Match Report

Last Saturday the Bloaters made the long trip to Essex to play third placed Stanway
Pegasus. Stanway had just beaten league leaders Framlingham Town just a few days before
which made this match even more of a monumental challenge on their 3G surface. That said
the Bloaters arrived unbeaten in their last 12 leagues matches which has seen them rise to
second in the table.
With some illness in the camp gave the management group of Honeyman, Blissett and
Cleverly a few selection issues but they made two changes with Fenn and Sanders dropping
to the bench with Cantwell and Philpott taking up starting positions from last week’s starting
eleven at Sudbury.
The Bloaters wearing all royal blue kicked the match off with the game starting at a frantic
pace and it was clear from the outset that this was going to be a niggly and tight game. our
midfield three of Cantwell, Barber and Wilson-Towns were closing down the home side with
lots of energy, often winning the ball back and setting up several counter attacks which saw
Couzens, Duffield and Belmar seeing plenty of the ball early on. Shots from Barber, Duffield
and Belmar showed clear intent that the Bloaters had turned up looking for all three points.
On fifteen minutes the home side had their first chance when Ager swung in a dangerous
cross which found the prolific Griffith who nipped in unmarked but his volley from twelve
yards didn’t trouble Ling in the Yarmouth goal. A few minutes later Ling saved well down to
his left as the home side started to press more and more. The Bloaters back four of Halliday,
Philpott, Adams and Barnes supported by keeper Ling were looking absolutely rock solid
and that would be the theme for the entire match as they were excellent throughout.
With both sides defending well chances to score were somewhat scarce but on 42 minutes
and after Belmar was fouled 30 yards from goal out on the right, he picked himself up and
delivered a perfect freekick into the box for Couzens to leap like a salmon and glance the
ball across the home keeper with a superb header to give the away side the lead in front of
the jubilant Amber Wave.
The game then become very feisty with lots of off the ball incidents and fouls. Right on half-
time Ling made a superb double save with some assistance from Barnes to keep Stanway
out and ensure that they went in at the break in front. HT – Stanway Pegasus 0-1 The
Bloaters.
The second half started as the first had finished with lots of niggly fouls and off the ball
incidents which led to a lot of incidents for the officials to deal with. The Bloaters worked
hard all over the pitch to prevent the home side having any real clear-cut chances. Barnes
and Adams both cleared well when under pressure as Stanway pressed for an equaliser. On
60 minutes the game stopped for a very unsavoury incident which saw a spectator ejected
from the ground after an altercation with Halliday as he was trying to take a throw in.
Couzens, Duffield and Belmar always looked a threat on the counter but despite a few
corners and freekicks we couldn’t extend our lead and that all important second goal.
Jacobs, Sanders, and Spooner all came on to provide some much-needed energy into the
midfield as the heroic Bloaters started to tire. With 12 minutes remaining Adams just did
enough to prevent the lively Griffith a shot at goal with Ling once again off his line quickly to
pounce on the loose ball, credit to the Stanway no. 9 who had he gone down, may have
seen the referee point to the spot.
As tempers flared in the closing minutes Barron and Duffield went into the Ref’s book for a
coming together but the referee was very lenient with others who seemed to do and say far
worse than what Duffield was punished for.

Deep into injury time and with Stanway throwing everything forward a superb piece of skill
saw a player wriggle free and unleash a fierce shot from 25 yards which saw Ling get the
slightest of touches and the ball cannoned back off the post before being cleared away by
the Bloaters defence to give the young Bloaters a massive well-earned 3 points. This was a
brilliant squad effort from the Bloaters and even the two players who didn’t get on showed
great attitude despite personal disappointment, the work rate, passion, and desire to win this
match was absolutely first class from every single player. The Management should take
huge credit for the way they managed this very tricky and challenging encounter.
FT – Stanway Pegasus 0 – 1 The Bloaters.
Team – Ling, Halliday, Adams, Barnes, Philpott, Barber, Cantwell, Wilson-Towns, Belmar,
Duffield, Couzens. Goal Couzens (42 minutes)
Subs – Sanders, Jacobs, Spooner, Thompson, Fenn.
Management – Honeyman, Blissett, Cleverly.

Man Of The Match – Brandon Ling