Having suffered defeat in our first league game last week the First Team were keen to bounce back quickly with a victory against Bramford Road Old Boys, who themselves lost heavily in their first match. However injury, illness and unavailability meant that several of the normal squad were missing resulting in a call up for two under 18 year olds including Jake Salter (sponsored by Martin Salter Associates) making his debut for the First Team.
We started the match on the front foot, and after only two minutes Ryan Everington was taken down from behind in the penalty area. Joe Moore (sponsored by Xtra Time Sports Development) calmly slotted the penalty in the corner to make it 1-0.
We continued to press and after 8 minutes made it 2-0 through a neat finish by Will Stebbings (sponsored by Whin Joinery) after a lovely layoff by Ryan Everington.
Two minutes later we almost made it 3-0 but Charlie Felton (sponsored by L.A.F. Construction) was unfortunate to see his effort cannon off the bar.
Our opponents looked dangerous on the break and it took two sharp saves by Joe Keeley to keep the score at 2-0, one when the striker was clean through on goal.
We seemed to lose focus and allow Bramford to get more into the game as the half continued, and on 40 minutes they did manage to pull one back as the striker came in from the right to beat a couple of players and slot the ball into the net.
This seemed to spark us back into life and in a mad few minutes just before half time Jack Gissing shot straight at the keeper, which was followed by Joe Keeley saving a looping header onto the bar, and then Will Stebbings extending our lead with a side foot finish from a cut back from Jordan Payne (sponsored by Smartcall Ltd).
There was still time for Charlie Felton to hit the post from a shot on the angle, and the half ended 3-1.
We took control from the start of the second half and 5 minutes in the keeper made a good save from Joe Murphy (sponsored by Pita Greek Street Food) after great work from Will Stebbings.
On 65 minutes Charlie Felton made it 4-1 when the ball fell to him in front of goal after Joe Moore's effort was charged down following a good cross from Jack Gissing.
We continued to create chances but had to wait until the 87th minute before getting our fifth goal with a calm finish by Joe Moore from a through ball by Joe Murphy.
There was however still time for one more goal by Bramford just before the fulltime whistle to make the final score 5-2.
In summary, the important thing was to get the win after last weeks result. It wasn't the most fluent performance, and it was disappointing to concede the two goals, but we could have reached double figures ourselves.
Having got ourselves up and running the First Team visit Stanton next Saturday, whilst the Reserves begin their league campaign with a home match against Redgrave Rangers Reserves.
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