The First Team made the long journey to Stanton looking to build on a good win last week, but expecting a tough match against opponents who themselves had an impressive draw against Thurston.
The game started slowly as we tried to get our passing game going on a difficult bumpy pitch. It took until the 23rd minute before we created a real chance through a shot by Aaron Church (sponsored by SD Blowers Agriculture) straight at the keeper. On the half hour we fashioned another chance from a corner which saw Will Stebbings (sponsored by Whin Joinery) head over the bar. Two minutes later Stanton almost took the lead through a free kick which cannoned off the bar.
The breakthrough came on 42 minutes following a good move that found Dale Pearse (sponsored by JM Soccer Stars) wide left and his cut back was controlled and fired into the net by Will Stebbings to make it 1-0. It stayed that way until half time.
We continued to struggle to get going in the second half and Stanton began to push for an equaliser. In the 62nd minute their striker broke through but shot straight at Louis Johnson in goal. We began to sit back as Stanton pushed more players forward and they created another good chance on 82 minutes when the striker headed a cross straight to Louis.
The crucial moment came on 87 minutes when, with our opponents pressing for an equaliser, we managed to break away and a cross field pass from Joe Murphy (sponsored by Pita Greek Street Food) found Ryan Noy (sponsored by A Pearse Builders) who calmly slotted the ball home from the edge of the area. Congratulations to Ryan on his first goal for the Club having missed the last two years through serious injury.
The match ended with a hard fought 2-0 victory. It was in most parts a flat performance but with flashes of good football, and the most pleasing aspect was how the team dug in to keep a clean sheet and get the all important win.
The Reserves began their league campaign with a home match against Redgrave Rangers Reserves. The match was in doubt with the lack of an appointed referee and thanks must go to the Redgrave manager who bravely stepped in to take charge of the match. The final score was a 5-2 defeat with our goals being an own goal, and Ash Wright on his return to the Club after a year away.
Next week sees the First team entertaining Grundisburgh, who have also started the season well, and the Reserves travelling to Kesgrave Kestrals A, in what will be their first match of the season.
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