Match Report & Photos

Fixture: 14/11/2010

Score: Jex 2-2 Taverham

Report:

A cold but clear at Thorpe for match day 9 against Jex, last year this was the only fixture we lost all season so some payback was in order. We had 14 players available with Joel, Mark and Ham now fit, but Stevie still needs a bit more time and Danny out after injuring himself in his heroics at the school game during the week.

Jex are a very good side and from the start they put us under a lot of pressure, the defence were holding strong with good support from midfield tracking back, and behind everyone we have Oli who once again showed why he is easily the best goalkeeper in this league with 3 outstanding saves in the first 15 minutes. We gradually started to get a foothold in the game with Jack stretching their back four and Joel bringing back his unique talents to our forward line.

After about 30 minutes we got a corner on the left which Charlie swung in right onto the goal keeper who under pressure dropped the ball and Haggi knocked it in. Will came off for James to try and put a bit more bite and defensiveness into the midfield.

Half Time Jex 0 – Taverham 1

We came out unchanged for the start of the second half and continued on where we had finished the first half by gradually starting to take control and it was against the run of play where we failed to clear a high ball into the box which headed back and forth and finally bundled in for an equaliser. Not to be deterred we came straight back at Jex and continued with the upper hand and a ball down the left channel saw Jack power into the box and unleash a left foot shot into the top corner to restore our lead.

Joel picked up the ball about 25 yards out and with a quick turn and shot smashed the ball against the crossbar with the keeper nowhere. Unfortunately a strong challenge left Joel with a nasty gash down his leg and he had to come off. Ham came on for his debut as a Taverham warrior and soon got stuck in although perhaps because of lack of match practice he picked up and injury and had to go off again although we hope it is only precautionary.

We had an excellent shout for a penalty when Jack looked to have clearly been brought down in the area but the ref, who had it must be said been very good up to that point waved away our appeals and even the very vocal Jex supporters all seemed to go very quiet as they knew they had got away with one. Another scramble in the Jex goalmouth saw the ball fall to James who smashed the ball only to see it hit the keeper rather than be saved. Unfortunately with a few minutes to go we failed to clear the ball and it broke out on their left where they crossed it in and headed home for an equaliser.

Shortly after the ref blew the full time whistle. Probably on the balance of play a fair result and hard fought well earned point. An excellent performance from the team with real fight and spirit and one which Dave and Mike were rightly proud of the boys.

Full Time Jex 2 – Taverham 2

Man of the Match: Oli Inwards – For keeping us in the game in the first half and Sam Jenkins – A stand out performance in the heart of defence.

 

Photos: