We were lucky to get a window in the poor recent weather that saw the game played in bright sunshine from a cloudless sky but the chill breeze reminded us all that we are still technically in the midst of winter. Thetford’s pitch looked in reasonably good order with a good covering of grass and a pronounced slope to one end and one side that would surely help the team attacking that end. Debenham were without central defender Lee Bloom who was serving a one match ban for a red card but he would have been unavailable due to working commitments anyway so we saw Debenham stalwart Rob Kemp drafted in to play at left back with Captain Ed Cussons moving to the left side of central defence. That was the plan when we all arrived but during the warm up it became clear that George Johnson was feeling the effects of a knock received whilst playing for the reserves in midweek and he had to withdraw to the substitute’s bench leaving Michael Beaton to play in the left full back position and Rob Kemp to move across to the right full back berth. Other than that the team was as we have come to expect although it became clear early on that the pitch at Mundford Road is extremely wide and the Hornets front pair of Ben Green and James Heathcote seemed to be very wide apart.
In the second minute of the match James Heathcote made a good run up the left wing and was brought to a stop by a foul which saw Liam Bevis deliver one of his trademark balls into the penalty area. Michael Beaton and Nathan Vincent exchanged passes with Marc Wake before the ball ran kindly for the Thetford keeper to gather.
Thetford were keeping the ball well and passing through midfield but were offering little threat in the penalty area where the Hornets defence were covering the runs and tackling well. Debenham attacked up the left wing on 12 minutes when Michael Beaton made a good pass up to James Heathcote who got past his defender but when he was tackled a poor headed pass by Debenham presented the ball to Matt Dixon who ran the length of the pitch into the Debenham penalty area where Ed Cussons made a tackle that seemed to win the ball but the referee disappointed the visiting supporters by pointing to the penalty spot. It was MATT DIXON who took the spot kick and saw Liam Jones’ dive take him to the wrong side of the goal as the ball settled in the opposite corner to give the home team the lead.
Play switched from end to end as both teams strived to get into a scoring position but the defences of both teams were strong and restricted the opposition to long range efforts. Ben Green was looking busy for the Hornets as he ran at the home defence but at every turn he was crowded out and James Heathcote was using his pace to good effect as he exchanged passes with Nathan Vincent on 30 minutes but was tackled just as he was about to shoot at goal. Thetford pressed forward near to the end of the half when a good tackle from Tom Hardwick stopped Matt Dixon from getting into the penalty area and the half time whistle arrived with both sets of supporters hoping for better things in the second half.

Half Time            Thetford Town FC    1           Debenham LC FC     0
                          Dixon 12 pen

Debenham started the second half with the advantage of the slope and looking sharp as they took the game to the home team. A long throw after 47 minutes taken by Tom Hardwick saw the ball forced away from goal by a Thetford defender and out for a corner kick. Liam Bevis sent over a delightfully flighted ball that evaded the home centre half and landed on Ed Cussons’ forehead but his powerful downward header certainly beat Ian Fancett in the Thetford goal but bounced up and just cleared the bar as we were all waiting for the net to bulge. Really bad luck for Ed and the team as the Hornets were applying early pressure and making good use of the slope to run at the home defence. Rob Kemp made a really good tackle after 49 minutes taking the ball away from the Thetford forwards before feeding Marc Wake in midfield. Rob continued his run up the left wing and slid the ball into the penalty area where Kevin Barker was up with the forwards and had a sight of goal so he shot for the left side only to see the keeper save but let the ball slide away and as a defender tried to clear James Heathcote challenged and blocked the clearance only to watch as the ball rebounded off his shins across the goalmouth and just scrape past the far post. Another close shave, surely the Hornets’ luck has to change!
Thetford were not out of the game though and continued to make forward runs but the Hornets defence held firm and the home forwards were restricted to efforts from long range which failed to trouble Liam Jones
The 66th minute saw Ben Green run at the home defence and send a pass through to Liam Bevis whose chipped pass into the penalty area fell nicely for Nathan Vincent but Nathan’s effort at goal was a fraction too high. Great example of the spirit in the side on 78 minutes when substitute Liam Smith spotted the Thetford number 9 advancing unmarked towards the Hornets’ penalty area so Liam took off on a flat out sprint over 60 yards to cover the threat and help out the defenders before resuming his forward duties.
Debenham continued to press forward as Michael Beaton was replaced by Jack Seccombe who was involved in a good move that saw Liam Bevis strike a shot from 25 yards that zipped past the right hand post.
Thetford nearly extended their lead on 89 minutes when Matt Blake spun and shot at goal but saw his shot strike the right hand post and bounce away but that would have been very rough justice for Debenham who had constructed the better of the chances especially during the second half of the game and certainly deserved a draw for their efforts.
So the game ended with Thetford extending their unbeaten run at home but I think that they will know that they have been in a really tough game and they were fortunate not to concede at least two goals that might have seen a very different outcome. Debenham assistant first team manager Jason Pettit commented after the game “We were very unlucky not to have at least gained a point from the game especially as we created the better chances in the game, to loose to the top team by a penalty is a bitter pill to take but Vinne and myself were happy with the teams performance and we will be looking to get back on a winning run again starting next Saturday at home to Cornard”.
A good team, performance for Debenham especially with the defence rearranged at short notice but good contribution from Rob Kemp and Michael Beaton.

Full Time             Thetford Town FC    1           Debenham LC FC     0
                          Dixon 12 pen

Referee        Mr. T. Hancock      Assistant Referees   Mr. G. Grimwood    Mr. K. Grimwood

Attendance   100