Hi all, an interesting week it must be said on the field and very much off it with some transfer news that happened very quickly and after the weekend a departure is imminent. More of that later, but first to the games on the pitch.
I begin with Friday nights 4.0 defeat for the Reserves at Debenham in the Suffolk Senior Reserve ko cup. By all accounts for the first 35 minutes the lads were well in the game with Ainsley Baynes having two good chances to give them the lead. They conceded late in the half to go in at the break 1.0 down. Experience and fitness was a key factor in the 2nd half and Debenham ran out comfortable 4.0 winners. Again Brendan Gough had a good game, as did the always improving Steve Batt. Justin Doughty was the pick though, having a quality game in the middle of the park. Also praised by manager Stuart Beales was Ben Clitheroe, Ben is a very talented player and is getting better with the more experience he gains and he’s now bringing regular consistency to his game. It was pleasing to see Stuart Campbell back from his holiday, another bright young talent that we have at our dispense and I’m sure once consistency flows for him he can push for a 1st team slot.
Onto Mr Went’s A team and they had a hard fought 2.2 draw at Norton Athletic Reserves. Goals came from Sam Dixon-Wood and Billy Bligh. Again Ben Cunningham was solid and Chris Fuller had a fine game. I see in the bar after the game on Saturday that Mr Went was tapping up Will Lewis for a return to the club. ( not for the A team though David).
Now for the 1st team and we played out a very entertaining draw against one of the promotion favourites Horsford Utd. Although we led 2.0 this was a creditable draw with both sides creating chances at will. We lost the influential Lee Henwood in the 1st minute through a hamstring pull, we regrouped with Sean Payne coming on to make his debut and Moley had an outstanding game alongside the impressive Craig Hunting. The defence all played well with Dan Lowe and Thomas Daniels again proving what talents they are. Jimmy Bligh again played his part in keeping us in the game with super goalkeeping and good decision making proving key. We had chances throughout the game causing Horsford considerable problems with Rory French and Eddie Collings linking up very well. Collings it has to be said was outstanding, his workrate for the team was of the highest order and has proved a very astute signing for the club. The midfield had a new face that happened very late in the week, with the return of Paul Bullen to the club from Kirkley. Bullen is proof how myself and Lee are trying to take this club to the next level, he’s a very versatile player and has many qualities which will strengthen the team no end. Bully had a good debut working hard and proving a very good player on the ball. Paul Hunter played in a wide role for the team and with his wide range of passing and football brain he proved to be a valuable outlet on the left flank. Luke Field and Neil Renaut worked tirelessly in the centre of midfield and had very difficult opponents to play against but they both did a containing job and kept the Horsford threat at times to a minimum. Tom Amis came on for the last 15 minutes and had a shot cleared off the line and although very disappointed at being on the bench, he showed the right attitude to go on a do a job for his team. Tom has realised it’s a squad thing and I know him very well and he will be champing at the bit against Wells Town on Saturday week.
We took a 2.0 lead with both goals coming from Rory French after quality balls from Hunting. Horsford’s goals came from Scott Mckinney a free near post header for the 1st but it has to be said the 2nd goal, 10 minutes from time, was an outstanding strike giving Bligh no chance from 25 yards. I will take this chance to praise our opponents for the day, a very good side who play the game properly, very fair but hard. They are a credit to our league with players like Bailes, Mckinney and the old pro Darren Nicholls they will surely go close to returning to their Premier Division status. It was a great game to watch from the sidelines with a draw being a fair result and I wish Horsford all the best for the rest of the season.
Onto off field activities and after Saturday’s game Joe Mcfarlane has called time on his Bungay days. Joe has been a loyal servant to the club and since our arrival last season has played many important games for the club, never letting anybody down. It’s been a stop start season for Joe, which hasn’t helped his form, and due to this he has found it hard to gain the consistency levels that he produced last season. We wish him all the best wherever he goes as he was honest to us after the game that he has 2 or 3 options and he will inform us as to which club he decides to join. I’m sure all the lads at the club and committee members wish Joe all the best and as we say in football never say never on a return to the club we know he loves.
We have no game this week so it gives us time to re-charge our batteries and get a couple of injuries cleared up with Lee and Dan Wilby both having knocks we need sorting. We sit in a very creditable 3rd place at the moment only suffering 2 defeats on the club’s return to senior football. It’s a start we dreamed of but the reality is the players have responded in a fantastic way and it’s a credit to everyone involved; but we must keep our feet firmly rooted to the ground and keep working hard and if not harder to maintain the praise we are getting from our opponents week in week out.
Credit also must go to Lou Lewis, he’s a valuable member of the changing room, his job as physio goes unnoticed too many times and I can’t thank him enough for what he does for the players every week. Graham Lewis also plays a vital role at training and on the line during games with his constant advice and at times tactical awareness which proves valuable. On to Mr Henwood who for me this season is the big difference. Yes he’s playing this season I know which helps, but he’s finally come out of his shell and is now joint manager with myself and he’s doing an outstanding job. I’ve known Lee for a very long time (years in fact) and yes he can be a whinger but that’s down to the fact he’s an out an out winner. All he wants is the players to respond in the right way to what we ask of them and now he’s in the forefront of everything this club does, the players have responded brilliantly. All myself and Lee want is to try and bring success that we feel this club deserves and we as a pair will do everything we can do to make our long term plans work.
TRAINING TUESDAY NIGHT FOR EVERYONE 6.50 AT THE GROUND, THAT’S NOT JUST 1ST TEAM THAT’S EVERYONE. LET’S SEE WHAT RESPONSE WE GET AND WE WILL ALL TRAIN TOGETHER AS 1 CLUB.
THE GAFFER.
