With our last match being four weeks ago and some players missing due to injuries and illness etc, we knew the visit of Claydon Reserves was going to be a test. In addition, our opponents had a game last week where they came back from 2-0 down to win.
The first five minutes was spent mostly in our opponents half but we then fell behind to a break away goal from their first attack of the match. This seemed to affect us as we had a very poor 25 minutes with Claydon well on top. We were fortunate not to concede a second during this period of play, thanks in part to some brave goalkeeping by Louis Johnson.
A change of formation seemed to settle us down and shortly after Ryan Everington beat his man on the left hand side only to be brought down in the box for a penalty. Joe Moore (sponsored by Xtra Time Sports Development) smashed the penalty home, giving the keeper no chance, 1-1.
This gave us the impetus to push for a second but with 5 minutes of the half remaining we had a player sin binned to put us down to 10 men. Just before the half ended, we lost the ball in our own box and it was only the intervention of Taylor Gissing (sponsored by LAF Construction) making a brave block on the line from a point blank shot that prevented us going back behind.
The half ended 1-1 and in general we were pleased to go into the dressing room level.
We started the second half on the front foot and within 10 minutes Rob Stephenson (sponsored by Jeffery & Associates) was taken down for our second penalty of the match. Joe Moore again stepped up, with the same result making it 2-1.
Now playing much better we grabbed control of the game, and just after the hour mark a through ball from Kyle Horner was calmly slotted past the keeper by Ryan Everington to make it 3-1.
With about 15 minutes to go we produced the best move of the match with some flowing passing finding Dan Blowers (sponsored by CDC Blowers Ltd) on the right, whose pinpoint cross was superbly finished by Joe Moore for his hat-trick.
We created further chances and could have scored more but we will settle for a 4-1 win especially after such a poor first half.
It is the sign of a good side who wins when not at their best. We showed resilience early on keeping ourselves in the game first half, and we were clinical when we needed to be. Having played fewer games than the teams above we are playing catch up, and we are hoping a run of games will see us move up the table.
The Reserves played their first match for five weeks at Bramford Utd Reserves, returning with an impressive 3-0 victory. Our goals were scored by Jermaine Haynes, Olly Seymour and Ben Crush (sponsored by Revells Removals).
Next week sees the First team at home again to Bardwell Sports whilst the Reserves travel to Kesgrave Kestrals A.
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