Reserve Team Match Reports for Season 2008-2009

Saturday 7th February 2009 - Chell Trophy  1st Leg
Felixstowe & Walton United  Res.  4 - 2  F.C. Clacton Res.  (0-1)
Two goals down and outplayed for an hour the Seasiders increased their work rate to score four goals in a twelve minute second half spell to turn the game around and take a two goal lead into the 2nd leg at the Rush Green Bowl on Tuesday evening.

Clacton keeper Deans was a virtual spectator for the first half as the visitors enjoyed the lions share of possession on a cold  sunny afternoon with 45 spectators watching the game, well the first half anyway.
James Dunkley opened the scoring on five minutes with a well struck free kick off 25 yards out and with White and Woods testing the home defence more goals looked likely as they won a succession of corners. Tom Noon in the home goal was kept busy making a number of fine saves, a couple at the feet of White, to keep the home side in the game with Felixstowe happy to hear the half time whistle just the single goal behind.

Noon produced a flying save to deny Dunkley seconds into the second half but after blocking a shot could only watch as Gareth Gibson tapped in the rebound to double the visitors lead on 53 minutes. Another save from Noon to keep out White and it looked like damage limitation for the 2nd leg before Felixstowe found their form and with Haighton and Smith increasing their level of possession the willing forwards Lewis and Mackenzie applied pressure on the Clacton defence with keeper Deans now seeing plenty of the ball.

The turn around began on 69 minutes when the busy Tommy Childs found the back of the net from a free-kick 25 yards out. Three minutes later Deans saved from Lewis at the expense of a corner and when Mackenzie's shot, following Childs' corner kick, struck a post Luke Hopkins was on hand to bring the sides level pictured.

The momentum was now with Felixstowe and they took the lead on 75 minutes through Matt Mackenzie as he turned home Childs' corner kick and completed an astonishing come back when Andy Lewis skipped through the Clacton defence to score with ten minutes remaining.

Tuesday 3rd February 2009 - Ridgeons Reserve League
Felixstowe & Walton United  Res  3 - 3  Whitton United  Res  (1-2)
Both teams produced flowing football on a good surface which was a credit to the ground staff, considering how it looked just 24 hours before, with 1st Team Manager Glen Driver making his playing debut in a much changed side with the Under 18s playing the following evening.

Felixstowe enjoyed plenty of possession in the first half hour with Whitton working hard to close them down and Hender in the visitor's goal made a number of good saves to deny the home side and was pleased to see Driver's header strike the under side of the bar and bounce clear from Inglis' corner.
Two goals in a minute just after the half hour mark turned the game in favour of Whitton with Leon Otley-Gooch lobbing the ball over Noon in the home goal and Lewis Martin scoring the second from Jackson's excellent cross from the right.  Hampson struck a Whitton post before Hender was finally beaten by a Sean Bell header from Child's cross from the left two minutes before the interval.

Martin went closed shortly after the break as Whitton's confidence grew and when Leon Ottley-Gooch headed home his second goal following  a goal mouth scramble with 16 minutes remaining the points looked safe.
A minute later Sean Bell headed his second of the night from Barber's corner to set up an exciting finish with Hender denying Crane from close range to keep the visitors ahead. Ten minutes from time it was all square as Karl Andrede fired the ball home following a quickly taken free kick and in the closing seconds Hender saved again to deny Crane, but it would have been rough justice if Whitton had been denied the point their overall play deserved.

Saturday 15th November 2008 - Ridgeons Reserve League
Felixstowe & Walton United   2 - 0  Stowmarket Town   (0-0)
A second half brace from Darren Mills saw the Seasiders to a home win against Stow.
SQUAD :-  Kye Algar - Daryl Fry (Hollis) - Ashley Phillips - Jake Miller - Joe Willett -  Matt Milbourne Darren Mills -  Kristian Haighton -  Ricardo Phillips (Mackenzie) -  Andy Lewis - Jordan Butcher (Clover). 
SUBS :-  Ash Childs - Jake Hollis - Kyle Clover - Matt Mackenzie - Tom Noon.
With both sides able to field strong sides today a good game of football ensued at Dellwood Avenue, with an even first half and us shading the second to claim the points. 

The first half saw good quality from both sides, but with the defences in great form neither keeper was tested too much but it was a good game to watch as the sides probed and passed to create an opening but as I said running into some solid defending. We had Matt Milbourne and Joe Willett pairing up at centre half today and both were outstanding, with Joe having his best game so far. Darren Mills started on the right of midfield and Kristian Haighton in the centre but lack of games saw Kris struggle in there so we swapped it around and he seemed to find a second wind on the wing. Mills’y showed everyone the importance of getting onto things first and making them happen as he showed great competitive spirit in there. Everyone, however were contributing to a good entertaining game.  

We came out second half took the game to the visitors, and started to put some pressure on their defence, once again Darren Mills determination to get there saw him open the scoring getting across the defender and sliding it in. Not long after Darren Mills again scored his and our second to give us a 2 goal cushion. Stowmarket were still playing good football but once again found our defence outstanding, with Kye being well protected although he did have to make a double save late on, the second with his legs. We brought on Kyle Clover and Matt Mackenzie two 16 year olds, and both continued the game in the competitive vein it was being played, not a dirty game though.  

A pleasing game showing some good quality play from two young sides and pleasing from our point of view to take the points although I think our second half performance warranted it. 

    Andy Phillips

Saturday 8th November 2008 - Ridgeons Reserve League
Debenham LC  4 - 3  Felixstowe & Walton United   (3-2)
Three goals down and being outplayed the Seasiders dug deep to pull level with goals from Butcher (2) and Barker before an own goal saw Debenham claim all three points.

SQUAD :-  Kai Algar - Daryl Fry - Joe Willett - Jake Miller - Jake Hollis - Matt Milbourne - Jordan Butcher - Kyle Clover - Ricardo Phillips – Gian Barker (Rodwell) - Ashley Phillips.
SUBS :-  Liam Wainwright - James Rodwell - Alex Ellwood - Tom Noon   

An abominable first half display from the lads was the reason we lost this game although we nearly pulled it out of the hat.

The first 10 minutes of the game saw us play some neat stuff and had the home side chasing shadows. Then all of a sudden it was as though someone flicked a switch as we totally switched off. Debenham took full advantage as we failed to defend from the front, we forgot to tuck in when we lost the ball, consequentially the defence were stretched to almost breaking point, but worst of all we were not competing all over the park. Not surprisingly our hosts went 3 goals up and were cruising. I thought game over and a hiding coming up, but an amazing last 10 minutes of the half saw Jordan Butcher turn in a corner and then Gian Barker nodded home a free kick, and to everyone’s amazement we went in 3-2.

Now I do not often give the hair dryer treatment but Sir Alex would have been proud of me at half time, but the lads listened and a totally different side went out as we camped in our hosts half. We were first to everything the defence looked solid with good shape and it was Debenham who looked all at sea, but with Andy Lewis on first team duty we lacked a cutting edge, otherwise we would have gone on to win comfortably. Jordan Butcher grabbed his second following up well to level it, but try as we may we could not score again. I would have taken the point at this stage, but Debenham brought on fresh legs, one of their subs went on a run and tripped over, as he admitted after, the ref gave a foul and we switched off arguing about the decision the ball was sent in, Jake Hollis lost his bearings and unfortunately headed in an own goal to secure the points for the home side. 

The lads did redeem themselves and felt hard done by, but as I told them in my opinion if you go 3-0 down you do not deserve to get anything from the game.                         

   Andy Phillips

Saturday 1st November 2008 - Ridgeons Reserve League
Whitton United  0 -5  Felixstowe & Walton United  (0-3)
The Reserves went nap in the local derby at Whitton with goals from Lewis (2), Miller, Rodwell and Ricardo Phillips.
SQUAD :-  Kai Algar - Daryl Fry - Joe Willett - Jake Miller - Jake Hollis - Matt Milbourne-– Jordan Butcher (Rodwell) - Kyle Clover - Ricardo Phillips - Andy Lewis (Barker) - Ashley Phillips (Smith).   
SUBS :-  Liam Wainwright - James Rodwell - Gian Barker - Josh Smith.   

For the first time this season I had the same squad 2 weeks in a row, although I did make 3 changes to the starting 11. Matt Milbourne was drafted back into the defence, he asked me to mention his name in the report for once, so there you are Matt. 16 year old Kyle Clover came into the centre of mid-field and Ricardo Phillips started up front.    

The rain was teaming down at the King George V playing field, as two very young sides took to the pitch, although Whitton were probably the youngest side we have played so far. We started strongly and took the game to our hosts and it was not a surprise when Andy Lewis put us ahead. It seemed to stay 1-0 for ages as the management teams in both dug outs got wetter and wetter. Whitton battled well and played the neat stuff that they practise all week, and we had to be particularly aware of their tricky left winger who was cutting inside and getting his shots off, which went close on a couple of occasions. Jake Miller then glanced in a Ricardo Phillips free kick to put us 2-0 up and Andy Lewis then turned in Ricardo’s cross soon after to put us in at half time with a comfortable lead. HT-0-3. 

Whitton were certainly not giving up, playing up the slope meant our game could be a little bit more measured, but there was a good tussle going on in mid field between two committed sets of youngsters. We still did not get a foot on the ball as much as I would have liked but both sides tried to play football in atrocious conditions where the ball skidded and spun all over the place. A fine through ball released Ricardo Phillips who made no mistake to put us 4 up. With 15 minutes to go we made 3 changes and James Rodwell finished off the scoring. 

5 – 0 was maybe a little harsh on Whitton, but as last week the team that took their chances came through, the pleasing thing this week it was us.                                      

    Andy Phillips

Saturday 25th October 2008 - Ridgeons Reserve League
Walsham le Willows  4 - 0  Felixstowe & Walton United  (1-0)
SQUAD :-  Kai Algar - Daryl Fry - Jordan Butcher - Jake Miller - Jake Hollis - Joe Willett - Josh Smith (Millbourne) - James Rodwell (Clover) - Gian Barker (Phillips) - Andy Lewis – Ashley Phillips.    
SUBS :-  Liam Wainwright - Matt Millbourne - Ricardo Phillips - Kyle Clover   

A strange result that initially left me perplexed, as to how in a game where we created more chances than our hosts we ended up losing 4-0. Afterwards both sides agreed it was a false score line but on reflection it was a classic example of a side that took their chances and one that did not. 

Walsham certainly adapted better to the sticky pitch and overall played the neater football and had plenty of possession throughout the game. We however were creating the chances but poor finishing meant a practice day for the home keeper. Mid way through the half a fine last ditch tackle from Jake Hollis prevented Walsham’s clever striker from getting in. As both sides were thinking corner the ref amazed everybody by pointing to the spot. All I can say at this point, is do not stop making those tackles Jake. HT-1-0 

The second half was a good competitive game to watch, again our hosts playing the better possession game but we were creating the chances with a more direct approach, once again our shooting boots were missing, although Jake Miller’s great strike did curl away at the last minute. It’s fair to say our defence were coping well with Walsham’s good movement up front but a rare mistake and the home striker made no mistake and 2-0 at this point was a long way back. We still tried and I cannot fault the effort, but we needed a goal it didn’t come and Walsham rubbed salt into the wound scoring twice more, which was hard on a defence that ironically did not do a lot wrong.
Today showed the importance of taking your chances and gaining the upper hand at crucial times.                                                       

Andy Phillips

Saturday 18th October 2008 - Ridgeons Reserve League
Felixstowe & Walton United   3 - 1  Leiston  (1-0)
SQUAD :-  Tom Noon, Daryl Fry, Jordan Butcher, James Rodwell, Jake Hollis, Joe Willett, Josh Smith, Nathan Glencastle, Gian Barker, Andy Lewis, Ashley Phillips. 
SUBS :-  Liam Wainwright, Kyle Clover, Kai Algar. 

A much changed side and a much better performance saw us take a well deserved and much needed 3 points at home to Leiston.
With Jake Hollis back from 1^st team duty and needing 90 minutes we paired him up with Joe Willett at the heart of the defence and both did a great job with Daryl Fry and Jody Butcher doing the full back roles. We also brought in two under 18’s who have been performing well in the RYL, Nathan Glencastle in the centre mid-field and Josh Smith on the right hand side. Nathan slotted in as though he had played there from the off and it is great to see such confidence on the ball of someone his age, and always wanting it as well. Josh also took to the task well and his pace is a major weapon in his armoury. 

We started strongly and put the pressure onto the visitors right from the off, and if we had been a little more clinical in front of goal could have gone in 4 or 5 up. As it was we scored just the once as our persistence paid off and Gian Barker was on hand to tap in his first of the season. As the half progressed we so on top I feel we were trying to force it a little instead of taking a touch and putting the right pass in. That said our work rate off the ball was first rate and so much better than last week. HT1-0. 

The second period was all in the visitors half although they did have a spell of good possession for 10 minutes or so but we defended well. Andy Lewis then put us 2-0 up with another good strike after a series of shots. Gian hit the post after a neat turn and shot, but in a rare attack from the visitors, the first time we didn’t clear our lines properly Leiston pulled one back. Daryl Fry on a rare foray into the opposition box was clearly dumped over, a stone wall penalty, who so we thought but the ref disagreed, but fair play to him admitted after he got it wrong. Leiston then got a corner. Their first of the game and the attacker went close with a header. However Josh Smith settled the nerves with our third and another fine strike from the edge of the box, to seal a good win.              

Andy Phillips

Saturday 11th October 2008 - Ridgeons Reserve League
Thetford Town Res.  3 -2  Felixstowe & Walton United Res.  (1-0)
SQUAD :-  Tom Noon, Daryl Fry, Joe Willett, Jake Miller (Haighton), Matt Millbourne, Kevin Hudson, Jordan Butcher, James Rodwell, Ashley Childs, Andy Lewis, Kyle Clover (Phillips). 
SUBS :-  Liam Wainwright, Kristian Haighton, Ashley Phillips. 

We travelled to Thetford quietly confident after last week albeit with a changed side again and yet another different back line, but unfortunately put in our poorest performance so far.

The first half saw Thetford have the lion’s share of possession but ironically we had the clearer cut chances, but failed to take any of them. The reason our hosts had the ball for long periods was that we were just not working hard enough when they had the ball, we were too far off of our men and nobody seemed to show the desire to want to get it back, which was very frustrating. It didn’t help that Jake Miller had to come off early with a hamstring problem so we did miss his bite in the mid-field. We were defending well as individuals but not as a unit and Thetford scored to take them into the break ahead. HT-1-0. 

The second period I thought I had made it clear as to what was needed, but we produced our worst 45 minutes so far. Lack of desire combined with a couple of normally reliable players having poor games saw Thetford dominate again. It was no surprise when they went further ahead midway through the half. This sparked us a bit and Ash Childs pulled a goal back, but then a Thetford striker went through the defence like a knife through butter to give them the two goal advantage again. Once again we stepped up with 15 minutes to go and when Andy Lewis made it 3-2 we had hope. Ash Phillips nearly pulled it out of the bag twice with a header from a Jordan Butcher cross that was millimetres wide of the far post, then from 7 yards a first time strike saw the home defender make a fantastic block that earnt his side the win.    

In summary Thetford dominated for 75 minutes and showed far more desire than us to win the game so it would have been a travesty for them if we had got something, although I would have taken it. It was not good enough today, and you must expect to lose if you are not going to compete.                                                                                                 

Andy Phillips

Saturday 4th October 2008 - Ridgeons Reserve League
Felixstowe & Walton United Res.  3 - 1  Diss Town Res.   (2-1)
A hat-trick from Andy Lewis was the highlight of an excellent performance from the Seasiders.
Seasiders :-  Tom Noon, Liam Wainwright, Daryl Fry, Jake Miller, Matt Millbourne, Joe Willet, Jordan Butcher, James Rodwell, Gian Barker, Andy Lewis, Kyle Clover. 
SUBS :-  Kye Algar.

 I was travelling home on a train from Bury St Edmunds this morning full of trepidation with my mobile red hot as I tried to pull in players. No less than 11 players were unavailable, 4 were with the first team which is great, but it coincided with 7 others not about for various reasons, so it was the bear 11 with a goalkeeper on the bench, who fair play to him was more than willing to go on the pitch if necessary. There were full debut’s for 2 under 18’s Liam Wainwright and Kyle Clover, also 16 year old Tom Noon in goal.

 No injuries please was the first instruction, and then it was a case of putting some square pegs in round holes, but how the lads rose to the occasion. It was a blustery day at Dellwood Avenue and we opted to start with the wind, we started very brightly and should have gone ahead on more than one occasion in the first 10 minutes but as usual we went behind. Now I told them that some of them probably would not have started today had we had a full quota but it is up to them to take their opportunity. This they certainly did from the reaction to going a goal down, a great strike from Andy Lewis and then his second from the penalty spot after he had been brought down sent us into the break ahead for the first time this season.  HT-2-1.

 Against the wind we seemed to adapt to the conditions better than the visitors, and from early in the half I was quietly confident in a result. Jake Miller put in a terrific effort in the centre of the park as did James Rodwell but we had to hold the leash. The three youngsters, Liam at Right back Kyle wide left and Tom in goal did themselves great credit, and once Andy Lewis secured his hat-trick, with another excellent finish it capped a fine team performance under difficult circumstances. We certainly deserved the win today which has been coming for a while now, but it just shows that maybe sometimes all the tossing and turning over team selection and thinking about it too much is blown out of the water,  when your hands are tied the unexpected happens. What a headache I have now got next week, or perhaps I shouldn’t think about it too much!                                       

Andy Phillips

Saturday 27th September 2008 - Ridgeons Reserve League
Felixstowe & Walton United Res.  1 - 3  Lowestoft Town Res.  (0-1)
An entertaining game at Dellwood Avenue with Ashley Phillips pulling a goal back for the home side in the second half but the visitors deserved the points over the ninety minutes.

Seasiders:-  Kai Algar, Jordan Butcher, Ashley Phillips, Jake Miller, Alex Ellwood, Kevin Hudson, Ricardo Phillips, Kristian Haighton, Jamie Perry (Smith), Andy Lewis (Barker), James Rodwell (Wainwright).

SUBS :-  Josh Smith, Gian Barker, Liam Wainwright, Tom Noon. 

We welcomed league leaders Lowestoft Town to Dellwood Avenue on what was more like an August day rather than October.
We gave full debuts to Jake Miller in midfield and Andy Lewis in attack. Both doing themselves justice, and will be up to speed after a couple more games. Lowestoft started the brighter as our changed side took time to settle, with three of our back four missing we had to shuffle the pack dropping Jordy Butcher and Ashley Phillips in at full backs, also drafting in Kevin Hudson alongside Alex Ellwood at the heart of the defence. Once we settled we began to get into the game and showed the leaders it wasn’t going to be a walk over. Lowestoft created the clearer cut chances but we had some of our own, and I was disappointed with the way we conceded to go 1-0 down. I do not need to emphasize needless to say it could have been dealt with.  HT-0-1. 

The second half saw much less chances created at either end with Kristian and Jake doing a fine job in the centre of midfield closing down the visitor’s playmakers. Lowestoft from a corner went further ahead, again a goal that was totally preventable as the visitor’s best player and their smallest was allowed to rise unchallenged in our 6 yard box to head past a static defence and goalkeeper, I was probably more disappointed with that one than the first. Mid-way through the half Ashley Phillips cross-shot deceived the visiting keeper to pull one back; this spurred us on to a good spell as we stretched the Lowestoft defence, with a lot of honest endeavour but not enough creativity to cause them big problems. As the game was running down a poor touch up front lost us possession and 5 or 6 passes the ball was in the back of our net, with what was the best goal of the game, no complaints there. On reflection Lowestoft did enough to win the game, but we gave ourselves that proverbial mountain to climb.     

Getting a squad together has taken most of last season and the close season, seeing several good ex under 18’s return, with one or two new faces from lower leagues, we will become a good squad and I will make sure that those that deserve an opportunity will not get looked over.                                                                                                                         

Andy Phillips

Saturday 13th September 2008 - Suffolk Senior Reserve Cup
Felixstowe & Walton United Res.  1 - 2  Debenham LC Res. (0-2)
Two young sides produced an entertaining cup tie this afternoon in warm sunshine with Debenham progressing to the second round thanks to first half goals from Teeder and Huggins plus the agility of their goalkeeper Rowland-Hinton. A strong second half from the Seasiders with Miller pulling a goal back to set up an exciting last 20 minutes but the visitors held their nerve and their lead.

Seasiders: kai Algar, Alex Ellwood, Joe Willett, Sam Osbourne ( Gian Barker 81), Jake Hollis, Matt Milbourne (Darryl Fry 62), James Rodwell, Kristian Haighton (Jake Miller 36), Jamie Perry, Ricardo Phillips, Ashley Phillips.

Debenham: Matt Rowland-Hinton, Daniel Webb, Ben Tawell, Owen Barker, Dominic Bowers, Jack Hemmings-Smith, Kieron Teeder, Tommy Smith, Reece Turner, Nathan Smith, Tom Huggins (Lee Catling 83)
Subs: Kieron Jones, Mark McLean

Ref: Mr. Daniel Keeble.

Debenham started strongly and were rewarded with two goals in the opening 16 minutes of the match. Kieron Teeder slotted home the opening goal and Tom Huggins was first to the loose ball after Algar had produced a stunning save from Barker's fierce shot from the edge of the area to double the early lead - pictured.
The movement of Smith, Turner and Huggins for the visitors threatened to take the game further away from the Seasiders but the home side dug deep with Rodwell impressing down the right and centre back Bowers making a good tackle at the expense of a corner to prevent a shot on target.
Rowland-Hinton was quickly down to his left to deny Ricardo Phillip's as he produced the home sides clearest opening as the half time drew near, but the visitors were good value for their lead at the break.

Felixstowe stepped up a gear after the interval in search of a reply with Rowland-Hinton making the first of a number of fine saves as he denied Perry from Ashley Phillips' cross. Ricardo Phillips and Osbourne both found Rowland-Hinton in good form but even he could not deny Jake Miller who powerfully headed home from Perry's cross with twenty minutes remaining picture below.

With confidence and momentum on their side the Seasiders pressed forward but had to be aware at the back with Teeder producing a good shot on the turn and Smith always looking dangerous. Rowland-Hinton produced a point bank save to keep out Phillips' header and despite Felixstowe's impressive second half performance Debenham held firm at the back and recorded an excellent win.
- we wish them well in the next round.

Jake Miller's header hits the back of the net

Tuesday 2nd September 2008 - Ridgeons Reserve League
Ipswich Wanderers  1 - 1  Felixstowe & Walton United   (1-0)
Two young sides produced an entertaining and committed game of football at Humber Doucy Lane with James Rodwell capping a strong performance with the equalising goal for the Seasiders with three minutes remaining. Moe Fike had opened the scoring just before the half hour mark for the home side who looked to be hanging onto their lead, despite Felixstowe creating numerous chances, until Rodwell's late strike.

Seasiders: Danny Crump, Darryl Fry, Joe Willett, Ashley Childs (Sam Osbourne 61), Chris Howlett, Matt Milbourne, James Rodwell, Jordan Butcher (Jake Miller 71), Ricardo Phillips, Jamie Perry, Ashley Phillips.

The home side started brightly with Culf producing a save from Crump in the first minute at the expense of a corner and both sides played the ball neatly to feet, as the game switched from end to end, but without threatening to score.
Ashley Phillips shot wide of the Wanderers goal on 25 minutes and Ricardo Phillips' snap shot brought a save from Gilson in the home goal as the visitors enjoyed a good spell of pressure. The opening goal came on 29 minutes as Wanderers broke quickly from defence finding Moe Fike in space on the edge of the Felixstowe area and the young forward coolly rounded Crump in the Felixstowe goal to slot the ball home.

The Seasiders responded positively with Gilson palming away Rodwell's shot for a corner and ten minutes before the interval the visitors should have equalised. Perry crossed dangerously across the home goal and after Ashley Phillips' shot from close range was blocked on the line Ricardo Phillips' follow up shot was saved by Gilson and a further strike from Phillips was charged down for a corner. Howlett headed the resulting  corner over the bar as the home side held onto their lead at the break.

Crump blocked Cooke's shot on the hour but it was Gilman who was the busier of the two keepers in the second period. Perry went close on a number of occasions and when Day cleared off the line after Perry had rounded the keeper it looked like the equaliser would not come. James Rodwell continued to impress down the right and produced the breakthrough with three minutes remaining, running through a tiring defence to fire a low shot past the diving Gilson.
An entertaining encounter with both sides deserving a return from the game.

Saturday 30th August 2008 - Ridgeons Reserve League
Felixstowe & Walton United  1 - 5  Dereham Town  (1-1)
Following an even first half in which Jamie Perry equalised for the Seasiders, Dereham raised their game to score four without reply and deservedly claim the three points.

Seasiders: Algar, Fry, Ellwood, Millbourne (capt), Willet, Butcher,  Childs, Haighton ( Osbourne ),
Rodwell (Wainwright), Perry, Phillips ( Smith )

On a very warm day at Dellwood two teams filled with under 20's played out a very even first half, a failure to clear our area and a certain lack of marking led to Dereham taking the lead with a neat shot from the edge of the area,
The impressive James Rodwell led our fight back and from one of his many strong runs and crosses down the left Jamie Perry knocked in our equalizer, With both teams having half chances but not taking them the sides went in all square with Dereham having the upper hand in the Midfield battle.

We started the brighter in the 2nd half with Perry striking the post and Rodwell having a one on one while at the other end Ashley Ellwood made a quite amazing and brave headed clearance off our line.
Then in a fifteen minute period with Felixstowe tiring badly 3 goals where conceded, We will never know if Kai who was now struggling badly with a groin injury could have normally got to the shots, but they where a mixture of passes/crosses and lobs.
With injuries now affecting Rodwell and Willet we struggled on but had lost our shape, but still could have clawed a goal back when Millbourne headed over from a corner.
It was Dereham who had the last shout with the best goal of the match a unstoppable shot that flew in from just inside the box.

A very young Dereham team deserved their win and I know a lot of effort was put in by our boys, but the main contributing factor was our lack of fitness we cannot afford to be a yard off good players and always chasing the game. A factor that needs to be looked at by the Club, Manager and the boys themselves if they want to play at this Level and be competitive.

Colin Butcher

Saturday 23rd August 2008 - Ridgeons Reserve League
Felixstowe & Walton United  3 - 4  Gorleston  (1-2)
A very entertaining game at Dellwood Avenue with the Reserves coming back from two goals down,  equalising twice and then conceding the final goal of the game and Gorleston's winner with seconds to go.

Seasiders : Kai Algar - Daryl Fry - Joe Willett - Ashley Childs - Alex Ellwood - Matt Milbourne - Jordan Butcher - Kristian Haighton (Osborne) - Ricardo Phillips - James Rodwell (Hollis) - Ashley Phillips
Subs : Jake Hollis - Sam Osborne - Liam Wainwright.

An awful start saw us go 2-0 down inside 10 minutes, and the watching faithful must have thought we were in for a right tonking, but I knew the lads had not started yet. It was almost as though we were stunned the first game was here.
Gradually we came back into it and a James Rodwell strike was parried by the keeper for Ricardo Phillips to open his account and tap in the rebound. Our tails were up now and we showed real character to come back from that awful start. HT 1-2

We started the second half where we left off and were soon level as a cross swung in from Kristian saw Ricardo Phillips rise highest to flick in the equaliser and we were really flying now. Gorleston were still dangerous and the defence had to be on full alert, but we were really playing well. However a long ball caught us napping and the Gorleston sub finished well to put them ahead again. Straight from the restart we attacked and the ball fell to Ashley Childs on the edge of the box and he drilled it into the corner to equalise once again.
As the game wore on a tactical error from yours truly saw us drop deeper as I told them to protect the point, we conceded a corner and from it the visitors grabbed a dramatic 89th minute winner.

Well done to Gorleston it's always nice to get a winning start especially away from home, but if we continue in this vein, as long as we start better, we will be ok, character was the main positive today, and as one spectator said afterwards keep playing the football it's a pleasure to watch, I'm convinced we can only get better.

Andy Phillips