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MORRISION FREIGHT CUP & GATEWAY 14 SIL ROUND-UP
The morning frost put pay to the majority of the games on Saturday in both cup and league.
Five Morrison Freight Cup Second Round ties were able to take place with a further one awarded to Ipswich Wanderers Development as Wenhaston again failed to raise a side.
The tie between AFC Kesgrave and Henley was switched to the latter and Henley went through with a 3-1 scoreline. Elliot Ballard, Stephen Cole and Ross White were their goalscorers.
Old Newton also progressed as they won 2-1 at Bacton. Ryan Jolly and Callum Steed netted for the Newts with Rory Christian getting Bacton’s goal.
Kyle Sore, Kyle Messenger, Joe Moore and Stuart Bolderston were on the mark for Saxmundham as they moved into the last 16 by beating Elmswell 4-1.
Division One side Kirton knocked out Senior outfit Debenham at the Trimley Sports and Social Club winning the game 2-1 while in the other tie Wickham Market had a 5-3 success over visitors Grundisburgh.
All the scheduled games in Divisions One and Two were postponed but two fixtures beat the weather in Division Three. Coplestonians Development lifted themselves off the bottom of the table by defeating AFC Kesgrave Reserves 3-2. Will Pullen netted twice for Cops before Jacob Duffell got the winner. Grundisburgh Reserves dented Hope Church’s promotion Hope’s by beating them 3-0.
In the only surving game in Division Four Old Newton Reserves stay third following a 2-2 home draw with East Bergholt Reserves.
David King scored four in Witnesham Wasps’ 6-0 win over Woolverstone Reserves which sees them remain second in Division Five. Darryn Van Oene also netted twice to take his tally for the season to 31. In the other Division Five game to beat the weather Elmswell Reserves defeated Mendlesham 6-1.
There was also a game in the Suffolk Primary Cup as Ipswich Exiles progressed with a 6-0 win over Hundon Reserves.
Morrison Freight Cup: Henley Athletic FC 3-1 AFC Kesgrave
When AFC’s Kesgrave’s pitch was deemed unplayable at 10 a.m. this fixture looked likely to join the many others called off for a frozen surface. However, Kesgrave’s willingness to play, the tireless work on and off the pitch during the morning by club volunteers and having a Referee happy to attend early to complete a pitch inspection (thank you Mr Biss) saw the match swapped to Henley’s ground.
With so many local games falling foul of the weather, the attendance was boosted to 87, many familiar faces unrecognisable under layers of clothing, who saw both sides battle to cold and heavy pitch, Henley running out 3-1 victors to progress to the next round.
Kesgrave started well, an early effort going wide in the 2ndminute, but it was Henley who took the lead after 7 minutes. A looping ball in from Dozzell, was well controlled and precisely tucked away by Ballard to make it 1-0. However, Kesgrave struck back within 2 minutes, a neat move finished off well with a low strike into the corner from Steele for 1-1. The remainder of the opening half was even, with both defences in the ascendancy and chances few and far between. In the 28th minute a rasping shot from Hooley was well saved at the near post, with Kesgrave having a good ten minutes of pressure before the break.
As has so often been the case this season, Henley looked far sharper after the break, coming close to retaking the lead in the opening minute, Hooley shooting just over the bar. Despite Henley applying the majority of the pressure, Kesgrave still posed a real threat, Read having to tip over a well hit shot from Hammond in the 66th minute. Henley’s pressure finally told in the 74th minute, Cole breaking down the left, saw his initial effort saved, but was sharp enough to intercept the subsequent pass out from defence, before slotting home from a narrow angle for 2-1. On 83 minutes it was 3-1, Shore bursting down the right, his cross was only partially headed clear, to where White was on hand to rifle home to put the result beyond doubt. Two minutes later Cole danced inside but saw his shot hit the foot of the post, Dende also saw an effort bounce to safety off the foot of the same post, leaving the final result at 3-1.
A decent win, in difficult conditions to progress to the next round, Cooper picking up the man of the match award, with Read and Cole also catching the eye. Kesgrave are a good side, should they make it to Senior football, they’ll more than hold up their end, they’re clearly well coached and play good football, all at Henley wish them well for the rest of the season.
KIRTON ATHLETIC 2 DEBENHAM LC 1
(MORRISON FREIGHT CUP SECOND ROUND)
KIRTON SCORERS:
Charlie Bance 18 (pen)
Ricardo Phillips 45 mins
DEBENHAM SCORER:
Kye Webb 90 + 3 mins
ATTENDANCE: 62
REFEREE: Daniel Barrack
Senior side Debenham were knocked out of the competition by their Division One opponents who produced a fully committed performance to see them over the line.
The visitors started the better and Ben Regen set up a great chance for Kian Wilson only for the former Framlingham man to blaze over. Laurence Higgs then fired at home keeper Kirk Steward following a corner.
However Kirton gradually came more into the game and benefitted from a double mistake from Hornets keeper Tyler Read who dropped a left-wing cross before bringing down home striker Charlie McCarthy as he tried to rectify the situation. Charlie Bance drove the resultant spot-kick home to give Kirton an 18th minute lead.
There was little goalmouth action for the rest of the half until Kirton doubled their lead just prior to the break as Ricardo Phillips picked up a loose ball and rounded a couple of back-peddling defenders before slotting the ball past Read.
Debenham made a goalkeeping change at the break as Read was struggling with injury and also introduced striker Reece Golding. However, the Hornets struggled to create chances as Kirton defended well.
McCarthy then crossed for Ricardo Phillips whose flick went just over. Wilson was Debenham’s main source of danger with his runs down the right and free-kick deliveries and he set up Golding but his effort went wide
As the clock ticked down Kye Webb drove through the Kirton defence only for Steward to push his drive round the post.
Debenham did pull a goal back in added time when the ball was headed goalwards from a corner with Webb claiming the final touch. However, despite another scramble in the home area, Kirton held on to progress to the next round.
+4
Match Report (Written by GoggleWasp)
Suffolk & Ipswich League – Division Five – 04/01/2025
Witnesham Wasps 6-0 Woolverstone FC Reserves
Witnesham Goalscorers:
David King x4
Darryn VanOene x2
Witnesham Wasps started off 2025 back with a win following their draw with Achilles last week, as they beat Woolverstone Reserves 6-0 in one of the few games across the SIL over the weekend due to several frozen pitches.
The early stages of the game was a feeling out process, with both teams looking to understand the conditions to their advantage, but it was Witnesham who took the lead through Darryn VanOene, who took down a lovely clipped ball from the halfway line to the edge of the penalty area by James Claridge, took an extra touch and hit it hard and low across the keeper into the bottom right corner.
Witnesham continued knocking on the door, creating several chances that just couldn’t find the target, but 15 minutes later, they made it 2. Following an interception in the midfield, the ball was played to David King, who played a neat 1-2 with Darryn VanOene on the edge of the box, and King finished it past the keeper.
The second half carried on the same form as the first, with it being all Witnesham, and they were rewarded for their efforts early on, with VanOene getting his second of the day, flicking in a James Kincaid near post corner, his 30th goal of the season, and Kincaid’s 16th assist. Following further efforts by Witnesham, some of which drew some top draw saves by the opposition keeper, the Wasps made it 4. King intercepted a misplaced ball by the Woolverstone goalkeeper, and had an empty net to put the ball into.
King made it a hat-trick soon after, running onto a lovely ball through by VanOene to chip the goalkeeper. He added a 4th to his tally as well, with a carbon copy of his second goal, intercepting a misplaced pass by the goalkeeper into an empty net.
Back to winning ways for Witnesham, who make it 9 wins out of 10 in the league now, and remain 1 of 2 teams unbeaten across the SIL. The win leaves Witnesham still in 2nd, 2 points behind Saxmundham with 3 games in hand. The result for Woolverstone pushes them down one place to 8th following Elmswell’s win.
Witnesham Wasps next game: Sporting 87 A’s (A) – Divisional Cup – 11/01/2025
A Happy start to the New Year for Cops Development.
GATEWAY14 – SIL DIVISION 3
Coplestonians Development 3 AFC Kesgrave Reserves 2
The cold weather didn’t stop this game being on fire from the kick off.
Cops showed plenty of intent straight from the start when space opened up for Dan Ramsey; his shot was straight at the keeper but it was a warning from the Cops who where without a win since September.
Coplestonians Development 3 AFC Kesgrave Reserves 2
The cold weather didn’t stop this game being on fire from the kick off.
Cops showed plenty of intent straight from the start when space opened up for Dan Ramsey; his shot was straight at the keeper but it was a warning from the Cops who where without a win since September.
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There was no let up either and chances were being created by Cops. Alfie Parnell sent a spectacular volley just wide and Connor MacKay took his eye off the ball when brilliantly played in by Will Pullen.
There was no let up either and chances were being created by Cops. Alfie Parnell sent a spectacular volley just wide and Connor MacKay took his eye off the ball when brilliantly played in by Will Pullen.
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And the chances missed cost Cops as a failed clearance fell to a Kesgrave midfielder who hit the ball from 20 yards into the bottom corner giving Jackson Piper no chance. (0-1)
However, lessons looked to have been learned and Cops hit back within minutes.
And the chances missed cost Cops as a failed clearance fell to a Kesgrave midfielder who hit the ball from 20 yards into the bottom corner giving Jackson Piper no chance. (0-1)
However, lessons looked to have been learned and Cops hit back within minutes.
.
The ball was played out from Jackson Piper to Alfie Prior, back to Jonjo Hood Wright who played the ball to Connor MacKay. MacKay beat his marker down to the line and cut the ball back to Will Pullen who riffled the ball into the corner. (1-1)
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And more chances kept coming for both teams, Kesgrave ran clear twice and hit the post with Cops clearing the lines.
Daryl Fry had a great chance to give Cops the lead before the break just took his eye off the ball and failed to finish at the back post.
Half time 1-1
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The Cops, keen to banish the end to 2024, started the 2nd half the brighter of the teams and were back creating good chances from the impressive Connor Mackay and Will Pullen.
It was the latter that the got the Cops in front for the first time in the contest.
The ball was played out from Jackson Piper to Alfie Prior, back to Jonjo Hood Wright who played the ball to Connor MacKay. MacKay beat his marker down to the line and cut the ball back to Will Pullen who riffled the ball into the corner. (1-1)
.
And more chances kept coming for both teams, Kesgrave ran clear twice and hit the post with Cops clearing the lines.
Daryl Fry had a great chance to give Cops the lead before the break just took his eye off the ball and failed to finish at the back post.
Half time 1-1
.
The Cops, keen to banish the end to 2024, started the 2nd half the brighter of the teams and were back creating good chances from the impressive Connor Mackay and Will Pullen.
It was the latter that the got the Cops in front for the first time in the contest.
.
Jake Howells intercepted the the ball at right back, beat two players and played the ball onto Will Pullen on the right of the box who absolutely smashed the ball across the keeper into the net.
(2-1)
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After last weeks collapse the Cops who gave up large amounts of possession had really good shape today and made Kesgrave work really hard to break them down.
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But it was a Cops corner that broke to Kesgrave and from there Cops looked outnumbered and a ball across the box was tucked in to the Cops net. (2-2)
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In games gone by Cops would have taken this as a massive blow but they stuck together and after more good chances, Connor Mackay who looked to have been fouled got up to play in Jacob Duffel who tucked the ball into the corner of the net to give Cops a deserving win.
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A great team display and something for the Development team to build on.
Jake Howells intercepted the the ball at right back, beat two players and played the ball onto Will Pullen on the right of the box who absolutely smashed the ball across the keeper into the net.
(2-1)
.
After last weeks collapse the Cops who gave up large amounts of possession had really good shape today and made Kesgrave work really hard to break them down.
.
But it was a Cops corner that broke to Kesgrave and from there Cops looked outnumbered and a ball across the box was tucked in to the Cops net. (2-2)
.
In games gone by Cops would have taken this as a massive blow but they stuck together and after more good chances, Connor Mackay who looked to have been fouled got up to play in Jacob Duffel who tucked the ball into the corner of the net to give Cops a deserving win.
.
A great team display and something for the Development team to build on.
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