MATCH REPORT 25/11/2006

Freethorpe travelled to Poringland Wanderers Reserves looking to complete the month of November with a 100% record. The game looked to be in some doubt when a heavy downpour prior to kick off must have made the decision difficult for the referee. With the rain stopping just in time the pitch was considered playable and an entertaining game ensued. Freethorpe took an early lead when Daniel Lawton slotted home following a good wall pass with Garside on the edge of the box which wrongfooted the hosts defence. However, Poringland looked brighter in the early exchanges coping far better with the tricky conditions underfoot, bringing out some sound goalkeeping from Marsh.. The game swung from end to end and was proving extremely difficult for both defences. Freethorpe increased their lead on the stroke of half time when Maskell poked the ball home from close range following a scramble from a corner kick. Freethorpe started the second half in better shape playing to the conditons but Poringland reduced the arrears when a speculative shot slipped through the Freethorpe keepers hands. Their hope was shortlived as Rix quickly restored the visitors two goal advantage with a great strike after an excellent dribble and pass from Lawton. Lawton was once again on hand to score the fourth and final goal with an exquisite lob. The result outweighed the performance but another important three points in difficult circumstances against a resolute side. Next Game v Poringland Wanderers at Freethorpe 1.45pm Kick Off (Norfolk Junior Cup).

MATCH REPORT 18/11/2006

FREETHORPE V REEPHAM RESERVES HOME LEAGUE

Freethorpe were hosts to a strong Reepham Town Reserves who came to Freethorpe in fourth place in the league. Freethorpe were keen to maintain their good form and were determined to overcome the loss of Barber and Hurley to injury with a good performance. The opening exchanges were pretty even with both sides competing well and looking very organised. Skipper Whitefoot went close from a freekick which was deflected for a corner when looking goalbound. Strikers Lawton and Rix were looking very lively and Freethorpe managed to break the deadlock on quarter of an hour when Read was fouled on the edge of the box following a great run. Burns stepped up to take the free kick and watched the ball sneak over the line following a fumble from the visiting keeper. Freethorpe looked in control at this point but Reepham equalised when Forsyth was caught napping at the far post allowing his opponent to get in front and finish from close range. The parity was shortlived however as within minutes Freethorpe restored their lead when good work from Read led to a chance falling to Ward who made no mistake from the edge of the box with an assured left foot strike. The second period saw Reepham get forward in numbers and have a decent amount of possession but the Freethorpe defence was resolute and looked solid throughout. With 12 minutes remaining Whitefoot put the game safe with an excellent Freekick following a foul on substitute Smith. Read rounded off a good result for the league leaders with a truly wonderful strike into the top corner of the net after good work from Garside.

MATCH REPORT 11/11/2006

FREETHORPE V ST ANDREWS RESERVES AWAY JUNIOR CUP

Freethorpe travelled to Thorpe rec to take on Division four side St Andrews Reserves in the 3rd round of the Norfolk Junior Cup. Prior to kick off Freethorpe gave late fitness tests to two influential players - Hurley and Barber. Both players declared themselves fit which gave a boost to the whole squad after already missing Smith through injury. However, It was St Andrews who got off to the perfect start when after just 5 minutes a mix up by Barber let in the hosts striker who shot from a narrow angle which was not dealt with by the Freethorpe Keeper and resulted in the Saints taking an early lead. Freethorpe were not deterred and quickly got a foothold in the game and started to use the full width of a large pitch causing the home team a number of worries. Read had a good shot from distance which was turned round the post by the home keeper. Ward took the resulting corner kick and Garside met the ball at the front post superbly to head down into the net. Hurley was soon replaced by the lively Danny Lawton due to injury which saw Read drop back into midfield. Freethorpe continued to carve out openings and deservedly took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Read finished off a neat move involving Forsyth, Lawton and Garside. The game opened up somewhat in the second half and Freethorpe could and should have made the game safe long before they did. Garside latched onto a ball by Rix to give the away side an important victory and entry into the hat for the last 16. Special mention to the defence and midfield who had to cover a lot of ground on a big pitch and coped admirably. Rix was unlucky in front of goal and Lawton proved difficult for the home defence to handle. A good team effort and once again proves the strength within our squad. Next game: Home to Reepham Town Res 2pm kick off

MATCH REPORT 4/11/2006

FREETHORPE V MARLINGFORD 4/11/2006 AWAY LEAGUE

Freethorpe travelled to Marlingford to take on the league leaders knowing that a victory would put Freethorpe on top of the league table. With the Freethorpe support travelling in numbers the team got off to a flying start taking the lead after just 2 minutes when Garside shot from the edge of the box to win a Freethorpe corner. Skipper Whitefoot took the corner which was flicked on first by Hurley and then by Read before Rix headed home. Freethorpe continued to hurry the hosts into mistakes and applied pressure on the home goal. Freethorpe extended their lead after 12 minutes when a further corner was taken quickly with Read whipping the ball in for the alert Hurley to pounce with a strong header. Marlingford had a spell of pressure forcing a number of corners but Freethorpe withstood the physical presence of the Marlingford attack and regained a control on the game. The lively Hurley broke down the right flank and cut inside the fullback before drilling a dangerous ball across the box which was turned into the net by a defender trying to clear the ball. With Freethorpe in good form Rix completed his hatrick before half time with two great strikes. The first coming after he broke the offside trap in the left channel and shot across the keeper and the second from a chance created when hurley outfoxed the defence with a backheel and Read crossed for Rix to strike.The second half was never going to live up to the first half with Freethorpe content to protect their lead and remain organised and discliplined. Marlingford managed to score 10 minutes into the second period following a freekick which seemed to reignite Freethorpes desire. Hurley added his second and Freethorpes sixth with 25 minutes remaining following a strong tackle by Smith and a good ball in by Ward. Lawton, Forsyth and Maskell were introduced to the action which gave Freethorpe a further boost and good passing and movement was breaking down the home defence at will but chances were not converted. An excellent performance by the whole squad. The standard has been set!Next Game: Norfolk Junior Cup v St Andrew Res away 1.45pm Kick Off.