Gorleston FC Reserves

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Season 2011 - 2012

Debenham LC FC

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Ridgeons Reserves League
North Division
Gorleston FC Reserves v Debenham LC FC Reserves
15th October 2011
Woodfarm Lane, Gorleston

On a glorious October afternoon and with no match last Saturday, the Reserves were relishing the prospect of playing on a superbly prepared Woodfarm Lane pitch against a Gorleston side well within their capabilities to beat.
Debenham suffered an early scare when a shot on the turn by the Green’s No. 9 went only just wide of Chilvers’ right hand upright.
Gorleston settled quicker and loose passes were costing Debenham valuable possession. An uncharacteristically rash challenge from Johnson lead to a free-kick that fortunately went wide. Minutes later Barker was also spoken to by the Referee. This time the free-kick brushed the side netting.
Gorleston were beginning to get behind Debenham with decisive through balls and on 13 mins Johnson was cautioned for a second ill-timed challenge. Four minutes later a brave save from Chilvers gifted the Green’s No.10 a golden chance, but incredulously he put wide from 6 yards.
He soon redeemed himself with a curling shot from the left that brought a diving save from the agile Chilvers.
With 33 mins on the clock, an under-hit pass from Teeder was punished when the ball was launched over the Debenham back four caught grazing on half-way. This time the No.10 needed no second invitation, calmly slotting past the advancing Chilvers. 1-0.
With the defence and mid-field increasingly pulled out of shape, Seaman and Smith up front were living off scraps.
It was not until 40 mins that Debenham won their first corner and two well placed crosses from Smith at last tested the Green’s defence. However, action was soon back in the Debenham half and when yet another free-kick was tipped over by Chilvers, the resultant corner was powerfully headed home by the Green’s skipper. 2-0.
On the stroke of half-time a buoyant Gorleston attack were denied by Chilvers’ three superb saves, but the No. 1 was left exposed when a quickly taken free-kick sliced through the static defence for the No. 9 to slot home. 3-0.

Half Time Gorleston FC Reserves 3 Debenham LC FC Reserves 0

The second half began with decisive well-timed passes and runs from Gorleston causing Debenham problems. Debenham in turn refused to lie-down and were soon rewarded when Teeder’s low shot was well saved and a free-kick from Smith went close. Indeed, the Yellows enjoyed their best period with Seaman’s effort tipped over and Seccombe’s header narrowly missing.
The successes proved short-lived as Gorleston continued to craft out chances and on 65 mins another telling through ball was collected and dispatched sweetly by the Green’s substitute. 4-0.
Almost immediately Smith almost emulated the feat when he chased down a similar ball, but was forced wide by the keeper and watched agonisingly as his pull-back grazed the far post. On 73 mins Debenham were at last rewarded for their endeavour. Another tantalising corner from Smith was pounced on by Barker, not for the first time this season, to tap in at close range. 4-1.
As the tempo rose and play became more frenetic, Hambling was dispossessed 30 yards out and, capitalising on the loose ball, the Green No. 9 composed himself to run-in, draw the keeper and place the ball in the far corner. 5-1.
Burton replaced Seaman up front to join Conway, on earlier for Plummer, with Smith dropping to mid-field. With Debenham’s attack becoming increasingly impotent, frustration crept in and decisions were mounting in favour of the home side.
Even now, Gorleston’s hunger for more goals continued and a series of attacks produced further nail-biting moments before the final whistle brought an end to proceedings. A good afternoon’s work for the home side, but one that Debenham will need to put behind them. Manager Andy Seaman will be looking for well attended training to help re-kindle the recent form and team spirit of a potentially talented side.