Loddon Utd 1 v 3 Mutford and Wrentham Tuesday 15th April 2025 6.30pm ko
Scorers: Chrissy
Assists: Knightsy
Loddon: Dan Loades; El Hannant (c), Bailey Hill, Jack Tipple, Alex Kounnas;
Matthew Webster, Jacob Short; Josh Knights; Harvey Johnson, Chris Husband, Marcus Dunthorne-McInerney.
Subs: JJ Godfrey, Tom Blythe-Bartram, Max Ayre
Manager: Jake Sharpe Asst: El, Max Lino: Jack Cook

Even before the kick off we all wondered how we were going to get in 90 minutes but maybe the weather would clear….it didn’t.
The first half was well contested as we gave as good as we got against the league leaders and promotion favourites. An early corner by Alex had the visiting keeper floundering at the far post and conceding another. However we couldn’t capitalise. Alex and Marcus combined well to create down our left but Marcus’ cross couldn’t be converted by Chrissy or Harv. The game was fast and furious and the visitors broke the deadlock after 14 minutes when Dan stretched to save a shot but a poacher was nearby and got to the ball first to put Mutford ahead. 0 – 1
Alex won and hit a free kick from 35 yards into the wall. He won another and this time Chrissy’s kick, from slightly nearer, found the keeper. Webbo won yet another, slightly nearer again and this time Knightsy had a lovely shot finger tipped wide by the keeper for a corner. Alex fired a brilliant corner to the far post where Knightsy ghosted in and headed back across the 6 yard box; Chrissy was on hand to head home on the half hour. 1 – 1
El tripped over his own bootlaces to give the home dugout a chuckle, Dan made a good save, Bailey made a superb challenge when tested and chipped a lovely ball over the top for Harv to chase. Harv pinched possession and was unceremoniously cleaned out on the edge of Mutford’s area and the visitors surrounded the ref as they might at Juventus, say. Alex curled his kick around the wall but into the keeper’s grateful arms. HT
With the night closing in, the second half got underway, but within seconds, Webbo was bundled off the ball, it spilled kindly for a visiting forward positioned between Tipps and Bailey about 25+ yards out, he turned and volleyed in one slick move and the ball whizzed past the spellbound Dan and into the net. 1 – 2
Chrissy had a good chance but fluffed his volley and Knightsy headed El’s corner just wide of the top corner before Dan pushed a shot behind. Just over the hour mark Tom BB then replaced Webbo and went to RB with El going into midfield. Knightsy won a free kick just outside Mutford’s area. El took and had his shot deflected wide. Sharpey saw this as an opportunity for Maximus so he went on and off came Chrissy. The keeper flapped at the near post but Max couldn’t quite get a touch. As it got darker both teams hit the ball long but we all struggled to see anything. Max was unlucky at the far post getting to Knightsy’s free kick. Harv had worked his socks off all night and was rested for JJ with 15 to go, and near total darkness and rain falling to make it even more dodgy. Alex fired a ball into the box, Max chested down, turned to beat his marker and volleyed over the keeper who stretched back and made a great tip over the bar. Shorty got to the corner but was inches off target with his header. With only a few minutes to go Mutford went through and hit a post but finished the rebound to crazy celebrations from the visitors who were a step closer to promotion. 1 – 3
The night was not done…a rash tackle by Dan missed the ball, cleaned out the striker and brought Dan a red card. Anyone who has played knows how hard it is to judge distance in the dark….A sad end to the season for him.

A good performance from us, especially the first half. Tipps was good again, Shorty, back after several weeks away was as whole hearted as we expect from him but Harvey caught the eye with his workrate and bravery and got Muster MoM

We are at home (2.15pm ko) to much improved Stalham on Saturday for our last game of the season. I know the Jub bar is shut, but please make the effort to attend as there will be a minute’s silence in respect to LUFC legend John ‘Charlie’ Frosdick who sadly passed away last Saturday. RIP Chas.

JC….ta ta