Steve Tuck - Match Reports 2004-05

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2004-05 MATCH REPORTS (as U11's)

UNDER 11'S

24 April 2005: REFFLEY 3-3 aet DOWNHAM REDS - Reffley won 5-4 on penalties
(U11's Sub. Cup Final at Holt)
Downham Reds opened up a seemingly comfortable 2-0 lead and were coasting by half time. However, Reffley's response after the re-start was dramatic, as they responded to their manager's call to lift their game and battle their way back into the final. In the first 5 minutes, a brace of quick strikes from Jon Hammond leveled matters at 2-2, following good work by Josh Rowe, Nathan Bloodworth and Jake Eglen. Reffley began to find their edge, especially in mid-field, where Gareth Searle and Eglen began to get on top. More chances came as Bloodworth struck the post and shortly after Bradley Kerry's shot was charged down by the Downham 'keeper. Rowe, always a threat, terrorised the Downham full-back and delivered several dangerous crosses into the Dowham area - unfortunately nobody was able to connect with one. With ten minutes to go Downham broke clear down the left to regain the lead (3-2) against the run of play. Reffley rallied one final time and in the dying minutes, their determination was rewarded as Hammond latched onto a great through ball from Kerry, to drill home the equaliser (3-3).

In extra time, as both teams tired, the game opened up and chances to win the match were squandered at both ends. After 80 minutes of frantic action the match ended in stalemate. If extra time was tense, this was nothing compared with the penalty shoot-out that followed. After 5 penalties each, thanks to successful conversions from Coote, Rowe, Tuck, and Eglen, the teams were still locked together at 4-4. As the pressure mounted and a crowd in excess of a 100 gathered to watch, the Reds first sudden death strike, taken by their 'keeper, was weakly delivered straight into the safe hands of Reffley's Blake Hewitt. Amid astonishing scenes, (not least of which was the Reffley Manager's embarrassingly premature, winning celebration!), Reffley's ice-cool 'keeper Hewitt then took it upon himself to step forward to emphatically deliver the winning spot-kick, driving his effort high and wide into the roof of the net and out of reach of the flailing Downham 'keeper.

The entire Reffley squad played their part on this most memorable of afternoons. Battling back, with grit and determination from the brink of defeat, was a magnificent achievement by all the players. The defence, despite the occasional wobble remained firm, the midfield battled its way back into contention to eventually dominate the game and the strikers were always lively and inventive. A terrific team effort by Reffley was capped by an outstanding performance from Gareth Searle, but Reffley's MotM deservedly went to 'keeper Blake Hewitt, who nervelessly sealed a dramatic victory for the Lynn side.

(Reffley: Hewitt; Farthing, Tuck, Coote (Capt.), Hayes; Searle, Eglen, Bloodworth; Barrett, Hammond, Rowe; Subs: Stork, Martin and Kerry)

Photograph 1	Photograph 2	New Team Photo

17 April 2005: REFFLEY 1-2 WOOTTONS (Friendly)
Reffley completed their preparations for the Sub Cup Final with a friendly against local rivals and league runners-up, Woottons. The visitors took the lead midway through the first half with a well-judged strike from outside the area and then went two-up shortly after half time. Reffley never gave in and and their efforts were rewarded as they pulled one back through a superb strike from Jake Eglen. Reffley continued to press right to the end, with good performances from Harrison McNaught, Nathan Bloodworth, Jack Hayes, Josh Rowe and James Martin. Reffley's MotM: Gareth Searle for non-stop application and effort in mid-field.

10 April 2005: REFFLEY 10-0 HEACHAM (Friendly)
Reffley began their preparation for the U11's Sub-Cup Final with a friendly against a game Heacham outfit. Hat-tricks from James Martin and Jon Hammond, a brace from Josh Rowe and one each from Luke Barrett and Harrison McNaught completed the score-line. Thanks to Heacham's players and management for the match. Reffley MotM: Josh Rowe, who was always dangerous on the ball.

3 April 2005: HUNGATE 1-3 REFFLEY
Reffley ended their season with an impressive away win at Hungate to seal fourth place. Luke Barrett opened the scoring, sweeping in a half-volley from the edge of the Hungate area. The Wisbech team equalised just after the interval and continued to threaten. But, in reply, Reffley twice found the Hungate net, first with Bradley Kerry bursting through to make it 2-1 and then Josh Rowe converted a 25 yard free-kick to seal the win. Good work from Alistair Farthing and Ben Coote in defence, and James Martin and Bradley Kerry up front. Reffley's MotM: Luke Barrett.

20 March 2005: EAST LYNN 2-2 REFFLEY
East Lynn denied Reffley all three points and a possible third place finish, in this hard fought draw. East Lynn broke the dead-lock through an own goal, after a Reffley defender turned the ball into his own net following a wicked right wing cross. Just before half-time, Gareth Searle hit back for the visitors with a 20 yard strike, which the East Lynn 'keeper failed to hold. After the restart, Reffley took the lead through James Martin, who timed his run perfectly at the far post to turn in a Ben Coote free kick. Despite great work from Luke Barrett and Josh Rowe in midfield, Reffley could not seal the win and inevitably, East Lynn drew level through another free kick which sailed high into the Reffley net. Reffley's 'keeper Blake Hewitt saved the draw with a vital save just before the final whistle. Reffley's MotM: Gareth Searle for a commanding performance in midfield.

13 March 2005: WOOTTONS 1-0 REFFLEY
Woottons maintained their push for the title, going 5 points clear, after this close fought victory over local rivals Reffley. With nothing to choose between them, the teams went in 0-0 at half-time. After the re-start, chances were few but Woottons broke through following some sloppy Reffley defending. Reffley continued to press, but couldn't find the equaliser. Reffley's MotM: Blake Hewitt for a string of supberb saves and James Stork for some great tackling in central defence.

20 February 2005: REFFLEY 1-3 DOWNHAM REDS
Reffley's worst performance of the season by far, had more to do with the freezing conditions than the quality of opposition. A Jon Hammond strike just before half-time cancelled out Downham's early opener. After the interval, too many mistakes and sloppy Reffley defending gifted Downham two soft goals and the points.

13 February 2005: REFFLEY P-P CLENCHWARTON (SUB. CUP S/F - Reffley win by w/o)

6 February 2005: REFFLEY 1-1 DOWNHAM BLACKS
In the first half the Lynn side pressed forward and went close through Rowe, Bloodworth and Hammond, who missed a hat-trick of chances, one hitting the inside of the post. Downham, although always dangerous, were confined to a couple of long-range efforts.

With the scores level at the interval, Reffley's work-rate was soon rewarded with a penalty, after a handball. Captain Ben Coote stepped up but dragged his effort wide of the post. Minutes later, Alex Tuck's thunderous header from a well-flighted Hammond corner, gave Reffley a deserved lead. But celebrations were short-lived, as the Blacks levelled through a close range shot by Andy Barrett, after some sustained pressure. Both teams went forward searching for the winner, but chances were spurned and honours ended even. Reffley's MotM: Jack Hayes for another great performance at left back and Blake Hewitt for impeccable goal-keeping.

30 January 2005: HUNGATE P-P REFFLEY

16 January 2005: REFFLEY 2-0 HUNGATE (SUB. CUP Pre-Round)
Reffley eased into the semis with a hard fought win over a Hungate side who remained a threat right up to the final whistle. Captain Ben Coote opened the scoring with a strike from inside the box and Jon Hammond made it 2-0 from a 25 yard free kick to end the first half. McNaught, Eglen and Kerry all went close for the Lynn side. There were excellent Reffley performances from James Stork at right back and the mid-field trio of Nathan Bloodworth, Jake Eglen and Gareth Searle, who "worked their socks off".

9 January 2005: REFFLEY 8-1 HEACHAM
Reffley started off the New Year with an emphatic win over Heacham. Jon Hammond opened the scoring in typical style. Soon after, Harrison McNaught crashed a shot against the Heacham bar, but the visitors held steady and equalised just before half-time. After the re-start, with the wind on their backs, the Lynn side were rampant. Gareth Searle and Nathan Bloodworth quickly made it 3-1. Hammond netted four more, one direct from a corner, with the other Reffley goal coming from substitute Luke Barrett. Reffley's MotM: Jon Hammond for a determined display and great finishing.

12 December 2004: CLENCHWARTON 0-15 REFFLEY
Christmas and the season of goodwill came early for Reffley as they scored a sackful of goals against a plucky Clenchwarton side.

Despite the heavy conditions, superb hat-tricks from Jake Eglen and Jon Hammond, a brace each from Nathan Bloodworth, Harrison McNaught and Bradley Kerry, plus contributions from Jack Hayes, Gareth Searle and Alex Tuck, rounded off a very successful year for the Lynn team. Reffley MotM: Nathan Bloodworth for his work- rate and Ben Coote for his leadership.

5 December 2004: WOOTTONS P-P REFFLEY

29 November 2004 REFFLEY 2-2 ROCKLANDS
Reffley took the lead when a Jon Hammond cross was met by Harrison McNaught who timed his run perfectly to guide the ball past the Rocklands keeper. The visitors hit back on the stroke of half-time and then took a 2-1 lead soon after the re-start. 'Keeper Blake Hewitt kept Reffley in the game with a penalty save and as Reffley pressed forward, the equaliser eventually came when Luke Barrett popped up at the far post the steer the ball into the Rocklands net. Reffley's MotM: Gareth Searle and Jake Eglen for battling performances.

21 November 2004: DOWNHAM BLACKS 1-0 REFFLEY (K.O. CUP QTR-FINAL)
This hard-fought, evenly balanced encounter was decided a single goal, following a defensive mix-up in the Reffley penalty area, 5 minutes into the second half. Reffley MotM: James Stork & Bradley Kerry, both for great efforts in cold, wet conditions.

7 November 2004: REFFLEY 4-2 EAST LYNN
Reffley quickly got into their stride with Jon Hammond opening the scoring after bursting through the East Lynn defence. However, the visitors soon hit back before the Reffley scored twice more though Nathan Bloodworth and Gareth Searle to lead 3-1 at half time. East Lynn continued to threaten and pulled one back but Searle added his second and Reffley's fourth from an acute angle to secure all three valuable points. Reffley's MotM: Gareth Searle.

31 October 2004: DOWNHAM REDS 1-1 REFFLEY
Reffley were on top in the opening exchanges, with captain Ben Coote rifling home a 25 yard free kick to give the visitors a half time lead. After the interval, the Lynn side failed to convert some good play in front of goal with Kerry, Bloodworth and Hammond all going close. The Reds drew level with 10 minutes remaining, but Reffley could have stolen the points at the end but the Downham 'keeper foiled McNaught from close range. Reffley MotM: Jake Eglen for a battling mid-field performance.

24 October 2004: DOWNHAM BLACKS 2-2 REFFLEY
Reffley stormed out of the blocks and for the first 10 minutes had Downham on their back foot but the home side dug in and opened the scoring against the run of play with Matty Bussons turning a wayward shot into the visitor's net. The Blacks now settled and dominated the rest of the first half, edging further ahead through a clever lob by Ollie Mitchell from the edge of the area just before the interval.

After the restart, Reffley stepped up a gear and dominated the game with a superb display of fearless, committed and determined football. Bradley Kerry launched the come back, pouncing on a loose ball and lashing a well struck drive into the roof of the Downham net. As the pressure continued, captain Ben Coote rose in the box and headed home from a Hammond corner to put the Lynn side level. Wave after wave of Reffley attacks followed, but Downham managed to hold on to a share of the points. This titanic match simply had everything and was a magnificent advert for youth football. Reffley's MotM: the entire squad, who battled hard and never gave up.

17 October 2004: REFFLEY 2-2 HUNGATE ROVERS
Despite Reffley's overwhelming possession and territorial advantage, the visitors took a shock 2-nil lead into the interval. The second half fight-back began when substitute Gareth Searle struck home from 8 yards. Reffley pressed forward relentlessly and two minutes from time equalised through a 25 yard shot from defender Alex Tuck. The Lynn side could even have won it in the final minute following a series of corners and goal mouth scrambles. Reffley's joint Man of the Match: Jake Eglen for a battling midfield effort and Luke Barrett for good work on the right flank.

3 October 2004: HEACHAM 0-3 REFFLEY
Reffley secured a valuable away win against a well organised Heacham outfit to maintain their title challenge. The breakthrough came after 22 minutes, by way of a strike from the inimitable Jon Hammond following good work from Nathan Bloodworth on the left flank. After the turnaround, Hammond added two more to complete his hat-trick, the second a rasping shot from just inside the Heacham area, set up by a deft through ball from Martin. In the dying minutes Searle, McNaught, Martin and Barrett all went close for the Lynn side. Reffley's Man of the Match: Alistair Farthing - a solid performance at right-back.

26 September 2004: REFFLEY 19-0 CLENCHWARTON
Reffley produced a workman-like, yet clinical performance against a sprited Clenchwarton side. Reffley's goals came from Jon Hammond (6), Nathan Bloodworth (4), Ben Coote (2), James Martin (2), Alistair Farthing, Jack Hayes, Gareth Searle, Bradley Kerry and Jake Eglen.

19 September 2004: REFFLEY 1-2 WOOTTONS
Reffley were edged out of this closely fought local derby against The Woottons. The first half dead-lock was broken soon after the turnaround with The Woottons taking the lead following a goal-mouth scramble. Nathan Bloodworth immediately equalised for the home side, but The Woottons eventually took the points through a fine strike by Matthew Franks from the corner of the penalty area with five minutes remaining. Reffley's Man of the Match: Jack Hayes - a fine performance at left-back.

12 September 2004: ROCKLANDS 0 - 3 REFFLEY
Reffley got off to a winning start, securing all three points at Rocklands, near Watton. The Lynn side enjoyed much of the possession during the first-half but were unable to find the net. But after the restart, with the wind in their favour, the break-through soon came, courtesy of a Jonathan Hammond strike and captain Ben Coote's left-footed volley quickly added a second. As Reffley continued to press forward, Hammond claimed his second and Reffley's third, for a comfortable win. The midfield trio of Gareth Searle, Jake Eglen and Nathan Bloodworth were dominant throughout, with Reffley's Man of the Match going to Nathan Bloodworth for tremendous work on the left side of midfield.