BUNGAY TOWN 1 WOODBRIDGE TOWN 5                   26 JAN 2012

With players missing due to exam revision and a 2 week lay-off due to cancellations, it was all set to be a tough away fixture with 2nd hosting 3rd in the table with neither side wishing to drop any points in their challenge to put pressure on leaders Walsham.

Our hosts though were not prepared for an opening blitz from our lads who started in determined fashion from the off. After Ray sent an early header narrowly wide in the opening minute, Greenwood had our 2nd opportunity with just 3 minutes on the clock and although that was blocked he was to have a huge hand in our opening goal on seven minutes.

Having been released down the right he got into the box and cut the ball back behind the defenders for Dunnett to fire home a deserved opening goal. Our momentum didn’t stop though and we continued to play some good attacking football with Fryatt, Ray, Dunnett and Greenwood all looking lively going forward and ably supported and provided for by Cooper & Cole who were pulling the strings in the middle of the park.

Our lead was soon to be extended as a patient build-up down the left saw a nicely flighted ball to bypass the high line of Bungay with Cooper driving forward from deep midfield undetected. His strong powerful run held off the challenges and he was able to fire very purposefully beyond the advancing keeper on 15minutes with a sweetly struck strike.

Further chances came throughout a 1st half that Woodbridge controlled but with Bungay looking to play early in behind our backline, both Lummis and Gregory had to stand up and be counted for at the heart of the defence. With the support of Moss and Baldock in addition, Bungay were restricted to opportunities from set-pieces and long range with Spink only beaten from close range from a high bouncing ball but the forward had moved too early and it was disallowed for offside.

It was to be an important 3rd goal just before halftime that gave us a firm grip on the game. Fryatt’s pace and tireless running down the left saw him advance on the keeper, round him, get tripped for a stonewall penalty but the referee played a great advantage as the ball ran to Dunnett who scored his second of the game.

After spending halftime talking about how goals change games and not to give Bungay an early sniff of getting back into the game, we were able to extend our lead further within 2 minutes of the re-start after once again starting the half in superb fashion. From a throw-in on the left, it was worked inside to Cooper who rifled home from the edge of the box again with a sweet strike to give the excellent keeper no chance again. Three one-on-one chances were wasted in a nice little purple patch for us which also saw all 3 substitutes enter the fray and contribute further to our play with Callis and Watson both going close after coming on.

 Bungay were able to pull one back with 20minutes to go with a nice curling effort from distance that Spink couldn’t reach, but our custodian had already thwarted our hosts with 2 fine saves just minutes earlier as we had lost some of our initiative by this time. The goal conceded though seemed to raise us up again and within minutes we added our fifth with again good passing, movement and that injection of pace that we have seeing Fryatt add the final touch amongst a load of covering defenders who were trying to clear.
Although that was the end of the scoring we had further opportunities to increase that lead with the keeper saving at close range from Fryatt when it looked like he was going to get his second and Mark Ray was not able to cap a fine individual performance with the goal he so richly deserved.

Spink, Moss, Baldock (Callis), Cooper (Watson), Gregory, Lummis, Greenwood, Cole, Ray, Dunnett (Keeble), Fryatt.

 WOODBRIDGE TOWN 5 STOWMARKET TOWN 0         08 Dec 2011

We got instant reward with 2 goals in the opening four minutes. The first came with Ross advancing down the right before crossing to the far post where Fryatt applied the simplest of finishes. Our desire to do well was evident from the re-start as we pressed to get the ball back, won the ball and set-off again towards goal. Although that attack was blunted with the ball being sent for a throw, we were bright to get the ball back in quickly and another quick move saw another cross allow Ray to apply the finishing touch this time.
The lead was extended further on 9 minutes with a move down the left this time seeing Winters progress into the box evading 2 tackles before cutting the ball back to Fryatt whose shot was too hot to handle for the Stow keeper who helped it into the bottom corner.
With us very much on top, and in driving rain, fate almost dealt us a cruel blow with the floodlights cutting out. After a 30 minute delay we were able to get back out on the pitch and having survived 2 inswinging Stow corners, we really took control of the game when we got our fourth on 23minutes.

 Fryatt was put away down the left and he outstripped his fullback before crossing superbly across the area where Ross this time came in from the right to apply yet another simple finish to a good flowing move at pace.

Further opportunities came and went in a 1st half very much in our control and our lads thoroughly deserved that lead at halftime with the team playing well, keeping their shape and control of the ball, so we just had to hope the lights stayed on.
Thankfully it stopped raining although the wind persisted throughout and a determined Stow side came out in the second half and made it really hard for us to enjoy the same sort of control that we had in the first. They had got further players forward in an effort to get back into the game and whilst they were more of an attacking threat, we defended really well with Spink only having to deal with long range efforts from outside the box.

Going forwards we looked dangerous throughout although we were not as fluent second half and wasted possession on too many occasions through rushing things, but with 15 minutes to go we scored a fifth with Dunnett sending an inch perfect pass through to Fryatt who was sent clear to round the keeper and complete his hat-trick and round off another good all round team performance.

Squad: Spink, Moss, Baldock, Winters, Cooper, Lummis, Ross (Greenwood), Greggor (Cole), Ray, Jackson (Dunnett), Fryatt.

 WOODBRIDGE TOWN 3 DEBENHAM LC 1                    01 Dec 2011

The rain prior to the game gave the surface a nice slick feel to it which suited us down to the ground as we were soon in control of the ball and possession moving our opponents around from side to side showing good patience and looking for the right opportunity to make inroads into the box.

A bright start was rewarded with a nice move finding Dunnett in some space just outside the Debenham box and a good turn, dribble and shift onto his right foot, saw him curl a nice shot beyond the keeper into the far corner for another great finish.

The early goal put Debenham on the back foot and they defended in numbers throughout the half as they found it difficult to win the ball back and start attacks of their own so Spink in goal found that the few shots that came his way were from distance and comfortable to deal with.

 In truth such was our stronghold on the ball, we should have scored further goals in the first half with accuracy letting us down once again although Greenwood’s cross from the right was so accurate it nestled into the far corner to extend our lead.

Debenham started the second half with more determination and closed us down from the offset, but the third Woodbridge goal on 55minutes with Cooper heading in from close range from a set-piece, took any sting out of them and in truth the game meandered to its conclusion with Woodbridge once again in control of the ball, probing for openings and looking comfortable throughout.

Even the great strike on the volley from distance with 10 minutes remaining which sailed into the top corner to give Debenham a consolation on the night, didn’t panic the home side who continued to enjoy the lion’s share of the ball and the result extended the unbeaten run to 8 games.

Spink, Callis (Langfield), Moss, Adjeh-Henneh (Haynes), Cooper, lummis, Greenwood (Fryatt), Cole, Ross, Dunnett, Crisp.

 STOWMARKET TOWN 1 WOODBRIDGE TOWN 5         24 Nov 2011

With 4 players missing through suspension or injury, it very much modelled our previous round’s trip to Hadleigh where we were going to be away from home against decent opposition and the squad rotated once more to cater for the unavailability of others.

Due to hold-ups on the A14, preparation for the game was not ideal with our keeper arriving just moments before the delayed kick-off so it was no surprise that the opening 10 minutes proved cagey with both sides trying to settle into some kind of rhythm. Our first opportunity saw Ross progress down the right before crossing for Fryatt coming in from the left but the defender was able to get there first and hook over the bar. Ross himself then had a shot saved before we took the lead on 16 minutes with our first real move of quality. Dunnett picked the ball up on halfway before laying into Ray’s feet who held it up, spun and then laid the ball through to Dunnett who had made a run in behind, beating the offside trap before drawing the keeper and clipping it graciously over him into the far corner of the net. It was a simple one-two but timed perfectly and the finish was of the highest standard from a player in supreme confidence.

We continued to try and probe patiently working the ball forwards but all too often were guilty of making the wrong choice at the final stage but had enough set pieces high up the pitch to perhaps do more than we did in the first half. Baldock was unlucky to see his nicely flighted free-kick come back off the bar with Stow first to react rather than us and right at the end of the half, Fryatt was upended very cynically when through right on the edge of the box when about to shoot with the defender lucky not to receive further punishment for it.

At the other end we had defended superbly with a good shape and discipline to us with Watson and Cole protecting the backline of Baldock, Cooper, Lummis & Moss but also being economical with the ball to start us going forward too.

The same pattern continued in the second half with us competing well across the pitch and dealing with the longer diagonal balls of our hosts as they tried to get behind us. The 2nd goal was to prove crucial with Watson heading home Baldock’s flighted free-kick from the left after Fryatt had been flattened again. With our tails up now, we pushed to make the game safe with Greenwood’s pace down the right stretching Stow even further down the flanks. After 2 good chances went astray, we got the 3rd with 20minutes left when again our pressure down the left saw an opening with Ray rounding the keeper only to see his goalbound effort swatted away by the hand of the defender which was spotted by the referee albeit to the annoyance of the home bench. Baldock strode forward to slot home from the spot and with impetus now with us, the fourth killed off any chance of a comeback from our hosts with Watson again applying the finish at the far post after another free-kick was flighted in after another trip.

Woodbridge continued to maintain good periods of possession and were equally good at maintaining their shape and desire throughout but the lively Mayes was eventually to get his goal getting across his defender to finish from a corner to pull a goal back for our hosts. It was left for Keeble to finish superbly into the top corner after a Greenwood cross from the right to add the fifth to finish a good evenings work for our lads. It was a solid performance from back to front with everybody contributing and once again showed the depth of the squad that we have too.

Sills, Moss, Baldock, Watson, Cooper, lummis, Ross (Greenwood), Cole, Ray, Dunnett (Keeble), Fryatt (Langfield)

 WOODBRIDGE TOWN 2 THETFORD TOWN 2        10 Nov 2011

To give extreme credit to our visitors, they were sharp to everything and had come here on the back of good wins against both Stowmarket and Walsham and Skipp’s movement both on and off the ball up top for them will cause many a defence an issue over the season and it was he that opened the scoring on 12 minutes when good progress was made down the right and a quick cross across the box was volleyed home superbly as he cut in front of his defender.

Rather than panic, we kept working our way forwards with controlled possession but Thetford were very good at blocking shots and passes inside their box and their keeper saved twice when we were able to work our way through. Post and bar were also struck with Jackson’s viciously dipping shot deserving better but our equaliser was well deserved when it came with Ross driving down the right before crossing near post where Watson had gambled forward to apply the final touch.

The game seemed to lull before halftime with a lot of misplaced passing from both with Thetford very quick to break and us giving them every confidence in doing so with losing possession sometimes so unnecessarily and we were punished just before halftime when Skipp applied the finish again after we had ample opportunity to just clear our lines down our left but didn’t and got caught.

The game seemed to play out a similar pattern in the second half with Woodbridge trying to probe patiently but having the door slammed shut by a resolute backline and a tireless midfield who as well as supporting their defence were also quick at supporting their forwards on their breaks out. We changed formation midway through the half to try something different and we suddenly started to get some more balls into the Thetford box with progress being made down both flanks.

 It looked as though it wasn’t going to be our day when Moss headed against the bar late on but 1 final throw of the dice saw us be very un-Woodbridge like and just lump a ball into the box and a push on our centre-forward who was bundled to the floor was spotted by the young referee and Ross was able to stride confidently forward to finish well into the bottom left corner to get us something from the game as we didn’t deserve to lose by any means; although our visitors no doubt felt hard done by with it coming so late in the game and after working together so well as a team.

Squad: Norris, Callis, Moss, Watson (Cole), Cooper, Lummis, Ross, Winters (Crisp), Ray, Jackson, Keeble (Dunnett).
 

 IPSWICH WANDERERS 2 WOODBRIDGE TOWN 3        01 Nov 2011

Despite giving our hosts the gift of an early goal with Cooper and then Langfield being sloppy in possession and a horror back-pass being seized upon by the lively forward to open the scoring, we were very much in the game in the opening stages and had tested the keeper on a couple of occasions to get back into the game as quickly as we could.

However luck was not to be with us as he was in fine form all game and even when Ray got round him, his goalbound effort was retrieved before crossing the line by the covering defender. The game itself proved very scrappy with the game littered with free-kicks as our hosts had come out with a pressing game to get in amongst us and our lads despite trying to play our usual game, were thwarted in several good areas of the pitch with a trip, shirt-pull or robust challenge.

Frustration got the better of our lads as they thought they were being hard done by and for a considerable time, were too focussed on other things other than trying to play. When they eventually settled down again in the later stages of the half, we were again on the front foot and got level from the spot with Winters calmly stroking home after Greggor’s burst into the box had been ended unfairly with a little trip. Watson rattled the bar with a great strike but the teams went in level at the break.

Thankfully we cleared our heads and came out in the second half in determined fashion and were soon in front. Greggor again proved the inspiration picking the ball up down the right before dancing his way through 3 challenges before firing across the keeper into the bottom left hand corner for a superbly taken individual effort. Had Greenwood managed to finish at the far post soon after from a lovely flowing move and cross from the left, we would have extended our lead as we had by now gained a foothold in the game with our hosts looking to continue to hit their forward players early on the counter although they had strong shouts for a penalty of their own when Spink and an attacker met at the same time after Cooper had been caught with the ball. We had to wait though until the final 10 minutes before extending our lead when Winters again finished with aplomb from a cut-back to him on the edge of the box. But Wanderers were not finished and after the umpteenth ball was aimed into our box from a set-piece, our headed clearance didn’t have the distance on it and with 3 minutes to go a good volley found the bottom left corner to put them back in with a shout. Rather than panic though the lads kept possession high up in the pitch and into the corners to see out time and take a very hard earned 3 points and will hopefully learn from the experience to ensure they focus on their football and their game before anything else.

Squad- Spink, Dunnett (Moss), Langfield, Watson, Cooper, Lummis, Fryatt (Keeble), Winters, Ray, Greggor, Greenwood (Jackson)

 WALSHAM LE WILLOWS 1 WOODBRIDGE TOWN 2        27 Oct 2011

It was not that long therefore before the Walsham keeper was brought into action as we were very much on the front foot and creating opportunities. Twice we dragged shots wide of the far post when well placed and twice denied from close range with the keeper making himself very big and the bar also coming to their aid before we deservedly took the lead on 25minutes.

A good passing move started from the back with the ball working its way out left where Ray made progress into the box close to the byeline before setting the ball back for Greggor rushing through from midfield to place a lovely shot into the far corner without having to break stride. With momentum very much with us, we continued to knock the ball around with confidence and using both flanks to very good effect. Ten minutes later we increased our lead when a superbly timed through ball sent Ray clear and he tucked the ball away with great aplomb into the bottom corner.

Walsham immediately brought on a substitute to try and stem the flow as they had created very little themselves with Spink only having to deal with longer range efforts as our defence coped well with the pace up top but it was a well deserved lead that we took in at halftime although in truth we should have at least had a 3 or 4 goal cushion such was our play and control of the game.

Although the 2nd half never reached such heights as the 1st with our way of playing, we still very much looked positive going forwards with again making progress down either wing and we had 2 very strong claims for penalties waved away on Fryatt who was clipped twice as he skipped inside his marker with his pace. In addition Jackson headed over when well placed at the near post from a Ray cross and we continued to look dangerous going forwards.

Our hosts had upped their game in the second half and we had to show the resolute side to our game and to dig deep to see things through despite the pressure being applied. Walsham got one back midway through the half as we got caught trying to play out from the back and their centre from the right saw Lambert strike superbly into the bottom right hand corner from the edge of the box. Spink also had to be alert collecting the ball twice from short range and rushed out to save well in a one on one situation but in the main we coped well with the efforts on our goal and Spink’s handling and distribution to set-up our own attacks on the break were superb throughout.

In the end we deserved to win the game and take the points although we ended up making more hard work of it than it needed to be; having not scored what would probably have been a decisive 3rd in our period where we were so on top.

Squad- Spink, Callis, Cole (Langfield), Winters, Cooper, Moss, Fryatt (Dunnett), Greggor, Ray, Jackson, Keeble (Greenwood)
 

 FRAMLINGHAM TOWN 2 WOODBRIDGE TOWN 6           20 Oct 2011

Despite the changes, the pattern for the game was set very early on with Woodbridge pinning the hosts back and applying pressure with good use of the wings and possession of the ball and chances were aplenty throughout the game; although sadly our conversion ratio was significantly down with far too many off target or bad decisions being made on shooting one-self instead of giving a team-mate a simple tap-in or from too long a distance.

Padmore & Greenwood made it clear early on that they had the beating of their fullbacks and provided some great width and service from out wide and it was the former that finished well to open the scoring on 10 minutes which was already about our sixth attempt on goal.

Despite some unselfish and tireless running up top, Ross was having one of those nights were it just wouldn’t go right for him infront of goal with the post and deflections proving cruel but with Crisp, Cole and Greggor also supporting from midfield at will, it was just a case of waiting for the right opportunity to come along and to the team’s extreme credit, they set about trying to break through Framlingham by playing football on the deck, using both flanks and moving our opposition around the pitch, rather than just resorting to a long ball over the top.

Greggor had notched up two himself with good strikes and had a hand in the unfortunate own goal before making way for Jackson early in the second half and with Fryatt replacing Ross up top and Crapnell on for Greenwood too, the changes had been made to give those lads as much playing time as possible. Jackson followed up on a rebound off the bar to make it five before Framlingham got some reward on the night scoring twice themselves. But the best goal of the night was our sixth as it started at the back with our keeper rolling it out, before the ball was patiently worked from the back, into midfield across to the other wing before a low cross was smashed home by Fryatt at the near post to round off a really good team goal without a Framlingham  player touching the ball.

Woodbridge were worthy winners on the night; could have scored a lot more, but deserve a great deal of praise in trying to create good openings by working the ball around and testing themselves to do so, rather than going direct.

 HADLEIGH UNITED 3 WOODBRIDGE TOWN 5               13 Oct 2011

Despite the changes and squad rotation, it was none the less a very spirited and determined team who wanted to make up for the Soham disappointment and this determination was evident early on as Hadleigh made a confident start showing the confidence that their unbeaten start to the season would naturally give them. With a very quick and mobile forward line, it was easy to see why they have troubled many a side and would cause us problems on the night also, but a resolute backline headed up by Cooper & Moss at the heart competed for everything and denied them time on the ball but also held a good line to deny them space in behind. With a defiant central midfield of Watson, Winters and Callis also pressing and doubling up to win possession back, we coped well and after weathering the early impetus we took the lead with our first serious attack of the game with Fryatt making progress down the left before slipping in Ray who expertly picked out Ross coming in from the right who fired low and hard across the keeper into the bottom corner. A few minutes later, we doubled our advantage with Fryatt again the main provider with his cross from out wide finding Ross whose effort was blocked but Watson was on hand to tap home from almost on the line.

Our hosts responded with a ball over the top which caught us out and the speedy attacker was able to casually lift it over the advancing Sills in goal but within minutes we restored our 3 goal advantage with yet again Fryatt being our attacking outlet down the left outstripping his marker again before slipping in Ray who fired with great confidence low and hard past the keeper. After this frantic 25minutes, the remaining of the half calmed down somewhat with both sides having little spells but neither keeper was really tested although Sills had to tip over a free-kick late in the half.
The next goal in the second half was going to be quite crucial and we had to thank Sills for a close range block in the early minutes and this proved crucial as our next attack saw us progress down the left again with full-back Baldock dancing his way through 2 players before laying it on a plate for the onrushing Ross to fire high into the net for our fourth.

Having matched Hadleighs 4-3-3 formation and perhaps arguably winning the midfield battle, our hosts were forced to change formation to try and get back into the game and the game again settled down as both sides took time to adapt to the changes made. With Hadleigh pressing hard, our lads had to show good character and were very disciplined in not giving away silly fouls although they had at times to throw themselves infront of crosses or attempted shots. At the same time though going forward we were measured and had opportunities to pu the game to bed.
With 20 minutes to go, Hadleigh got one back with an absolute beauty of a strike from distance which kept low but just as we had scored at the right times throughout this game, we soon kept our distance again with Ross pouncing on a poorly directed pass to advance round the keeper before completing his hat-trick to at least allow some comfort to the last 10 minutes.
Hadleigh got their third with a couple of minutes left with a header at the back post from a corner, but Woodbridge saw out the game in a controlled fashion to chalk up a really good win against a top top side and progress to the next round.

 DISS TOWN 1 WOODBRIDGE TOWN 9       29 Sept 2011

Despite the changes, we settled very quickly into a good rhythm and were soon enjoying good periods of possession within the Diss half and were making some good opportunities. The finishing touch just wasn’t there though until on 13 minutes when Jackson rifled a sweet strike in from outside of the box having turned swiftly on the corner of the area.

We maintained good control of the ball throughout the first half but often let ourselves down with the weight of the final pass which was either too strong or too weak but chances still came but sadly went. In true typical fashion with us, we contrived to our own downfall allowing Diss to level with their 1st real chance of the game just before halftime when one misplaced pass saw our midfield the wrong side and one swift pass through to the striker saw us pegged level.

To our credit we responded straight away in determined fashion with Fryatt being released down the left and his pace took him clear of the fallback to put across a lovely ball for Jackson to finish on the stretch to give us a deserved lead at halftime.

The lads were annoyed with themselves at halftime remembering the dropped points earlier in the season at home to Walsham where again they were in the ascendancy but got pegged back late on, so it was little surprise that they very much went on the front foot in the second half and on 52 minutes they had extended their lead with Fryatt again supplying from the left touchline for Ray to open his account with a simple tap-in. With momentum now building, Ray was to have a purple patch and within 10 minutes had scored four well taken goals; all from nice moves or terrific through balls which sent him clear.

Watson, Dunnett & Traynor were by now also introduced with Lummis, Callis and Crisp all taking the chance to rest ahead of further games coming up and further chances and goals were to come as the whole side were showing terrific composure and confidence on the ball. Fryatt was to get the goal his work deserved when Winters progressed upfield and unselfishly squared it for him to finish when others would have tried to score themselves. Having switched wings by now he was get a deserved second when another through ball sent him racing away to finish with aplomb and the scoring was rounded off when Jackson completed his hat-trick when again sent clear to finish off a great win for a side playing with great confidence at the moment.

Squad: Spink, Langfield, Moss, Callis (Watson), Cooper, Lummis (Traynor), Crisp (Dunnett), Winters, Ray, Jackson, Fryatt.

 WOODBRIDGE TOWN 1 BURY TOWN 0                   22  Sept 2011

In so many ways, playing against technically good players who wanted to play from the Bury team, it actually probably helped us with regards to our own game as the first half was played out with both sides playing the ball around quite nicely at times.

Woodbridge made a subtle change in formation for this game, moving our wide players further forward to press onto the Bury backline to try and prevent them getting out easily from the back and to try and get them to play longer balls where we might be able to compete a lot easier. At the same time by having a 3rd midfielder in the centre of the park, it was hoped that we would get more of the ball in this key area and start to hurt Bury when we could get at them.

The lads really stuck to their guns and worked hard in the first half to close down our opponents with both Keeble and Ross also having to track back from those wide areas to ensure our fullbacks weren’t exposed to overloads and combined with the presence and tireless running of Ray up top, the gameplan was working as it could be argued we were the better side in the first half.

As the half progressed with Winters, Greggor and Jackson finding space in the middle of the park, we were putting some nice moves together and we took the lead on 20 minutes when a ball was floated in for Ray to challenge for and it dropped to Keeble who managed to squeeze a shot home. With confidence up, further chances came with keeble denied another by a debatable flag and Ross missing the expertly flighted cross from Baldock at the far post which would have given us a good 2 goal lead at the break.
Having restricted Bury to chances from set pieces rather than open play, it was a satisfied dressing room at the interval but one also that knew what had to be done in the second half if there was any chance of progressing.

Whilst Bury certainly had more of the ball in the second half, we were still very much playing some good football when in possession but were guilty on too many occasions of giving it away cheaply and forcing additional pressure on us. Bury continued to threaten from set pieces with their aerial advantage with our lads guilty of giving away some cheap free-kicks and Sills had to be alert on more than one occasion to hold firm.

In the end with Bury piling forward and going even more direct in their approach play, our lads had to dig deep, stick together and work their way through it, which they did superbly. With legs tiring and Bury’s fitness starting to show due to their daily training sessions, we were indebted to the tireless work of our defence and keeper who withstood the pressure. With our 3 midfield players putting up a nice little screen just in front, we were not caught out through the middle and in the end with our outlets further up the pitch we had opportunities to score the second goal on the break that all of our hard work at the other end perhaps deserved.
Thankfully after 11 minutes of additional time, the whistle finally blew and we had pulled off a well deserved victory against a very good and talented side.

 WOODBRIDGE TOWN 2 WALSHAM LE WILLOWS 2       08 Sept 2011

Both sides to their credit were looking to play an open attacking game which made for a flowing game with the officials not needing to get involved for which both sides should take credit for.

Woodbridge had the perfect opportunity to open the scoring early on when Keeble was upended on his way into the box but Greggor uncharacteristically mis-hit his shot and the keeper was able to smother it easily. Rather than let this affect them, our lads upped their game and for the remainder of the half, were very much on the front foot playing some great football to boot.

At times Walsham really struggled to get the ball off us and dropped deeper and deeper as we penned them back creating a number of opportunities. The Walsham keeper was kept busy and made some great saves and almost kept out the opening goal when he got his hands to Jackson’s low shot following an impressive cut back after some fine hold-up play from Ray in the box.
As the half wore on, it seemed only a matter of time for a 2nd to arrive but some great blocks and some wayward finishing allowed Walsham off the hook, but it was as much about our overall performance from back to front that was impressive and not just about us going forward.

Cooper and Lummis were impressive in keeping the Walsham attack away from Spink ably supported by Langfield and especially Baldock at fullback who had the measure of their direct opponents.
With Ray proving a handful for the Walsham backline and both Crisp and Keeble providing good width and running; the craft of Greggor, Winters and in particular Jackson through the middle was a pleasure to watch.

In the second half the pattern continued with again the only thing missing being the finish. When Ray showed great strength and class in holding off a challenge and then firing comfortably across the keeper to add the second; it was long overdue and should have been the springboard for the side to continue and win the game deservedly.

However there was to be a sting in the tail of this game with Walsham getting a lifeline with 10 minutes left through a spot kick. A long ball got floated into the box with a Walsham player heading the ball onwards. It struck Baldock’s hand although he had his back turned to play and the appeals were loud enough and suddenly it was game on as Walsham sensing a change went all out to level.
To their credit they kept going and put us under some real pressure with us guilty of not seeing the game out and panicking at times when it needed a cool head to put their foot on the ball and get back to passing the ball on the floor. In the end the equaliser came when a corner got swung into the far post and with several bodies there it squirmed over the line.

The reaction at the final whistle from both sides said it all with our lads absolutely deflated and sick whilst Walsham were off celebrating the most unlikely of points going.

 STOWMARKET TOWN 3 WOODBRIDGE TOWN 1       01 Sept 2011

Despite this hammerblow, the boys gradually got themselves back into the game gaining more possession of the ball and were getting on top although we were bereft of any luck in front of goal as a few shots went narrowly wide and one superbly blocked by the keeper. However with our momentum gaining, we deservedly got one back before halftime with Ray following up on a rebound off the keeper from a previous low shot and had the half been longer, we may even have pulled level before the break such was our control of the ball with Stow dropping deeper and relying on quick counters.
Despite the start we made, we were still confident that we could turn things around in the second half as we had played well and had defended well in the main apart from those opening 10minutes.
We continued to press forward but the game was to change in a tale of 2 penalties at either end of the park with one given and one not. To our great surprise despite 2 good shouts for a penalty in the space of 4 seconds following late lunging tackles on our players, nothing was given and to rub salt into the wound, play went straight down the other end, and Stow were awarded one; although the forward looked to go down extremely easy for it.

Although Spink got a hand to it, it gave Stow a 2 goal cushion again and something they could defend and it encapsulated the argument that games are decided on fine margins sometimes. Whilst all conjecture of course, had we been given our more obvious decision and levelled matters with the momentum from the end of the first half, we would have been in a great position to have perhaps gone on to win the game.

Instead it knocked us off our stride a bit and with Stow now defending in numbers, we found it harder to get our game going again.

Late in the game we saw the ball flash twice across the box only needing a little touch to pull one back which may have given some life to the last 10 minutes, but for all our efforts going forward, in the end we were made to pay for the opening 10 minutes of the game and having to chase a game early on when we would have preferred to have built things up with more control.

Team: Spink, Winters (Callis), Baldock, Greggor, Cooper, Lummis, Crisp (Fryatt), Jackson, Ray, Ross (Crapnell), Keeble.

FULL TABLE