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What with two games lost to the weather, you would think it would have helped our club injury situation, but not so. Rob Connelly, in trying to assist the Reserves cause and his own match fitness, unfortunately tore his hamstring and will be out for a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks.
So we have been working hard in the transfer market, and have secured three more players to assist the club cause.
Danny Shanks joins us, after previously having had experience with Yarmouth Town; Neil Thomson joins us on a help out basis (when Norwich are away!) from CNSOB, and Ben Cussons from Diss Town (Anglian Combination forms were with Scole).
Two more players are also currently considering whether to join us.
On Saturday, we travelled to Sprowston for a quick return match with Athletic whom we had beaten four weeks earlier, 4 0 at home.
Having had two weeks off, the players then decided to take another half an hour, and that was enough to lose this particular game.
This statement takes much away from Sprowston, who came out with all cylinders firing, showing a desire and determination we sadly did not match.
This enabled home side to score twice in the first 10 minutes, with two well created and executed goals.
Sandwiched in between was yet another injury, this time to skipper Ben Player, who twisted his knee and looks to be out for a month or so.
Ben Lydka returned to the squad and replaced Ben Player, showing much of his old competitive spirit and neat play. It was good to see him back, his character has been missed.
Most of the half belonged to Sprowston, but they didn’t add to their tally, and we started to show signs of competing around the 35 minute mark.
The fact it was only two did give us a fighting chance in the second half.
A rearrangement of our system and personnel, together with a desire to compete, brought us back into the game. But despite creating chances we couldn’t find the all important third goal in the game. The closest we came was a Rob Browne shot that hit the post after he robbed the keeper of the ball.
With 15 minutes remaining Sprowston, added a third goal, which effectively killed the game, despite Frankie diverting a Sam Wenham shot into the net to give us some consolation.
The one big plus on the day was the performance of Debutant, Ben Cussons in the second half, which gained him our man of the match. He looks to be a good prospect and should bring much needed competition as the injuries continue to bite.
The lesson of the day - no side in this division can be given a two goal start. Players need to apply themselves from the word go, and also at training, if we are to remain on track for a top 6 finish.