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.