Team: Ryan Hemmings, Matty Banham, Kris Hart (C), James Basey-Fisher, Darren Cox, Karl Mills, Colin Wines, Duncan Whitlam, Ben Morgan, Chris Holmes, Danny McKail. Subs: Greg Murphy, Jo Manning & Jonny Wynne.

The game kicked off after the Christmas break on a bright sunny day both teams posing together for their sponsors Wrights Mazda and a minute’s silence for Brian Woodhouse. The Beavers started with purpose knocking the ball about well but when Alan Remblance got behind Matty Banham, Karl Mills made a timely interception. In midfield, James Basey-Fisher was winning the ariel battle but when he tangled with Anthony Martin, Damon Bensley struck the free kick low and wide. Matty Banham surged past defenders into the box to set up Danny McKail on the right but he fired over from the angle. A terrific move after 30 minutes brought the first goal for Blofield, Chris Holmes starting the move by turning and putting McKail away down the right. Danny exchanged passes with Colin Wines before racing into the area to deliver the perfect low cross for Holmes at full stretch to steer the ball past a wrong-footed Danny Cable. Two minutes later, Darren Cox was penalised for standing his ground and Kevin Waterman’s free kick was nodded home by Neil McMorran. With Beccles on the attack, Ryan Hemmings stretched to tip Remblance’s header over after Cable’s long free kick then Remblance headed wide from Waterman’s corner kick. Hemmings long kick found McKail haring down the right wing before delivering another great cross but Holmes was beaten at the near post, then Shane Wigley went on a mazy run beating four defenders until Kris Hart made the vital block. Half Time 1-1.

With just one minute played in the second half, Duncan Whitlam found Coxy and his ball forward put Holmes away down the left wing. A superb solo run was finished by Holmesey cutting into the box and tucking the ball past Cable into the net. When Basey-Fisher tried his luck from distance, Cable tipped the ball over for a corner. Bensley held it up and found Remblance but Coxy shepherded him out wide before Mills cleared the danger. It was all Blofield as Jo Manning came on for Banham at right back. When Hartie slipped, Remblance went past him and Cox before Waterman’s header skimmed the bar. Manning was playing the early ball forward to set McKail into space down the right but Holmes was tackled just before he could get his shot away. Hartie tidied up after a good save by Hemmings to his left denied Martin then Cable got down well to save from Wines with Holmes lurking. As Blofield pressed forward, they won a number of corner kicks and Mills went close with a header at the far post. Martin crossed for Remblance but Hemmings saved well to his left then with Cable beaten, McMorran cleared off the line after Wines cross was headed towards goal. At the end Beccles could have snatched an undeserved equaliser when a ball pumped high into the box fell for Tom Roberts but he hooked the ball over from close range.

Blofield were the better side for 75 minutes in a game where the whole team played well and lived up to their name by working hard all over the pitch. The Rattler’s man of the match is Chris Holmes for his two superb goals whilst Danny McKail had a terrific game on the right wing. All Beavers wish David Trett a swift recovery after his knee op and hope he is making up for the enforced starvation beforehand!

DAVE WHEELER