tuesday 26th August 2008

Thetford Town 2, Bloaters 2

After leading 2-0 at half time, Yarmouth let their now-formidable standards drop as they conceded their first points and goals of the season. Thetford proved a tougher nut to crack than Ipswich Wanderers, yet Yarmouth had enough chances to have killed the game off long before Thetford drew their equalising goal four minutes from the end.

Yarmouth tried to dominate from the start and after taking a pass from Smith Crawley saw a shot smothered by ‘keeper Corston in the tenth minute, followed by a snap-shot from Lamb that went just wide and seconds later a 30-yard shot from Woodcock that left Corston standing but took a deflection for a corner.

Pride made his first save after 23 minutes but, as on Saturday, it was in the 28^th minute that Yarmouth deservedly moved ahead with a Woodcock shot from ten yards. Eight minutes later, Woodcock doubled the advantage after taking a delightful pass from Roach in his stride.

Near the interval, a Sewell long throw bemused the home ‘keeper at the near post, the ball trickling through his legs, but a fellow-defender put it out for a corner.

Jones, a former Diss player under Paul Tong, tried to get the home side going with some forcing forward play and Pride made a first slip, having to concede a corner after pushing an effort over his bar. Roach then spurned a chance putting the ball straight at Corston when through on goal.

Lamb was the next to miss an opening, putting the ball over the top after a Woodcock shot was blocked. Woodcock then took a 25-yard free kick that bent Beckham-like over the wall but was a coat of paint from going in.

Thetford were then presented with a penalty kick in the 73^rd minute after Sullivan had unnecessarily brushed aside substitute Brewer who beat Pride from the spot to be the first to score against Yarmouth this season.

Revitalised Thetford then went for it and a cross aimed at Brewer evaded everyone and flew agonisingly wide of the back post.

The miss of the match then came from Woodcock who was looking for his hat-trick. Substitute Bartley took a pass on the edge of the box but went wide instead of shooting: his pass inside found Woodcock with ample time and room but the winger fluffed his shot with only Corston to beat, the ball ballooning over the bar to the relief of the home supporters and players.

The miss proved costly as Thetford equalised in the 86^th minute; a scramble in the Yarmouth box ended with the ball in the Bloaters’ net, Skipp claiming the goal though it might just possibly have been an own goal.

The final whistle brought relief to Yarmouth at preserving their unbeaten record this season but they could so easily have kept up the winning run.

Yarmouth – Elliot Pride, Adam Sewell, Olly Savage, Dominic Smith, Adey Ager, Alan Darby, Darren Lamb (Mark Thompson 89), Adam Sullivan (c), Stewart Roach (Liam Bartley 77), Nick Crawley, Scot Woodcock. Unused sub: Toby Gorbould.

Referee – J Downs

Attendance - 65