Suffering from late call-ups and unavailability, including captain Kieron Teeder an inexperienced Reserve side travelled to Gt Yarmouth Town. The weather was perfect for sitting on the beach, although a stiff breeze from one end of the ground would need to be taken advantage of especially by the 12 men of Debenham. Yarmouth kicked off with the wind and following sustained pressure found the net on 10 mins when a low cross was deflected past Chilvers 1-0. With acting Captain Nathan Smith dropping into a midfield five Burton was left to battle alone up front, this was enabling Yarmouth to patiently build attacks from deep in their own half. Good work at the back by Hambling and Pettit in particular was stemming the tide, although Yarmouth looked comfortable and were creating chances but fortunately not finding the target. Debenham were restricted to the occasional break, Secommbe on the left proving on 25 mins was rewarded for his driving run when the ball squirmed loose to Smith who beat his man before rifling the ball in the back of the net 1-1.
Rocked by this Yarmouth immediately countered when their right winger got to the by line and his low cross was simply tapped in to restore their lead 2-1. Play remained even until a missed tackle on the halfway line gave Yarmouth the opportunity to out number the Debenham defence with a deft final ball was easily placed past the advancing Chilvers 3-1 with 35 mins on the clock.
Debenham upped the tempo defending higher up the pitch and restricted Yarmouth to long shots and crosses that failed to trouble Chilvers

Half Time    Great Yarmouth Town FC reserves  3        Debenham LC FC reserves  1

With the wind now at their backs it was Debenham who looked the more comfortable with Secommbe, Burton & Smith all causing problems. On 60 mins Barker picked up a knock but soldiered on until being replaced by the evergreen French on 65 mins.
Yarmouth now restricted to breakaways came close but were denied by Chilvers saving well to his left. On 70 mins Seccombe was put clear but failed to connect fully with his lob before being brought down by the keeper on the edge of the area. The resulting free kick was saved by the keeper’s feet and the resulting corner was agonisingly close to the far post. Play switched immediately to Yarmouth and Chilvers was forced into two fine saves at close range followed by an even better one to deny a certain goal.
Yarmouth’s short passing game was suiting the conditions and Debenham were unable to capitalise on the wind advantage. Good work down the right from French & Seccombe put Cridland in but the midfielder was unable to get the ball out of his feet. Two further chances fell to Burton but fortune favoured the keeper. With the clock ticking and legs tiring Debenham continued to push forward and were rewarded when an in swinging corner from French was pushed into his own net by the Yarmouth keeper 3-2.
Deep into stoppage time Burton missed a golden opportunity to level the score and with Debenham pressing forward to get the equaliser Yarmouth broke with seconds left with a punt up field  putting the Yarmouth attacker through who then slotted the ball home within seconds of the final whistle,

Debenham will fell that they could have at least should have got a draw from the game but they needed to start the game the way they did in the second half to have the chance of all three points. Next game at home to Walsham le Willows.

Full Time    Great Yarmouth Town FC reserves  4        Debenham LC FC reserves  2

Report from Club Member Dave Smith