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Rocklands v Taverham – 1st November 2009
After a couple of home games, it was time for us to travel to Rocklands, for our away fixture against the newly promoted side. A good pitch greeted us, but also atrocious weather, heavy rain and a blustery wind signalling winter’s arrival.
Straight from kick off, with the elements in our favour, we attacked their goal. The keeper made a couple of good early saves, but was powerless after 4 minutes when Jack drove in a rebound after a good shot from Brad. Almost immediately Rocklands broke, and a long ball saw their tall striker outpace our defence down the right. He cut in and shot from an angle, and somehow found the corner of the net to equalise. It would be interesting to see our reaction now, and as expected we went straight up the other end, where Jack looked as though he was fouled in the area, but got up, swivelled and hit a tremendous shot over the keeper from an angle to restore our lead. It really was one way traffic now, Dom & Freddie recovering their poise following the Rocklands goal, and along with Mark and Sam dominating the battle and joining in the forward play of the team. Danny & James were really covering the ground well in midfield, also getting forward to both have shots. From a good ball into the box from Brad, Danny got his head to the ball to make it 3. It was now a case of keeping up the disciplined football, and not trying to do too much. From almost our next attack, Freddie won the ball on the half way line and beat two men before firing a superb shot over the keepers head, maybe via a tiny deflection, for our fourth. Sam was getting forward well and linking superbly with Stevie, who was constantly getting past his full back and making dangerous crosses. From a well worked move involving Sam, Stevie and Jack, Reuben was there to slot the ball home, for five. Rocklands were struggling, albeit against the wind and rain, to make any impression now, although they battled manfully on. Oliver rolled the ball to Sam, who in turn found Danny, who played the ball wide to Stevie. Stevie then made ground and finished emphatically for our sixth. Despite the conditions, the football being played was of the highest order. A lovely through ball behind the defence from James saw Jack react quickest, and he rounded the keeper for his hat-trick and our seventh. Then, on half time, Reuben headed in well to score number eight. Half-time:- 1-8.
We would be kicking into the elements now, so the defence and Oliver needed to be aware of this. Ben came on for Sam at right back, with Will replacing Brad on the left. Straight from kick off we returned to the offensive, Mark linking well with Will who was unlucky not to get on the end of a one two with Reuben. Stevie continued to work hard down the right, and Ben was feeding him well. The Rocklands keeper made a couple of good saves, but we also fell into the trap of trying to shoot from anywhere. Once we regained our composure, the flowing football returned, and from another goalmouth scramble Jack was on-hand to smash in his fourth and our ninth, getting there just ahead of a waiting Will. Danny and James were loving the midfield battle, and were constantly driving at the Rocklands defence. Both went close from distance, as did Stevie. Reuben was then on hand from a corner to net his hat-trick, our tenth. As requested, the boys were still competing and playing great football, with Oliver a spectator. Mark was coming more and more into the game, and several times set Will free down the left. Will was now getting into his stride, and after a great one two with Jack calmly finished at the near post for the eleventh. Another nice ball into Jack from Dom saw Jack spread the play wide to Will, who beat his man, got his head up and returned the ball to Jack who turned his man and finished superbly left-footed into the top corner for our twelfth. Almost immediately, another break by Mark & Will saw the ball with Jack, who was fouled in the area for a penalty. All the boys immediately called for Oliver to come and take it, which he duly dispatched for our thirteenth. As time wore on, we continued to play great football. Sam returned at left back for Mark, and Brad came on on the right with Stevie switching to the centre for Reuben. Almost immediately though Stevie suffered a knock, so Reuben returned to the fray. Moving into the last 10 minutes, we still went forward relentlessly, and after good work down the left by Sam, Will struck his second and our fourteenth. Will then went on to complete his hat-trick following another goalmouth scramble, with Jack completing the scoring near the end, his sixth and our sixteenth. With Oliver freezing from standing around, he and Freddie swapped places for the final 5 minutes. Freddie was tested immediately, and caught well. He then came sliding out like a seasoned keeper and won the ball at the feet of an attacker. Oliver slotted in seamlessly at centre back. A resounding victory against opponents who fought to the end. The football played in the conditions was excellent. Full-time:- 1-16.
Man of the Match:- Jack Garwood.
Taverham v Mulbarton – 8th November 2009
The rest of November sees all our matches at home, and today we played Mulbarton for the second time this season. Thankfully after last week, it was dry, although the ground was heavy under foot.
Straight from kick off we were on the attack. James and Danny combined well to set Stevie free down the right. He sped past his full-back and crossed just too deep for Will. After more good work down the right, involving Sam, Stevie again raced clear, looked up and found Jack in the middle, who hammered home for the first goal. Dom and Freddie along with Sam were looking strong, although the Mulbarton attacker looked clever without any support. Another good move, this time down the left, saw Will cut in and just fail to find a forward. Will then broke again, and this time Stevie controlled at the far post and blasted into the far corner for our second. Almost immediately we attacked again, Danny & James combining well with Reuben, with the ball eventually falling for Jack to again finish well for our third. As has happened before this season, we dropped our concentration at the back, Mark getting caught the wrong side of his attacker, and Oliver’s hesitation resulting in the forward lobbing well to make it 3-1. We then won a corner, and when the ball returned to Charlie he whistled a superb ball to the back post where Jack was unlucky to see his reaction header fly just wide. After 20 minutes, and with Mark out of sorts today, we put Sam at left back and brought on Ben at right back. We continued attacking, Stevie looking particularly dangerous with his speed and work-rate down the right. From another cross, Reuben was on hand to make it 4 with a well-placed shot. Yet another Stevie cross then found Will at the far post for number 5. Danny and James were really enjoying the midfield battle and were linking well with each other and the front lads, playing good football on a poor surface. As the first half ended, Jack was on hand again to rifle home our sixth for his hat-trick. Half-time:- 6-1.
The start of the second half saw us carry on where we left off, with a couple of changes – Charlie and Tom coming on for Reuben and Freddy. Immediately James fed Stevie with a lovely ball out wide. For the umpteenth time, he beat his opponent and crossed superbly, and Danny was unlucky to see his header fly just too high. Will was now more in the game, being fed well by Sam and Danny. James continued to impress with his tackling and running with the ball, continually finding the impressive Stevie, and from another run and superb cross, the keeper somehow managed to keep out a Will volley at the far post. We then brought off Danny, dropped Charlie back into the midfield, and Reuben again went on behind Jack. Play was again building well down the left, and when the ball broke 25 yards out, Charlie hit a speculative shot which just evaded the keeper for our seventh. Mulbarton never gave up, and their striker continued to impress with his running ability with the ball on the few occasions he received it. Twice he cut in from the left, and was unlucky to see no-one on the end of his cross, then to see Oliver comfortably save at the near post. James played the ball out left to Will, who got his head up and fed Jack on the edge of the box. With support at hand, Jack cleverly turned his defender and smacked a great left-footer into the far top corner for our eighth, another well-worked team goal. Danny and James both let fly from distance, and their keeper was doing well to keep us out. Charlie was then unlucky to see a snap shot just go wide, while Will rose really well to meet a terrific corner from Charlie, and flick a header goal wards which was somehow cleared off the line. Stevie then yet again galloped down the right, and this time cut in to smash home his second of the game, really well deserved. Will then rose well yet again from a Stevie cross, and was this time rewarded with a good headed goal. Shortly before the end, Jack received another good through ball from Charlie and completed the scoring with our twelfth and his sixth, two double hat-tricks in successive games. Full-time:- 12-1.
Man of the Match:- James Smith.
Taverham v Norman – 15th November 2009
Today saw us entertain Norman at East Tuddenham. Thankfully it was a dry and bright day, although the heavy rain had left the pitch in a really poor condition.
We kicked off in a positive mood, and immediately tried to go forward. It was clear from the early stages that Norman were determined to give us a game, with their defence getting stuck in. Sam played a lovely ball wide to Stevie who galloped down the wing but couldn’t pull the ball back. We were trying to play football, but the pitch was making this difficult. Will and Mark then combined well down the left to set Jack free, he turned his defender and was unlucky to see his shot hit the far post. However, he was very alert, and beat the keeper to the rebound, where the ball fell for Stevie to tap in for one nil. Oliver was commanding play from his area, and was then called on to make his only save of the game, tipping round a good shot from the Norman forward. We immediately went on the attack again, with the ball being played forward - Jack was strong against 2 defenders, eventually being brought down on the edge of the box. From the free-kick he rifled one in to the top corner to put us 2 goals up. Sam was playing really well, as was Dom, and we were attacking at will. With 10 minutes of the half remaining, Charlie came on to replace Freddy, with Danny dropping back into defence. We straight away attacked again, and this time Reuben smacked home our third. Norman were defending for their lives, many times throwing themselves in the way of goal-bound efforts, with the keeper in particular having a great game. We continued to attack, and time and again Norman managed to deflect the ball away from their goal which was under siege. Half time:- 3-0.
Brad came on for Stevie, and Ben for Danny who had hurt his wrist at the end of the first half. Sam moved into the centre of the defence. We continued in the same vein from kick off, determined to add to our tally. Will was linking well down the left with Mark, and getting to the by-line well. Jack was working hard up front, holding the ball up well and switching play whenever possible. Brad immediately came into the game, getting past his defender and crossing well, where Reuben was unlucky to see yet another shot blocked. From a great Charlie corner Reuben headed but was foiled by the keeper, who also then saved well with his legs from Brad. Charlie was really having an impact with his range of passing, and was unlucky to see a goal-bound effort yet again blocked by a Norman defender. From only their second attack of the game, Norman broke and Oliver did well to narrow the angle, forcing the forward to shoot wide of the near post. We went straight back to the other end, where Reuben headed in after superb cross-field play from Will and Brad to make it 4 nil. Stevie then replaced Jack, with Freddy returning in the middle, Sam going to left back with Mark coming off. Stevie fed Brad, and received a return ball, cut in and cracked a shot which the keeper saved superbly with his legs. More excellent play from Will, then Jack who switched to Brad, saw Reuben smack a header towards the top corner where, just as we were all about to applaud an excellent goal their keeper somehow flew across his line making a fantastic save at full stretch. We then made our final changes, Jack replacing Reuben and Mark coming on as a straight swap for James. We continued to use the wide balls well, with only the final ball lacking, understandably so on such a poor pitch. With time running out, Will headed well to score our fifth goal. Jack went close, again the keeper saving well. Sam then opened his account for the season, heading in well from another excellent corner from Charlie. He then almost added his second immediately, hitting the bar with a delightful lob-volley from outside the box with the keeper beaten this time. We continued attacking right to the end, but were defied time and again by the excellent goalkeeper and his committed defenders. Full-time:- 6-0.
Man of the Match:- Dom Pyatt.
Taverham v Harling – CUP – 22nd November 2009
After a bye in the first round, today saw us taking part in the League Cup, at home against Harling. The pitch was in better condition this time round, having been treated to a ‘trim’ midweek, and luckily the rain kept away whilst the boys were playing. Danny was absent having broken his wrist, with Charlie replacing him in the centre of midfield.
Straight from kick off Harling launched the ball long, where Sam cleared with his head. Immediately we attacked, Charlie setting Stevie free down the right. His great cross somehow eluded all our onrushing attackers. We had to be wary of their quick and strong centre forward who looked capable although lacking any support. Just 5 minutes had passed when Mark fed James, who then played a nice ball out to Will, who cut in and hit a shot which the keeper couldn’t keep out for one nil. We again attacked, and this time Stevie shot just over. At the other end, their forward outpaced Freddie but Oliver narrowed the angle well to save for a corner, which came to nothing. Straight on the attack again, this time we had a goal to show for more good play, as Jack G smacked in a rebounded shot from Will. We were already very dominant, all the play in their half, and it was no surprise when after a couple of close shaves we scored again. This time, Jack G timed his run perfectly onto a lovely ball from James, and without breaking stride hammered into the far corner from outside the box for 3 nil. Oliver then caught well from a corner, immediately setting Mark away with a good throw. He fed Will who after receiving the ball back from Reuben, beat his defender and crossed, forcing the keeper to make a good save, before Stevie hammered home with his left foot to make it 4. We now made several changes, Ben on at right back, Brad on right wing and Jack L into midfield for Mark, Freddie and Charlie respectively. As half time approached it really was one way traffic, and Jack G netted his hat-trick and our fifth with a good finish, beating two men and finding the top corner from an angle. Brad completed the first half scoring, Will sending Jack G away down the left who cut in and crossed for Brad to tap in. Half-time:- 6-0.
After an excellent first half performance, it was important that we continued in the same vein at the start of the second half. Dom was now getting the ball down well and joining the attacks, and we went close again through Stevie and Brad, and then Will was unlucky not to score after cutting in well. We brought Freddie, Mark and Charlie back on, and continued the assault on Harling’s goal. Play was being spread well from flank to flank, both Brad and Will still looking strong and dangerous. Oliver then cleared long, which saw Jack G beat the defender and keeper to the ball only to see his lob just miss the far post. Charlie then shot from distance as we looked to score again. On a very rare Harling foray into our half, Oliver almost got caught in 2 minds, but eventually took the ball safely. Mark was still combining well with Will, as were Ben and Brad on the right. Eventually our pressure told, and Jack G headed our seventh, just reward for the continuous pressure we had applied. We went close again on two or three occasions, but could manage only one more goal - Jack G beating Reuben in a race to the ball and hammering home – his 5th, our 8th. A really fantastic, all round team performance, to see us in the draw for the next round. Full-time:- 8-0.
Man of the Match:- Mark Smith
Taverham v Jex – 29th November 2009
Today we welcomed Jex to East Tuddenham, the team in second place behind us in the league. The boys were expecting a tough game, but their confidence was sky high after some great results. Again the pitch was heavy after a lot of rain.
As is normal now, we started brightly, immediately attacking down the left through Mark and Will, who clearly had the beating of the full-back. Charlie then played a nice ball wide to Jack, who beat his defender and whipped a lovely ball across the six yard box which no-one could quite reach. James had started really well, and fed Stevie down the right with a great ball – he crossed but again it just missed our forwards. Jack then won a free kick 25 yards out, and was unlucky to see his curled kick hit the bar. We were having all the play, and Jex were unable to get out of their own half. After another lovely James ball, this time Reuben played Stevie in wide, and he returned to Reuben who slipped through for Jack to finish well over the keeper for our first goal – no more than our play deserved. Jex were still relying on the long ball, and Oliver was sweeping well behind a comfortable looking Dom and Freddy. We continued to press, and were looking for a second. Will did brilliantly to beat two defenders and was through on goal. His shot hit the side netting when a cross into the box would have been a better option. Will then broke again, and this time his cross just eluded Stevie. We were playing some really good football, but could not get another goal. From a very rare break, Jex won a corner. Despite numerous sessions on defending set plays, we again conceded when the ball floated over Oliver to an unmarked attacker, who headed home the equaliser. A poor goal to give away. This certainly lifted Jex, who stepped up the pace, without threatening from open play. Oliver dealt comfortably with a couple of long range shots as the half drew to a close. Half-time:- 1-1.
As in all the big games this season, when the pressure is on, the boys are not found lacking. Dom and Freddy were looking strong now, with Oliver talking well and sweeping when required. Almost immediately, a great ball from Will sent Jack clean through on goal. He shot with his left foot, which brought a smart save from the keeper who then reacted to Jack’s follow-up with a fantastic stop. Unluckily for him though, the ball fell to Will, who finished well with his left foot from an angle. Mark and Sam were now getting forward more from full-back, which was good to see. From our next attack, Sam fed Stevie who curled a lovely ball into Jack. With the big defender tight to him, Jack turned well and hammered home a superb shot from outside the box to make it three one. We really were playing well now. Brad came on to replace the hard working James, with Stevie moving into central midfield. He immediately broke down the right, earning a corner. Yet another superb ball from Charlie went begging – still a disappointing facet of our game. Sam then fed Brad who took on a couple of defenders, cut in onto his left, and unleashed a great left foot strike which was destined for the top corner until their keeper again somehow saved at the expense of a corner. We were totally dominant now, and from our next break Jack was set free by Dom, and saw his shot well saved, however Reuben was there to quickly hammer home our fourth. We continued to press, and with Jex now losing their discipline, we were looking for more goals. On a very rare break, their attacker was through, but shot straight at a well positioned Oliver. Jack then forced the keeper into another superb save, again somehow reaching the ball and tipping it round for a corner, which came to nothing. Oliver then made a good diving save, with Mark helping to clear the danger well. Straight back on the attack, Jack forced another excellent stop from the keeper. With time running out, and all the boys understandably tiring on such a heavy pitch, play slowed. From a Jex cross, we again stood rooted to the spot to allow another free header which again resulted in a goal from a set play, definitely something that needs working on. Time ran out, and we had emerged deservedly victorious after a good battle. Full time:- 4-2.
Man of the Match:- The Whole Team!
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