Easton 3 Mattishall Res 1

After an absolute headache of a week for availability with 4 first team regulars unavailable coupled with the reserves only having 11 on the day, it wasn't ideal preparation for a game against a side that inflicted our first defeat of 14/15 back at the end of September when a late penalty saw us go down 2-1 away.

The game started at pace with a strong wind at Mattishall's back's. The away side were keen to get the ball wide with a lot of pace down each flank with McCann and Pascoal but Matt Fell and Sam Capps were coping well with the threat backed up ably by Alex Williamson and Ollie Eastwood. The opening stages were scrappy with both sides trying to feel each other out but it was Easton who struck first. Confusion in the Mattishall back line saw the ball break to Lee Newton who's deft lob over the goalkeeper found the back of the net for his 7th goal of the season.

Rather than spur the home side on this seemed to fire Mattishall into life and they were now having good possession of the ball, forcing several corners and turning the Easton back line around at every possible opportunity. The big target man up front was having a lot of joy and the ball was regularly fired up to him for either a flick on for him to try and hold to bring his team mates into play. After a good save by Chris down low to his right the resulting corner caught the homeside napping and the same target man's free header found the gap between post and man for 1-1.

Easton were now keen to get playing again and there was still time before the half time whistle for James Wheeler, who had an excellent day on the left, to break into the area and despite a heavy clip to his heels get a shot away that was well blocked and further good work found Lee Newton who couldn't steer home for his second of the day.

HT 1-1

The only frustration of the opening 45 had been the lack of concentration for the goal and with the wind dying down Easton felt that the game was there to be won in the second half.

The game again was being played out in midfield with both teams trying to get a foothold over the other. Skipper Tom Norman saw one effort touched just wide by the away keeper before efforts from Dan Burrett and James Wheeler flew narrowly wide. Alex Williamson had to make way with an injury and Andrew Fletcher almost made an immediate impact at the back post. Lee Newton was dropped back into central midfield and with his guile coupled with Hayden Rutherford's work rate now in the final third the game was starting to turn in Easton's favour.

Firstly Hayden stung the palms of the away keeper again before he drove forward shortly after and his dipping shot came back off the goalies chest to find Dan Burrett reacting first to slide home for a well deserved goal. Mattishall were by no means out of the game and forced several more corners with the most threatening seeing Tom Norman clear off the line. Chris also saw a shot across goal squirm under him but Sam Capps did well to smother the danger.

With the game now getting away from the away side gaps were starting to appear as they went looking for an equaliser. Some good play between Tim Wickham and Matt Fell saw the latter find James Wheeler who cut in on his left foot and found the bottom corner with virtually the last kick of the game and a goal his display deserved.

FT 3-1

A superb display from all involved. Really pleasing to see the response for a tough patch earlier in the month and much better work rate and belief from everyone who's pulled a shirt on. 8 cup finals to go!

MoM - Hayden Rutherford. A superb all round performance only really missing a goal but made the second and drove us forward when he changed position.