GREATYARMOUTHFC.CO.UK

Saturday 26th September 2009

BLOATERS 1, BRANTHAM ATHLETIC 1

A second half goal from Scott Woodcock, his first of the season, ensured Yarmouth a share of the spoils in this top of the table match between the third and fourth placed teams. After going behind to a goal by Brantham’s leading scorer, Ollie Mann, Yarmouth then  dominated the second half and could have won had they made more of their many chances. 

Manager Paul Tong made one change from the team that won at Swaffham, bringing in Fernando Vide for his first senor start of the season in place of Junior. And the Portuguese national fully justified his selection with a man-of-the-match performance on the right wing. The Brantham left back Chris French had an uncomfortable afternoon trying to cope with Vide’s pace and trickery, the Yarmouth man easily winning the honours. His vision also allowed him to find space out on the wing but the Bloaters finishing was not quite up to the mark on Saturday. 

With Adey Ager’s injury confirmed as a cruciate ligament, condemning the team captain to months of inaction, Stewart Roach continued with the armband and commanded his troops from the front with vociferousness and fervour. An early volley showed his intent but ‘keeper Nathan Munson saved well. Smith put a header wide then saw his shot from another Vide cross saved before Brantham struck in the 29^th minute. The Yarmouth defence got in a tangle and Mann took advantage to beat Michael Hilton with a low shot by the post. 

Marcus Saunders was immediately substituted with a groin strain, having only returned from injury last week at Swaffham.. Enter Woodcock and the attack straightaway looked more lively. His first touch was a shot from Vide’s cross, shortly followed by a centre for Roach which was nipped off the striker’s toes for a corner. 

Great interplay by Vide and Roach gave Reed a shot and the youngster then supplied a pass for Woodcock through the middle that was just too strong. Yarmouth finished the half strongly and Woodcock was unlucky to see a close-range effort ruled out for offside. 

After seeing his supply of crosses go unrewarded so often, Vide tried a shot of his own on the resumption but this was narrowly wide. Roach then nodded on to Reed on the edge but his instantaneous shot was hit over. 

Smith then did much the same but just after the hour came the goal Yarmouth deserved. Gareth Palmer, doing a great job in front of the back four, supplied Woodcock who went on and finished in some style across Munson and into the far corner. 

The Bloaters then had their tails up and Munson produced an amazing save after a Woodcock corner. Roach released Vide whose cross came back off the bar into Munson’s hands, and the home crowd were now beginning to enjoy an enthralling contest. Martyn Magee, a driving force in midfield, was unlucky with a tremendous effort that dipped just over. 

The danger to Hilton’s goal was now minimal and on 80 minutes it looked like Yarmouth had found the winner as Roach headed beyond Munson but the ball came back off the bar with Roach’s follow-up header ending in the ‘keeper’s arms. Five minutes later, Roach had a shot turned round the corner after a Hilton clearance was played to him by Woodcock. The Yarmouth pressure continued with a free kick for a foul on substitute Jo Bell in full flight down the right but the Bloaters, having got back into the game, were just unable to finish the job. 

Manager Tong thought the team showed a lot of character: “We were caught napping on their goal but then we took the game to them second half and created many chances. But overall, it was a good result against a challenging team who will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season.” 

Yarmouth – M Hilton, A Sewell, O Savage, C Roberts, M Saunders (S Woodcock 32), G Palmer, F Vide, M Magee, S Roach, J Reed (J Bell 71), D Smith. Unused sub: B Junior.

Referee – M Potkins (Woodbridge)

Attendance - 60