Thetford Rovers Reserves 1-6 East Harling XI Once again temperatures soared into the high twenties making life difficult on the pitch in the earlier parts of the game. The players all managed to put a good shift in though knowing that with a squad of 18 players a well needed rest was available when they wanted one. East Harling were delighted to welcome Nick Catchpole back into the match day squad for the first time this season. Nicks experience will be vital this season and just to have him amongst the great crop of youngsters we have at the club will be huge asset for us. Keith Sivier played his second pre-season game for the club and continued to make a huge impression on us in the midfield. Making the trip from the other side of Norwich knowing he would only play a half deserves a special mention also. The game started a little scrappy with both teams guilty of giving the ball away far too easily. Despite the pitch being in great condition we allowed ourselves to get dragged into a physical battle which at times boiled over with a few very nasty tackles from Rovers players which was never taken control of by a very out of sorts referee shall we say. After the first 30 minutes we sat down, had a chat and regrouped. We also made a few changes and started the second block of 30 minutes a lot sharper. We took the lead when attacking midfielder Warren Williams continued his impressive pre-season with a tidy finish from 12 yards having seized upon a short back pass. The second goal came very soon after the first with striker Chris Bray rolling back the years to sidestep a defender and send a dipping, swerving shot from 25 yards over the keeper and high into the net. Great link up play between Jacob Stone and Chris Bray down Harlings left hand side then resulted in Bray skipping past a defender and drilling a low cross in to the 6 yard box which an under pressure centre half inadvertently sent in to his own net for 3-0. Rovers did have their chances throughout the game but found Jamie Woodcock in defiant mood. The young keeper continues to show such potential and character fitting of a man well above his years. His performance deserved a clean sheet on the night. However he was beaten on the hour mark when a skilful forward was allowed to much space in the box to drill into the corner from 10 yards out to make it 1-3. The goal shook us a little and the break in game allowed us to make a few changes again and it paid off again. This time a magnificent solo effort from midfielder Lewis Knights, showing quick feet and acceleration to beat three defenders and bend a curling effort in to the top corner for 1-4. Goals looked like coming every time Harling attacked now which was with real regularity. The 5th goal came with 10 minutes left when a Ryan Williams cross was superbly met by Jack Barnett glancing header in to the bottom corner. Big Bad Barnett really deserved his goal on the night having chased defenders down constantly all game. The game was finished off in spectacular fashion with defender Harley Durrant not only showing good reading of the game to rob an attacker of the ball, but then beating a midfielder with quick feet before laying a 30 yard ball perfectly into the stride of 15 year old Callum Bray. Callum (son of Chris) then raced away from the back four to round the keeper and slot home, grabbing his first goal for the senior team to make the score 1-6. Liam Bobbin also made his debut for the club and showed tremendous energy and tenacity during his time on the pitch. Well done lads!!! With the new season on the horizon we now expect players to trying to force there name on to them teamsheets for the first games.........................so a few more good results should follow.
Posted on: Wed, 23 Jul 2014 21:53:16 +0000
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