Stoke Ferry FC

March Match Reports

Stoke Ferry 3-1 Tacolneston Res

March 5, 2011 - Dick Davey Ambulance Cup - 3rd Round

1st Half

Stoke Started a bit sluggish, and were pushed back, playing in their own half, with some good defending the Stoke goal never became under pressure. Stoke started to play football and competed for the ball better in midfield. Against the run of play Stoke scored, from a through ball from Matt Willis, who played in Matt Weeds, to score a great goal from the left hand side. Stoke took heart from this and became to boss the flow of the game, after a few attempts at goal, Stoke were awarded a corner, Matt Willis fired in a long corner, which missed all the players in the box, however Neil slide in beyond the far post and fired the ball into the goal where Chris Green ensured the ball was put into the back of the net, a reply (spectators) view of the goal, confirmed the ball crossed the line prior to Chris's touch, awarding the gaol to Neil. 2-0 up and Stoke were playing some good pressure football, with good movement and some terrific balls to the forward line. Stoke were awarded a free kick late in the half, and from a disguised spot kick from Terry, Neil headed the ball home. The half ended 3 -0.

2nd Half

Tacolneston Res came out the second half revved up, and piled on pressure from the off, they came across a stubborn defence and were unable to get the the goal, to have a true clean shot. After Ten minutes into the second half, Tacolneston Res scored a wonder goal from 30 yards out, a great unstoppable shot and one, which the player should remember for a while. Tacolneston Res continued to pressure Stoke and became to push Stoke back into their own half, Stoke weathered the storm and once again began to push forward, and created a few chances. The spirit of the game started to boil over, however Stoke didn't rise to the bait and continued to play good football, and the game finished at 3- 1. Stoke continue to the Semi Finals.

Man of the Match: Neil Sewell

Gressenhall R 3-0 Stoke Ferry

March 12, 2011 - CrownFire Central + South Norfolk League, Division 3

1st Half

Stoke were up for this game, and started well, with some good early penetration, they were strong in the tackle and had a good percentage of the play. Gressenhall had a new look to their team, with some new players, however Stoke were unperturbed by this, and played some good football, with a few half chances. The score was broken with a classic counter attack from Gressenhall. From a shot at goal their end, Gressenhall played the ball with 3 passes straight to their forward, who calmly lifted the ball over Jamie's head from 25 yards out. Making it 1-0 at half time.

2nd Half

Stoke were now playing up hill, and again started brightly, Chris Green was moved to the middle of the park, to try and instigate our passing game. 10 minutes into the 2nd half and unfortunately Stoke found themselves 2-0 down. Now chasing the game, Stoke became disjointed, and began to lose shape, Gressenhall, now with their tails up started to exploit the Stoke team, and began to pile relentless pressure on. Stoke managed to hold firm, but had limited amounts of chances to score. With only 8 minutes to go Gressenhall scored their final goal, to make the score 3-0 and the final whistle. An unfortunate score line, but a gutsy performance.

Man of the Match; Stefan Day

Thurton + Ashby 8-0 Stoke Ferry

March 19, 2011 - CrownFire Central + South Norfolk League, Division 3

1st Half

Stoke were down to the bare 11, in this encounter against top of the league, Stoke started ok, but were under the cosh from the start, Stoke managed to hold the home team for a while and even made a couple of half chances, Thurton came at Stoke with wave after wave of pressure and scored 2 goals in quick succession. Stoke came more into the game and the last 15 minutes played well and started to level the possession. 2-0 at half time, but Stoke were confident taking into account the last 15 minutes.

2nd Half

It all went wrong for Stoke in the second half, Thurton were rampant, and the movement from the whole team was unlocking the Stoke team, Stoke tried, but Thurton were on fire, and managed to score a further 6 goals. Not a good day at the office, and a loss of 8-0.

Man of the Match: Calum Clark

Rockland R 0-5 Stoke Ferry

March 26, 2011 - CrownFire Central + South Norfolk League, Division 3

1st Half

This was a crucial game for Stoke with a win making their 3rd division place more secure for next season. Stoke started positive and had good possession of the ball, all the players were up for this game, and it showed. Stoke were rewarded with a goal after 12 minutes, when Weeds squared the ball for Willis to tap it into the goal, a great opener with real team ethic. Stoke continued to play some good football, with some great defending due to the head wind, Stoke knew that this half was going to be hard, but non the less, they played some great football. Willis made it 2-0 before half time, to give Stoke a great advantage for the second half.

2nd Half

With the wind behind Stoke they were now able to keep good position in the Rockland half. They started were they left off, and enjoyed loads of good possession. Oli was next on the score sheet with a clinical finish from an inch perfect through ball from Chris. 3-0 up and Stoke started to relax, and played free flowing football, Willis converted a cross from Chris to make it 4-0 and making it a hatrick for himself in the process and well deserved. The final goal was a glorious free kick from Chris, when he asked the ref if he could take it early, he took 2 steps and curled the ball into the far right hand corner. That finished off the game, Stoke played the last 10 minutes with an ease about there game, and were rewarded with 5 goals and a good clean sheet.

Man of the Match: Chris Green

League Table:

DIVISION 3 Played Won Draw Lost For Against Points

Thurton & Ashby 22 18 0 4 110 31 54

North Elmham 18 15 1 2 74 22 46

Breckland Wanderers 20 14 3 3 87 35 45

Methwold Rovers 20 13 2 5 75 41 41

Bawdeswell 19 11 3 5 67 37 36

Marham Wanderers 20 11 2 7 66 43 35

Gressenhall Res. 20 10 4 6 57 42 34

Wendling 17 10 2 5 71 27 32

Narborough Res. 24 7 3 14 44 61 24

Stoke Ferry 19 7 1 11 45 60 22

Splitz Utd. 23 6 2 15 37 84 20

Great Cressingham 23 6 0 17 34 98 18

Rockland Utd. Res. 25 4 1 20 29 121 13

Shipdham Res. 20 1 0 19 20 114 3

Ragards

Neil Sewell