It’s been a very up and down period for the first team since my last report. It started at the back end of September with a home tie against Saxmundham Sports, in an end to end game it ended with us winning a penalty to bring it back to 3 – 3 only for some poor defending on our part to allow the visitors to make the long journey across Suffolk with all 3 points, FT 3-4. We then had 3 long journeys of our own to make with away trips to Kirton, Melton and Wrentham . Firstly to Kirton, with disappointment of the Sax game still in the memory our performance was much improved and this time we were on the right end of a tight score line, FT 2-3. Next to Melton, who were fresh off the back of their Suffolk Primary Cup victory, and to a performance in which we dominated from start to finish and which the opposition conceded could have been a much higher score line such was our dominance we came out 4 – 1 winners. Finally to our longest journey in a 1st Round tie in the Suffolk Junior Cup against Mutford and Wrentham all the way up the A12 near Lowestoft, we knew we were in for a tough task as the last game they had lost was at the same stage of this competition last year, against ourselves! And so it was as we were on the wrong end of a 5-2 score line against a very good physical side.
Reserve Team
After a difficult opening game we had another home tie to make amends against AFC KESGRAVE, in a fairly poor game for the neutral we came out on top by a solitary goal to get our first points of the season FT 1-0. We then had out third home game on the bounce against Trimley Red Devils, in a slow start, again, we found ourselves 2 goals behind. But showing true grit and determination, and employing some good old “route one” football at times we got ourselves 3 – 2 ahead. Unfortunately when your lucks out nothing seems to go your way and a bad injury to our ‘keeper seemed to invigorate the opposition as they made a comeback of their own to take all 3 points FT 3-4. Finally we had an away trip to Ipswich for a game against the unbeaten and table topping Copplestonians, the home side seemed better suited to the poor playing surface and made us pay, with us coming away on the wrong end of a 4-1 score line.
Sunday Side
Three games to catch you up on with lots of goals and action. Firstly to a local derby against Coldham Hall in the cup, who boasted two former Cockfield players in their ranks. In a pulsating affair it was certainly a day for the strikers as we came out 5 – 3 winners in a close fought game. Next it was back to league action and on home turf against Tollgate, in a game badly affected by the poor weather condition we stole the three points thanks to a stunning last minute free kick from Veteran Adam Rickwood. Finally it was cup action again up the Green against Occold. In a game spoiled somewhat by a very card happy referee it finished 2-2 in regulation time which meant the lottery of penalties. After a poor first penalty from striker Brown it was advantage Occold, but after two fine saves from stand in keeper Clayton Dyer he was then given the opportunity to win the shootout which he calmly did by slotting into the corner, 6 – 5 on penalties it finished.
Veterans
Just a couple of games to catch you up on. After a hectic first few weeks for the Vets a much needed couple of weeks off, then it was time for the first league match of the season away at FC Railway of Ipswich, after a completely dominant display we came away with a 6-0 victory. It was then back to Suffolk Veterans Cup action with an away trip to Stoke by Nayland, despite being on top for most of the first half we found ourselves 2- 0 down at halftime, after the break we made our dominance pay and we ran out 4 – 3 winners, with one of highlights being a spectacular long range strike from Johnny Pettit.
Joe B.
