MATCH REPORT 27/10/07 FIRST TEAM

Freethorpe FC With tough selection problems the manager decided to make two changes to the starting line-up to keep the squad on its toes against Stalham Town Reserves. The first half was a reasonably tight affair with the swirling wind making conditions difficult. Freethorpe did carve out some good goalscoring chances but could not add the finishing touches and were left wondering if the missed chances would prove costly. However, on 36 minutes Read opened the scoring following good approach play from Garside and Rix. Freethorpe were guilty of conceding needless free kicks in the first half which was unsettling their rhythm. Second half Freethorpe moved the ball with much more purpose and were quickly rewarded with a header at the back post from Brown scoring his first goal for the club from a corner. Top scorer Rix was on hand to score an excellent solo effort and Freethorpes third shortly after. Hurley and Lawton replaced Read and Rix upfront for Freethorpe and they combined superbly to score a well worked goal with Lawton laying off the ball for Hurley to strike home. Garside returning from injury added Freethorpes fifth from the penalty spot after Hurley was felled in the box. A decent second half performance and competition for places is certainly hotting up.Next Match: TBA following reserves replay in Norfolk Primary Cup

MATCH REPORT RESERVES 27/10/07

This week we went on a 60 mile joy ride to play Docking in the cup and gave Mr Macmartin a performance to be proud of on his 70th Birthday. While Docking were clearly a very good side Freethorpe had good perfomances all over the pitch from Ash in goal to Fiddy up front and earned a replay after a 1-1 draw with Craig scoring an amazing goal going past 8 players before playing the ball on to the post and in. More of the same please.

MATCH REPORT FIRST TEAM 20/10/2007

Freethorpe FCFreethorpe progressed to the 3rd round of the Norfolk Junior Cup with a convincing 6-2 win over Holt Utd Reserves. Freethorpe looked strong from the outset and took the lead after just 2 minutes when Read pounced onto a throughball and slotted the ball neatly past the advancing keeper. Holt were undeterred and equalised on the quarter of an hour mark from a near post corner. Freethorpe regained the lead just minutes later through a wonder strike from top scorer Rix, flicking the ball over the last defender and volleying ferociously over the helpless keeper. Freethorpe extended their lead just before the break when Whitefoot played a good ball out to Burns who played into the path of Barber who rounded the keeper to slot home. Freethorpe did not let up after the break and quickly scored two further goals through the alert Mark Brown who twice pounced on mistakes by the Holt defence and keeper to help himself to two goals. Holt managed to score a second from a set piece on the hour mark but Freethorpe had the final say with a well taken goal by Read. A good solid performance from the whole squad and a very welcome return to first team action for Hurley following an injury layoff.Next match: Stalham Res at Home. 2pm kick off.

MATCH REPORT RESERVES 20/10/2007

Freethorpe Res v Sprowston BeehiveThis week in a tribute to England we played rugby time ( started 5 mins after the game next to us and finshed well before it ! No ref ! ! !) However Freethorpe played very well and deserved something from the game. Freethorpe took the lead with a great finish from Dan and then went two up via Ashley with a great run and finish following a Beckham like pass from the manager. Having worked tirelessly freethorpe were unlucky to concide a goal just before half time. In the second half playing the same way Freethorpe looked to have won the game when they went 3-1 up following a goal by Mike playing his first game of the season. Sprowston then got a goal back but with 15 mins remaining Freethorpe looked good for a point but with decisions not going their way Freethorpe then had a pentaly awarded against them and then conceded a fourth nearly straight away. Freethorpe nearly equallised from a corner and then the whistle went! If we can play like this everyweek we will start picking up the points.Thanks go to 69 year old Mr Macmartin for being Manager and linesman for the day.

MATCH REPORT 13/10/07 RESERVES

Freethorpe progressed to the next round of the cup after extra time and pens in a game that they should have wrapped up by half time. Having taken a 2-0 lead in the first half via S burns and the outstanding Paddy Freethorpe then let 1 in to go in 2-1 up at half time. In the second half Paddy scored another to give Freethorpe back their 2 goal lead only to then have to go off as his lungs had gone. Freethorpe then give away their lead and at full time it was hence 3-3. Maybe they were missing the108 years worth of talent not in the squad due to almost a full squad for the first time this season. Extra time was a non event so it was down to pens and the chance for everyone to show Barry how to take a penaltys and they did just that with George , Craig , David and johnny slotting home and two great saves from Ben meaning Freethorpe went Through.

MATCH REPORT 6/10/07

FREETHORPE RES V DRAYTON RES AWAY SHOES TRADES CUP

this weeks game seemed a certain draw only for all our hard work to go to waste by conceding a late late goal to lose 1-0. The morning started badly by us being let down by one played who forgot we were playing ! however things then got better as we signed another goalie Ben who not only had a great first game for the club but it also gives us another good outfield player and means the club now has 3 very good goalkeepers.The game started well for freethorpe with two very good chances created which should have been scored after this few chances were created and a draw looked certain. With ten mins remaining the manager decided to replace wee willie with his own 27 years younger legs and within minutes Drayon had scored !

MATCH REPORT 6/10/07

FREETHORPE FIRST V THORPE ROVERS CYRIL BALWYN CUP HOME

Freethorpe FCFreethorpe played hosts to Thetford Rovers in the cyril balwyn cup who are flying high in the third division. Freethorpe knew it was important to get off to a positive start and went straight on the attack. The game was surprisingly open with both teams creating chances early on. Freethorpe had the first real goalscoring opportunity and were to rue the missed chance when Thetford cleared the ball and from a backpass Freethorpe keeper Pentney dwelled on the ball and allowed the alert Thetford striker to nip in and open the scoring. Freethorpe remained composed and opend up the Thetford defence on a number of occasions. Freethorpe deservedly got on level terms when the impressive Garside was felled inside the box. Rix dispatched the resulting penalty with confidence. Freethorpe were enjoying good spells of possesion and took the lead when skipper Whitefoot excellenty executed a free kick following a foul on Garside. Thetford changed their shape at half time and had more possesion as a result. However, it was Freethorpe who extended their lead when Barber latched onto a loose ball 25 yards from goal and unleashed an unstoppable drive. Thetford drove on looking for a way back into the game and got their second goal of the game from a free kick on the left. Although the remaining 15 minutes were played out mainly in the Freethorpe half the defence looked solid and handled the situation admirably. A good teaam performace and excellent result against a team two divisions higher. No match this week.

MATCH REPORT 29/9/07

FREETHORPE FIRST V WATTON RES LEAGUE AWAY

Freethorpe travelled to Watton for a Division 5 fixture and were extremely impressed with the excellent condition of the pitch. Freethorpe started brightly on the spacious pitch and were quick to ask questions of the home defence. Rix opened the scoring after just 4 minutes following good approach play from Read and Barber. Freethorpe were playing some decent football and fellow strike partner Read was on hand to score two goals in two minutes to extend Freethorpe's lead midway through the half. The first was tucked away neatly following a clever interception and pass from Ward. The second was a far post finish after Morris had played the ball down the left flank and lawton crossed first time. Rix then got his second of the game to put Freethorpe firmly in control. Pentney in the Freethorpe goal was excellent when called upon making two very good saves. Watton pulled one back before half time following a close offside decision. The second half saw Freethorpe in control of the game ad moving the ball swiftly. Rix was first to complete his hatrick from a cross from Read, and Rix returned the favour for Read to complete his hattrick. Rix rounded off the scoring with Freethorpes seventh 6 minutes from time. A good solid performance. final score 7-1. Next game: v Thetford Rovers at home in Cyrill Ballwyn Cup 2.30pm ko.

MATCH REPORT 29/9/07

FREETHORPE RES V GIMINGHAM PRIMARY CUP HOME

Freethorpe res got their first win of the season 5-0 against Gimingham resin the primarycup. again this week we had a very young squad with 8 of the 14 being youngsters. This week we started 66 year old Willy Mac in the center of midfield and from the start the shape of the side looked a lot better. The first goal came from Craig Sharman who caught the keeper out with a long range freekick , The second was a poorly taken pentaly from Barry Payne (and he is !) and then came a thunderbolt from Shawn Howley. In the second half freethorpe were saved from conceding a goal via a great double save from Ashley marsh and then got two more goals a great shot from Barry and a well taken goal from Daniel payne. more of the same please