Loddon Utd 0 – 1 Costessey Sports Sat 29th August 2026 2.15pm ko
Loddon: Paul Sturman; Liam Kent, Bailey Hill, Rick Summons, Austin Renwick;
Connor Gooch, Jayden Godfrey, Gary Summons (c), Ashton Godfrey,
Reece Humphries, Reece Stannard.
Subs: Noah Wattam, Steven Wise, Sam Tyrrell
Manager: Mark Boggis; Asst: Dale Leary (‘keeper coach) Coach: Shane Smith (away)
Lino: Ian Tink (cheers Ian)

Big changes ensued over the summer with the departure of Sharpey and Reader and most of the first team, to pastures new. We welcome new manager Mark Boggis to the club, and the return to first team involvement of Shane Smith (who today, was away getting married!). We also welcome to the club, recent new signings Paul Sturman, Reece Stannard, and Noah Wattam (that name rings a bell!). Only Bailey and Ashton remain from the team that played in our last game last season at North Walsham. JJ is of course a first team regular, and Reece H has decided to get his boots out again which is great news.

Proceedings started with a minutes silence for Sharpey’s dad Kev. He was a loyal supporter, sometimes fantastic match day baby sitter, who became a good friend and was then taken far too soon. We’ll miss him big time, but his flag will follow us and always make us smile! Our condolences go out to Sharpey and his family.

We started quite brightly with Reece H making a strong run forward and new keeper Paul Sturman making a block. Austin also made a couple of good tackles. The first shot from Costessey was high and wide and by and large we held our own in the opening minutes, which was encouraging.
Reece H won a free kick 25 yards out but Gaz’s chip was easily cleared. Reece H found JJ in the right channel but unfortunately his cross was over everyone.
After 20 minutes Costessey were probably just ahead in the possession stats but had not really threatened Paul. Although our boys grew in confidence, they had not threatened either. Austin made a superbly timed slide tackle to warm the crowd and concede a corner. From that, Austin made an overhead, off the goalline, clearance which drew grateful applause. Connor made a block and then a foul 30 yards out, but their freekick was fired straight to Paul. Another Costessey shot was high and wide. A home clearance eventually achieved a corner which Reece H took. Gaz rose but the ball was cleared to Reece S who chipped back into the box but Connor could only direct his header to the visiting keeper. Bailey ‘Van Dijk’ showed through this first 30 minutes or so what we will miss when he goes off to uni. He glides across the pitch with effortless ease and no shortage of skill.
Paul was in action again claiming a daisy cutter. Reece S won a free kick which was wasted when the offside flag was raised. We lost possession with a stray pass in midfield but Costessey’s through ball was swept up by Bailey with his afterburners on. He dealt with the next attack in similar style before Reece H was blocked off and unable to control JJ’s through ball. Appeals were waved away when Rick made two great tackles in our box before clearing left to Reece S, who won a throw. This led to Reece H (or JJ not sure – too far away) testing the visiting keeper down by his right post. Paul made two good stops in the closing minutes as Wisey went on to cover for the injured Connor.
A very satisfactory first half by the lads. 0 – 0 HT

Noah came on at right back for Liam (calf strain) and the second half begun in the worst possible way. Before we had even finished our tea, Costessey broke down their right, whipped in a low cross. The ball seemed to come off Noah’s thigh onto an opposing forward, spun up and over an already diving Paul who could only watch helplessly as the ball found our net. 0 – 1
We reacted quickly. Reece H made a neat flick wide to Ashton who attacked their box from our right and forced a good save. Reece H took the corner and a defender clear over his own crossbar. The next corner fell to Rick but he couldn’t sort his feet quick enough to get a shot away and the ball was cleared. Reece S had a tame shot saved when set up by JJ. Connor then glanced a Reece H corner just wide as our pressure was nearly rewarded. Another corner saw Austin have a shot blocked and Noah covered his defence well when Costessey broke forward. Austin took a freekick from deep; Gaz and Connor both got touches before Ashtons final ball failed to find a colleague. Rick sliced a clearance from which Costessey’s no11 broke through and collided with Paul. A clear foul on Paul, or so we thought, the Ref eventually blew the whistle with Paul injured. The continuous rain made the surface tricky for both sides and possession was constantly conceded. But there was no lack of effort. Gaz, Ashton and JJ combined finding Connor on the edge of the area but he was unable to capitalise. Paul again reacted quickly to thwart two breaks, and Rick cleared off his goalline following a Costessey corner, to keep us in the game. Austin continued his outstanding performance when winning back possession and calmly playing a simple pass to Gaz to move us forward. JJ played a lovely ball to Ashton and then saw his effort on goal saved and blocked on the line.
With 20 minutes remaining Wisey entered the fray for the second time replacing Connor who had put in a good shift and was spent. Rick and Austin did well again but Wisey was caught offside trying to latch onto Austin’s ball forward. Gaz hit a 23 yard free kick into the defensive wall with claims of handball waved away. Reece H sent a long free kick into the opposition box but it did not fall kindly when JJ tried to set his sights on the target. Wisey and the Ref got to know one another…it wasn’t long before they swapped names….in a friendly manner!
Sam then came on for Rick for the last 10 mins and was quickly into action. Noah bravely headed away a free kick. Gaz made a good run into the box to get on the end of Reece H’s free kick but was just short.
The pitch was getting more slippery, legs were getting tired and we tried our hardest in search of an equalizer but there was little left in the tank. Wisey stretched to tackle but missed the ball and found himself staring at a yellow card. (It’s so unlike Wisey to get booked!) It didn’t stop him competing though.
The game petered out through injury time and although disappointed to lose we were heartened by the attitude and effort the boys put in.
Credit to Bailey Hill for turning out before going away to Uni; he was immense. Also credit to Paul Sturman in goal with a very good debut. But it was young Austin Renwick who really caught the eye with a mature and effective performance at left back who gets the Starkings & Watson’s MoM and a free pint (of squash) at the
Jub Social.
Thanks to Ian Tink for running the line and our Match sponsor: Harry B Cardies.

At time of writing it looks like we’re conceding our cup game at Holt next week through lack of availability, even though Ressies don’t have a game!
See you Saturday evening at Jub for Casino Night. JC