Blofield Utd 1 - 2 Loddon Utd Sat 1st Nov 2025 2.00pm ko
Scorers: Elliott, Marco
Assists: Serg 2 (fouled winning the freekick and pen)
Loddon: Jack Trowbridge; Jamie Whiteman, Jamie Broady, Jack Tipple,
Rob Andersen; Elliott Hannant (c), Matthew Webster, Alex Kounnas;
Tom Sergeant, Marcus Dunthorne-McInerney, Jason Thompson.
Subs: Matt Ayre, Harvey Johnson, JJ Godfrey (unused) .
Manager: Jake Sharpe Assts: Andrew Zagdan

Here is the report I said I wouldn’t do. Reader and El Skip have guilt tripped me!
Plus the Smoothster is back and what an impact…

This performance was up there with the Tacolneston game in terms of the application, effort, desire, oh and a little bit of luck when we needed it. But as I often say, the harder you work, the more luck you seem to get, and boy did the lads work hard.
Anyway, we started well showing some nice possession, well Smooth did as he purred around in the number 10 role. We were then caught out with a long ball over Jamie W but the cross was wayward. Blofield then had a couple of half chances go over. The next threat was met with a Tipps ‘slider’ to concede a corner. Marco, Smooth and El combined neatly until we were awarded a free kick. Jamie W curled a beaut into the far post but we failed to latch on. The Beavers then shot from 25 yards straight to ‘new boots’ Jack (must buy a cap next), and Marco set up Smooth for a shot which he fired wide. Our hearts were in our mouths as Jack raced out of his box to close a through ball. He stretched and slid in to make the tackle, perfectly timed. Marco and Serg linked to find Kounnas who shot to the keeper. Another through ball caught us napping. Jack slipped when closing, the Blofield forward fell over Jack and a pen awarded. Well, we would have wanted it the other end I guess. The pen scored and Jack booked on 30 minutes. 1 – 0
Lovely play by the impressive El (having his mate back helps) whose through ball put Serg away. He was brought down right on the edge of the home area and only a free kick awarded with our loud appeals heard in Brundall. The offender was booked and a corner earned off a defender from the kick. Rob was close to a connection when the keeper flapped at the corner. Webbo showed us he was getting back his form with a superb recovery tackle before a home shot from distance sailed way over the bar. Beavers used a long throw to decent effect and went close with a near post flick. Smooth hit a tame shot from the edge of the box after good work from Marco and Kounnas. Serg was tripped near the left wing corner flag to appeals of ‘last man’ from Sharpey which caused a titter from the crowd and smile from the ref. (I expect). Jamie B almost got to a free kick at the far post and survived a penalty area scramble before Tipps cleared and the half time whistle blew. HT
Immediately Serg threatened Blofield and won a kick which was cleared. Again in midfield his workrate won him another even though we kept the ball. The signs of our intent were showing. El took kick from the centre circle which was cleared and ended in a Blofield shot which El then got back to clear off the goalline. On 50 mins. the Robster went close. Serg found Smooth and his cross to the far post was met by Rob in full Superman pose (minus the cape) but he headed the ball straight into the keepers hands. Jack made a great save at the foot of his right hand post before great work from Kounnas and Serg earned a free kick, 25 yards out, just left of centre. With the home keeper not exactly filling the goal, El Skip sniffed the air, set himself, danced a few little skips and sent an unstoppable curler into the top corner to put us level on 57 mins.. He wheeled away in sheer delight and the travelling posse went crazy. 1 – 1
Two minutes later Kounnas, who was on fire, set things up again. A delightful ball found Serg, just inside the Blofield box; he turned his man, drew the foul and Marco stepped up to clinically bury the pen. Delerium ensued. 1 – 2
The home crowd were silenced but soon became hostile and bayed for blood. The Beavers got fired up on the pitch and the game became quite feisty. Jack had to be alert and was before a flick on from Marco put Serg in but his effort clattered a post. They responded but Tipps was there to head the ball back to Jack. With a bit of cramp, and 20 mins. to go, Jamie W had to be replaced by Harv with Serg slipping into right back. Twice Blofield attacked; Tipps dived to cleared one (anything Rob can do…) and great covering from Serg who protected the ball for a goalkick. Webbo made two crunching tackles in the middle before we were breached but rightback Serg covered leftback Rob and took a whack on the shin for his trouble. Kounnas shot from distance but no-one reacted as the ball bounced off the keeper. Elliott headed (yes) away to concede a corner. A Beaver was booked for fouling Webbo who was winning far too many headers and tackles. We knocked in the free kick which came to nowt except…Webbo was suddenly found spreadeagled on the deck having been clattered by a Blofield player as they all ran back. A red was shown and it all kicked off at the home supporters end. Blofield threw people forward, Rob made a great block. Great defending again from Serg saw him penalised as every decision went against us…except the last one. Smooth was shattered so Max came on. Max soon climbed over a defender who took umbrage when they were on the floor but surprisingly backed off when they stood up and realised the difference in stature. It was like watching the two Ronnies!
We survived a corner, a drive straight to Jack and a curler from distance which hit a post. But well into added time, Blofield got the ball in the net after a scramble but the flag was up. After consultation, the ref gave the offside and we could breathe again.
Another red was shown to a Blofield player in the post whistle melee and it was 3 pts superby earned by the lads.
So many candidates across the squad, but we decided that Dambuster Webbo’s grit and bravery, under sever intimidation, was crucial in allowing others to play so he gets the ‘Starkings & Watson’ MoM and a free half-pint courtesy of The Jub Social

Upcoming games:
This Saturday 8th Nov
1st v Caister (H) 2pm
Res v Filby Wanderers (a) 2pm
Sunday 9th
Ladies v Friendly (H) 2pm

Saturday 15th Nov
1st v No Game
Res v Thorpe Village (a) 2pm
Sunday 16th Nov
Ladies v Taverham (a) 2pm

Perhaps I’ll have my break from reporting next game v Caister at home as you’ll all be there anyway…
….did you like the dambuster gag eh?....think about it…. JC