GREATYARMOUTHFC.CO.UK

Saturday 30th January 2010

Brantham Athletic 1, Bloaters 2

Yarmouth boss Paul Tong was “well pleased” with his side’s 8^th league away win on Saturday. “We looked a quality side in the first half which we bossed without breaking too much sweat, and apart from one mistake which led to their goal, we always looked strong and competent at the back.” 

Brantham leading marksman Ollie Mann opened the scoring, as he did in the 1-1 draw at the Wellesley in September, but the Bloaters fought back with two goals before half time and although the home side mounted some strong attacks in the second half their finishing did not match their efforts, even to the extent of missing a penalty. When they were on target. Michael Hilton was strong in goal. 

“In the second half, credit to them they outplayed us,” said Tong, “but we showed the resilience and steel that we’ve got. We might have snatched another couple but that would have been unfair on them.” 

Yarmouth went fourteen points clear of second-placed FC Clacton who have four games in hand, their game on Saturday against Gorleston being one of many postponed after a return to wintry weather though the Brantham area was entirely free of ice and snow. Yarmouth’s win extended their unbeaten league run to 19 games; in fact, their only defeat up to last Saturday was at Clacton who visit the Wellesley on February 27^th. 

Mann took advantage of momentary indecision in the Bloaters defence to stroke the home side ahead after only six minutes. Yarmouth were then denied a penalty when Luke Fell was adjudged to have been bought down just outside the area instead of in it as he looked from the new stand behind the goal; the free kick came to nothing. 

Yarmouth began to win the midfield battles and Scott Woodcock, back from suspension, was prominent on the right while Luke Fell did a similar job on the left. Stewart Roach had spent a sleepless night at his sister’s side after her eight-hour operation in Cambridge, but it did not show on the pitch as he was a constant threat up front, and following a free kick awarded for a foul on him, Steve Best put a shot through a melee but it was cleared off the line. Then Dominic Smith saw his fierce shot from twenty yards put behind. 

The Division’s second-highest scoring team fought back and Hilton produced a magnificent double save after 25 minutes, then it was their turn to have a shot kicked off the goal line. 

Yarmouth deservedly equalised in the 36^th minute: Jake Reed chased a long ball down to the by-line and sent a pass across goal to Roach who christened his new number nine shirt by diving into the Brantham mud to head home his 17^th goal of the season - a remarkably brave effort after his recent facial injury against March (which occasioned the destruction of the original shirt). 

The Bloaters now had their tails up, and Woodcock went close in a chase with ‘keeper Ryan Bedingfield before a Martyn Magee free kick was headed just over by Craig Roberts. 

But Roberts had better luck from another Magee free kick as the half entered its fifth minute of added time. The kick at first went straight back to Magee but his second attempt to get the ball in the mix found Roberts waiting beyond the far post from where he sent a looping header home under the far angle. 

The 55^th minute brought a confident shout for a home penalty at the same end at which Yarmouth were denied but Roberts’ challenge was decreed a fair one  by the referee and as the ball went across the area it rebounded off the foot of a post and Yarmouth breathed again. 

But not for long as the Brantham attacks kept coming. Hilton chased to the edge of his area with Justin Deeny but having won the ball the number eleven fouled Best and was cautioned. Frustration began to creep into the home side’s play and other bookings followed. Their desperation was complete when after being awarded a spot kick for Smith’s foul on Lee Grimwood on the hour, brother David’s penalty went two feet over Hilton’s bar. 

The action in the Yarmouth half intensified, and a Hilton block by the post was followed by a centre which whistled across the goalmouth with no-one near enough to connect. Brantham captain Pat Brothers and David Grimwood combined well but Jonny King, having the game of his life, was alert to concede the corner which the Bloaters’ stopper palmed away before blocking the follow-up attempt. 

Yarmouth threatened only in breakaways but in one such another Magee free kick caused confusion and in the ensuing scramble the ball appeared to go over the line - though not according to the referee. 

A Reed lobbed effort was just reached by Bedingfield’s fingers and as the home cautions mounted Yarmouth’s discipline was an important factor in the closing stages which they saw out on the attack. 

“The boys battled and gave everything,” said a delighted Tong. “There’s a great belief in the squad who today put in an outstanding team performance all over the park. We started well but they (Brantham) played some good stuff second half, some wonderful attacking; I just hope they - along with us - finish in the top three.  

“I’m proud of my players. They should enjoy this game over the weekend, and we’ll start again on Tuesday (at Team Bury). We just have to keep going from week to week picking up the points.” 

Yarmouth – M Hilton, J King, A Sewell, C Roberts, S Best, M Magee, S Woodcock (F Vide 75), D Smith, S Roach, J Reed, L Fell. Unused subs: J Bell, B Junior, M Thompson.

Attendance - 104