SIL ROUND-UP
Old Newton went to the top of the Senior Division after a 1-0 win over a Coplestonians side who remain at the foot of the table, albeit in its early stages. Ryan Jolly netted the only goal of the game.
Stowupland remain unbeaten following their dramatic 4-4 draw at Trimley Red Devils while Henley are quickly moving up the table after a 3-2 home win over Tattingstone. James Watling, Elliot Ballard and Stephen Cole put the home side 3-0 up with Jaydn Huggins pulling two goals back for Tatt in the latter stages.
Halesworth are also recovering from a slow start as goals from Callum Read, Joe Clark and Pat Summerfield helped them to a 3-1 success against Sporting 87.
Henry Jordan scored four goals on his debut for Haughley as they inflicted a 7-0 defeat on local rivals Bacton at Brickwall Meadow. Alex Simpson notched a brace with their other goal coming from Ryan Whebby.
Leiston St Margarets netted a 94th minute winner as they beat East Bergholt 2-1 at Junction Meadow. Aaron Newton and Pat Doyle scored for Saints with Kyle Brown replying for Bergholt.
In the other Senior game Grundisburgh had a 2-1 win over Wickham Market.
Somersham are a point clear of the chasing pack after beating Ipswich Wanderers Development 3-1.
Free-scoring Woolverstone remain in second with a 7-0 win at Kirton while AFC Kesgrave have maximum points from their opening three games following a 3-1 home win over Capel Plough. Aidan Whight, Kieron Leggett and Dylan Barrack scored for AFC.
Louie King scored twice for Kesgrave Kestrels in a 4-0 win over bottom side Wenhaston. Harry Fricker and Carl Matthews completed the scoring.
Tyler Barwick, Joseph Crowe and Josh Cook scored Achilles’ goals in a 3-3 draw with Stanton while Thurston won their first game of the season defeating Cockfield 2-1.
In Division Two a brace from Nathan Banks helped Sporting 87 Reserves to a 4-1 win at Coplestonians Reserves. Redgrave Rangers defeated Framlingham Town A 7-2 and Gipping Gnats had a 2-1 home success over Bacton Reserves.
SIL Senior Division: Henley Athletic FC 3-2 Tattingstone Utd FC
A large crowd of 134, boosted by the cancellation of our Ressies match, were treated to an exciting game, as the new look Henley’s youngsters faced off against an experienced and talented Tattingstone side.
What a start it was for Henley! Cooper and Cowan combining to win the ball in midfield, before Hooley’s pass picked out Watling, who controlled the ball and finished well to make it 1-0 after only 40 seconds. A stunned Tattingstone were fortunate not to concede another after 5 minutes, Ballard’s freekick, crashing off the foot of the post to safety. Henley continued to have the better chances and after 19 minutes it took a great save from Hender to keep out White’s fierce drive.
After Henley’s great start, an organised and committed Tattingstone clawed their way into the game, dominating more and more of the possession, but failing to really trouble home keeper Read, as the first half drew to a close at 1-0.
On 47 minutes, Henley looked to have increased their lead, Ballard running onto a through ball before finishing, only to see, what can only have been the tightest of offside flags rule it out. After 50 minutes, the same thing happened again, Ballard again breaking free and looping a finish over Hender for 2-0, once again the club assistant’s flag was raised, but Referee Eley overruled and the goal stood. After 73 minutes Tattingstone had a great chance, but the strike went comfortably into the arms of Read.
After 80 minutes Henley made it 3-0, great pressure to win the ball back in midfield, before Ballard’s ball released Cole down the middle, he kept his cool and slotted home a low drive. Less than 3 minutes later Wharton-Richardson had the ball in the net, following in after Hender parried away Cole’s initial strike, but he was offside.
On 85 minutes Tattingstone pulled back, what at the time appeared to be little more than a consolation goal, as Huggins poked home from close range after Read’s initial save for 3-1. But to Tatt’s credit this really gave them a boost and they piled the pressure on, they were rewarded when, again, Huggins managed to force the ball home after a corner to make it 3-2 in the 92nd minute. Henley were clinging on bravely now, and it took a great save from Read to tip over his opposite number Hender’s bullet header in the 95th minutes to give Henley the points, as play was finally brought to a close after 96 minutes.
Despite the late scare, which I’m sure Jimmy will be using in training this week to emphasise the importance of game management, this was a good win for the new look Henley. Some well taken goals, coupled with a high work rate, epitomised by MOTM Cowan, who at some point surely covered every blade of grass. Tattingstone, as always, were well drilled, tough and committed and will be there or thereabouts when the season finishes, they never dropped their heads and kept going, right until the, very late, end.
FEATURED GAME
TRIMLEY RED DEVILS 4 STOWUPLAND FALCONS 4
(SIL SENIOR DIVISION)
TRIMLEY SCORERS:
Jordan Clarke 4 mins
Ellis Murrell 17 mins
Ryan Chidlow 37 mins
Shane Murphy 44 mins
STOWUPLAND SCORERS:
Tom Lewis 1 min
Jordan Southgate 72 mins
Jon Carver 83 mins
Dale Watling 90 + 5 mins
ATTENDANCE: 57
REFEREE: Andy Murphy
There was a dramatic conclusion to this game as Falcons keeper Dale Watling came up for a corner deep into added time and powerfully headed home to salvage a point and maintain the visitors’ unbeaten start to the season.
Falcons opened the scoring inside 20 seconds as Roman Rampley broke away down the left and his cross-shot was poked home by Tom Lewis.
However, Trimley were soon level when Jordan Clarke curled home a spectacular goal into the top corner from 25 yards.
The hosts were then awarded a penalty after Jon Carver blocked Shane Murphy’s effort at close range. Watling saved the subsequent spot-kick only for Ellis Murrell to squeeze the follow-up under the keeper.
Rampley then got through again only for new keeper Daniel Spink to brilliantly divert his effort over the bar.
The Red Devils then made it 3-1 as Rossi Driver sent Dan Stagg clear and his inch-perfect cross was converted by Ryan Chidlow.
It was four just before the break with Chidlow superbly working the ball through to Shane Murphy who volleyed the bouncing ball into the corner.
The game became a bit disjointed after the break, not helped by Trimley midfielder Aaron Durrant being carried off injured and a raft of yellow cards issued to the visitors.
Stowupland were having more of the play a s the half progressed but struggled to create any decent chances untilJordan Southgate drove home an angled effort from 20 yards to make it 4-2 to give them hope.
Jordi Dye then swung over a deep free-kick which was headed home by Carver with seven minutes of normal time to play.
Falcons continued to push forward and, as a last throw of the dice, Watling arrived in the penalty area to convert Dye’s corner and square the game.
Haughley Utd Res 5 Ransomes Sports 2
Haughley United inflicted a first league defeat on the new Ransomes Sports outfit as they ruthlessly exposed the visitors lack of experience, physicality, and naivety. The hosts were the better side throughout and went four goals up before Ransomes, embarking on a new era, showed signs of improvement.
Visiting goalkeeper Lewis Cates was forced into an early save to keep out Haughley as the home side went on to become guilty of spurning a number of first half opportunities before they broke the deadlock in the 37th minute.
They quickly doubled their advantage as Bannister netted the first of his treble, and the same player added his second in first half added time, as Haughley wrapped up their first half demolition.
Ransomes struggled to create a clear opening during the first 45 minutes, and the home side had certainly been given a helping hand as they added a fourth shortly after the break.
There had to be a response. Ransomes had taken a long time to threaten, but they remained defiant and upped the intensity as they knuckled down. Ransomes eventually stirred. On 55 minutes, Jack Cates was able to convert into an empty net after pacy Mo Fike had done all the leg work, and it was Haughley’s turn to creak.
The pressure continued on the home side when a Jack Cates pass found Brandon Archer 20 yards from goal, and he let fly with a fierce drive that beat Holeness and rocketed into the top corner. Munro (Haughley) however, took the opportunity, gifted to him, to drain Ransomes momentum only two minutes later, and the clock was now well and truely against the visitors.
Given the drama that has engulfed Ransomes in recent weeks, it has been easy to forget that this is a sizeable step up for this group of youngsters. The season will not be summed up in one afternoon, and whilst it will not be entirely straightforward, the inconsistency of youth can be developed to give a sense of comfort and control.
Visiting goalkeeper Lewis Cates was forced into an early save to keep out Haughley as the home side went on to become guilty of spurning a number of first half opportunities before they broke the deadlock in the 37th minute.
They quickly doubled their advantage as Bannister netted the first of his treble, and the same player added his second in first half added time, as Haughley wrapped up their first half demolition.
Ransomes struggled to create a clear opening during the first 45 minutes, and the home side had certainly been given a helping hand as they added a fourth shortly after the break.
There had to be a response. Ransomes had taken a long time to threaten, but they remained defiant and upped the intensity as they knuckled down. Ransomes eventually stirred. On 55 minutes, Jack Cates was able to convert into an empty net after pacy Mo Fike had done all the leg work, and it was Haughley’s turn to creak.
The pressure continued on the home side when a Jack Cates pass found Brandon Archer 20 yards from goal, and he let fly with a fierce drive that beat Holeness and rocketed into the top corner. Munro (Haughley) however, took the opportunity, gifted to him, to drain Ransomes momentum only two minutes later, and the clock was now well and truely against the visitors.
Given the drama that has engulfed Ransomes in recent weeks, it has been easy to forget that this is a sizeable step up for this group of youngsters. The season will not be summed up in one afternoon, and whilst it will not be entirely straightforward, the inconsistency of youth can be developed to give a sense of comfort and control.
MORE DESPAIR AS LADY LUCK DESERTS COPS AGAIN!
Old Newton United 1 Coplestonians FC 0
(Cops are sponsored by Venue 16)
Cops lost narrowly to the new Senior Division leaders, Old Newton, so remain at the foot of the table in spite of looking the better side, especially in the first half. In an eventful game Cops had the better of the opening with Danny Allen and Connor MacKay constantly testing the home rearguard. However, time and again the final ball was not of sufficient quality or failed to find a Cops attacker; throughout the half neither keeper had a shot to save.
After the break Cops failed to maintain their control of the game and the Newts took the lead when a deflected cross fell kindly to an attacker who fired home. Cops introduced their subs to inject some pace and forced a series of corners but failed to breach the back line. The Cops keeper was then dismissed for a handball offence outside the penalty area which appeared to be a very harsh judgement. A sin bin offence following this decision meant that Cops were down to 9 men.
Cops battled well to stay in the game and Jonny Linard saw his late shot blocked to deny them a share of the spoils.
There was little to choose between the sides and at some point Cops will get the rub of the green to get their season underway. Next week they entertain East Bergholt at the Ipswich School Sports Centre.
Scoop
MOTM again was Cops hard tackling defender Ross Turner (sponsored by RJ&E Services Ltd) who was superb throughout today’s game.
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