The football interest started early this week when all ears were tuned into Radio Norfolk on Friday night to hear the County Cup Draw and goal scoring hero (cough cough!!) Paul Franklin’s comments.
The outcome a ‘home tie’ which was all we wished for, this time against Ridgeon’s premier side Norwich Utd. The home tie at least gives us a fighting chance, may be?
It brings together the Shipley boys, Stephen who skippers Norwich and James who is doing a cracking job (when not hung over!) assisting with the coaching duties staff on Saturday matches. Let’s just hope Dad (Andrew) doesn’t get appointed as Ref!
I also have a sneaking suspicion I used to play with their manager Gary Butcher (if it is the same guy) over 30 years ago for Newton Flotman youth.
The other ties also give home advantage to the under dogs when Diss play Dereham, Cromer play Wroxham and Sheringham play Gorleston.
All very interesting and the games take place on 5th January.
Last Saturday we played Cromer away, arguably one of, if not the toughest fixture in the program. We returned with a very satisfying 1-1 draw. The game its self wasn’t a classic in terms of free flowing football but a game of commitment & work rate. The lads competed well and stifled a Cromer side bang in form.
At times we rode our luck and were thankful to keeper Ben Cudden who won man of the match with 3 or 4 excellent saves.
Undoubtedly Cromer started the stronger but arguably we finished the fitter, a draw was in our opinion a fair result but accept the home side shaded it if it had been a points contest.
Tim Downs scored the all important goal with another work man like performance. I am definitely getting slack in my duties as some how he managed to remain on the pitch for another 90 minutes! Only kidding Tim.
Rob Connolly made a welcome return to the squad and showed his excellent foot balling ability upon entering the fray in the last 20 minutes.
Finally the league results seem to be settling down, with outcomes much tighter. Many of the top sides drew with each other. The gainers on the day were Sheringham who had an excellent 3-1 win at Blofield and are closing the gap.