Blofield United: Ryan Hemmings, Ashley Mitchell, Dan Stobbart, James Basey-Fisher, Craig Page, Duncan Whitlam, Steve McNicholas (C), Mark Baxter, Ben Morgan, Chris Holmes, Steve Burdett. Subs: Matty Banham, Jo Manning & Jonny Wynne.

The Beavers arrived at Swardeston on a breezy sunny day, Craig Page returning to the side for the match against Norwich CEYMS founded August 22nd 1888 celebrating 125 years of football.

Blofield started on the front foot opening the scoring after 10 minutes with a well-worked goal. James Basey-Fisher won the header, Steve Burdett played the ball to Chris Holmes, he spread play finding Mark Baxter in space on the left and his pinpoint cross was superbly finished by Burdett turning to volley the ball into the corner of the net. The game was fast and furious with both teams competing for the ball and referee Mr Richard Pace was being kept busy. Duncan Whitlam burst forward and keeper Andy Marshall was at full stretch to push Baxter’s low shot round the post. With half an hour gone, Tom Amis got away down the right and put in a dangerous low cross, but Ryan Hemmings made a fine save with his legs from Darren Smith. The equaliser came 4 minutes later after a good move forward, Smith finishing well from a tight angle on the left. Damian Didwell headed wide after a free kick by Amis and CEYMS were unfortunate not to take the lead before half time. Basey-Fisher made a vital block after Kieron Reset’s free kick, then CEYMS had a goal disallowed for offside. The ball was crossed from the right, Hemmings saved the goal-bound header only for the rebound to be poked home but ruled out by the linesman. In first half injury time, Hemmings saved from Smith and Basey-Fisher cleared off the line from Darrell Delaney with CEYMS appealing that the ball had crossed the line. Half Time: 1-1

The Beavers started in positive fashion second half with the wind at their backs, Jo Manning coming on for Basey-Fisher. Baxter played in another delightful cross from the left but Holmes just failed to get the touch to take the ball past Marshall. After 57 minutes Ben Morgan won a corner then, in a moment of individual brilliance, scored directly from the corner kick, the ball flying over Marshall’s outstretched arms into the far corner. Matty Banham replaced Mitchell and Morgan swept the ball just over the bar after tormenting the CEYMS defence, twisting one way then the other. Banham won a free kick and smashed the ball onto the right hand post with Marshall a bystander. Craig Page made a superb tackle to deny the striker, injuring his wrist in the process, Stevie Mac also needing treatment and being replaced by Jonny Wynne. With 10 minutes to go the game was won, Mark Baxter scoring a fine individual goal, dispossessing Reset before excellent close control to go round Marshall and neatly side-foot the ball into the net. Dan Stobbart was convinced he’d scored after his shot came back off the inside of the post from a corner kick, but CEYMS had chances before the end. Hemmings saved down to his left after a one-two between Didwell and Lewis Easter, then Banham made a vital block from Didwell after Amis had played the ball across the penalty area.

This was a terrific winning performance by the Beavers who dominated most of the game, collecting a few knocks but fully deserving three points due to some fine defending and attacking play. The back four had to be almost entirely changed during the match with Banham, Wynne, Page and Manning finishing the game. Mark Baxter had an outstanding game with some excellent crosses, fine control and an exceptional individual goal. We could have done with some goal-line technology today for both sides!