MATCH REPORT: Below-par Peckers punished as Heacham claim valuable win

Photo: Max Woodward

It was a night to forget for Woodbridge Town, as they were beaten 0-3 at home by Heacham FC. Having led at half time of both the previous abandoned games, it was the Peckers who failed to turn up when it mattered and Heacham took full advantage.

With this fixture being a game in hand over the sides around them, Tuesday night presented Woodbridge with a great chance to jump into the top 10, and claim a big win over a side down the bottom end of the table. But, it would be the Magpies to take advantage of a low quality affair and take a massive three points to see off relegation.

It was a slow start to the game, with neither side creating anything clear cut in the early stages. A ball through the lines picked out the Heacham forward, but a good recovery tackle from Higgs saw the chance break down. Woodbridge had a half chance on 17 minutes, as Luke Mallett saw his low driven effort tipped round the post by the goalkeeper. What followed was wildly struck shots from range for both sides, demonstrating the lack of chances in the first half an hour.

But, on 31 minutes, the Magpies did find their first goal, as one of the speculative efforts from range bobbled through and crept in at the near post. A frustrating way to concede, especially when neither side were really worthy of being ahead. The first half went by with not much else to write home about, until Watling was called into action to tip the ball over the bar to keep the score at only 0-1. The whistle would soon follow, with Woodbridge trailing at the break.

A reaction was needed from the Peckers in the second half, and with a half time sub seeing a formation change, it felt that Woodbridge could find a way to turn this game around. The opening minutes of the second 45 were more positive, even if the chances weren’t coming quite yet. The good start would matter for nothing though, as on 59 minutes, the Heacham midfielder was caught in the box and the visitors were awarded a penalty. The spot kick was converted straight down the middle and the Magpies had a strong 2 goal lead. A long way back now for Woodbridge…

More substitutions came for the Peckers, with Andy Crowe and Jesse Smith being introduced. The play was much more positive after conceding the penalty, and Woodbridge were starting to threaten a bit more. The greatest chance of the game came on 71 minutes, as Mallett’s free kick was headed onto the bar by Sean Rea, and the follow up from Mark Ray was blocked from close range. That was the chance to get back in the game, and it felt that Heacham were out of sight after that.

The visitors would go on to increase their lead, as Woodbridge failed to clear their lines and the Magpies reworked it in the area to find the back of the net for the third time. Heacham well and truly took advantage of the Peckers not being at the races, and a very frustrating defeat to take. 

The game still had a bit of drama in it, as Luke Mallett was shown a second yellow card in the 93rd minute, having been booked only 10 minutes earlier - the olympic style dive and pantomime scream from Heacham’s 2 did enough to convince the referee to give Mallett his marching orders. Summed up the night well.

A very difficult loss to take for Woodbridge, especially having led and been the better side in both the games that were abandoned. But, Heacham were far the better team on the night and the Peckers know that the performance wasn’t good enough to challenge in this game. A missed opportunity to climb the table, but with 4 games left to play, it’s still very possible to attain a top 10 finish.

Thank you for all your support on Tuesday, and I’m sure the lads will be very keen to right their wrongs as we welcome Great Yarmouth Town to the Homestyle UK Ground this weekend. There’s still time to end this season positively, so let’s keep backing the side and, as always, UP THE PECKERS!

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