BLOFIELD UNITED 4 MATTISHALL 1 THE DON FROST CUP FINAL

Team: Robert Woodcock, Chris Stocker, Kris Hart, Sean Brown, Darren Cox (C), Stuart Rushbrook, Nick Crawley, Mark Pitcher, Danny Brown, Greg Murphy, Neil Hurren. Subs: Phil Gabillia, Paul Warman (Sizz), James Basey-Fisher.

In a week when a dazzling meteor shower was due to light up our skies, we were treated to a heavenly performance by the Beavers under the lights at Trafford Park in what has become an annual event in the Don Frost Cup Final. It was also the first outing for the player’s new strip showing our new sponsor Wrights Mazda.

It took just three minutes for Danny Brown to open the scoring with a fine left footed volley, the ball coming out after Neil Hurren had contested Chris Stocker’s cross with keeper Pledger. The Beavers were moving the ball around well and Woody’s excellent kicking and distribution was causing Mattishall problems. The second goal arrived after 17 minutes when Hurren won a corner, took it short to Hartie and his superb left footed cross was hammered into the net by Danny Brown on the volley with a clinical finish. It was almost 3-0 when Hurren back-heeled the ball to Danny Brown, only a great defensive challenge denied Nick Crawley from getting on the end of the cross. The lively Andrew Fulcher then shot straight at Woody in a rare breach of the Beavers defence. After 36 minutes, Danny Brown showed great strength to win a free kick in a central position outside the box. George Pledger must have thought it was a meteor when Neil Hurren struck a spectacular free kick into the top left hand corner of his goal. Another great defensive tackle denied Crawley after good interplay between Murphy and Hurren on the right. Half Time: 3-0.

The Beavers started the second half brightly: Stocker found Hurren to beat the defender Sommerfield and pull it back from the byline, Murphy touched it on to Crawley but his shot was well saved by Pledger. It looked like a hat trick for Danny Brown when a great ball by Cox put Hurren in, he unselfishly squared the ball to Brown but his shot was saved by Pledger down to his right and Crawley put the follow-up wide. Sizz replaced Mark Pitcher and another excellent free kick by Hurren was tipped over by Pledger. A dangerous Mattishall corner was cleared away and Fulcher’s shot was deflected onto the cross bar after the ball came out to him from the corner. Gabillia and Basey-Fisher replaced Hartie and Sean Brown. With ten minutes to go Murphy’s audacious chip shot was tipped over by Pledger after a good move involving Danny Brown but after 84 minutes the fourth goal was added by Crawley with a close range finish after a spell of Blofield pressure conducted by Sizz. Mattishall scored a consolation goal with almost the last kick of the game, Andrew Fulcher beating Woody with a powerful strike. Full Time: 4-1.

The Don Frost Cup was presented to Darren Cox by Chris McCullough after the match well refereed by Mr David Myhill. This was an excellent team performance, the team looking strong in all areas which is to Nashy and Paddy’s credit. Chris Stocker’s 100% enthusiasm and gutsy performance exemplified a terrific opener to the season.

DAVE WHEELER