Autumn arrived at last as we made our way to Maitlands enjoying glorious seasonal colours in the bright October sunshine but a coolish breeze kept us all well wrapped up. The pitch looked to have enjoyed the rain that came during the week and was looking green but could have done with a roll to even out the bumpy playing surface. Debenham LC FC welcomed back Lee Bloom to the defensive line after a lengthy lay off through injury and Nathan Vincent made a welcome return to the substitutes bench also after a break through injury. With two senior players being released this week there was an opportunity for reserves player Ben Bowler to take his place in the starting line up and fellow reserves player Jack Seccombe was on the bench.
The game started with both teams summing up the opposition but exploded into action in the 6th minute when Swaffham played the ball forward and there seemed to be nothing in the play as the ball dropped on to the foot of RICHARD CORNWALL who struck a venomous opportunistic shot at goal that took us all by surprise as it zipped past Liam Jones and into the corner of the net to give the visitors the lead. Another early goal conceded by the Hornets but the play switched to the Swaffham end where a period of pressure from the home players saw reserve debutante Ben Bowler strike a shot from 25 yards that beat keeper Dean Hayes but smacked against the foot of the left hand post and James Heathcote’s effort from the rebound was wide of the goal.
Play was mainly in the middle third of the pitch for much of the first half with Debenham looking more likely as Liam Bevis passed the ball to all areas of the pitch. Swaffham got forward a number of times and won a corner that Liam Jones smothered at the near post. After 29 minutes of the match Debenham scored an equaliser when James Heathcote dispossessed a defender and took the ball down to the left by-line inside the six yard box before laying the ball back to MARC WAKE who side footed the ball into the goal despite the acrobatic efforts of a defender on the line. A run down the right wing by Liam Smith produced a cross that was controlled by James Heathcote who turned and shot for goal but his effort was deflected into the keepers’s arms and as the half ended Liam Jones in the Debenham goal made a good high catch as Swaffham had a period of pressure.

Half Time              Debenham LC FC      1                 Swaffham Town FC        1
                            Wake   29                                     Cornwall    5

Debenham had the breeze at their backs in the second half and started well with Liam Smith shooting to the near post and the keeper getting down to save. It was all Debenham as James Heathcote on the right and Liam Smith on the left chased free kicks, crosses and goal kicks but all efforts failed to increase the score until the 62nd minute when some tidy mid-filed play saw Rob Kemp get forward into the right side of the Swaffham penalty area from where he sent over a teasing cross that was met by LIAM SMITH with a leaping side foot shot that deceived the keeper and nestled in the corner of the net to give Debenham the lead. Just three more minutes where on the clock when Ben Bowler, who was having an excellent game in midfield, played a neat one-two with Liam Smith on the left side of the penalty box allowing Liam to send the ball across the box near to the penalty spot where Marc Wake controlled the ball and let it run on to JAMES HEATHCOTE who slammed it into the net past the despairing efforts of Dean Hayes in the Swaffham goal. This was more like it as Debenham were showing pace and strength getting the ball forward and then skill and control fashioning the chance that was well dispatched by James’ shot.
Debenham were well in control now and Swaffham restricted to playing the ball through midfield but being unable to penetrate the home defence where Lee Bloom looked comfortable alongside Tom Hardwick. James Heathcote’s pace was a continual problem to Swaffham as the ball was played forward through midfield and the situation only got worse for the visitors when Nathan Vincent joined the game replacing Marc Wake. Nathan used his pace and control to take the play into the visitors’ half and combined well with Liam Bevis and Ben Bowler. On 77 minutes a cross from James Heathcote was headed narrowly over the bar by Liam Smith and on 84 minutes reserves player Jack Seccombe was introduced for a taste of first team action and he looked comfortable on the ball carrying the ball forward at every opportunity but the game ended with Debenham well on top but unable to add to the three goals that they had scored.
Good performances from Liam Smith who took his goal well and James Heathcote who used his pace to good effect and from Ben Bowler who looked assured and confident in midfield. This was a good win for the Hornets after the disappointing defeat last week and will be a good base to build on as we head into the winter months.

Final Score                Debenham LC FC      3                 Swaffham Town FC        1
                                Wake   29                                     Cornwall    5
                                Smith   62
                                Heathcote   65

Referee                     Mr G Moir    Assistant Referees   Mr J Fisher-Stevenson    Mr P Frank

Attendance               48

Debenham LC FC   Jones, Kemp, Cussons Capt, Barker, Hardwick, Bloom, Bevis, Bowler, Heathcote,                                  Wake, Smith      Substitutes  Seccombe, Vincent, Vince
Cautioned                  Cussons