GREATYARMOUTHFC.CO.UK

Saturday 5th December 2009

BLOATERS 4, DOWNHAM TOWN 0

With four players unavailable for various reasons, Paul Tong was struggling midweek for a side. In came untried youth ‘keeper Craig Lambert, Alan Darby from his self-imposed retirement and Martin Goulder from the Reserves, whose game was, thankfully, postponed. In addition, new signing Johnny King, from Diss Town, made his debut at right-back.  

Liam Bartley who was in the starting line-up for the first time in seven games, replacing Fernando Vide who took his place on the bench, immediately justified his selection with the opening goal after 17 minutes. Olly Savage sent a long diagonal cross over to the right and Bartley impressively steered an immaculate first-time shot between Downham ’keeper Ben Griffin and his post. 

Craig Roberts doubled the Bloaters’ lead after 40 minutes: Roach’s long throw in to the area saw Roberts’ header pushed round by Griffin but the ‘keeper was helpless to keep out Roberts’ second effort from Scott Woodcock’s subsequent corner kick. 

Four minutes after the break, Bartley made it three from a Woodcock cross, and just after the hour, following the substitution of Jake Reed for Roach, a somewhat comedic sequence of events after a Bartley shot hit a post resulted in Gavin Norman scoring the fourth goal. 

There were further chances for Yarmouth to benefit but no more goals accrued to the Bloaters’ account. All the additional players slotted well into the system, with King taking the eye in defence and Goulder filling in admirably in midfield. However, it must be remarked that Downham did not present a formidable obstacle to Yarmouth’s progress with barely a shot on target being noted, unless you count the “goal” that was disallowed from a free kick awarded after a back pass was picked up by Lambert – the Downham player evidently did not realise that the free kick was indirect! 

Once again, the only disappointment of the afternoon was the low attendance. 

Team – C Lambert, J King, O Savage, C Roberts, A Darby, M Goulder, L Bartley (J Bell 68), D Smith, S Roach (J Reed 60), G Norman, S Woodcock (M Thompson 80). Unused subs: F Vide, B Junior.

Referee – M Burroughs

Attendance - 42