MATCH REPORT

FREETHORPE V STIFFKEY 23/9/2006 HOME JUNIOR CUP

Freethorpe were hosts to north norfolk side Stiffkey in the Norfolk Junior Cup which was an entertaining game. Freethorpe were forced into changes from the previous week which included the versatile Barber playing in defence. Garside, Whitefoot and Read were added into the starting line up after missing last weeks home defeat. Stiffkey looked a big side and started the game full of energy and desire to play. Freethorpe coped well and gradually started to impress their own passing game on the opposition. In keeping with recent games Freethorpe carved out a number of opportunities in the first half only to be denied by good goalkeeping and a lack of composure in front of goal. Freethorpe keeper Marsh made a brave save coming off his line to smother the danger to keep the scores level going into halftime.Freethorpe tried to isolate and target the opposition fullbacks more in the second period and almost immediately got their rewards when Rix turned and volleyed a fantastic strike which was superbly tipped over by the Stiffkey keeper. Shortly after the impressive Read stole possession from the fullback and played a good ball into Garside who opened the scoring with an assured low drive. Injury to centre half Maskell saw Kelf enter the fray who kept the backline well marshalled. Freethorpe were now having the lions share of the play and increased their lead when Hurley won a header and Ward played out wide to Read who laid the ball on a plate for topscorer Rix to tap home. Rix added his second with a shot drilled low and hard and his hatrick followed when man of the match Read had his shot saved by the keeper and Rix pounced on the rebound. The very sporting Stiffkey side scored a consolation between freethorpes third and fourth goals. A decent performance filled with good energy and attitude which we need to carry on into future games. well done lads.Next match v Wortwell Res at Freethorpe 2.30pm kick off.

MATCH REPORT

FREETHORPE V GREAT RYBURGH 16/9/2006 HOME

Freethorpe FCFreethorpe were hosts to Gt Ryburgh who are fellow newcomers to the Anglian combination this season. With both sides starting the season in good form a decent game was in prospect. Freethorpe played their usual style of passing and movement which was in contrast to the more direct style of Gt Ryburgh. Within the first twenty minutes Freethorpe had created four great opportunities to score without converting any of them. The freethorpe defence were solid in dealing with Ryburghs aerial bombardment and but for a couple of corner kicks kept the visitors at bay. Freethorpe scored the opening goal of the game following what seemed a pretty harmless throw-in when Ward was extremely alert to nip in front of the keeper to steal possession and turn and volley the ball into the net from an acute angle. The second half was very similar in terms of the style of play with Freethorpe attacking mainly down the right flank and Gt Ryburgh getting the ball forward very quickly when gaining control. As the game went on the Freethorpe midfield lacked a bit of disclipline and allowed themselves to get stretched and sometimes committing too many men forward when what was required was protection of their lead. A nervousness set into the game and Freethorpe were eventually made to pay for their over exuberance when Gt Ryburgh equalised from a long ball into space and a good finish from the Ryburgh Striker. With only minutes remaining Freethorpe went in search of the winner and were rocked back on their heels when the visitors sealed victory with a 'goal in a million'. The Freethorpe keeper had made a good clearance well into the ryburgh half only for the midfielder to volley the ball back first time over his head into the net from a full 60 yards. A pulsating game which Freethorpe probably did not deserve to lose but important lessons will be learnt in how to maintain control and shape and the importance of converting goalscoring chances. Next game v Stiffkey at Freethorpe in Norfolk Junior Cup (2 30pm).

FUTURE FIXTURES

23 RD SEPTEMBER 2006

NORFOLK JUNIOR CUP FIRST ROUND

FREETHORPE V STIFFKEY

KO 2.30

AT FREETHORPE

MATCH REPORT

FREETHORPE V HORSFORD RESERVES 9/9/2006 AWAY

Freethorpe travelled to Horsford looking to get straight back to winning ways following last weeks defeat in the knockout cup. The home side showed their intent to keep the game tight with only one striker and five across the midfield. Freethorpe took time to adjust to the compact nature of the opposition and sometimes resorted to playing the long ball a little too early. The first real chance fell to Barber who struck his shot sweetly from the edge of the box but the Horsford keeper was equal too it tipping just over the bar. Garside then found himself with a free header just yards out from a corner only to head wide. Rix felt harshly adjudged when the refereee waved away his penalty claims when the ball seemed to strike a defenders arm when turning in the box. At halftime subtle changes were made to try and open up the oppostion and make full use of the wide men to try and get in behind their fullbacks. Within 10 minutes of the restart Freethorpe were two goals ahead. Firstly, following a good piece of possession play Hurley skipped past two defenders and turned the final defender before shooting high into the roof of the net giving the keeper no chance. Almost straight from the kick off Freethorpe were on the attack again - this time with Rix scoring a spectacular volley with his back to goal. Freethorpe were now dominating the play with Garside, Barber and Hurley working well in midfield well supported by the wide men and strikers. The defence found themselves with time on the ball and passed the ball around patiently. Smith was introduced to the midfield and added a further dimension and deservedly got his goal to complete the scoring. Final score 3-0. Good all round performance which required patience and organisation. Next match v Great Ryburgh at Freethorpe 2.30pm kick off.

MATCH REPORT

FREETHORPE V YARMOUTH RESERVES 2/9/2006 HOME

On Saturday Freethorpe were hosts to Division Two side Yarmouth Reserves in the Junior Knockout Cup. With six regular first team players unavailable Freethorpe were forced into a number of changes both in personnel and formation. However Freethorpe rose to the challenge and should have taken the lead in the opening minutes when Read was clear on goal but pulled his excellent strike just wide of the far post. Yarmouth had their fair share of a good game and took the lead on 15 minutes when the Freethorpe defence failed to clear their lines. Once again Freethorpe responded to the challenge and continued to carve out chances. First Rix was on goal and shot over the bar, followed by a header from Hurley which went the wrong side of the cross bar. Minutes later Hurley broke through with Rix in support but decided to go alone but was unlucky not to get a clear shot on goal. Freethorpe deservedly got an equaliser just before half time when a Yarmouth defender under pressure from the pouncing Rix turned the ball into his own net. Freethorpe were not on level terms for long though as Yarmouth regained their lead just moments later.The second half saw the game open up with Freethorpe playing good football particurlaly down the right wing with Read, Rix, and Ward linking up well. The large crowd all sensed an equaliser was very likely but the chances were not converted. As Freethorpe continued to press the game and put Yarmouth on the back foot the visitors broke away and sealed an entertaining game with 5 minutes left on the clock. Final score 3-1. A very well organised and committed performance by the team especially bearing in mind the opposition players unavailable.

MATCH REPORT

FREETHORPE V HELLESDON 30/8/2006 AWAY

Freethorpe travelled to Hellesdon last wednesday for a league encounter and sealed an impressive 9-1 victory. Freethorpe started the game in typical quick fashion with Rix opening the socring after just 5 minutes. Freethorpe moved the ball well and continued to score goals at regular intervals with further first half goals added through Garside, Lawton and a second from Rix. Hellesdon scored direct from a free kick wide on Freethorpes righthand side. The second half saw Freethorpe continue to dominate and goals flowed with Rix adding three more to bring his tally for the night to five. Lawton also added a further two goals to seal his hat-trick. The team maintained the tempo and supported the ball well throughout. A good team performance with Barber deputising extremely well in defence.

MATCH REPORT

FREETHORPE V MARLINGFORD 26/8/2006 HOME

On Saturday we entertained Marlingford and started extremely brightly with a goal after just five minutes when Smith layed the ball into the path of Barber who crossed first time from the left deep to the back post for the oncoming Lawton to score with a bullet header. Freethorpe continued to pass and move very fluently until Smith up-ended the marlingford player in the penalty box who duly equalised. Freethorpe took time to adjust and although continued to create chances looked slightly jaded. The second half saw Freethorpe push on and cause a number of problems for the Marlingford defence but the finishing was not quite functioning correctly. Final result 1-1. Same effort, attitude and application as this will stand us in good stead for the season ahead.

MATCH REPORTS

FREETHORPE V HOVERTON WHERRYMEN 22/8/2006 HOME

Freethorpe FC have embarked on a new journey with their first fixtures in Division 6 of the anglian combination. On Tuesday evening we entertained a very strong Hoveton side which was a very fast flowing game with good quality football being played by both teams. The first half saw Freethorpe create three good chances but were denied by good goalkeeping. The defence was in good shape limiting Hoveton to long range efforts. The second half was just underway when Lawton broke down the right flank and crossed for Read to flick on to Rix who rifled home the first Anglian combination goal for Freethorpe. The lead was shortlived however, with Hoveton equalising a few minutes later. The game continued to be well contested and Hoveton took the lead when Garside was unlucky to put through his own net. Freethorpe were not to be beaten and showed a tremendous attitude and spirit to get back into the match on 80 minutes when the same combination of Lawton, Rix and Read linked up for Read to strike home. With only minutes remaining Freethorpe were still very lively and took a quick free kick which was nodded down by Hurley for Rix to control turn and shoot into the bottom left corner to take all 3 points for the home side. A tremendous first game in a new league. Final score 3-2.

FREETHORPE FC SEASON 2006/2007

WELCOME TO FREETHORPE FC'S NEW BLOG
THIS WILL CHART THE PROGRESS OF THE TEAM IN THEIR FIRST SEASON IN THE ANGLIAN COMBINATION FOOTBALL LEAGUE.

ALL AT THE CLUB ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEW CHALLENGES THAT LAY AHEAD THIS YEAR.

THE SITE WILL PUBLISH MATCH REPORTS AS WRITTEN BY MANAGER MARCUS SMITH.IT WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION ON,FIXTURES,CLUB NEWS AND WILL ACT AS A HISTROICAL DOCUMENT FOR THE FUTURE.