The match started and with it being a very dry and difficult surface to play football on along with the fact that for most of the players on both sides this was their first competitive outing since April it was hardly surprising that the game started slowly with both teams struggling with their passing and looking slightly out of sorts.
The first real bit of quality happened in the 20th minute after Yarmouth’s Edwards picked up a knock and had to have lengthy treatment before being able to continue.
Straight from the re-start McQueen won possession in a dangerous area just outside the box and then passed to Couzins who played a superb through ball which spilt open the visitors defence to find Jordan Cantwell in a perfect position to clinically slot home from 5 yards out, giving the Holland keeper Fowler no chance and putting his team 1-0 up.
It was not until the 40th minute that Holland had their first sight at goal, however their free kick taken by Ellis-Hall was cleared by the very impressive Keith Vincent at the back.
Yarmouth finally have another commanding centre back named Vincent and we all know the history with the previous one!
However just 3 minutes later Holland had a great chance to pull level and Yarmouth were thankful to full back Halliday for a last ditch goal line clearance which ensured his team were able to go in at the break a goal to the good, however not before man of the match Vincent had a header saved by the visitors keeper deep into first half stoppage time.
Half Time: Great Yarmouth Town 1 Holland FC 0.
The 2nd half started and as is so often the case when a team has a very lacklustre first period, Holland were now looking much brighter and were starting to dominate the play and within a minute they almost pulled level through striker Lewis with a deflected effort at goal that went just wide and out for a corner.
The visitors then won 2 more corners in succession and finally on 52 minutes a free kick was floated in from the right and headed home by Steve Downes from close range to make the score 1-1 and you had to say it was coming.
The Yarmouth management made the changes on the hour mark replacing Mcqueen and Duffield with the returning from injury Beeson and Ryan Jacobs to try and create a fresh goal threat and take all 3 points in this tight affair.
The changes almost paid dividends on 72 minutes when Beeson very nearly put the Bloaters back in front, however his effort was saved by the visitors keeper Fowler and turned away for a corner and the home side were now very much back in the contest.
With 15 minutes remaining striker Sanders was replaced by the returning Lee Roots and in the 80th minute following a scuffle in the middle of the park both Jacobs for Yarmouth and goalscorer Downes were yellow carded.
With the clock ticking Fenn and Willets were brought on replacing Lonergan and Soares and all 5 substitutes on the Yarmouth bench were used, giving them all vital game time on the pitch.
It ended up a very mixed day for Holland’s goalscorer Downes as very late on he received a 2nd yellow and a red card, however Yarmouth did not really have the time required to make the extra man count and the match finished all square.
Full Time: Great Yarmouth Town 1 Holland FC 1. Attendance: 112.
After the game new Yarmouth joint manager Paul Blisset said “This was our first Competitive match at home this season on a bright sunny afternoon and I think on reflection we were in control for the first 45 minutes and created a few more chances other than the one we scored with, but did not take them. However in the 2nd half we turned off at a set piece and paid the price and it felt like 2 points dropped. We now move on to the Heacham game next week”
Great Yarmouth Town line up: Lane, Halliday, Duffield, Edwards, Vincent, Soares, Lonergan, Cantwell (captain), Sanders, Couzins, McQueen. Subs: Beeson, Roots, Willets, Jacobs, Fenn.
