Loddon Utd 1 v 3 Holt Utd Sat 16th August 2025 2.15pm ko
Scorers: Dexter.
Assists: JJ
Loddon: Harvey Harris; Bailey Hill, Charlie Halifax (c), Hayden Knights,
Hayden Ingram; Josh Knights, Tom Sergeant; JJ Godfrey; Harvey Johnson, Marcus Dunthorne-McInerney, Dexter Lee.
Subs: Dale Cockrill, Tom Green, Gaz Summons (unused)
Manager: Jake Sharpe Assts: Paul Reader, Andrew Zagdan

Another toughie and another week of unavailability, Harvey H stepping up a week after dislocating his finger, Knightsy ‘helping out’ again, and Marcus playing while unwell. Sharpie and his dugout oppos knew this would be an uphill battle and it was.
There was little football as the game swung from end to end; the ball mostly in the air.
We survived a couple of free kicks and corners and Knightsy showed leadership in the middle with the absence of El Skip, and Serg, also in the middle showed his usual level of energy. Hayden I played a lovely ball left to Dexter who made ground and squared into the box but the ball was cleared. Holt beat our backline but Harvey H closed the forward who stabbed the ball wide. They then had an easy chance but failed to connect properly with a header and we got away with a goal kick. Again Serg made space in the centre but failed by inches to find Dexter. Dexter then worked back to regain the ball, carry and create a shooting chance but unfortunately his connection wasn’t great and the ball trickled wide. But we were at least now having more of a presence. A Holt player was lucky to only get a yellow card with a rather hefty challenge. Dexter had a half chance from Knightsy’s free kick. Holt broke with a ball over the top but Charlie tidyed up well against Holt’s handy no.17. Hayden K did well to slide in to concede a corner which Holt then headed wide. We then spread the ball from right to left, Dexter found JJ who tried to make room for himself inside the opposition box but returned the ball to senior debutant Dexter who turned and curled a casual but accurate shot wide of the visiting keeper to put us ahead on 35mins. 1 – 0
Hayden K did well again at the back before JJ found Marco whose shot didn’t threaten. Serg got by his man with pace down the left but his cross was plucked off Harv’s head by the keeper at the far post. We finished the half with a long range daisy (or rather dandelion) cutter from Marco and looking marginally on top. HT
We had an early let off when Holt’s no17 slipped between defenders and put a simple header wide. JJ showed great attitude after losing possession by chasing back and allowing Serg to clear, and Bailey’s pace got him out of trouble when defending his box. Holt had come out for the second half with more urgency. JJ hassled and Serg closed down allowing Marco a tame off target effort from well out. Harvey H was sharp in coming out and smothering the ball at the feet of Holt’s centre forward. But on 57 minutes Holt domination paid off. A cross from their right to the far post found Bailey and Harvey H beaten to the ball and the scores levelled. 1 – 1
Charlie had a good header saved at the keeper’s feet following a free kick cross and we had to survive a Holt long throw and following shot scuffed just wide. Another 35 yarder went well wide as our defence was tested and Harvey H juggling the ball on the line for another escape. On 63 minutes JJ was replaced by Dale for his first Loddon appearance. Serg moved slightly forward into the ‘no 10’ role. A few minutes later our third debutant, Tom Green, replaced Hayden I at left back and quickly showed his maturity with a no nonsense tackle and clearance. We let in Holt’s nippy no11 who volley well wide. We now seemed to be unable to pick up any second balls or to find our passes when we did have it. It became rather desperate and inevitable that Holt would nose it front. Tom G continued to buck the trend by winning most of his duals. Bailey and Charlie combined to thwart no17 as he primed up for a shot and Dale and Knightsy worked a ball to Bailey deep in opposition territory for a rare attack. But Holt broke away and thankfully no17 messed up again. Tom G’s free kick almost put Charlie in but the flag was raised against Hayden K. Harvey pushed a volley onto a post and away, no17 shot straight to Harvey, but Harvey’s luck ran out when a 35 yard free kick bounced wickedly and completely out-foxed him and put Holt ahead. 1 – 2
Salt was rubbed into our wound when a long free kick was allowed to bounce, Harvey seemed rooted and the no17 finally got his gift…thankyou very much. 1 – 3
A game and performance to forget although we competed for good sections of it, we just could not hold out for a point.
There was some good things to come out of this…Dexter with a decent show and a goal, young Greeno looking comfortable and competitive, and both on their senior debuts. Along with Bailey and JJ it looks promising for the coming season.
Josh Knights, only helping out of course, got the ‘Starkings & Watson’ MoM and a free pint from The Jub Social
Thanks to match sponsor Harry B Cardies, and match ball sponsor Midas Displays

A week off next week (Ressies v Martham just called off) so see you all on the 30th at home against Mundford 2.15ko…..JC