweeney's cross in on the left finding Josh Mayhew directly at the near post, who couldn't connect with a header, after 16 minutes. The follow up shot was then blocked, before Sweeney went for goal himself from the left edge of the box. The shot though was deflected just wide off the far post for a corner to the home side. 

Stow then set Josh Mayhew through down the left byline in the box on 23 minutes, as the striker's effort was put wide for a corner at the near post. In the following minute, the hosts' Scott Chaplin was then teed up on the edge of the box, again though the shot was blocked. Brantham then countered up the other end, reaching the left edge of the box with the shot ended up blocked. As the game progressed, it remained a tight affair throughout the duration, with both defences remaining strong whilst Stowmarket enjoyed a lot of success down the wings in the first half. 

It was the away side though who were next to have a crack at goal, the shot from the right edge of the box was hit well towards the right corner forcing keeper Callum Robinson to make a good diving save across his goal at waist height on 33 minutes. Two minutes later, Brantham's Craig Hughes then took a free-kick from 25-yards out but was blocked by the wall. Back came Stow though, captain Ollie Brown again getting through down the right wing, who squared across to Robbie Linford in the centre with 7 minutes left before the break. The latter then took a touch before shooting at goal, which was deflected off target of the right post as Brantham cleared their lines. The lively Sweeney then had two shots at goal in first half stoppage time, the first a minute into added time from 20-yards out on the right was blocked. Whilst the second, a minute later, from 25-yards out on the opposite side curled just over the top left corner, which was the last kick of the first half as Brantham's early goal was the difference at the break.

HT verdict- neither side really threatening, but the Goal did not affected an otherwise open half. Both played well but Stow need to step it up a bit. An obvious handball on edge of Brantham box was not given for Stow. Regardless though, Clarke (Brantham 10) dangerous though, whilst arguably Stow 9 lucky to not be off as he off floor with 2 feet and scizor kicked [booked though]. 

HALF TIME: Stowmarket Town 0-1 Brantham Athletic

Brantham, who changed to a back five at the break seemed to have restricted Stow to getting any meaningful shots at goal, nullifying the hosts for most of the half. It was the away side who had the first chance of the half, with it just 4 minutes old. Howell's cross in on the left found goalscorer George Clarke unmarked in the middle, whose stooped header was off target as Brantham were quick out off the blocks, whilst Stowmarket looked sluggish early in the half but grew into it as time went on. Back came Stow, whose number 9 Ryan Clark went down, a bit too easily in my opinion, on the left hand side in the box on 51 minutes. Rightly, though the referee waved the appeals away. Brantham then went back on the attack, on 55 minutes, settinf a man down the left wing who squared across for Clarke at the far post in the box. The striker's backhell from 6-yards out however was cleared off the line at the left post. The Imps then had the following shot at goal, this time from the left edge of the box as 9's low fierce shot was held by Callum Robinson diving down to his left in the centre of his goal a minute later. With the away side looking the better side, and Stow struggling to get shots off at goal the away side did have a lot off defending to do. To be fair to Brantham though, they defended superbly, prior to a bit of late brilliance from Ollie Canfer. 

Long before that however, Stow did win a free-kick on the right wing on 61 minutes, but was headed wide at the far post. Ryan Clark was the next to go for goal for Stow, who slowly began to trouble the Brantham goal, the number 9's shot on the turn from the left edge of the box went low into the sidenetting two minutes later, following the introduction of injury recovered duo Luke Read and Ollie Canfer. The away side though, continued to provide a threat on the counter, as George Clarke was set through down the middle on 69 minutes. The goalscorer's shot from the right edge of the box however went just over the top left corner, which was ultimately a good chance to double their lead. 

Stow's Ryan Clark was up next in the queue go for goal, the home striker shooting low but just wide off the left post from the edge of the box- with the game entering its final 14 minutes. The following minute then saw the home side counter up the other end, but shoot low and wide off the left post. Stow substitute Luke Read then went close to drawing the Old Gold & Blacks level with 10 minutes to go, despite having no space to work with the Stow man curked a beauty towards goal, forcing the keeper to tip onto the top off his crossbar and over. Cue the onslaught, my MOTM Ollie Brown crossed a ball in on the right, finding final substitute Paine on the edge of the box who headed on towards Luke Read in the box. The latter however stabbed just over the top right corner, although Brantham were awarded a free-kick regardless, on 83 minutes. Talk about late cup drama and playing to the script, Stow deservedly equalised on 88 minutes. Top scorer Ollie Canfer turning on the left hand side in the box, which despite being surronded by defenders he managed to curl an absolute beauty round them all and into the far corner, leaving the keeper helpless. Arguably, that was what Stow deserved, and would have been a fair reflection on the game. However, that goal sparked Stow into life, as it felt like waiting for a bus- miss one and two come at once! First though, the hosts' cross in on 89 minutes found Josh Mayhew in the box at the far post, but shot just wide off the left post. 

Now for the winner, step forward sixteen year old (who manager Rick Andrews would later praise for his fearless attitude) George Quantrell, the youngster who was given the freedom of the box to finish cooly past the onrushing keeper- like an experienced pro to send Stow through to the Semi Finals. Talk about calmness personified, sparking massive scenes of joy amongst the home support. It has to be said though, that will be heart break and unfair on Brantham- who deserved to at least take Stow all the way (penalties, which I thought was looming prior to the winner). His first senior goal ending a dramatic but superb cup match, as Stow went marching on, following wins over two Bostik North sides in the previous rounds. 

FULL TIME: Stowmarket Town 2-1 Brantham Athletic

FT: Stow came back well, late equaliser sparked it. Harsh on Brantham but Stow just clicked and the work paid off for them. Very tight game.

Teams-

Stowmarket Town:-

1 Callum Robinson

2 Ollie Brown (c)

3 David Kempson

4 Robbie Linford

5 Sam Nunn

6 Tom Matthews

7 Scott Chaplin (60' Read)

8 George Quantrell

9 Ryan Clark (77' Paine)

10 Josh Mayhew

11 Robbie Sweeney (60' Canfer)

Subs:

14 Luke Read

15 Matt Paine

16 Ollie Canfer

17 Phil Weavers

18 Craig Brand (GK)

Brantham Athletic:-

1 Luke Avenell

2 Mason Ridgway-Lumley

3 Edward Wood (c)

4 Craig Hughes

5 William Crisell 

6 Jack Marshall

7 Jack Madley (HT' Sibbons)

8 Sam Cole (86' Sykes)

9 Daniel Rowe

10 George Clarke

11 Lahmell Howell (77' Riley)

Subs: 

14 Liam Riley

15 George Sykes

16 Jack Sibbons

17 Ben Swann

Booked: R.Clark (41'). Att 202

My Season Review 2018/19 Part 104: February 2019 (Game 119/120)

Games 119/120 of 2018/19 (249/250 LIFETIME!): Sunday 10 February 2019, 10:30am, Hardwick Heath- Pitch 3: Premier Logos Bury  & Districts Sunday League Div 3 Rougham v Abbotts 07, Pitch 1 Div 1- Morten Hall Youth FC Ferals v Barrow FC.

Morten Hall Ferals hit back after an early goal down to run out 3-2 winners on a wet Sunday morning at Hardwick Heath.

As it was wet, I'm afraid there aren't so many notes regarding Abbotts' win- but there was quite a lot of action to make tolerating the weather worth it. Ferals got underway two minutes earlier (10:28) than Abbotts' clash with Rougham, and it was the hosts who went close in the opening exchanges. Jake Peasgood's free-kick on the left wing found my Man Of The Match Callum Doneray running in at the near post who headed wide from close range in the third minute. The home side, who had no substitutes available- unless they wanted to put their manager on, were unlucky to not lead at the break. Ferals' fantastic all round first half performance however brought one goal to send the sides level into the break- which was to come much later in the half.

In the meantime, Ferals' persistence forced Barrow to get away without conceding by any means possible. The hosts' then went for goal on four minutes but strike just over the top near corner, on the right. Back came the away side though, who in truth rarely threatened Hall 'keeper Aston Fallows, as a low free-kick on the left wing was shot straight at Fallows at his near post on 6 minutes. Over on Pitch 3, Abbotts were determined to hit the front early, and did so finding the right corner after 5 minutes. Back on the first pitch, MOTM candidate Charlie Glover was then set through on the left side in the box. The midfielder then shot at goal, but low and wide off the far post on 9 minutes.

Abbotts then maintained the pressure, firing a shot just wide from the left edge of the box after 8 minutes. The Division One clash then began to fruit further chances for Ferals despite the rain pouring down. The hosts shooting over the bar from inside the box on 12 minutes. Jake Peasgood then went close to the opening goal for Ferals a minute later, shooting low in the box towards the left corner but was palmed away by the keeper- diving across. Shortly after, Callum Dove had a go at goal from the left edge of the box but saw his shot blocked.

In the Division Four clash, meanwhile Abbotts doubled their advantage on 13 minutes, followed by Barrow going infront against the run of play on Pitch 1. The visitors' No.7 whippwd in a corner in on the left as No.2 ghosted in at the far post for a free header into the top left corner on 17 minutes.

Back to Pitch 3, where Abbotts continued to dominate. The visitors got down the right byline on 15 minutes, whose squared ball across goal forced the defender to slide the ball behind his near post. The resulting corner in on the right however found a Abbotts man in the centre- his header at goal drawing the keeper into action, tipping over his bar after a entertaining 16 minutes. The away side then went close, smashing a low shot from the right edge wide off the near post after 18 minutes.

The Pitch 1 encounter then saw Ferals have two more chances to restore parity, Charlie Glover on the left edge of the box picked out Ben Newdick on the far side outside the area. The latter's sidefooted shot, though, went just wide off the left post on 22 minutes. Soon after, Ferals went close to doing just that two minutes later, Jake Peasgood's free-kick on the left edge of the box into a packed six yard box was parried away by the keeper- under pressure from Ben Newdick. The ball fell to Charlie Glover whose close range effort was blocked. An almighty scramble then ensused as Callum Doneray chased the ball, only to be beaten to it by Barrow's keeper. Whilst one team was unlucky not to have three goals (aka Ferals), that was the case on Pitch 3, Abbotts extending their advantage on 23 minutes. They weren't done there however, volleying at goal from the left edge of the box. The man at the far post however, put wide off the top left corner on 27 minutes.

The Ferals though maintained their pressure on Barrow's goal, and went close once again a minute shy of the half hour mark. Jake Peasgood squaring across from the right byline forced the keeper to palm away, narrowly evading Callum Dove running in, with Matthew Glover on hand to pick up the loose ball. The midfielder skrewing his low shot wide off the right post. On the half hour mark, Matt Glover was determined to make amends sending a low drive from the left edge of the box towards goal. The defender though, deflected it behind for a corner. The pressure was ever so slightly beginning to pay off for Ferals, who went close again after 33 minutes. Jake Peasgood's free-kick on the left wing, a yard outside the box, curling well over the wall but rebounding off the top of the bar and back into play.

Captain Charlie Larter on the follow up let fly towards the bottom left corner, only to be denied by a defender on the line. Credit to the home side, who never let the missed opportunities frustrate them, but instead used them as inspirarion to keep creating them. That was exactly what they did here, Ben Newdick after getting through on the right side in the box going for goal on 38 minutes. The home man's shot though going wide of the near post. Morten Hall then levelled up proceedings a minute later, and deservedly so. The ball fell to Matt Glover on the edge of the area whose low shot was pounced on by Callum Dongray six-yards from goal. The defender on the turn nestling the ball into the bottom left corner.

Over on Pitch 3, Abbotts added a fourth goal finding the right corner 7 minutes before the break. On the other pitch, Ferals went close AGAIN! How they weren't ahead at the break surprised me, but you sensed it was only a matter of time.

Anyway, Jake Peasgood's curling shot from the left edge of the box towards the bottom far corner drawing a decent diving save out off the keeper. A minute later (41 game time),back on Pitch 3 there was a consolation for Rougham- reducing the arrears to 4-1. That goal was soon followed by the half-time whistle, which came around 4 minutes early on pitch 3. Soon after, Ferals went into the break deservedly level- but should've been more.

HALF TIME: Morten Hall Youth FC Ferals 1-1 Barrow FC (Div 1)

HALF TIME: Rougham FC 1-4 Abbotts 07 FC (Div 4)

HT thoughts:- Ferals glad to have a goal to make first half chances worth it. Gave them a platform to take into second half, whist Barrow had 1-2 chances in the half, barely threatening the home goal.

Due to Rougham v Abbotts concluding their first half earlier, they resumed at the earlier time of 11:17 (three before Ferals v Barrow). However, the first notable piece of action saw Ferals deservedly go infront, a minute into the second half.

Charlie Glover set through on the left side in the box before cooly finishing into the far corner. That got Hall tails up, as great linkup play from the home side, in their red away kit, saw Matt Glover tee up Callum Dove in the box on 48 minutes. The latter's low shot at the bottom left corner, however was deflected behind. Matt Glover was next to go for goal on 49 minutes, such was the confidence within the home team. The 18-year old midfielder trying his luck from 30-yards, but well off target, worth a go nonetheless. Morten Hall Ferals then had appeals for a penalty waved away five minutes into a lively start to the second half.

The momentum was maintained for most of the half, with Bradley Peasgood next to take aim on 51 minutes. Shooting from the edge of the box but deflected through to the keeper. Still Ferals kept up the pressure, as Callum Dove was set through one on one, only for No.2 to get back and halt the attack with a good sliding challenge after 53 minutes. Three minutes later though, there was a half chance for Barrow to pull back level, with the low shot from the left edge of the box going straight to Aston Fallows at his near post. That was a rare piece of keeping for the home stopper in the game, let alone the half itself with nothing major for the keeper to do. Morten Hall responded by carrying on prior to that little opportunity for Barrow, Jake Peasgood after being set down the right wing beat the defender to cross into the box on 59 minutes.

His cross in though, forced No.3 to head wide at his own near post, following good play from the team in Reds. The side faring well in their first season in Division One then went close once more on the hour mark. George Crowe's corner in on the right fell to Jake Peasgood fourteen yards from goal whose shot was blocked by Phil Weavers.

Such was the hunger amongst the Ferals to all get on the score sheet, first goalscorer Callum Doneray created a great chance from a set piece. The defender's 25-yard free-kick curling and dipping just over the top right corner, after sixty-one minutes. Next in the queue was Matt Glover, two minutes later, whose shot from the right edge of the box was deflected  behind for a corner. As usual, George Crowe swung the ball in and found Callum Doneray at the back post- this time though heading wide, with 26 minutes remaining. As Ferals searched for a third goal, Barrow had another rare opportunity. The away side getting down the left byline squared the ball across, with Aston Fallows on hand to dive to his left and gather at his near post on 65 minutes.

Down the other end a minute later, George Crowe's corner on the right caused a bit of havoc for the visiting defence. As his ball in close to goal saw Doneray's pressure on the keeper force him to tip the ball away and behind- although a goalkick was given. As the game reached 68 minutes Ferals had another good oppportunity to increase their lead. Ben Newdick's free-kick from 35-yards out on the left missed everybody at the far post and just beat the post. Plenty more was still to come for the Reds, firstly Jake Peasgood set up Matt Glover in the box- only to sidefoot over the bar.

Presumably due to the weather, Rougham v Abbotts then concluded approxmiately 11 minutes early, as Abbotts ran out the victors. Regardless of that, Ferals completed their comeback, as Jake Peasgood hitting a low free-kick from the edge of the box into the bottom left corner on 78 minutes. As the clock ticked down to its final ten minutes, Callum Dove tried his luck from 18-yards out, but shot low and straight at the keeper. His teammate Ben Newdick was then next to go for goal, in the following minute, shootinf over the bar from the right edge of the box.

Then with 5 minutes left, Barrow swung a corner in on the left which was slid into the next from close range off Callum Dongray and into his own net. Although that created a grandstand finish, the Ferals were able to see out the win as Matt Glover looked to restore their two goal lead. Chesting the ball in the box, only to stab the ball straight at the keeper on 86 minutes. Barrow though had one last chance to grab a point, with 3 minutes to play, as the corner in on the right was headed wide off the far post. As time and Barrow hope deminished, the Ferals won a free-kick on the right. Callum Doneray took, looking to amend for his own goal, and was narrowly close to doing so, hitting a low free-kick off the right post and wide.

As the game entered stoppage time, Ferals had two further attacks on the Barrow goal. Firstly, Ben Newdick's effort from the right edge of the box was deflected behind for a corner. From which, Jake Peasgood took short to Newdick- who put it over the bar, that was it as Ferals claimed the three points.

FULL TIME: Morten Hall Youth FC Ferals 3-2 Barrow FC (Div 1)

FULL TIME: Rougham FC 1-7 Abbotts 07 (Div 4)

Ferals:
1 Aston Fallows
3 George Palmer
15 Callum Dongray (OG)
88 George Crowe
7 Ben Newdick
14 Matthew Glover
5 Charlie Glover
6 Charlie Larter
11 Callum Dove
9 Jake Peasgood
8 Bradley Peasgood
Subs:
16 Jordan Asker
50 Adrian Crowe

Barrow:
14 Phil Weavers
Joseph Austin,
Matthew Barber,
Jamie Barclay,
Terry Coakley,
Dan Holland,
Louis Johnson,
Joshua Pearson,
Lee Radford (goal)
Dan Smith,
Nick Smith
Subs
Ross Butman,
Ryan White


Booked: Dongray (6'). MOTM: Dongray.

Rougham:-

James Barry

Jonathan Boughton (GOAL)

Henry Bullock 

Robin Eden

James Johnson

Matthew Marett

Chris Masters

Jon Moffat

Gary Rickard

IAN TAYLOR

Subs:

Jordan Kent 

Hayden Marsh

Jordan Grandinetti

James Griffin

Abbotts 07:-
Rahul Agravat
Thomas Agricole (x2)
Mark Clifford
Liam Dixon
James Farrow
Justin Farrow (x1)
Jordan Marlow (x2)
Kieren Raja
Stuart Sayer
Zach Spencer (c)
David Venables
Subs:
Craig McLeod (x2)