Marlingford 2-1 Easton FC

Eddie Jack took his Easton charges to a baking hot Bayern social club with absentees Nick, Beanie and Aggy being replaced by Doyle and Moggy only to see a 10 man Marlingford snatch a win against his new look formation.
In a proactive move to freshen up the team Rafa was dropped to the bench in a 3-5-2 formation.
Tretty, Joffy, Keogh, Rix, Wickham, Matt, Pete, Norm, Aris, Doyle and Stu.
Subs, Jack, Moggy, Rafa
Despite the heat both teams were playing high tempo football and we didn’t have to wait long for the arbitrary Marlingford sending off. The Marlingford winger kicking lumps out of Pete Anderson right in front of the referee and with the ball already out of play for some seconds leaving the man in black with no options.
With 10 men, on a baking hot day and on possibly the largest pitch in the league, Marlingford were really up against it and to add to their woes found themselves 1-0 down as great work from Matty Fell down the left found Stu Halton in space inside the opposition box who in turn found the impressive Doyle who smashed home from close range. 0-1
The trio of Pete Anderson, Norm and Aris were now in complete control of midfield and the game looked like it may end in a long afternoon of chasing shadows for Marlingford when a long ball from just inside their half caught the reliable Peter Keogh #asleep and the Marlingford striker swept in from a tight angle. 1-1
More possession football from Easton back 3 and more great work from Tim and Matty outwide were creating half chances for Stu, Doyle and Norm but Easton were again undone when another long ball left the striker with a shot on goal from a tight angle which found it’s way into the bottom corner 2-1
Despite their man advantage the game reached half time with both teams having good chances , the best of which giving Tretty the chance to show his quality with a fine one handed save from point blank range.
HT 2-1
Second half saw Rafa introduced for Doyle to great effect as Rafa began running the show from a withdrawn striker role. Half chance after half chance fell to both sides due to tiring legs but neither team could turn them into goals.
Moggy, Eddie and (rolling sub) Doyle entered the action with 20 minutes remaining as Easton pressed for an equaliser and Rix pushed forwards for the final 5 minutes. The highlight of the final minutes being Eddie’s “tired tackle” despite being on the pitch only 2 minutes.
FT 2-1

On a day when a fair result would have seen extra time credit must go to Marlingford who visibly improved after the sending off and in the second half gave as good as they got despite the conditions.
The referee also deserves credit also who had no choice in the sending off and was happy to talk to the players during and after the game.
Easton must also take heart from how they handled the change of shape, slight change of style and personnel. On another day we could have walked off with a hatful of goals. Joffy had a fantasic game in his new role whilst also keeping good possession and a basis for building our attacks. Norm also gave good options through midfield and for the forth game this season bossed midfield. It was for these reasons that both Norm and Joffy shared MOM today.
We are now on the back of a four game losing streak but to everyone’s credit there is no panic and no discord or player-player bitching. We are a team in a hole yet we are still very much together as a team with great spirit. Fortunately two of those four games have been cup games so we are still 100% in the running for promotion and, with a fresh new team and slowly getting everyone fit, are looking forward to every game.

Next week away to Loddon Res


PS. Nice to bump into Easton Olde Boy -Derek Howard on sunday who has lots of fond memories of Easton and is always happy to share a tale or two if you have the time.

Now it's your time, your club.