It was a bight sunny day at Maitlands with wintry clouds and a cool breeze to herald the arrival of winter as we were all wrapped up and eager to see if the Hornets could continue their recent good form and gather more precious league points. Reserves player George Johnson was drafted into the team for his first senior start to cover the absence of Rob Kemp and Marc Wake reclaimed his number 10 shirt as Nathan Smith moved to the substitutes bench. Sam Chilvers replaced the injured Liam Jones in goal and Ben Green made a welcome return to action again from the subs bench along with Nathan Vincent who looks like he has regained full fitness.
Debenham started the game at full tilt running at the Team Bury defence and after only 4 minutes a cross from Ed Cussons bounced past Marc Wake and Ben Bowler before rolling invitingly to Liam Smith at the far post but Liam wasted the opportunity by blasting the ball over the cross bar. Gorge Johnson was looking a little nervous as the game got under way and as a Team Bury forward won the ball in a tackle he fed Adam Borrough whose shot whistled the wrong side of Sam Chilvers’ left hand post.
Six minutes were on the clock as James Heathcote’s shot at goal was cleared away by the visitors’ defence at the expense of a corner kick on the left side which was taken as always by Liam Bevis. Liam’s super in- swinging accurate corner kick landed squarely on the forehead of central defender LEE BLOOM who was up for the corner kick and the ball just flew into the top left corner of the goal giving Team Bury’s keeper Stephen Fennell no chance of making a save. A super headed goal from Lee and some spectacular celebrations as can bee seen in the photo gallery.
Liam Smith was having a good game wide on the right side and his chipped pass to Marc Wake was crossed to Ben Bowler but his effort at goal flew over the bar. Team Bury were looking rather shell shocked as they tried to get back into the game but Debenham’s defence was strong and Sam Chilvers was looking comfortable catching high balls and making saves from efforts at goal but the visitors’ neat approach play rather fizzled out at the 18 yard line.
James Heathcote had a shot at goal from 20 yards that the keeper caught comfortably before a corner kick on the right side was cleared away by the Team Bury defence for another corner on the left side. The clock said 19 minutes as Liam Bevis sent over another of his customary quality kicks into the near post and there was LEE BLOOM in exactly the same spot as before getting his head to the ball and sending it down onto the goal line and past the keeper to increase Debenham’s lead to 2 - 0. More crazy celebrations as Lee gets mobbed by his team mates and dumped on the ground for his troubles- see the photo gallery again.
Debenham were now in control of the game as they put together a number of exciting attacking moves with quick passing and accurate crosses but the visitors’ defence managed to keep the ball out.  Team Bury had a couple of shots at goal but they were from long range and lacked direction and power before The Hornets surged up the field again on 33 minutes when a midfield pass found Marc Wake who spotted James Heathcote running into the penalty area so Marc sent over a delightfully weighted chipped cross that landed in just the right spot for JAMES HEATHCOTE to shoot from the left side of the penalty area across the keeper and into the net for a spectacular third goal for Debenham LC.
The remainder of the half saw Team Bury have a period of possession and a bit of pressure on the home defence but they never really managed to create a clear chance as Debenham’s defenders closed down the attackers and left them no space to work in.

Half Time                Debenham LC FC   3                       Team Bury FC   0
                              Bloom    6,  19
                              Heathcote    33

Team Bury made substitutions at the start of the second half and it showed as they took the game to the Hornets and looked far more dangerous as they played the ball around the edge of the home penalty area. A clear opportunity presented itself to Team Bury after 49 minutes when Sam Chilvers went to gather a routine high ball near to the right hand post but managed to fumble the ball and it fell kindly for a Team Bury forward who had a clear sight of goal - at a bit of an angle - but he managed to lift his hurried shot over the bar.
Ben Green replaced Ben Bowler for Debenham after 51 minutes as Team Bury substitute Zehnn Young was looking very lively on the left side and was certainly giving the home defence much more to think about.
James Heathcote used his pace to get onto a pass from Liam Bevis but his effoprt was wide of the mark and then after 55 minutes he had an opportunity to run clear of the defence but he played the ball too heavily and it ran kindly for the visitors’ keeper.
Team Bury’s improved play earned some reward after 57 minutes when ADAM BORROUGH took a pass on the run and shot past Sam Chilvers and into the net to reduce the arrears with half an hour still to play but this seemed to act as a spur for the home team as they gathered themselves and imposed a period of pressure on the visitors’ defence. Ben Green played a neat 1-2 with James Heathcote before shooting from 25 yards but the ball was straight at the keeper who saved easily before Liam Smith carried the ball for 30 yards and passed to Ben Green who again shot from distance but straight to the keeper. At least his shots were on target! Liam Bevis ‘s shot whistled past the post after 70 minutes before Team Bury had two corner kicks in quick succession but both opportunities were wasted as the ball was hoofed over the bar both times.
Nathan Vincent replaced Liam Smith for Debenham after 77 minutes as Team Bury pressed again but the home defence remained resolute and kept the visitors out. Two yellow cards were awarded to Team Bury’s Evan Key and Liam Wales for a rough tackle and a “professional foul” for holding back Liam Bevis who was breaking through the line of the visitors’ defence.
The remainder of the game brought no clear chances for either side and the final whistle signalled three more precious league points for Debenham LC FC who will be pleased to carry their good form on at home. With game to come against teams in the lower reaches of the division there is every prospect of  more success as the team looks to consolidate a position in the the top third of the table.

Full Time                    Debenham LC FC   3                       Team Bury FC   1
                                 Bloom    6,  19                                 Borrough     57
                                 Heathcote    33

Referee                      Mr C Fountain    Assistant Referees   Mr A Gray    Ms W Townsend

Attendance                 66

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

Team Bury FC           Fennell, Barker, Hall, Moody, Key, Weavers Capt, Kearns, Curry, Hitter, Borrough,
                                 Wales       Substitutes   Edwards, Titlow, Young

Cautioned                  Key, Wales