MATCH REPORT 16/12/2006

FREETHORPE V MARTHAM RESERVES AWAY LEAGUE

Firstly Freethorpe would like to congratulate everyone connected with the club who have contributed in some way to Freethorpe FC receiving the Anglian Combination Junior team of the month for November. Well done and a fantastic reward for all our efforts.After no game the previous saturday Freethorpe struggled to get into any kind of rhythm in a challenging game against a spirited and well organised Martham side. The conditions underfoot proved a great leveller but all credit must go to Martham for their high workrate and desire to get a result. Freethorpe tried to play their usual passing game on a pitch which was not suitable and this resulted in play breaking down on a number of occasions. With the game going from end to end Freethorpe created a couple of decent half chances but without really threatening the Martham goal. Martham took the lead on 24 minutes from what looked like a harmless long range effort but a misunderstanding over a call led to the freethorpe keeper leaving the shot which ended up in the corner of the net. However, to their credit Freethorpe reacted like league leaders and within 5 minutes were level when Maskell passed the ball out wide to ward who cut inside the Martham fullback and drilled the ball across the box which was turned into the goal by a defender attempting to clear the danger. Soon after Rix put Freethorpe ahead when he converted emphatically from the penalty spot after Read was felled in the box. The second half was a similar affair with both teams being fully committed. Martham equalised 10 minutes in when a striker was allowed to head home unchallenged in the box. Yet again before Martham could regroup Rix scored his second of the game to seal the points for Freethorpe with a 3-2 win. It was a competitive game which was not particularlty pretty but a decent hardworking performance without any frills and three very important points. We know we can play better and must adapt to the conditions more quickly in games ahead. Everyone at Freethorpe FC would like to wish the league officials and its fellow clubs a merry christmas. Next Match: v Poringland Wanderers Res at Freethorpe 2pm ko.