The First team made yet another long trip, this time to struggling Bardwell Sports, knowing this could be a potential banana skin, and that we needed to stamp our authority on the match early on.
We started quickly and forced a corner straight from the kick off, from which Joe Miller headed just wide. Despite the bumpy pitch we settled into our passing game and, after a couple of further half chances, plus a disallowed goal for offside, we took the lead on around 10 minutes. A long pass by Isaac Page (sponsored by C Page Motors) saw Kyle Messenger (sponsored by Ensors Accountants LLP) break the offside trap and calmly slot the ball past the keeper.
Shortly afterwards we made it 2-0 when a flowing move saw Rob Stephenson (sponsored by Jeffery & Associates) chest the ball down for Will Stebbings (sponsored by R&R Carpentry) to fire into the back of the net.
The game settled as we went in search of a third goal. Bardwell offered very little in attack but were working hard to close us down in midfield. On the half hour we did make it 3-0 through Joe Miller volleying in a corner taken by Eddie Hadley (sponsored by M&R Cars).
Ten minutes later Kyle Messenger scored his second of the day to make it 4-0 with another tidy finish from a great through ball by Joe Miller.
Just before the half time whistle we scored a fifth from a cross by Aaron Church (sponsored by S D Blowers Agricultural) which we initially thought had been turned into his own net by the defender, but in the bar afterwards Will Stebbings claimed it as his second goal of the match. Half time 5-0.
It was always going to be difficult to maintain the same intensity second half but we continued to control the game with the majority of possession.
We created several great chances (we counted at least 10) but a combination of poor finishing, good goalkeeping and bad luck resulted in us being unable to add to our lead.
In the end we had to settle for a 5-0 victory which moves us to third in the table. Credit must be given to our opponents who, despite their troubles, fought until the end, and we wish them well for the season.
I would also like to offer a big shout out to our supporters who follow the team each week. We regularly have more supporters at away matches than the home team, and I know the players really appreciate it.
The Reserves hosted high flying Hadleigh Utd Brettsiders and, despite taking the lead early on, finished on the wrong end of a 6-2 score line. Our goalscorers were Olly Seymour and Jermaine Haynes.
Next week sees the First team on the road yet again, this time to second placed Thurston, and the Reserves entertain Grundisburgh Reserves in the Cup at Carlton Park.
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