A lot seems to have happened in a short space of time, as games have come thick and fast. As the dust begins to settle and we have time to take stock, we have to be overjoyed with the start.
Between the First and Reserve teams, we have won eight out of the nine competitive games played, and this sees the First team sitting second in the league behind Wroxham Reserves (our only defeat), and the Reserves sitting fifth, with a 100% record, and games in hand.
If that had been offered at the start of the season I think we would have ‘ripped‘ off the offering hand!
Both teams have also successfully progressed into the 2nd round of their League cup competitions.
Another good signing has been made with the arrival of Craig Hunton. Craig is a defender and was previously at Bungay. At one point, he was their 1st team captain and he should prove to be another valuable addition to the club.
The A team kicks off its season on Saturday, with many of our promising youngsters getting their first taste of mens’ football. They will be ably educated by some of our not so young stalwarts Soanes, Rumsby and co.
So everything looks great at the moment, but I think our Management team is old and wise enough to know that football has a nasty habit of &rqsuo;kicking you in the teeth’ when you least expect it. So nobody will be taking anything for granted, but instead we will be rolling up our sleeves a little higher, both on and off the pitch, to maintain this excellent start.
Last Saturday saw one of the rarest and most pleasing performances I think I have been involved in throughout my career. That was from a side dominating a game for virtually every minute throughout, against good opponents. A game plan was laid out and followed, the work rate, commitment and camaraderie were all there to see. My only real concern at halftime was that having dominated for 45 minutes and not having scored, we might pay in the second half.
All my previous experience told me we couldn’t do the same again, and Brandon would have some part of the game.
However, they didn’t, and we eventually scored four goals from four separate scorers, the first goal hitting the woodwork three times before eventually going in!
The defence kept a clean sheet for the third league game running, and it is good to note that with many of our more experienced defenders out through injury (plus Whitty holiday), the age of the players is very young Cuddy (23 ), Tim D (19), Sam (21), Callum (19) and Ships ( 30 plus !!). This does look good for the future.
Talking to Wrighty (their Manager) in the bar afterwards he reflected not upon the quality of our play but the ’togethernesss’ of the lads. Not bad for a team of imports (as alleged in some quarters ), with no camaraderie!!
Finally thanks to a few members of the Bungay Road Faithful ( The BRF ) who made the trip to watch , it does get noticed and is much appreciated. Hope they found it worthwhile.