They say revenge is a dish best served cold, and on a damply raw November afternoon, Ransomes continued their stunning turnaround to what had previously been a difficult start to the season. They have been building form of their own just recently and as a result, they avenged an opening day defeat at the hands of Haughley by winning this reverse fixture 4-0.
With a bit of early winter in the air, it was Ransomes who warmed up the quicker of the two teams with Mo Fike and Luke Andrews stretching Haughley’s backline with their pace. They had the first real opportunity when Mo Fike broke through the inside right channel but he hurriedly dragged his shot wide of the far post.
It did not take Haughley long to find some rhythm of their own after this and an entertaining first half ensued as Thomas for the visitors, was twice denied by alert stops from Jack Friston in the Ransomes goal. It was a warning to the home side and one they heeded, because they broke the deadlock four minutes before half time. Mo Fike forced the opening goal with a burst of speed and surging run along the left by-line and his clipped cross took the slightest of deflections over the keeper leaving Callum Meadows the simple chance of scoring from six yards. It was enough to give Ransomes the advantage at the break against a Haughley side riding high.
Haughley needed a fast start after the interval and they got it, but Jack Friston once again blunted the visitors attack with a smart save to deny Bannister. There was plenty for Ransomes to contend with at this stage as Haughley performed strongly, but they lacked anything akin to a clinical competence in front of goal.
They visitors were eventually undone on 57 minutes as Brandon Thomas’ launched ball forward found Yani Duka. First, he went right, then left, and the defender did the same. When he went right again, the defender went to buy a hot dog as Duka placed a low drive into the far corner. The direction of the game changed with that goal and Ransomes remained purposeful in attack. Haughley did however, have one chance to get themselves back into the game, and it was a big one. A teasing low cross driven across the face of the Ransomes six yard box saw Wragg arrive at the far post, but with the goal at his mercy, he was allergic to the scoresheet and he somehow lifted his effort over the bar.
All the wind was eventually taken out of the visitors’ sails on 83 minutes when Josh Connicks delivery from the right wing fell kindly to Callum Meadows. With the Haughley defence exposed, the youngster calmly found the bottom corner as Ransomes went on to dominate the closing stages with some neat possession football.
Callum Meadows was soon celebrating again on 88 minutes as Mo Fike showed off his pace, and then delivered the perfect cross in finding Meadows on the edge of the penalty area, and the last word was to belong to the impressive youngster. He struck the ball confidently from 18 yards, the ball nestling neatly in the far corner, and the hat-trick was complete. He could push out his chest, but then again so could the whole team, because on the day, they rocked up to a man.
Four goals and a clean sheet will only help to increase belief within the Ransomes ranks. It does help build confidence, but the team will also stay humble in their search for stability and a positive outcome.