With unavailability and first team call ups it looked like Debenham were going to to be unable to fulfil their fixture but with some late signing and frantic phone calls Andy Seaman was able to gather
together a squad made up of a mix of youth and experience and an old age pensioner!
The team were where made  well aware of the job in hand as they took on high flying Leiston. The early exchanges were even with the fast Leiston attacker giving the make shift back four of French, Seaman, Alexander and Legge plenty to think about and goal scoring chances were being kept to distance and keeper Coe making a few routine saves. Debenham were getting the ball down and trying to make a mark on the game with Plummer and Cridland trying to release the forwards and some probing runs from Seccombe were causing Leiston a few problems. It was from one these runs that Seccombe was fouled and from the resulting free kick, taken by Cridland, Chris Conway rose highest at the far post to guide his header home maybe slightly against the run of play but never the less well deserved for the the teams hard work.
As the half wore on Leiston pressure began to mount and a neat interchange on the edge of the Debenham box resulted in a Leiston forward crashing the ball home past the the impressive Coe. Intense Leiston pressure followed but goal scoring opportunities were still being kept to long range and those that did hit the target were being dealt with comfortably by Coe.
Debenham still had 3 or 4 sorties into the Leiston penalty area but they failed to trouble the home keeper.
Half time came although Leiston had exerted a load of pressure Debenham can take heart from the fact that they had defended with young Jak Moncur putting in a sterling shift in mid field and although he was not able to get forward much he won numerous tackles.
A back injury to Chris Conway led to a senior debut for Jason Mitchell along with Dan Legge, Fagan Starling and Ian Jay who were also making their debut.
The second half was one of almost constant pressure from Leiston but again chances were from distance with the woodwork being struck and Coe making 2 or 3 first class saves. Eventually the goal came as for the first time Debenham got caught. Coe unluckily spilled a shot after it took a wicked bounce in front of him and the Leiston no 3 gleefully smashed the ball home to the relief and delight of the home players and fans. It was important that Debenham didn’t fold and they stuck manfully at their task but Leiston added two more goal with a shot that squirmed unfortunately thought the legs of the otherwise outstanding Coe and what was arguably an offside headed goal. Although not much was seen of Debenham as an attacking force Seccombe had a couple of chances to reduced the deficit and was unlucky on both occasions. The team can be proud of their efforts, a great team spirit and work ethic with a never say die attitude from old and young alike, four boys making their debut and a player who should be playing bowls! Andy can be proud of the team as it would have been far easier to call the game off but we scratched a team together and gave a good account of  ourselves. Keeper Ollie Coe would probably take take the man of the match award  with debutante Dan Legge running him close then closely followed by the rest. With a few players to come back and with what we have there is plenty to build on although winning is nice it’s more about the progression of these young players.

Report from Club Member, Reserves and Under 18s General Manager Gary French

Gary’s note in his e-mail to me - I don’t think he’ll mind if I quote him -

“It was a great game, I really enjoyed it - made me wish i was 30 again and so pleased to be made Captain, and the effort and attitude was brilliant from everyone”

Gary, you should realise that it’s the infectious enthusiasm for the game of people like yourself and Andy that rubs off on the youngsters and gives them a great example to follow and try to emulate!