Match Report & Photos

Fixture: 3/10/2010

Score: Lakeford 0-3 Taverham

Report:

A windswept and drizzly Eaton Park was the venue for match day 3 for the reigning champions with the notorious Lakeford as the opponents.

We were 14 strong with Freddy back from injury going in at right back and Tommy who had done a great job last week in his absence on the bench with Will. James still out with suspension though this is his last week (hurray!) so it will be great to have him back next week.

Having signed their three best players from last season Lakeford were naturally desperate to show that with their own new signings they were a force to be reckoned with.

They started at their usual furious pace and with the usual “agricultural” challenges, but have they not learned from last year that this is just what Charlie and Danny love, and the rest of the boys just seemed to say if this is how you want to play it then bring it on. Every challenge was met head on with no prisoners being taken and we were soon in control.

Danny and Charlie were taking charge in midfield with both Steve and Brad causing their defence problems with their pace and aggressive attacking play on the wings.

Joel was roaming in the space between midfield and the forward line and getting plenty of the ball in which to work his magic.

As per usual Jack was working his butt off up front and managing to somehow put their whole back four under pressure on his own.

A good ball over the top saw Jack race away and he struck his shot cleanly and with power but the Lakeford keeper made an outstanding save to turn it round the post.

As we continued to pile on the pressure the Lakeford linesman appeared to be affected by some sort of physical tourettes in that every time the ball went in the vicinity of their penalty area his hand holding the flag would shoot up for no apparent reason. This was particularly confusing for all concerned, especially the referee who didn’t look my older than the players.

Danny was unlucky with headers from a couple of corners hitting the woodwork. Danny is looking very dangerous in the air this season and this is due according to Mark by him banging Danny’s head against the wall at home in an effort to flatten it out and make his headers more accurate.

The game continued almost completely in the Lakeford half with Freddy, Sam, Charlie and Mark dealing comfortably with the rare Lakeford attacks which basically comprised of a hopeful punt upfield.

A cross from Steve on the right saw Jack head narrowly wide and we began to think that it might be another one of those days for Jack, but oh we of little faith, a couple of minutes before half time their defender sliced the ball and Jack raced onto it and lashed it home.

Half Time Lakeford 0 – Taverham 1

We came out for the second half unchanged and started exactly as we had finished the first. Tackles were still flying in which we matched but still played our football and Lakeford were now chasing shadows.

A clipped ball down the inside right channel saw Jack race on to it but with the angle everyone thought Jack would cross the ball, everyone that is except Jack who let fly with a thunderbolt that went into the top corner.

Jack went off for a rest to be replaced by Will who came on to try and weave some of that “Miller Magic”. Joel did really well tackling the defender on the right and then cutting in and hitting a great shot. Joel was also unlucky when his clean finish was ruled marginally offside.

Freddy who had coped exceptionally well against a very physically fast and strong left wing was basically trampled underfoot and came off injured to be replaced by Tommy.

Brad went off for a breather and Jack came back on as we continued to dominate and Danny showed an excellent piece of “ball control” which left most of the male spectators wincing and Dannys voice seemed to have gone up an octave.

Olly who had barely had a save to make all game decided to entertain the crowd with a demonstration of his “trick” goal kicking. Instead of simply clearing the ball from a pass back Olly thought he would tease the onrushing forward by deliberately? slicing the clearance up into the air so that with the wind it came back to him. An impressive piece of skill.

Taverham continued to press forward and Joel received the ball in the penalty area where he went down under a clumsy challenge and we were awarded a rather fortunate penalty which Jack put away with no problem for his hat-trick.

A rare Lakeford attack saw their pacey left wing go surging through into our penalty area, but a superbly timed challenge from Mark coming in from left back averted the danger.

Joel went off and Brad came back on for the final few minutes, but the game was won and we cantered home.

A good result against a still strong Lakeford side but who can consider themselves lucky the we didn’t score more and whom we outplayed in every area of the field.

Full Time Lakeford 0 – Taverham 3

Man of the Match: Jack G – A great hat trick from our striker. Remember form is temporary but class is permanent.

 

Photos: