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