Eddie Jack takes his Easton charges to Blofield on yet another sunny afternoon in Norfolk. With the outfield 10 remaining the same for the second game running (first time in about 4yrs) Easton controlled the game from start to finish but relied on Inspector Gadgets leg to secure all 3 pts.
Starting: Tretty, Tim, Rixy, Inspector Gadget, Messi, Rafa, Joffy, Norm, Aris, Aggy and Stu
Subs: Wheels, Beanie Snr, EJ
The team passed the ball well from the off and within 5 minutes had carved B open with 2 great chances with only the keeper to beat. Despite having almost all the play Easton found themselves a goal down via a long ball which wasn’t properly cleared and the B striker smashed the ball into the top corner from 18yds to open the scoring very much against the run of play. 1-0.
This goal seemed to have little effect on Easton who continued to pass and move the ball around to get effect, the only change seeming to be that B were happier to sit behind the ball with their goal advantage. More great chances fell to Aris, Stu, Aggy, Rafa and one to Norm as E pushed on with a mix of long ball, short ball and keen running yet half time came with the B goal leading a charmed life and possibly the only B player having a good game was the excellent keeper.
HT 1-0
The half-time talk revolved around neutralising the very pacey RW and remaining patient against an aging B midfield with only one sub for support.
The first 10 mins of the second half were dominated by B and required a smart save from Tretty to deny a second goal and keep E in the game. From Tretty’s save onwards E were in complete control and Billy Whizz scored 2 quick goals, both rounding the keeper and calmly slotting home to give E the lead 1-2.
After 10 minutes of banter between the portly B striker (who had just dropped down from the first team (apparently)) and TW and SR, E found themselves level in the most unlikely of fashions. The B striker was put through with only Inspector Gadget to beat and our goal 40 yds away after great play from the B RW drawing lots of defenders to him around the halfway line. So with lots of ground to waddle into and only Inspector Gadget in his way the B striker poked the ball forwards and out ran our man before despatching the ball into the bottom corner!!!! 2-2.
Quick trumpets, on came the cavalry in the form of Wheels and Beanie snr on for the impressive Aris and tiring Rafa. Cue trumpets again as Stu rounded the keeper yet again to give us back our deserved lead.2-3.
With just 10 to go E formed a more solid defensive shape in midfield and continued to dominate possession until with just 3 to go a long ball from defence caught E’s back line napping and the very quick B RW, running in from his wide position, bore down on goal. As Tretty prepared himself for the inevitable one-on-one from approx. 25yrds away Inspector Gadget shot out a leg and poked the ball off for a throw in what can only be described as the most important tackle of the season so far guaranteeing E all 3pts and making sure SH’s hatrick didn’t go to waste!!!
FT 2-3
E will feel aggrieved that they hadn’t put to bed a poor B side long before a tackle that was worth 3 votes, apparently. On a day when both the back four and front two will probably feel they could have done better it was our midfield that completely ran the show and deserve most of the credit (Aris, Joffy, Norm and Rafa) but without doubt nobody stopped running and ducked out of any tackles.
MOM was shared 4 ways for the first time ever.
Stu-Hatrick man
Aggy-Ball winning machine and now in a 6 goal partnership with Stu.
Norm-Another ball-winning machine who is playing at a higher level than ever before. Also made 90mins!!
Joffy-For taking possession in any situation and who has forged a great partnership is Norm.
We’ve done what we needed to do against 3 of the poor teams in this division, during which time our style and line-up have evolved yet still remains a good football team which is a pleasure to play in.
Tougher tests in the weeks ahead starting with Freethorpe away next week.

Think I may have got MOM wrong?

Did Rafa and not Aggy join Norm, Stu and Joff in collecting MOM?

You sure it wasn't Matty !!!