Town played host to Broomfield from Senior Division 2 of the EOFL on Saturday in a Bill Spurgeon Charity Cup second round tie. Town knew they were in for a tough match as Broomfield are having a good season and currently sit third in their division having lost just one league game so far. Furthermore Town played Broomfield earlier in a pre-season friendly which Town only just won by the odd goal in a 9 goal thriller. Preecy, Flighty and Lee Humphrey were missing from the previous week but Brad Merrick & Dave Martin returned to the squad after illness.

On the first chilly afternoon of the season Town donned their brand new luminous orange kit (our sincere thanks go to sponsors ETC Sports – again) and started the game really well and for the opening 15 minutes played some good possession football with Headon, looking resplendent in the new kit, particularly influential in the middle of the park. The returning Darts Pro, Lodgey, making his first start of the season, settled back in nicely and provided a nice blend of long and short passing out of defence. After 18 minutes Town took the lead; Headon “fizzed” in a free kick that skipper Mark Neal met with a bullet of a header from close range 1-0. Town continued to have marginally the better of the game and were prevented from adding to their goal tally on a couple of occasions when the final ball went agonisingly astray just when it looked like they were through on goal. Headon was then inches away from a goal of the season contender when he half volleyed a miss hit clearance by the Broomfield keeper from fully 50 yards that flew literally inches over the bar with the retreating keeper beaten. Five minutes later Broomfield equalised with a well worked goal which was very well finished with a first time shot by Ian Harris from the edge of the box after a fluent move, 1-1. Half time arrived all square and the dressing room was surprisingly subdued, given that in my opinion, Town had performed OK so far.

The second half kicked off and Broomfield had a goal disallowed for offside in the opening minutes which should have served as a wake up call but didn’t; Town remained rather subdued and the game became an even, end to end affair, with both teams playing some neat and tidy football without really looking threatening. In the midfield area Matt Macedo was nice and solid and made a few attacking runs, Mark Neal was now getting a grip in midfield and starting to boss things and Andy Allen, got more involved as the game went along. The returning Wiggy, making his first start of the season, was beginning to shake of the cobwebs and starting to show what Town have missed in his absence with his non stop style. Ready continued his good start to the season and the returning Dave Martins pace was tested on a few occasions and he didn’t disappoint. Chris Neal in the Town goal wasn’t seriously threatened. With 20 minutes left Town actually scored a real goal of the season contender when Wiggy lookalike, Graham Jeater, scored with an outrageous acrobatic overhead kick, on the volley, from 12 yards out for a truly stupendous goal, 2-1. Town now settled down a bit, started the keep the ball better and could maybe have added to their goal tally when Polley turned his marker on the edge of the box and hit a fierce left foot shot that was destined for the bottom corner but he was denied by a fantastic save from the excellent Broomfield keeper. Young Brad Merrick replaced Headon in an effort to get some more “legs” on for the final 10 minutes and Town saw the game out without any major scares to move into the next round. In summary, the game was played in a great spirit with both teams content to play some decent football. Town did just enough to deserve to win the game, and whilst not at their best there were some positive signs that they were starting to get into their stride after a frustrating and fragmented start to the season.

Man of the match this week is between Graham Jeater (or is that Wiggy ??) who as well as scoring a goal of the season contender, made some strong runs and looks like he’s getting his match fitness back, Mark Neal who, restored to midfield, gave a very strong all round performance and scored a goal and Chris Headon who provided some lovely touches; Mark Neal just edges it as he tells me that he played with a terrible foot injury that would have ruled out lesser “men” – bless him.

El Col