The day was bright and sunny but there was a real winter chill in the air as we gathered to watch the Hornets take on Long Melford FC at the Stoneylands Stadium. The afternoon was interesting for the beautiful display of one of natures great free spectacles as the moon rose over the eastern horizon during the first half of the match in the last stages of what had been a total lunar eclipse and the visitors certainly hoped to emulate the moon and eclipse the efforts of the home team.
Ben Green returned and Liam Jones also took his place in goal in the team that was otherwise unchanged from last week’s win against Team Bury at Maitlands. Ben Bowler was the unlucky outfield player to make way but he seems to have established himself as a member of the senior squad and will get lots more opportunities to show us all what he can do and Sam Chilvers returned to play for the reserves after a couple of good performances in the first team.
In the first minute of the match Lee Bloom slipped on the damp surface but Daniel Twyman couldn’t get the ball under control for Long Melford and a good opportunity for the home team was cleared away. Liam Smith showed great pace on five minutes as he ran 75 yards with the ball before being crowded out in the home penalty area as the visitors were playing their attractive style of passing football and Ben Green won a tackle in midfield before having a shot at goal from 30 yards that Paul Wood in the home goal caught comfortably.
On 12 minutes James Heathcote took a pass in midfield and used his pace to outstrip the home defence but he lost the ball to a tackle in the box. Long Melford were playing a good passing game in the midfield area when they had possession but they did not pose too much threat in front of goal as Lee Bloom and Tom Hardwick played a resolute defensive game.
Liam Smith left the pitch after 14 minutes with chest pains thought to be caused by the cold weather to be replaced by Nathan Vincent and George Johnson was enjoying a better game at right full back. After his very nervous start last week he now looked much more confident and comfortable and Tom Hardwick made a timely interception with a good firm tackle to stop a Melford attack.
24 minutes on the clock saw Debenham take the lead with a really well constructed goal that was a joy to watch. Captain Ed Cussons started the move on the left side near the half way line as he controlled a pass and moved forward before passing the ball up to Marc Wake who used all of his experience and skill to control the ball and keep the defender away. Marc then made himself a yard of space as he moved off the defender and spun to make a reverse pass inside two Long Melford players to find Kevin Barker in an advanced position on the left side of the box who controlled the ball and passed it across the box to where JAMES HEATHCOTE controlled in one movement and shot for goal in the next and the ball fizzed into the bottom left corner of the net before the keeper could move. A top class move and a clinical finish by James who is now the Hornets’ top goal scorer again.
Long Melford immediately went up the other end from the kick off and before we knew it Martin Westcott had the ball in the Debenham net and he was disappointed to see the offside flag waving to cancel his effort out.
Nathan Vincent was upended on 31 minutes 30 yards out from the home goal and saw the free kick taken quickly as the ball was played into the Long Melford box to the feet of James Heathcote who made himself a yard of space and unleashed a powerful shot that beat the keeper but thumped off the near post and flew away for a goal kick. Another incisive move and a good effort from James who could easily have doubled his tally for the game.
The home team drew level after 36 minutes as Paul Walker attacked down the Long Melford right flank and sent a cross into the box which was converted by MARTIN WESTCOTT. A disappointing goal to concede as there seemed to be little threat as the move developed and the Long Melford number 9 was given a bit too much space to get his shot away.
Nathan Vincent was released by a good pass from Marc Wake but the ball ran kindly for the home keeper who saved and Ben Green was also released by a through ball but again the ball ran away and the keeper was able to make a save at the feet of the onrushing forward.

Half Time                   Long Melford     1                 Debenham LC FC       1
                                 Westcott  36                          Heathcote  24

Debenham started the second half in fine form with an early corner kick being cleared away and a smart move through midfield by Liam Bevis and Ben Green was stopped by a good tackle from the Long Melford defender. The 53rd minute of the game saw the Hornets re-gain the lead  as they scored as good a goal as you might hope to see. Nathan Vincent again troubled the home defence 30 yards out from goal and was brought to the ground by a rather clumsy challenge resulting in a free kick awarded to the Hornets. Liam Bevis took the kick and played the ball along the ground into the box to Marc Wake who laid the ball off first team towards captain ED CUSSONS who was running into the space and unleashed a blockbuster of a shot from a bit of an angle that was past the keeper in a flash and nearly took out the net in the far corner. Another really well constructed goal of good quality with another example of Marc Wake’s intelligent use of the ball and his hold-up skills.
Debenham continued to press as Liam Bevis passed the ball to all areas and from another free kick by Liam Marc Wake held the ball up before laying it off to Nathan Vincent who lifted his head a bit and sent his shot over the bar from a good position.
The 67 th minute saw an unfortunate event as Lee Bloom chased for a ball back towards Liam Jones’ goal with a Long Melford forward also joining in the chase. As the players got near to the penalty area the Long Melford player fell to the floor as if hit by a truck and the referee took advice from his assistant who ruled the Lee had been pulling the forward  back and as he was the last defender the referee immediately brandished a red card to send Lee for an early shower. Lee said afterwards that his challenge had been shoulder-to-shoulder but the officials view was decisive. So Debenham had to plat the remainder of the game with just 10 men but in truth the game format remained much the same as the visitors applied pressure and built up good passing moves through midfield mainly through Liam Bevis.
Ben Green was obviously tiring after a three game lay off and was replaced by Michael Beaton after 65 minutes as Long Melford had a period of possession and pressure but never really made inroads towards the Hornets’ goal due to the efforts of Tom Hardwick and sub Michael Beaton who made a really good tackle to keep out the home team’s number 9 as he ran for goal.
Marc Wake was replaced by Nathan Smith after 88 minutes and Nathan made a good pass to James Heathcote who ran into the box and passed to Nathan Vincent but his shot was intercepted by a defender. Liam Jones made a good clearing punch as Long Melford pressed near the end of the match and then made a full length dive to his left to turn away a smart shot that was certainly heading for the bottom corner.
The game ended with Debenham winning the points and perhaps more importantly looking more and more like a team that plays with confidence and commitment demonstrating some real quality football.

Full Time                   Long Melford FC      1          Debenham LC FC        2
                                Westcott 36                          Heathcote      24
                                                                           Cussons       53

Referee                     Mr G Laflin        Assistant Referees   Mr M Burroughs   Mr P Case

Attendance                63

Long Melford            Wood, Wilson Capt, Shipton, Attwood, nDurell, Gregory, Williamson, McMahon,Westcott,
                                Twyman, Walker      Substitutes   Swallow, Thomas, Durey, Smith
Cautioned                  Durell

Debenham LC FC     Jones, Johnson, Cussons Capt, Barker, Hardwick, Bloom, Bevis, Green, Green, L Smith
                               Wake, Heathcote    Substitutes   Vincent, Bowler, N Smith, Beaton