Loddon Utd 0 – 3 Bungay Town Sat 6th April 2024 2.15pm ko
Scorers:
Assists:
Loddon: Sam Colver; Ryan Sadler, Alex Clarke, Jack Tipple, Elliott Hannant (capt.); Jacob Short, Matthew Webster, Tom Sergeant; Reece Humphries, Harvey Johnson, Jake Block.
Subs: Ryan Feery, Kyle Feery, Connor Gooch
Manager: Jake Sharpe Lino: Ian Tink (cheers Ian)

Local derby, big crowd, expectation high, but unfortunately the game didn’t live up to the hype. With many first team players missing (I won’t bore you with the excuses but I dare say there was a baby shower involved somewhere, or Christmas shopping maybe…only guessing of course. Is Lion King still on?) it was fortunate that the Ressies were also at home so we could call on several to help out. And that they did with great attitude and application. With Dan Loades suspended, Sam Colver, was our 7th different keeper of the season which is probably some sort of record.
It was great to see Bungay, who look to have a good chance of promotion, bring good support with them too, including Mickleburghs and Dossetts, so it was good to catch up with them again as so many stayed to watch the Ressies’ game.
Tom Serg’ played in the no.10 spot in front of Webbo and Shorty and was soon in the thick of it. Shorty got a good tackle in midfield as did Reece on the edge of our box to release some Bungay pressure. Jack twice won good headers one of which was calmly back to Sam. A ground covering run down the right by Ryan looked a promising threat by us but his through ball into the box was too strong for Jake to reach. Just 4 minutes in, after the promising start, Town struck. A neat move forward and a clever Varley back heel plus a well placed finish by Shreeve low inside the far post gave Sam no chance in goal and Town the lead. 0 – 1
So this was pretty much against the run of play in the early minutes but the boys did not lose heart. In fact for long periods we were the better side with Jack Tipple firing a great shot just over, Webbo dominating the midfield against bigger opposition and Harvey brought down just outside the Town box by the relieved looking and smiling Town defender. The Serg had a good chance but delayed his shot. A Town free kick was deflected away by Shorty for a corner which Sam easily gathered, and that was a rare effort by them. Reece Humphries worked hard and linked up well with Harvey and Tom reminding us all what he can offer and why he needs to be available for first team duties a bit more often. The Ref suddenly appeared, obviously feeling left out as we hadn’t noticed him. Harvey challenged a Bungay boy to a Loddon clearance, lost the free kick and was booked. It was an utterly ridiculous and unnecessary yellow card such that even the Bungay boys looked bemused. Mr Ref must simply love paperwork; or maybe attention??
Ryan had a shot blocked after Jake crossed and Reece back-heeled. Shorty could only head El’s free kick to the keeper. The half petered out with few chances, both sides conceding possession cheaply at times, and the Black Dogs happy to be ahead. HT
We expected the visitors to get a rocket at half time as their performance was no where near what is required for promotion seekers. We also knew we needed to score next. The worst possible scenario developed when Town broke through, Jack got in a tackle, El was accidently pushed, put his hands forward to break his fall and the ball hit him. This was interpreted as ‘deliberate handball’ (‘I don’t make the rules…’) and the penalty despatched although Sam was close. 0 – 2
One knows when the stars are aligned against you and this deflated the boys somewhat! We seemed to become reactive instead of proactive and allowed Town to dominate. Tom did manage a shot from distance which went just wide.
On 58 minutes Reece Humphries was replaced by Kyle Feery who quickly showed some nice touches and possession retention. But in all honesty the game became dull again; we showed little ambition going forward and Bungay seemed happy at two up.
Ryan Feery replaced Jake Block as Sharpie made sure some of the lads had something left for the Ressies. Ex Loddon player Jack Child came on for the visitors and soon caused us problems pulling the ball back for Shreeve to hit a post and shortly after set up Varley for a tap in to put Town three up. 0 – 3
Neat defending by El when he saw danger from a ball over the top was the highlight of the last quarter of the game…apart from seeing Connor come on for the last ten minutes at left back, looking quite comfortable and joining in with the bench banter. Webbo saw yellow for another unbelievable reason which I’m too cheesed off about to even bother to explain….We proceeded to lose several balls with poor passes and clearances and Town helped with wayward shooting. There were a few tiles left on local rooves, a few cars left undamaged in the car park and many gardens being invaded by Milo. Ryan Sadler left us with smiles on our faces with his step-overs, drag-backs and stylish footwork before falling over such that Titch had to go on to untie his bootlaces! Bungay broke well, beat our offside and hit the bar, Ryan Feery found their net but also the raised flag and Town turned and volleyed over our bar, and still I believe 3 – 0 flattered them!... Good luck to Bungay in their promotion bid, they’re a great bunch, as are their alumni and supporters… don’t tell ‘em I said that!

We all agreed at the end that the best player on the park, by a mile, was 19 year old Webbo who gets the Musker McIntyre MoM.
Several of the lads then did more minutes for the Ressies including Ryan Sads and the Serg who both did another 90. Phew, I don’t know how your legs managed it, even I could barely walk home; but I had a proper excuse. Ha ha

Thanks to John ‘JR’ Riches for his kind match sponsorship much to Bungay’s surprise! So if you need any fencing done, he’s your man!!

Thanks too to Ian Tink for stepping up to run the line for us….before another 90 mins for the Ressies.