Season opening weekend round-up

The 2024/25 season opened on Friday evening with two matches being played to avoid the ITFC opening Premier League game.

SIL ROUND-UP

The opening weekend of the SIL season saw some interesting results with both sides promoted to the Senior Division starting with a win.

Bacton, playing their first ever game at this level, had a 3-2 success over Debenham. Luke Keeble netted a brace for the newcomers whose other goal came from Alex Rice.

On Friday evening Harrison Rodwell gave Leiston St Margarets an early lead at Grundisburgh. However the hosts celebrated their return to the top flight as goals from George Ablitt, Euan Childs and Bradley Beaumont took them to a 3-1 success.

Jamie Smith scored four as Old Newton defeated Wickham Market 5-2 at Church Road. Andrew Wood netted Newton’s other goal.

There was late drama in two of the other Senior games. Haughley won 4-3 at Coplestonians with the winning goal coming deep in injury-time with Cops hampered by two sin-binnings. Jordan Godbold scored twice for Cops with their other strike coming from Shaun Thorrold.

Mark Storey netted a 95th minute equaliser for Henley as they drew 2-2 at home to Sporting 87. James Watling was also on the mark for Henley while Will Firrell and Ollie Hughes scored Sporting’s goals.

In the other Senior Division fixture Stowupland Falcons won 2-0 at Tattingstone.

Somersham started their Division One campaign with a 4-0 win at home to Kesgrave Kestrels. Joe Baldry, Brad Harris, Brad Austin and Dmitri Gayle were their goalscorers.

Jac Garrard, a recent signing from Halesworth, Grant Overett and Will Stebbings helped Saxmundham come from behind to defeat Stanton 3-1 at the Rec while Cockfield had a 1-0 home success over Kirton.

Woolverstone thrashed Wenhaston 9-0 at Hazlewoods while AFC Kesgrave had a 3-2 home win over Ipswich Wanderers Development.

SIL Senior Division: Henley Athletic FC 2-2 Sporting 87 FC

It was a case of Déjà vu, as a crowd of 64 saw a repeat of last season’s scoreline in this fixture, albeit with two much changed sides, as Henley twice came back to earn a well-deserved point, in a hard fought, competitive game. After a transitional summer, a new look Henley took the field for their first competitive fixture under the new management team, with 10 debutants in the squad of 16, Sporting also fielded a much changed side.

The game started evenly, although it was clear to see that the heat and the hard surface would have an effect on the game. Henley probably had the majority of the early possession, but a communication mix-up at the back handed Sporting the lead after only 11 minutes, Ferrill gratefully accepting the gift to make it 0-1. To their credit Henley heads didn’t drop and despite the constant threat of Sporting on the break, applied most of the pressure. That Sporting threat was evident on 40 minutes, Henley keeper Lee acrobatically tipping over a fierce drive. On 42 minutes, Sporting keeper Whiteman, was relieved to see Wharton-Richardson’s 25 yard shot bounce to safety as it cannoned off the foot of the post.

Henley found the equaliser on 45 minutes, Watling heading home a Dozzell corner to make it 1-1, Watling came close to adding another on the cusp of halftime but was denied by a good stop from Whiteman, leaving the scores level at the break.

Only 2 minutes into the second half, Henley needlessly gave the ball away and Sporting were only too happy to capitalise, Hughes sliding in at the back post to finish well from a low cross for 1-2.

Again Henley were undeterred and pressed hard for the remainder of the game, with Sporting doing all they could to break the play up, using game management well to disturb the flow of Henley’s attacks.

In the 75th minute, Sporting were saved by some brave defending, multiple bodies hurling themselves in the way to twice deny Duzgun. Hooley was really causing Sporting problems now, he had a shot saved at the near post and fizzed in a couple of excellent crosses, that were well defended. Dendes’ pace and tricky was also giving them plenty to think about as the pressure built.

But as has become the norm, Henley never quit, and were rewarded when Captain and MOTM Storey headed home a 95th minute equaliser from a Hooley corner to make it 2-2. A minute later Henley came close to snatching the win, Watling close to heading home at the back post.

In fairness a 2-2 draw was a fair result on the day, both teams played some lovely passing football and showed quality, grit and determination.

COPS LOSE TO TWO LATE LATE GOALS IN A SHOCKER!

Coplestonians 3 Haughley United 4

Match Day Sponsor: R&JE Services

(Cops are sponsored by Venue 16)

Cops went down to two goals deep into time added on to lose a game they should have won.

Haughley took the lead in the 2nd minute when a well delivered corner was headed in at the near post.

Cops gradually took control of the game and it was no surprise when they equalised after 15 minutes when Shaun Thorrold headed home, again at the near post. Unfortunately, for Thorrold he had to withdraw soon afterwards with a groin injury. Cops took the lead later in the half when Jordan Godbold latched onto a through ball from Will Oxbrow and lobbed the Haughley keeper.

Cops were looking good for an interval lead but Haughley struck back with a fine strike to make it 2-2. HT 2-2.

After the break Cops lost defender Jimmy Fulker through injury and this was followed by his replacement George Cooper who sustained an ankle injury. Cops re-took the lead after a fine run and cross from Danny Allen saw Jordan Godbold fire home.

Unfortunately for Cops they sustained a couple of sin bin punishments and it was to prove fateful in the end as the Cops defence now light of 3 defenders allowed the opposition to equalise and then score a winner in the 14th minute of time added on.

There can be complaints about the amount of time added by the Officials but in the end it was ill discipline which cost Cops the game. Playing 20 minutes with 10 men on a heat sapping day did the side no favours.

Next week Cops visit Bourne Vale Sports Club to take on Tattingstone and will hope to get some points on the board!

Photos below from Coplestonians 3 Haughley 4

Share Article:

Latest Posts

Halesworth Statement

New Teams Wanted

Weekend Round-Up 22 February