It was always going to be a tough game what with a side riding high in Division 1, unbeaten since August and with a winning habit.
Our concerns were all around the mentality and focus of our boys, this had ‘banana skin’ written all over it!
However, our fears were unfounded as for 45 minutes we produced some first class football , being first to 90% of any loose balls, and placed together some free flowing football which rewarded us with two goals in that period.
The first, a lovely glancing header from Callum Webb from Barry Allard’s pin point cross. The second a cool lob from Frankie after having found himself in yards of space he expertly dropped his shot beyond the advancing keeper. Frankie is looking as sharp and fit as I have seen him all season, must be the Christmas spirit (or spirits!!).
Holt, however, as suspected, were not about to roll over and submit.The second half turned into a physical (not dirty) battle as Holt threw all they had at us. But again as we have proven of late, the lads are not afraid to put in a bit of graft when needed and when Holt did find a way through they found Cuddy in superb form with 3 or 4 top saves to secure his second man of the match award in two games.
Our reward is a Semi Final drip to Dersingham, who won 2-0 at North Walsham. The other semi final sees Cromer who beat Wells 3-0 travel to Watton who beat Beccles 5-0 to secure the result of the day. Let’s face it, we can’t do any worse than last time what with a 5-1 defeat obtained.
The only blemish on the day a ‘school boy’ error from one of our number who forgot, or was unable, to get himself dressed before the game, leaving his shirt in the dressing room delaying kick off, don’t think it was tactics!
Mention no names but he is the big bloke at the back and it wasn’t Whitty or Callum, oh and his initials are MA if you need any more help!!
Looking at the bigger picture in terms of the season to date we have one more League game at Beccles before Xmas, which will see us reach the halfway mark. Whatever the result, this should still see us in the top 6, which is on target re. objectives set at the beginning of the season.
Our bonuses, a Semi Final place away at Dersingham, secured in the Mummery (League) cup and a quarter final place at home to Norwich United in the County Cup.
All in all a good first half to the season, which we can be pleased and proud of, but only a platform really. I feel, from here we must try to achieve more.
Frankie, Bob, Ships and I will not be allowing anyone to put their feet up (oh that reminds me we will be training on Thursday 27th December & Wednesday 2nd Jan), if we fall away now it will be all for nothing, and knowing the mentality throughout the squad, cause huge disappointment.
On the injury front it was great to see Steve Barnes get through his first 90 minutes football in several months when playing for the Reserves, and Mark Way continued his recovery with his second game. With these two now on the road to recovery, we are pretty much now back to having a full squad to pick from (touch wood!!).