With the third team fielding a very strong side victory over Frettenham should have been much easier than it was. With Geraint Evans finally moving up into the second team the 3s had a very big hole in midfield to fill. This was a fantastic opportunity for some of the new boys to show what they are about and try and secure their place in the team.
Right from the off UEA looked very comfortable keeping a sizeable amount of possession, moving the ball freely and keeping a very good shape. Despite there being a few newcomers to the side communication was excellent. Frettenham struggled to keep up with UEA at times and there were early indications that this could have been a very easy game for the 3s. Despite all of this there was very few clear-cut chances as Frettenham defended well and managed to get in a few key blocks and last ditch challenges. UEA were especially dangerous from corners with Alif putting it into good areas for the 3s to attack. Frettenham had their chances and put a few good opportunities wide much to the relief of the team. At times it seemed as if UEA would not manage to get the breakthrough before half time. Frettenham gave away a very sloppy free kick 40 yards from goal, Joe Jones whips in a delicious ball which met the head of O'Brien who power headed it into the back of the net just before the stroke of half time. UEA could feel the relief of getting the first goal. With this spirits were high going into half time - UEA certainly deserved the lead.
The second half looked to be exactly the same as the first, with UEA keeping possession well and looking the more dangerous to score the second. With key battles being won in midfield particularly by O'Brien the game began to flow more. UEA were hunting for their second, and on the stroke of 60 minutes a poorly cleared corner soon found itself at the feet of O'Brien who controlled well and turned in the box to slot home into the side of the net, the keeper stood motionless like he had nails in his boots. With the second goal and the game in control it looked to be heading to a decisive victory. With Musselwhite working hard up top to win key headers and hold the ball up well things were looking bright. At 70 minutes a goal kick was flicked on by Musselwhite which was met with the superbly timed run of Swann who was one on one with the keeper and coolly slotted home to give UEA a 3-0 lead. After the substitution of Alif for Renvoize after the goal things seemed to take a turn for the worse. Frettenham brought on Rory Delap and his extremely long throws were causing all sorts of chaos for the UEA defense. The ball seemed to fly into the UEA box like an arrow, with pressure building Frettenham finally got a breakthrough at the back post from a flick. UEA seemed to be in all sorts of trouble and couldn’t focus or get a grip of the game. More pressure, long throws and long balls into the box soon got Frettenham a second. The game was well and truly back on with ten minutes remaining. UEA seemed to switch back on as the game seemed to be slipping away from them. Some excellent runs from Joe Jones could have extended UEA's lead if the final ball was slightly better. Despite this UEA held on and secured another league win. Another three points in the bag and confidence remains high among the third team camp. Captain Lloyd Renvoize was certainly happy with the result but felt that UEA should have seen the game out a lot more comfortably.
