Blofield United FC

Team: Ryan Hemmings, Matty Banham, Darren Cox, Ian Stones, Kris Hart (C), Tom Notley, Greg Murphy, Duncan Whitlam, Ben Morgan, Chris Holmes, Danny McKail. Subs: James Basey-Fisher, Jo Manning.

The game started with Ben Morgan firing a “bullet into the top corner” or perhaps more accurately his cross from the right sailed over keeper Danny Cane into the far corner of the net to give the Beavers the lead after 7 minutes. Glen Spooner was giving Stonesey problems in defence but Danny Pennell’s shot from distance was comfortably taken by Hemmings. Keeper Cane almost fumbled Matty Banham’s shot into the net after Tom Notley won the ball for Duncan Whitlam. Instead it was 1-1 after 17 minutes when Glen Spooner received the ball from Pennell, turned and chipped Hemmings. Nine minutes later the Saints took the lead after poor defending, Spooner knocked it past Stones to James Bulman and his strike beat Hemmings. Cane made a good save down to his left to prevent Chris Holmes’ from scoring on the volley then gathered the ball before Danny McKail could follow-up. The Saints were attacking well, with Nasser Madi lively on the left wing, but the Beavers equalised 10 minutes before half time. Banham’s long ball forward was held up well by Morgan before setting up Macca for a neat side-footed finish. After good play by Morgan and McKail down the right, Cane dived on Macca’s low cross. Hemmings saved well with his legs when Spooner broke through again and the half finished 2-2.

The Saints came out well second half, Stonesey was dispossessed and Pennell put Spooner through to square it to Bulman but, with time to pick his spot, he put it well over. Stonesey was withdrawn at centre back for James Basey-Fisher whilst Matty Banham was defending well against Madi. Jo Manning replaced Tom Notley and with 60 minutes played, referee Mr Callum Walchester pointed to the spot. Hartie and Morgan exchanged passes from a short corner before Ben Morgan’s powerful strike was blocked illegally, Cane outwitted from the spot by a cool Ben Morgan. The victory was sealed a minute later with a sparkling finish by Chris Holmes chipping the ball past Cane, after Manning had won the ball for Banham. Coxy made a superb tackle to deny Adam Brock then a peach of a goal by Duncan Whitlam made it 5-2 after 82 minutes. Duncan started the move with Manning putting McKail down the right wing, he delivered a high cross to the back post which was headed back by Whitlam to Greg Murphy. Greg controlled the ball and rolled it out to Duncan who cut inside and struck a sweet shot into the far corner for his first goal for Blofield. Duncan was unlucky not to score again when, with Cane off his line, his shot from distance hit the post.

This was a fine second half performance with Jo Manning and James Basey-Fisher making a significant impact. Ben Morgan was man-of the match with two goals and an assist but Greg Murphy had a fine game too. The victory was a welcome early Christmas present for all Beavers supporters. Roll on 2012 with the next match away to Beccles on Saturday 7th January, 2pm kick-off, see you there!

DAVE WHEELER