Blofield United: Danny Lloyd, Matty Banham, James Basey-Fisher, Darren Cox, Jo Manning, Brady Ledain, Steven McNicholas, Ben Morgan, Ashley Mitchell, James Bulman, Chris Holmes. Subs: Damian Didwell, Duncan Whitlam & Craig Page.

With all the recent wet weather, this was an eagerly-awaited clash between 1st and 4th in the league with both sides having won seven out of their last eight games. The Beavers started confidently playing the ball nicely around the park but the first chance fell to the home side when Damon Bensley beat James Basey-Fisher but Danny Lloyd made a good save with his outstretched foot. Chris Holmes looked sharp, receiving the ball from Matty Banham, beating Alex Greengrass, but Danny Cable made the block and Ben Morgan’s shot was just wide. After 8 minutes Blofield took the lead with a superb move and finish. Jo Manning put the ball forward to James Bulman on the left, he passed inside to Morgan who cleverly nipped the ball past the defender, running onto it to cut the ball back for Holmes who applied a smart left-footed finish past Cable. In an unfortunate incident at a free kick, Brady Ledain was stretchered off with an ankle injury and replaced by Duncan Whitlam. Kevin Waterman put Neil Hurren away down the right and when Lloyd couldn’t gather his low cross, Darren Cox cleared the danger. Tom Roberts fired wide with just Lloyd to beat from 5 yards after Hurren’s long free kick had fallen nicely into his path. But the equaliser arrived after 24 minutes with the simplest of moves, Cable’s accurate kick found Hurren in space on the right, he curled the ball across for Bensley to pass the ball into the net. Cable then made two fine saves, first sticking out an arm to save from Bulman after great play by Holmes. Then McNicholas won the header in midfield, Bulman put the ball forward for Holmes, his shot was saved by Cable, the ball coming back for a second attempt which hit the post. Half Time: 1-1.

Both sides came out second half looking to win the game. Basey-Fisher found Bulman on the left, he went past Greengrass to pull the ball back but the ball was cleared off the line with Cable beaten. At the other end, referee Mr Thurbin waved away Hurren’s penalty shout, then waved a red card at Anthony Martin after a rash tackle on Manning with half an hour to play. Damian Didwell came on for Ashley Mitchell and Lloyd made a terrific save when Bensley broke through before Manning threw himself in front of Hurren’s follow-up shot to divert it wide. Steve McNicholas headed over from Morgan’s corner kick then instigated a great move finding Bulman in space down the left, he delivered the perfect low cross but McNicholas stretching fired over. Hurren put Harry Booker through on goal but his shot clipped the crossbar then McNicholas burst through again but Didwell couldn’t divert his cross on target. David Shade went forward to put Hurren away but Lloyd made a great stop at his far post. With 90 minutes played Banham was dismissed for a second yellow for a late challenge on Cave-Brown. Blofield could have won the game in stoppage time when Whitlam won the ball in midfield, Bulman played it out wide to Manning on the right, Didwell controlled, turned and laid the ball off for Holmes but Cable made a terrific stop with his legs.

This was an action-packed game with Blofield creating enough chances to win the game whilst Beccles looked dangerous on the break especially when Neil Hurren was allowed time and space. We wish Brady Ledain a swift recovery from his injury and everyone a very happy Christmas. Our next match is on Saturday 5th January when we entertain Acle at the Rec, 2pm kick-off.