On a typically cold damp windy January afternoon at Maitlands, a youthful Debenham Reserves entertained an equally youthful Whitton, suggesting a lively encounter awaited the fans who braved the cold.
Early exchanges saw both sides come close, Whitton twice hitting just over the bar and Jack Seccombe putting just wide after a good run and one two with Adam Rickwood.
With the pairing of Rickwood and Nathan Smith up front eager to use their pace and anticipation against a well-disciplined back four, it was frustrating that their efforts continued to be thwarted by numerous off-side decisions.  
Whilst possession was even, it was Whitton who continued to create shooting opportunities, but none troubled Matt Hinton between the sticks. With enthusiastic tackling in abundance, free-kicks abounded both ways, but to little effect by either side.
Whitton continued to press and on 35mins crafted an opportunity that their striker fortunately failed to connect with only feet from goal with only Hinton to beat.
Three minutes later the deadlock was broken when a nicely weighted ball over the top was chased down by an on-side RICKWOOD. Despite his desperate attempt to block, the Whitton keeper couldn’t prevent the determined striker from retaining the ball and slotting into an open net, 1-0.
On the stroke of half time the striker almost picked up a second, when a timely challenge and ball down the left touchline by Matt Sears was picked up by Smith, who took on the defender and whipped over an exquisite cross into the path of Rickwood, with seemingly only the thickness of his laces between him and a certain goal.
Not to be outdone Whitton were soon at the other end where Hinton’s brave save followed a goal mouth scramble.

The second half began as the first had ended, with chances at one end followed almost immediately by chances at the other with both keepers involved.
Again it was Whitton who were showing more enterprise and determination with shots and headers coming close. With James Jennings off injured, Jack Moncur was pushed forward but inevitably the Debenham midfield began to lose shape.
On 65mins the inevitable equaliser came, a bundled effort but nevertheless deserved. A break down the left saw the ball ricochet its way across the area, before being poked home at the far post. 1-1.
This lifted Whitton and the Hornets did well to contain the onslaught. As injured Ryan Gardiner and Matt Sears left the field, Billy Seaman and Gary French joined the fray as Debenham tried to regain a foothold in a game that was slipping away from them.
On 75mins a Whitton corner was headed goalward at the far post, Hinton parried and bravely thwarted the follow up attempt, but when the ball broke to the Whitton no.7 he blasted home from 3 yards out. 1-2.
Whitton were now full of running and only fortune prevented further scores, as well as some outstanding work by Hinton.
With French now upfront with Rickwood Debenham’s attacking threat was lessened, but in truth they were struggling to get the ball beyond midfield.
Hinton continued to produce heroics as Whitton pressed hard to extend their lead and put the game beyond doubt. Cruelly with only minutes remaining a deflection from the Green no.11’s powerful strike finally wrong footed the keeper to seal the game. Or so we thought! 1-3.
Immediately from the kick-off a ball was played through to RICKWOOD who allegedly beat the defensive trap and slotted past the keeper for his second. 2-3.
It was now Debenham who pressed forward, but it was too little too late and it was Whitton who celebrated the victory as the final whistle blew. Debenham were left to reflect on some encouraging aspects of the game, but mainly on the need to maintain concentration and effort throughout the 90mins.    

Full Time          Debenham LC FC Reserves  2   Whitton United FC Reserves   3

Report from Club Member Dave Smith