Easton 4 North Walsham Town 1

First Team overcome a feisty North Walsham at The College

After having no game last week we were back at The College for a second home game in a row. This time it was second bottom North Walsham Town who were the visitors. We were still missing a number of key players but were able to welcome back Lewi as he continues his recovery from a broken toe.

After a perfectly respected minutes silence for Remembrance Weekend we kicked off with the sun and a light breeze at our backs. Very much like the Reepham game we were guilty of trying to force the play in the early stages but to credit Walsham they were working incredibly hard to frustrate us in key areas despite lacking quality in possession.

There were no clear cut openings for either side in the first 15 minutes other than a strike from distance from Beanie that flew narrowly over the bar but the opening goal followed shortly after as a Walsham runner wasn't tracked and after being played in on goal his tame effort took a wicked deflection off Hayden and spun into the far corner of the net for 1-0.

This did wake us up somewhat and a superb long pass from Baz found Matty who cut inside the right back who was having a torrid afternoon before finding Rob but a last ditch block saw his strike on goal smothered for a corner. Shortly after this Sags saw an effort from 12 yards well saved by former EFC player Fisk and a number of corners were scrambled clear by the visitors before we were back on level terms on 38 minutes.

Sags collected the ball just outside the area before beating three men and rolling a left footed effort into the bottom corner past the keeper. 1-1 became 2-1 just five minutes later as more good work down the left finished with Rob crossing for Sags who's pin point header looped into the far top corner to give us the lead just before half time.

HT 2-1

The second half began in the same vein as the first with the away side fighting for possession but not being able to create much when they did win the ball back.

Baz was called upon once to make a save down the his left but it was comfortable for the Easton number 1. Lewi was introduced from the bench as he made his comeback from injury and was immediately in the action as a raking cross-field pass from Al found Lewi's head and his pin point header looped agonsingly wide of the far post and just in front of Rob and Beanie too.

George saw a half volley saved well before being hit high on the shin but the man in the middle saw nothing wrong before he was asked to make decision again when the away keeper flattened Ian when through on goal but again he waved appeals away despite it looking clear cut.

Walsham managed to force a few corners and free kicks in dangerous areas but the Easton back line held strong and their closest effort was a free kick from 20 yards that was flicked wide via the wall before we did finally get a spot kick as George raced away and was felled by Fisk with 10 minutes to play. The Easton front man dusted himself off and fired home for 3-1 to settle the home sides nerves.

Further good work from George down the right then meant he could find Danny who in turn found the bottom corner for 4-1 on the stroke of full time.

FT 4-1

Not playing particularly well and winning is always good and the lads showed real character when Walsham tried to up the pressure. On to Stalham away next week!