Tuesday 29^th April 2008

BLOATERS 1, STOWMARKET TOWN 5

That it was going to be an unusual night could have been suggested by the starting line-up which saw Stewart Roach in the back four, not that he is unused to a defensive position having played there for Leiston, no Gareth Palmer (injured), Marcus Godbold also in the back four after an absence of several weeks, Damon Wise making his starting debut in midfield and Liam Bartley back in the attack after very few appearances this year. Reserve stalwart Dean Bain finally got his chance, being named on the bench.

The star of the show was undoubtedly the visitors’ Phil Deller who struck four times. However, all started well for the Bloaters who took an early lead through Nick Crawley: Stow ‘keeper Ross Charters partially blocked a shot from Wise and Crawley seized on the loose ball to drive past Charters after only four minutes. Yarmouth then pressed eagerly for a second goal, and an audacious lob by Robbie Oldham caused a few flutters before it dropped just over.

A free kick for a foul by Ricky Deasy on Johnny Watt also gave the Stow defenders an anxious few moments but the ball just wouldn’t go in as the visitors’ goal led a charmed life.

With virtually their only real chance of the half Stow then equalised after 25 minutes: the ball broke from midfield for Deller to run on to and shoot past Elliott Pride.

Yarmouth resumed the attack and Crawley had bad luck with a shot that Charters spilled but the ‘keeper quickly regained possession with Bartley about to pounce.

Stow’s first corner came with half an hour gone but a superb piece of play by Oldham won Yarmouth one of several corners that followed before half time. A Watt free kick aimed at the far post went very close to extending the lead, and in the final moments of the half Crawley pressure from another corner eventually saw Toby Gorbould head over.

The game changed dramatically after the break. Roach reverted to his striker role with Adam Sewell (on for Wise) taking his place in the back four but Austin King reacted first when Pride pushed a shot up onto his bar to put Stow ahead after 48 minutes.

Then the Phil Deller show took over. The programme notes described him as “a lively player who can also play as a striker”; before this game he had scored only five times this season but he almost doubled that tally before the game ended with a second half hat-trick to add to his earlier goal.

Deller made it 3-1 on 67 minutes with a stabbed goal after another mistake in the Yarmouth defence, and his third of the game came via a header six minutes later after a loudly signalled 1-2 that should have acted as a warning to the home defenders.

Yarmouth just couldn’t get going and were in part the architects of their own downfall with unnecessarily intricate play whereas Stow’s direct ‘Route 1’ game paid handsome dividends on a surface slicked by rain.

Deasy walked the ball onto the net for his fourth in the 81^st minute and Marcus Godbold – who had needed treatment and then assistance to walk off – was not the only Yarmouth player to look distinctly groggy by then.

The low crowd turn-out possibly showed the attraction of the European semi-final on the telly but the dedicated supporters including the Barmy Army are to be congratulated for their unwavering support on what turned out to be a wet and miserable night.

For one supporter though it was not so bad. Brian Gibbs, one-time secretary of the Bloaters’ Supporters Club, is the Council attendant at most games, preparing the ground and clearing up afterwards, and was making his final appearance before semi-retirement after he reckoned about twenty years in the job; after releasing the nets and collecting up the flag poles, he was delighted that in future he would not be required to get soaking wet and freezing cold after Yarmouth’s games! On Saturday, he will be back – but to man one of the entrance gates for the club.

Yarmouth – Elliott Pride, Johnny Watt (c), Marcus Godbold (Sam Watts 88), Steve Taylor, Stewart Roach, Toby Gorbould, Damon Wise (Adam Sewell 46), Robbie Oldham (Dean Bain 67), Liam Bartley, Nick Crawley, Mark Thompson.

Referee – J Smith (Ipswich)

Attendance - 37

Saturday 26^th April 2008

BLOATERS 2, HALSTEAD TOWN 2

Yet again Yarmouth surrendered a goal and two points with the game in added time but the draw was not enough to prolong Halstead’s already slim promotion hopes, third-placed Hadleigh’s win at Ely taking them beyond the reach of the Essex side.

Nick Crawley had recovered from the illness that kept him out of the side at Gorleston and he returned to partner Stewart Roach up front. Paul Dyer also returned to the starting line-up, but captain Johnathan Watt was unavailable and his place was taken by Sam Watts with Dominic Smith being called into the midfield which also featured Adam Sewell. Robbie Oldham missed out on a starting place, being consigned to the bench.

In unaccustomed sunshine, Yarmouth started brightly and Roach was unlucky with a smart header from a Watts free kick, Halstead ‘keeper Rutherford taking the catch under the bar in the first minute. However, the game gradually took a downturn and there was little to excite the meagre crowd until a Crawley cross was put out by Austin for a corner in the 13^th minute. The corner was not really cleared and eventually the ball fell to Smith some 23 yards from goal but his shot was taken by Rutherford in the midriff.

Halstead won a couple of corners of their own before Toby Gorbould was booked for bringing down Bryan after 20 minutes and from the free kick Pollard fired over. Indecision in the Yarmouth box nearly cost a goal but Bryan fired hastily and high and wide from close range. Both teams were rather tentative with passes going astray in a stiff breeze but Halstead were beginning to show their promotion potential.

Watts supplied Mark Thompson who performed a series of elaborate step-overs before crossing a ball which Roach hit wide from ten yards. Meaningful action continued in short supply with both defences very watchful but Crawley got the home crowd going with a couple of runs from the second of which Roach completely missed his kick when looking well-placed to shoot.

A 41st minute corner by Thompson found Roach at the back post but his downward header went out of play at the near.

HT 0-0

The first 15 minutes continued in much the same vein and then the game opened up and an exciting final half hour ensued.

On the hour, Thompson received the ball on the half-way line near the left touchline and went on a mazy run past three or four defenders before moving inside and planting the ball past Rutherford from the edge of the area for a superb goal, his tenth of the season.

To his chagrin, Thompson was immediately substituted with Damon Wise, though both Wise and Godbold had been waiting to come on for some minutes, Godbold replacing Smith at the same time.

Five minutes later, Taylor saw his fierce shot saved by a diving Rutherford but in two further minutes Taylor did beat the former Sudbury and Braintree ‘keeper to a pass from Crawley who had in turn been supplied by Godbold.

Traylor was then booked in the 70^th minute for bringing down Daly and Halstead pulled a goal back from the free kick, Bryan sending a superb strike direct past the flailing Pride from 30 yards.

Crawley was immediately subbed by Oldham and both sides won corners but Halstead sensed they were not out of it yet and renewed their attacks. In the 78^th minute, Gareth Palmer saved a certain goal when Pride called and missed a forward ball with Bryan about to pounce. Halstead’s frustrations grew, though, as Pride denied them several times and the visitors conceded a number of free kicks but it was a foul by Yarmouth that set up the equalising strike.

The game was deep in to added time when Austin’s free kick from near the right touchline was deftly headed in by Daly at the far post amongst a crowd of players. In the final seconds Pride blocked out an effort from Bryan that would have kept Halstead’s hopes alive.

Yarmouth – Elliott Pride, Sam Watts, Paul Dyer, Steve Taylor, Gareth Palmer, Toby Gorbould, Dominic Smith (Marcus Godbold 71), Adam Sewell, Stewart Roach, Nick Crawley (Robbie Oldham 71), Mark Thompson (Damon Wise 61).

Referee – A Shipley (Woodton)

Attendance - 58

Tuesday 22^nd April 2008

GORLESTON 3, BLOATERS 3

Kevin Cruickshank was forced into changes for tonight’s game with Nick Crawley succumbing to a flu virus, Adam Sullivan not recovered sufficiently from his injury of Saturday and Paul Dyer also not 100% fit though he was named on the bench. In came Adam Sewell, Dominic Smith and Robbie Oldham, perhaps surprisingly restored after saying on the Fans Forum that he had quit.

The first 3-3 draw in the East Coast derby for exactly 50 years was entertaining after some recent dour encounters. Although it meant the Greens were unbeaten against the Bloaters for the fifth game in a row, the loss of the two points may have spiked Gorleston’s promotion hopes as they must now win both of their remaining games and hope other sides drop points. However, after an unpromising beginning to the season, they are the surprise package in the promotion stakes.

Gorleston got off to the perfect start with a goal in the first minute when Matt Bowles fired in with a stranded Elliott Pride helpless to do anything about it. However, Yarmouth found an equaliser 13 minutes later when Steve Taylor centred, Tom Marsden half saved and Sewell followed up to score in front of the delirious Barmy Army.

Sewell played up front in Crawley’s place and was a potent force, not only with the ball at his feet but once again with his penetrating long throws. He was involved twice in the 15^th minute, first with a header from Johnathan Watt’s free kick, then with an angled shot that went just too high.

Four minutes later, Mark Thompson was fouled by his namesake in the Gorleston side, Eddie, and when the free kick was pumped into the Greens’ box Oldham got the ball in the net but was adjudged to have fouled Marsden in the process.

Pride was the busier of the two ‘keepers and showed his range of goalkeeping skills; he was fortunate to come away with the ball after an almighty scramble in the Yarmouth six-yard box but was powerless to keep out the second goal when a throw came in and Gary Todd somehow worked the ball past him on the half-hour.

More Sewell throws came into the box and from one Oldham had Marsden scrambling to secure possession.

HT 2-1

The second half almost opened in the same fashion as the first but somehow Yarmouth kept the ball out.

Paul Dyer replaced Oldham in the 56^th minute and Roach’s first serious attempt at goal came after 58 minutes when a header glanced wide after a run by the substitute.

Gary Ingram should have done better with a hasty shot that he pulled wide when he seemed to have more time but Gorleston were very dangerous on the break, showing plenty of pace and purpose and winning corners. However, it was Yarmouth who next drew blood, equalising after 70 minutes when Roach had all the time in the world to pick his spot past Marsden after a cross from the left.

This served to wake up a half that seemed to be drifting, and a few minutes later Taylor had a great shot from 30 yards that went narrowly wide. Gorleston won a free kick near the corner flag but Pride made an excellent leaping catch.

Yarmouth now pressed with corners and two efforts by Toby Gorbould before they took the lead. An 86^th minute free kick was awarded on the edge of the Greens’ area and Taylor judged it to perfection and the Bloaters’ supporters had the scent of victory.

But it was not to be. For the second time recently, they saw a possible three away points snatched away in the last moments. With the 90 minutes up, Gorleston pressure saw a shot accidentally deflect off Watt’s leg and fall kindly for ex-Bloater Luke Goreham to blast home. This was doubly cruel on Watt as this was his first match in Yarmouth colours at the ground where he spent three seasons before crossing the river.

Yarmouth – Elliott Pride, Johnathan  Watt, Sam Watts, Steve Taylor, Gareth Palmer, Toby Gorbould, Dominic Smith, Robbie Oldham (Paul Dyer 58), Stewart Roach, Adam Sewell, Mark Thompson. Unused subs: Lee Perry, Damon Wise.

Referee - A J Chapman

Attendance - 165

Saturday 5^th April 2008

LONG MELFORD 2, BLOATERS 2

The draw ended both teams losing runs, though Melford had more cause to celebrate having lost 13 games on the bounce. Yarmouth had lost just two, and those to two of the top three in the Division, but this draw somehow seemed like a defeat, with the home side’s second equaliser coming moments after Yarmouth thought Stewart Roach’s 90^th minute second goal was the winner.

Manager Kevin Cruickshank continued his end-of-season policy of giving fringe players a chance to impress: Tommy Gardiner, Dominic Smith, Carl Hatton and Jake Reed joined Bruno Correia on the bench, he being replaced by Mark Thompson;  Robbie Oldham took the place of Steve Taylor who was unavailable.

Melford kicked off at a cold and wind-swept Stoneylands but it was the Bloaters who made the early running, as last week at Tiptree. Yarmouth had five chances in the opening 13 minutes. Home ‘keeper Floyd Croll saved the first three attempts, a header by Adam Sullivan, another from Roach, then a low shot by Nick Crawley

Then, after Roach was fouled on the edge of the area, Mark Thompson’s free kick may have made contact with a defender’s hand but Yarmouth’s claims were denied. And finally in this hectic opening, Roach cleverly beat experienced Melford captain Chris Tracey but his centre was hit over the bar by Crawley.

Melford leading scorer Ashley Skeggs replied with a shot over the Yarmouth bar when but the visitors resumed their attack Roach shot weakly at Croll. Melford gradually got into the game but Gareth Palmer stood tall in the Bloaters’ defence.

Matt Wilson was forced into shooting wide, but Danny Manser went closer with a shot that was deflected for Melford’s first corner after 26 minutes, and this was well-claimed by Elliott Pride. A Johnathan Watt free kick was headed away from the near post by Tracey with Roach also going up for it before Skeggs shot wide at the other end.

Melford’s Luke Bennett suffered an unfortunate collision with the surrounding concrete path and had to be stretchered off, Dan Grindrod replacing after 36 minutes but there was little of interest in the remaining play of the half.

HT 0-0

Dominic Smith replaced Robbie Oldham in the Yarmouth midfield at half time. Yarmouth quickly won corners as the second half opened and from the second Crawley was unlucky to see Croll make a marvellous save, but when the ball was played back towards the byline, Thompson jinked it over the defence onto Roach’s head from where it was despatched for the lead in the 51^st minute.

Thompson hit wide of the far post before Adam Sewell, always a danger with his long throws, popped one into the home penalty area where it caused some confusion and two more Yarmouth chances went begging.

Youth-teamer Jake Reed was then sent on for his debut in the 58^th minute and brought another aspect of play to the front line, with Crawley taking a slightly deeper and wider role. For Melford, Danny Brind hit one out of the ground, but then Croll dropped a Crawley centre at the other end though he reacted instantly to reclaim the ball. Pride then made a great block from Brind.

On 70 minutes, Sewell hit a tremendous volley which flew just wide after a Crawley run and cross. A minute later, a Crawley clearance was nodded on by Roach to Reed but as the youngster went through into the area with the ball he was adjudged to have fouled his tracking defender, but in a further minute Melford were, surprisingly, level. Out of nothing, Melford crossed the ball and Brind got a shot away from the edge of the area which all of a sudden was nestling in the back of the net!

Melford now stepped up their game and Yarmouth could do little right, frequently giving the ball away and surrendering possession all too easily. However, there was a sting in the tail of the game – for both sides.

With 90 minutes up, Roach got on the end of a long forward ball from Sam Watts and nodded over the advancing Croll for 2-1. However, before the Yarmouth celebrations had died down, Melford substitute Steve Chisholm found himself in space generously donated by the Bloaters’ defence on the corner of the box and his angled shot flew past the startled Pride to level it all up once again.

There was barely time to restart the game before the final whistle blew, signalling elation for Melford, gaining their first point since Boxing Day, but dejection for Yarmouth, having now lost five points to both Fakenham and Long Melford, the bottom two teams in the division. Next week they face Cornard at home, the team third from bottom and to whom Yarmouth have already dropped two points.

Yarmouth – Elliott Pride, Johnny Watt, Adam Sewell (Bruno Correia 85), Robbie Oldham (Dominic Smith 46), Gareth Palmer, Toby Gorbould, Sam Watts, Adam Sullivan, Stewart Roach, Nicky Crawley, Mark Thompson (Jake Reed 58). Unused subs: Tommy Gardiner, Carl Hatton.

Referee – K Theobald (Sudbury)

Attendance - 67