With the pitches at Greshams waterlogged, some frantic rearranging by the Greshams secretary ensured that Sunday's fixture went ahead, being rearranged at Finningham. Greshams therefore convened to take on the league leaders in the salubrious surroundings of Bacton Scout Hut, where a y pitch inspection revealed that conditions were more suited to potato farming than football.
With Finningham topping the table and only having suffered one previous defeat in the season, this was going to be a test for Greshams, who were fortunate to have a few players returning from enforced absences. The eleven chosen for the game were, Josh in goal; back four of Tommo, Cookie, Hamblin and Rob; in midfield, Froudy, JP, Potter and Matt; with Rob up front and Tom just behind.
From the start it looked like Greshams were ready to take on the league leaders, with high levels of commitment being shown throughout the team. Finningham were lively with the number 9 in particular posing a threat, but Cookie and Steve stood really solid in defence. Set plays were defended more convincingly thanks to the presence of Potter, who having lost a little weight, is now able to actually get off the ground to make headers. Surprisingly for the top team in the league Finningham were very reliant on long wind assisted punts from their keeper to start attacks, but these were comfortably dealt with by the Greshams back four, while when Flyers did work the ball in to the box, Greshams threw themselves in to blocks and tackles with only one anxious moment when the ball broke for Flyers in the box but the shot found the side netting.
Meanwhile down the right flank Froudy and Tommo were linking well and causing all sorts of problems for the Finningham defenders, some fine cross field balls from Matt were putting Froudy in behind the full back. Rob was his usual lively self up front with lots of unselfish running and hold up play while Tom was linking play excellently. In a half of few chances Greshams nearly took the lead with some brilliant work from Tom who picked up the ball near the corner flag before dribbling along the bye line past about three defenders and unfortunately lashing his shot against the near post.
Then just on the half hour mark, Greshams got the goal their play deserved. Potter picked up the ball in centre midfield and strode forwards. He rode one tackle; a second knocked him to the ground but he retained the ball, got to his feet, and played the perfect through ball for Rob to run on to. Rob had defenders in close attendance but ran on and produced an assured finish across the keeper and into the bottom corner.
Half time Flyers 0 Greshams 1
Greshams half time team talk was all about continuing the first half's good work. And indeed that is what happened as the team showed great commitment again in the second half. Flyers as might be expected saw more of the ball, but playing against the wind, their main attacking threat of the long punt from the keeper was nullified. Indeed their keeper now didn't seem to fancy kicking at all, with his clearances frequently skewing in to touch. Meanwhile Josh, who kicked excellently, was seeing his own clearances often run rather frustratingly, right through to the opposition keeper.
The game remained one of few chances but Josh remained untested, while the best chance fell once again to Tom who after a typical bit of skill, lashed the ball against the stanchion.
The game had been played in a competitive but fair manner, but added spice was injected when former Greshams player Simon Wombwell was brought on as a sub for Flyers. This immediately led to some feisty verbal exchanges, with Steve Ham being particularly vocal in his appraisal of Simon's qualities. The verbal sparring was also joined in by the Greshams secretary on the sidelines who, however, showed an unfortunate inability to pronounce Wombwell's name correctly and kept referring to him as Wimbwell and Wombwall. As if the verbal excanges were not enough, Simon was also unfortunate to be up against Rob who seemed spurred on by the banter being exchanged, and produced a few perfectly fair but absolutely crunching tackles, which had all of his not inconsiderable weight behind them.
With matters getting a little tasty, Greshams continued to look the more likely to score and with 10 minutes left, grabbed a second goal. A great ball from Matt found Tom in acres of space in the Flyers left back area, with the defender nowhere to be seen. In fact Tom was in so much space that there were some half hearted offside appeals, which the linesman rightly ignored. Tom simply collected the ball, ran on, and finished with his usual calmness through the keepers legs.
Snelly then entered the fray for Matt and was soon involved, winning an important free kick to relieve the pressure as Flyers looked frantically for a way back into the game. An unlikely lifeline was provided when a foul by Potter led to a free kick some distance out. The kick was struck well enough but somehow caught the swirling wind and flew into the top of the net over Josh's head.
The last couple of minutes together with what seemed an interminable minute of injury time, were seen out in relative comfort by Greshams, though it was a relief when the referee finally brought the game to an end signalling an excellent three points.
Man of the Match
After such a good team performance, with everyone from the keeper through to the forwards having a good game, your reporter was unable to make his mind up as to the Man of the Match, so the award was voted on by the players this week. That the vote was headed by defensive players - Tommo, Steve H and Potter - shows the type of determined and committed performance this was. However the winner - just - was Potter, for a strong display in the defensive midfield role. Well played mate.
Finally, congratulations to our keeper Josh - who has passed his driving test and will be shuttling the more drunken members of the squad in to Town at the end of season do!!!!!!! well done mate, good effort.
