With a nod to Norton I thought you could share what will now be the only website reporting the vital games in Division Two...
"Norton Athletic Res 6 Pakefield Re-United 5 (S Smith x3, D Robinson x2, G Crisp)
Norton Reserves went into this match looking for 3 wins from their final 3 fixtures to secure a 5th place finish. The sequence of games started against 2nd placed Pakefield Re-United who have recently seen their title and maybe even promotion hopes go up in smoke to due injuries and a large number of player unavailability.
Norton whose first team fixture was called off by Hearts of Oak resisted the temptation to strengthen and the team that took to the concrete pitch was largely unchanged from Wednesday night with Brackenbury and Persich retaining their places (first team players). Shane Smith and Steve Nicol returned to the starting line-up meaning Sean Higgingbotham and Dominic Moore had to settle for places on the bench alongside James Askew and Sam Hobart. From the early exchanges it was evident that the hard pitch may have a factor in the game as both teams were guilty of misjudging the bounce of the ball and Norton stole into the lead after 4 minutes as Dan Askew's goal kick bounced over everyone allowing Dan Robinson to outpace the defence before firing low into the corner, a great finish from an in-form striker. At the back Norton’s defence at times looked all at sea and on 12 minutes Pakefield drew level as their player managed to stay onside before producing a fine finish. It only took Norton 6 minutes to restore their lead with arguabley the move of the game. Steve Moore picked up possession in the centre of the park before distributing wide to the overlapping Chris Burton, Chris sent the ball down the line to Gary Crisp who beat his man before pulling the ball back to the edge of the area where Shane Smith found a composed finish into the far corner. Just 3 minutes later and Shane finished well into an empty net on the half volley from around 20 yards as the keeper could only scuff his attempted clearance to him and this goal put Norton in the driving seat. Norton then added to Pakefield's misery by adding two more goals. The 4th came in the 27th minute. Steve Nicol and Aaron Hacon defended well before moving the ball up field to Shane Smith who played a delightful ball, splitting the defence for Dan Robinson. Facing the keeper one on one Dan tried to place the ball through the keepers legs but the keeper managed to block but racing into the area was Gary Crisp to smash the lose ball home. A 5th goal arrived on 34 minutes and came from the old long ball routine, Hacon sent it forward, it bounced over the defence and Robinson ran through for another good finish to leave Norton well in command at the break.
I’m not sure what Pakefield had to drink at half time but they came out for their last 45 minutes of the season and within 13 minutes had managed to turn the score to 5-4. Their second goal arrived direct from a free kick, the third an unmarked volley from a corner and the 4th a free kick that bounced over keeper Askew. It was now all of a sudden game on with Pakefield sensing they could capitalise further on this Norton collapse whilst for Norton they need to get a grip and take control of the game again and this they largely did with twenty minutes of stalemate. With the game now entering the last ten minutes Pakefield were handed a 5th goal as the Norton defence got caught flat footed, the ball reached the bye line, cross came in but was going out of play until Dan Askew tried to claim but only fumbled the ball over the line. Would Pakefield go on to complete the great comeback in recent times at the Subcourse? The answer was no as just a couple of minutes later Norton’s fresh legs combined down the right with Higgingbotham’s cross into the 6 yard box met by a thumping head from Shane Smith to complete the win and his first hat-trick for the club in only his 6th appearance.
The Read Bros. MoM: Shane Smith, not only for his goals but all round link up play.
Line-Up: D Askew, A Hacon, C Burton, S Nicol, N Persich, S Brackenbury (S Hobart), J Jenkins (S Higgingbotham), S Moore, D Robinson, S Smith (D Moore), G Crisp.
Mention must also go to James Askew who did not get on this week.
The Reserves complete their season this week as they entertain Hopton at home on Wednesday before travelling to Dip Farm on Saturday to play 4th placed Suffolk Punch."
Riding BAREBACK is always dangerous!!
Pakefield Re-United v. Great Yarmouth Town Hall (League) (Saturday 17th April 2010)
A bareback eleven rigidly rooted, rightly reflecting random redesignation, regardlessly risking results, reeking, rudely rides round roughshod...! enough!! Pakefield drew together the remnants of their squad for the final chapter in this topsy turvy season at the delights of Norton Subcourse. The hat was used to decide positions (although from the sterling performances and report from Norton it seems nothing amiss was noted by the opposition) and only Boris was left in goal because he can't even get round his box, another box maybe, but not his!
Yet although Norton's report reflects their view of the game it does miss out some key facts:
- Boris didn't miskick or scuff the ball for their third goal that was him kicking well; a superb kicking display all day in fact!
- Moorhen's goal was a stunning drive that made Beckham's random effort from inside his own half look pathetic!
- Fergie promised a sackful and certainly left the evidence on the pitch!
- New Town finally found a position he looks less than comfortable in as he blocked a shot with his "futures"!
- Dippy and Tillsy double the season's average distance covered for their usual positions by swapping...
- Beagle luckily found putting your back to the wall isn't as easy as it looks for Moorhen
- Rabbit never knew he could get his leg up that high to score a terrific volley
- Tabby did more charity turns than Vanessa Phelps but with far more class
- Rocket was mistaken for Bambi as he showed his true class
...and Ross complained 'cos I got the report wrong and certainly did look like the only pregnant goldfish on the pitch!!
TEAM: Becker, Coote, Sutcliffe, Dale, Marmaduke, Stephenson, Chapman, Tills, Graham, Harlow, Harvey
RESULT: Lost 6 - 5
GOALS: Chapman, Coote, Harvey, Sutcliffe, Stephenson
COMEDY VALUE: Fergie shows his class wherever he was playing, on pitch banter as team plays it for a laugh...!?!