Great Yarmouth Town FC v Debenham LC
Saturday 21st January 2023. Report by Martin Baxter.
On a bright and sunny winter Saturday afternoon Yarmouth entertained struggling Debenham at the Wellesley.
The Bloaters won this reverse fixture back in October 4-1 and were looking to do the double over their opponents, however the Hornets have improved in recent weeks under new manager Jason Cook and they picked up a very decent point at Holbeach in their last away game and up until last season had always been a bit of a bogey side for Yarmouth over the years.
Before the match I took the opportunity to look around the new training facilities and 3G pitch which the club are now using and I must say that it looks superb and will be a huge asset to both the Bloaters and also the local community.
The game started and the first opportunity fell to the visitors on 6 minutes when following a through ball from midfield Golding found himself free to unleash an effort from 10 yards out which was well blocked by keeper Lane.
We then had a 20 minute spell where play became a little frantic with both sides unable to settle into any kind of rhythm, however Halliday was making some decent runs down the right flank but his crosses into the box were comfortably dealt with by the Debenham defenders and actual chances at goal were at a premium.
This changed in the 34th minute however when following a throw in from the left Kemp hit a sweet strike from 20 yards out which sailed into the net giving the keeper no chance of saving and putting the Hornets 1-0 up.
5 minutes later the visitors almost doubled their lead when following a goalmouth scramble in the box the ball rattled against the post before Yarmouth managed to finally clear their lines and in response Yarmouth won a free kick in a dangerous area but were unable to test the keeper and the opportunity was wasted.
Right on half time man of the match and Hornets skipper Golding found himself one on one with Bloaters keeper Lane following a swift counter attack and he unleashed a rocket of a shot which the keeper did well to stop and keep his side in this match.
Half time: Great Yarmouth Town 0 Debenham LC 1
The 2nd period began and within 2 minutes Willetts picked up a nasty looking knock and was replaced by club captain Cantwell, who was himself just returning from a recent injury and 10 minutes later Smith came on for Soares as Yarmouth were lacking a cutting edge in the final third and were hoping that throwing on an extra striker with pace like Connor Smith would make a difference and hopefully give them much more of a goal threat.
It almost paid off 4 minutes later when Smith found himself in a great position 5 yards out but he slightly lost his balance at the crucial moment and his tame effort went straight into the arms of keeper Stobbart and Yarmouth then kept pressing for an equaliser without really being able to get through a solid and well organised back line, and they were getting more and more frustrated along with their supporters watching in the stands.
Pushing too many men forward is always risky and in the 78th minute Debenham almost doubled their advantage with a swift counter attack which ended with Kemp just putting his shot wide of the target and in the 82nd minute following a corner Beeson hit the woodwork with a deflected effort and Yarmouth’s best chance to pull level was unfortunately not taken and late on Perry was replaced by Barnden.
Yarmouth then had a couple more half chances to score in a lengthy period of stoppage time but once again were unable to really test the visitors keeper and then in the 94th minute Kemp smashed home a fierce volley from close range to deservedly earn his side a 2-0 victory on the day.
Full Time: Great Yarmouth Town 0 Debenham LC 2. Attendance: 115.
GYTFC Line Up: Lane, Willetts, Duffield, Philpott, Barnes, Perry, Halliday, Melo, Beeson, Soares, Jacobs. Subs: Smith, Cantwell, Barnden, Fenn, Carter.
Man of the Match: Reece Golding (Debenham)
Yarmouth Man of the match: Tyreese Melo.
