After a cagey opening where shots from Hammond and Smy narrowly went wide, Woodbridge took a deserved lead on 20 minutes when Seaman made progress down the right and his cross was lashed home by Smy who returned to the starting line-up in place of skipper Baldry. Moments later he should have added to that but headed wide when well placed and with Woodbridge piling on the pressure chances also came for Baillie and Seaman who was driving at the Thetford backline with some direct pacy running. Beard had to save well with the Thetford right winger dribbling in beating 3 challenges before seeing his controlled low shot turned round low down at his post. As the half came to a close Jackson had a goal ruled out for offside before he sent a well placed through ball for Seaman to extend our lead with a minute to go. Insetad of going in at halftime two goals to the good we managed to go in level with 2 unbelievable lapses of concentration in the space of 40 seconds. Firstly a straight ball was not dealt with and although Beard saved the first shot it rolled ‘Old Trafford like’ straight to another attacker who finished with ease. Straight from kick-off Thickett got caught in possession to allow the striker a free run in on goal.

If the first half ended strangely the second was to start in similar fashion with both sides looking as though they could score with every attack. Firstly Jackson lifted over after a great run and cross down the right by Smith before we regained a lead in only the 2nd minute of the half when Seaman was put through and although his shot came back off the post, Smy slid in to score his second of the game. In our next attack we gave the ball away with a strange attempted crossfield pass which was seized upon and within seconds the ball was in our net with our defence caught napping. With Thetford buoyed by this they then took the lead for the first time when a left wing cross was left and the dangerous right winger ghosted in past Hammond to head home. Things were certainly not going our way as Smy missed with a free header from a corner and Seaman did likewise from an Acland chipped centre when it was easier to score. Changes were made with Culf replacing Cage, Roots replacing Acland and Baldry coming on for Smith and the natural enthusiasm of the fresher and determined subs paid immediate dividends as parity was restored within minutes when a good move saw Seaman played in and even though he dithered on the ball which saw a defender nick it off his toes, Smy was alert to complete his hat-trick as he followed up on the loose ball. From here on in there was only going to be one winner with Woodbridge having all the play, possession and restoring some calmness into proceedings. A great cross from the left footed Roots put it on a plate for the onrushing Seaman to get his second of the game to restore the lead and Roots himself let fly with another effort from long range which this time the keeper did well to save. Jackson’s quick feet opened up another opportunity and Baldry also went close dragging a shot wide after some fine individual skill. He was not to be denied though his goal and finished expertly after another good flowing move down the right which brought an end to the scoring but in truth had it not been for the Thetford keeper, we could have added to the 6 we did get. One particular save late on after a fantastic move involving 6 players down our left with the cross being saved at point blank range was worth seeing at any game. Another game where some lessons are to be learnt but also once more some positives to come out of it too with the character to come back, and once again the displays of our U16 players in Beard, Jackson and again Blackman who shone at the heart of the defence despite the 4 goals!!

Beard, Cage (Culf), Hammond, Acland (Roots), Blackman, Thickett, Smith (Baldry), Baillie, Smy, Seman, Jackson