GREATYARMOUTHFC.CO.UK

Thursday 20th Aug, 2009

KIRKLEY & PAKEFIELD 0, BLOATERS 2

The defending East Division champions kicked off their season with a fine win at Walmer Road.

The game was evenly balanced though Yarmouth had the better chances. After only a quarter of an hour, Lee Roscoe had a good run up and his cross was kicked off the home line by a defender Moments later, Kieran Bartley missed a tight cross from Adam Blanch. There was some clever play by both sides butYarmouth seemed to have the edge in technique, and a fine George Brooks free kick swung in towards the top corner only for the home ‘keeper to flick it away. 

For the home side Rowan Van Tromp hit a good shot which took a slight deflection for a corner from which new Bloaters’ ‘keeper Jake Sharp got down well to save. Then a Bartley header bobbled into the home ‘keeper’s arms. Just before the break, Yarmouth’s Simeon Lee took a potshot from all of 45 yards which dipped just too late. It had been a breathless half with new centre forward Blanch having particularly bad luck in front of goal. 

Jacob Maitland came on at the start of the second half but it was Blanch again who had the next chance after a defender’s mistake but he was forced wide and despite two more good efforts there was still no score. Lee tried another long-range shot before Sharp was down again well to a smart Kirkley shot. Captain Roscoe had the ball in the net on the hour but was disappointed to see his effort disallowed for offside. 

The breakthrough came in the 78th minute, after a Kirkley free kick in the “D” was punched over by Sharp. The corner was cleared down the right to substitute Jack Deeley who raced away to the byline and crossed low for Maitland to score at the near post. 

Cherno Bari went on and did well to head away a free kick into the Bloaters’ box before Deeley entered the picture again when another cross led to an incredible series of shots and misses. But Deeley had the last laugh with a goal of exceptional quality, somewhat Ronaldo-like in its vision and execution. With normal time up, from the left corner of the Kirkley area Deeley deliberately aimed high just beyond the far post but the ball curled inwards and went in off the goal-frame; a remarkable goal! 

Team – Jake Sharp, Declan Harvey, Eddie Short, Sam Pullin, Simeon Lee, George Brooks, Ross Catchpole, Lee Roscoe, Adam Blanch, Kieran Bartley, Kris Howe. Subs: Jacob Maitland, Jack Deeley, Josh Ward, Cherno Bari, Chris Bird (g/k).