Reserve Team Fixtures & Results for season 2001-2002

Team Photo

ESBL Premier Division Table

Saturday 27th April  -  ESBL 
  Felixstowe & Walton United Res. 2, Gas Recreation 1  (2-1) 

On an afternoon when there was so much at stake it was surprising the high quality of football produced. Gas Rec came to Dellwood after some impressive results this season and were never going to take the match as an end of season fixture with nothing to play for. 
Felixstowe began the brighter of the two sides and after 20 minutes a great low cross from the right hand side by Stuart Swift created havoc in the visitors area and was eventually sliced home for an own goal. Felixstowe piled on the pressure and again Stuart Swift on the right turned his opponent and then produced a fine cross for Smedley to head home from 4 yards. 
At this point you would have expected the away side to crumble but far from it, they pushed hard winning a corner and scoring with 5 minutes of the first half remaining.

Half time 2-1

Second half the game increased in tempo and some fine saves either end kept the scores the same. Gas Rec continually disputed every decision the Referee gave and eventually after giving a foul in favour of the home side took their disputes too far and lost a player to a second caution. 
It was a very hard fought win and both Kevin and Mike would like to thank all the players throughout the season who helped keep us in the Premier division.
Hopefully we will see you all next season.

Thursday 4th April  -  ESBL 
Clacton Res. 3,    Felixstowe & Walton United Res. 0  (1-0)

The home side were strengthened by a number of 1st Team players including Neil Stanbridge in goal.  Played at a good pace the game was fairly even until the 35th minute, when from a corner the ball was allowed to pass across the six yard box and eventually converted for Clacton's first goal.

The second half began with Felixstowe on top and creating several good chances, but with Stanbridge in goal the finishing was not clinical enough to force the equaliser good build up play deserved.
 Clacton then began to step up the pace and Felixstowe fell further behind through an own goal scored by the unfortunate Jimmy Andrews. The visitors never really recovered from there and with 5 minutes left to play Clacton scored a third to confirm the draw and continue their rise up the table and away from relegation worries.

Wednesday 27th March  -  ESBL 
  Felixstowe & Walton United Res. 0,  AFC Sudbury Res. 3  (0-2) 
Sudbury collected all three points from a measured performance at Dellwood Avenue this evening to move into second place in the table 8 points behind leaders Long Melford but with four games in hand.
Flanagan powered the visitors ahead from a tenth minute corner with Salt doubling the lead two minutes later from the penalty spot after Flanagan had been tripped.
Sudbury controlled the game from that point with Felixstowe working hard but failing to test the visiting keeper. Swift forced the first home corner on the half hour and his deep cross just before the break flew across the Sudbury goalmouth evading the vital touch.
Felixstowe enjoyed a good spell of pressure after the interval with Swift and Williams making a number of good runs but again the final telling ball could not be found. Williams produced an excellent save to deny Pearce as Sudbury stepped up a gear and neat build up play allowed Pearce time on the edge of the area to draw Williams and chip into the empty net to confirm the points for the visitors.

Saturday 23rd March 2002 -  ESBL
Felixstowe & Walton United Reserves 3,  Kelvedon Social 1  (0-1)This was a big match for the reserves with a win needed to ease any doubts of relegation and move them into mid table security.
The first half was a dire affair with very few chances for both teams and only a Stuart Swift own goal separated the sides at half time.

The second half was more competitive and with the introduction of Martin Smedley at the interval  confidence increased and the ball was rarely given away. Stuart Swift made amends scoring the first with a classic finish from 15 yards. It now seemed only at matter of time before Felixstowe took advantage of their superior play and on 55 minutes they took the lead from a fine Gareth Bolt header.
Gavin Moss was substituted with 20 minutes to go and young Ashley Ellwood was introduced to the forward line. It took him just 10 minutes to finish off a fine run from Swift and to head home from close range. It nice to know that the club has such fine players coming through the ranks and I am sure given encouragement he will only improve further.

Saturday 2nd March 2002 -  ESBL
Felixstowe & Walton United Reserves 3,  Rowhedge 1  (1-1)
Rowhedge bellied their league position with a competitive first half performance which saw them take the lead through Ricky Chown on seven minutes with a well taken shot over the Felixstowe wall following a free kick. Stuart Swift leveled the scores four minutes later hooking the ball in from 10 yards after his initial shot had been blocked but not cleared. Both sides went close with long range shots and Williams made a double save to deny the visitors as they pressed towards the break.

After the interval Rowhedge attacks were limited to breakaways as the home side took the advantage. Danny Robinson, a half time substitute, put the Seasiders ahead four minutes after the restart from the penalty spot following a hand ball decision. The points were sealed on 55 minutes when Gavin Moss broke through the visiting defence and beat Sharpe with a shot off the post.

Saturday 9th February 2002 -  ESBL
Felixstowe & Walton United Reserves 1,  Harwich & Parkeston Reserves 1  (0-0)

The windy conditions at Dellwood Avenue were never going to make for an easy game but a very below par performance saw the Seasiders struggle to take a point. 
The first half saw Harwich playing down the slope with the wind to their backs and it would be fair to say they never troubled the Felixstowe defence. Felixstowe were just as poor and did not create a single scoring opportunity.

Half time 0-0

Second half after strong words in the changing room did bring out a little more effort and from a free kick taken by Dominic Cooper everyone missed the ball and the Harwich keeper pushed the ball into his own net. The home side should have pushed on from there but rarely troubled the visitors again. It was no surprise to anyone watching that from a defensive error Harwich & Parkeston scored with 10 minutes to go to earn a point from a poor game.

Saturday 2nd February 2002 -  ESBL
Weeley Athletic 3,  Felixstowe & Walton United Reserves 3  (1-1)

For the third straight match the Seasiders travelled with 11 players with the reserve side sending players to bolster the first team squad which has to be the current priority and in a very competitive game both sides gave there all. 
A solid debut from Peter Coleman and further experience for under 18 player Steven Hall helped the visitors through a difficult away match. 
Felixstowe took the lead on 20 minutes after a fine cross from Domonic Cooper was headed home by Danny Robinson at the far post. 
Weeley pressed and after 30 minutes equalised with an excellent 18 yard finish.

Half time 1-1

Second half saw the 100% effort maintained on a dreadful pitch with Felixstowe regaining the lead on the hour. Following a scramble in the Weeley penalty area John Hope slotted the ball home to record his first goal for the club. After the goal, and with Kevin Welton tiring in the sweepers position, the Seasiders dropped deeper and deeper drawing Weeley on and from a 30 yard free kick the score was leveled on 75 minutes. After 80 minutes from another free kick the unlucky Gavin Moss sliced the ball passed Steve Williams into the Felixstowe goal. Unlucky to be behind the Seasiders pushed forward to try and find the equaliser and after a great shot on the turn from Danny Robinson which struck the bar Stuart Swift scored from the rebound in the 87 minute.

Saturday 26th January 2002 -  ESBL
  Felixstowe & Walton United Res. 1,  Kelvedon Social 0  (0-0)
Match Abandoned after 64 minutes - waterlogged pitch

The gamed opened in heavy rain driven by a strong wind making conditions difficult for football.
Swift opened up the visiting defence in the first minute but his well struck shot cleared the Kelvedon cross bar. Macklin, in the visitors goal, produced two good saves to deny Swift and then Deasy as with the wind to their backs Felixstowe dominated the opening period.
Williams, a virtual spectator for the first twenty minutes, was off his line quickly to deny Holland as Kelvedon gained a foothold on the game. Williams then produced a flying save from McArthy at the expense of a corner.
Crump had the ball in the Kelvedon net from 20 yards but Deasy was adjudged off side and the goal did not stand. With the wind decreasing Kelvedon enjoyed a good spell of pressure before the break and Felixstowe were left ruing missed chances as the half time whistle blew.

Thirteen minutes after the restart Deasy did escape an off side appeal and raced forward to draw Macklin off his line and deliver a pass to Swift who made no mistake from 12 yards.  In the testing conditions Kyle was composed on the ball in the home defence  with Crump using his pace to good effect down the wings. 
The heavy rain that had relented towards the interval returned with a vengeance and with standing water on the pitch the Referee Mr. Wrycraft was left with little alternative but to abandon the game.

Saturday 12th January ESBL
  St. Osyth 3,  Felixstowe & Walton United Res. 2  (1-1)

‘Player’ Manager Kevin Welton was pressed into action as call ups, injuries, work commitments and a gas leak left the side with 10 fit players. 
Steve Williams saved a penalty on 15 minutes but was retaken successfully by Hanney after the Referee spotted encroachment.
Gavin Moss tapped home the equaliser before the break following a John Hope free kick.

On the hour St. Osyth regained the lead through Palmer before Kevin Welton got his name on the score sheet with a tap in after Hope had hit the cross bar from 30 yards.
Straight from the restart St.Osyth attacked and regained the lead through a diving header from Fackerell.
Felixstowe pressed forward with Andy Crump moved wide and despite hitting the woodwork twice the equaliser would not come.

Saturday 5th January ESBL
Felixstowe & Walton United Res. 4, Earls Colne 1  (1-0)

The Seasiders recorded their first league points since the beginning of December in an entertaining and competitive encounter against Earls Colne at Dellwood Avenue this afternoon.
Danny Robinson forced a corner as the home side attacked from the kick off with Eric Wilson making an early save to deny Ryan Hunn. Nick Bedou forced a save from Williams with an overhead kick as the visitors pressed but were then hit on the break with Paul Berry scampering down the right wing  to feed a cross into the path of  Ricky Deasy who fired home the opener on 14 minutes. The game flowed from end to end with Burle and Peters both going close for Earls Colne and Burle also blocking a shot from Paul Berry with Robinson heading wide for Felixstowe.
Williams scrambled away a shot from Prestney as the visitors pressed towards the break.

Four minutes after the interval 16 year old Ryan Hunn doubled the home sides lead as he collected a through ball and skipped round Wilson to slide the ball calmly home from a tight angle. From the restart Earls Colne attacked and Nice pulled a goal back with a well taken shot and Williams then had to make an excellent save, at the expense of a corner, to deny Nice his second. Just before the hour Paul Berry intercepted a loose ball and ran on strongly to shoot under the advancing Wilson to regain the two goal margin.
The visitors were contributing fully an entertaining game but could not find the final ball and Gavin Moss put the result beyond doubt ten minutes from time with a close range shot following a good run and cross from Berry.

Saturday 29nd December ESBL
Long Melford 2,  Felixstowe & Walton United Res. 1  (2-0)

Two goals down after only seven minutes at league leaders Long Melford the Seasiders dug deep to maintain the two goal margin until the interval.
After the break Felixstowe & Walton took the game to the home side and replied through a well taken headed goal from Stuart Swift. Kevin & Mike will be heartened by the teams second half display especially the performances from the young players who will hopefully progress into the senior side.

Saturday 22nd December ESBL
Felixstowe & Walton United Res. 1,  Little Oakley 2  (0-0)

On a bitterly cold afternoon both sides found it difficult to maintain a consistent pattern to their play during a scrappy first half. Sixteen year old debutant Ryan Hunn and Paul Berry both tested Parkin in the visitors goal with Robinson heading and shooting wide of the target. Williams punched away Little Oakley's first corner of the game on 35 minutes as the Seasiders had the better of the half but with snow being driven by the strong wind it remained goalless at half time.

The visitors were ahead shortly after the break. Williams conceded a penalty bringing brought down a Little Oakley forward as he attempted to reach a loose ball with Gavin Lewis firing home the spot kick. Robinson struck the angle as the Seasiders went in search of a quick reply with Williams also firing over the bar from distance. 
On the hour the visitors lead was doubled as Lewis scored his second with a well taken left foot shot following a quick break. Swift & Nunn linked well but despite the home sides possession Parkin was not troubled until Gareth Bolt rose to head home Alex William's well struck free kick with ten minutes remaining.
Andy Crump saw his header cleared off the line as Felixstowe pressed forward but the visiting defence held firm to claim all three points.

Saturday 8th December ESBL
Felixstowe & Walton United Res. 0,  Long Melford 2  (0-2)

It was nice to welcome one of the top sides to Dellwood and in the first 15 minutes be shown how the game was supposed to be played. Long Melford opened the scoring after just 2 minutes with a well taken free kick from just outside the area beating Steve Williams low down to his left hand side. The second goal a disputed penalty awarded after 15 minutes was put away with ease and we really looked like we were going to be beaten heavily. Without a natural wide player we never really penetrated down the flanks and were pleased to go in a half time just 2 goals down.

After some harsh words during the interval we played much better and could have sneaked a goal but for some good goal keeping. John Hope came on 10 minutes into the second half for Scot McCarthy and played a fine game for his debut.
Ashley Ellwood was given 25 minutes to impress and he really gave everything for such a young lad still playing under 16 football for the club.
Its always acceptable when you are beaten by a better side, but gave everything you could and second half the team were a credit.

All the team would like to congratulate Ian McKinnon on the birth of his baby son.

Saturday 1st December ESBL
Felixstowe & Walton United Res. 4   St. Osyth 0  (2-0)

Without a win or a goal in November the Reserves welcomed St. Osyth who have seen results improve, with a draw at high flying AFC Sudbury and 5-0 win at Clacton last Saturday. 
St Osyth started strongly and forced the first corner of the game but a minute later Stuart Swift  fired over the visitors cross bar as the home side gradually took control. Alex Williams and Stuart Swift combined well down the right flank with Dave Winship lively on the left. A cross from Swift on 17 minutes found Danny Robinson and he powerfully header home the opening goal. Five minutes later the attack came down the left with Dominic Copper swooping low to head home at the far post.
St Osyth then had their best spell of the game hitting the cross bar when well placed and then putting the ball into the side netting. Williams was out quickly to fist the ball away under pressure and from the resulting break McCormack fired over the St Osyth bar.

After the break the visitors went in search of a quick reply but when a cross shot from Dave Winship found the back of the net on 55 minutes the result look settled. Daniels and McCormack both went close before Gavin Moss slotted home the final goal with fifteen minutes remaining.
Next Saturday the Reserves are at home to table topping Long Melford.

Saturday 3rd November ESBL
Harwich & Parkeston Res. 4,  Felixstowe & Walton United Res. 0  (1-0)

The Reserves, 3rd in the table at start of play, travelled to Harwich in confident mood to play a team that had suffered a heavy defeat the previous week to league leaders Sudbury. The script should have read - came away with all 3 points and still 3rd in the table - unfortunately they took the game too lightly and were punished for it.
A scrappy first half saw the Seasiders dominate but unable to convert possession into goal scoring opportunities.
Harwich posed little threat until a defensive error allowed them to open the scoring on 25 minutes. Despite this set back the visitors remained in control until the interval.

After the break Felixstowe continued to press and on 52 minutes were awarded a penalty after a good run into the box from Gavin Moss resulted in a rash challenge leaving the referee no option but to award the penalty. Danny Robinson took the kick only to see it saved well by the Shrimpers keeper.
This proved to be a turning point and on the hour after claims that the Harwich centre forward had controlled the with his hand  were turned down the same player went on to hammer the ball home from six yards.
Ten minutes later a push on Jimmy Andrews went unnoticed allowing Harwich to net their third, with a fourth added on the stroke of full time.

Saturday 27th October  ESBL
Felixstowe & Walton United Res. 1, Clacton Town Res. 0  (1-0)

Felixstowe started brightly with early chances created by Gavin Moss and Danny Robinson. Clacton started to get a little more of the game and pushed forward trying to create an opening. They were were caught by a swift break on 25 minutes culminating in a high hopeful cross from Domonic Cooper which the Clacton keeper could not handle and Swifty picked up on the loose ball to head home from 2 yards. The rest of the first half saw Felixstowe on top trying but without any further success.

Clacton pushed up further from the start of the second half and put Felixstowe under increasing pressure, although they never really made Steve Williams in the Felixstowe goal make a save until the latter part of the second half when he pulled off a finger tip save following a fine Clacton move. Several more chances went begging from Felixstowe with Danny Robinson and Scott McCarthy going very close to increasing the lead.  The final score in favour of the home side was just reward for a fine performance.

Saturday 20th October  ESBL
Kelvedon Social 2, Felixstowe & Walton United Reserves 2

Following two league defeats in a row and the midweek cup loss to Tiptree, the Reserves traveled in search of a return to winning form once again with a depleted squad following late call offs and promotions to the first team.
Kelvedon took an early lead through an unstoppable shot from 25 yards which spurred on the visitors with several fine efforts from Danny Robinson & Stuart Swift unfortunately not converted. 
Gavin Moss played out of position in central midfield along with Robbie Evans from the Under 18 squad with both players having fine games. On 30 minutes Evans played an excellent through ball to Stuart Swift who converted to level the score at 1-1. 
Only the bar prevented the Seasiders taking the lead on 40 minutes after another 'Swifty' effort went begging.

Half Time 1-1

Felixstowe & Walton began the second half brightly and could have edged in the lead several times but for good goalkeeping. Eventually the lead came when a fine through ball from Kevin Welton, on as a substitute, found Moss who squared for Danny Robinson to tuck home from close range. The Seasiders tried to play the game out and nearly managed to do so having to make two further substitutions for injuries, unfortunately for the visitors with seconds to go Kelvedon scored from a far post header to square the scoreline.

Wednesday 17th October    Jewson Reserve Cup (Chell Trophy)
Tiptree Res. 4,   Felixstowe & Walton Res. 0

With several key players away and not a central defender in the squad The Seasiders traveled to Tiptree still with high hopes of coming away with a win. Tiptee started the game better and their long ball game found the weakness in the makeshift back three from the start, long ball after long ball eventually found a wide man who teased Alex Williams turning him inside out and then tucking the ball away for their first goal after 30 minutes. Felixstowe defended deeper and deeper and never looked likely to trouble the home defence.
Half time 1-0
Tiptree scored their second goal five minutes after the break from a poor clearance with a third shortly after as space opened up in the visiting defence. Changes were made with all three substitutes used to try and change the game, and for a short it did improve a little but with 5 minutes left to play Gareth Bolt handled in the box and their fourth goal was scored from the spot.

The Reserves left Tiptree knowing that improvements were needed to regain the start of season form.

Saturday 13th October 2001 Suffolk Senior Cup
Felixstowe & Walton United Reserves 4, Bungay Town 1
James Ricketts scored all four goals for the Seasiders in this afternoons Suffolk Senior Cup win against Anglian Combination Division 1 side Bungay Town. 
With Ricketts slotting the ball home after 9 minutes and heading home a good cross from Crump after 12 it looked likely that the Seasiders would overwhelm their visitors, but Bungay dug deep and were rewarded with a 25 yard pile driver from Paul Shipley. 
Ricketts headed home to complete his hat trick on 37 minutes to give the home side a two goal advantage at the break.
The second half saw constant pressure from the home side with Bungay looking to score on the break, but it was no until the last minute that the Bungay defence was breached and Ricketts scored his fourth from 10 yards to confirm the win and a place in the next round.

Saturday 29th September 2001 ESBL
Felixstowe & Walton United Reserves 2, Woodbridge Reserves 5
The reserves saw their unbeaten run come to an end with a 5-2 defeat at home to Stowmarket Reserves in the ESBL Premier Division. Both Felixstowe goals were scored by Gavin Moss.

Saturday 22nd September 2001 ESBL
Sudbury Athletic 0, Felixstowe & Walton United Reserves 2
From the first whistle the visitors took control of the match and it was only a matter of time before the level of quality possession would tell. An excellent free kick from Alex Williams eventually broke the deadlock on 25 minutes with the Sudbury keeper left hopelessly stranded from a 25 yard screamer. The only surprise in the first half was that The Seasiders only led by a single goal.

Sudbury 0  Felixstowe 1

Two tactical changes were made at half time with Steve Bloomfield going to sweeper and young Robbie Evans making his debut from the under 18 side, both performed very well and contributed to a fine move which ended with Paul Berry finding Gavin Moss in the penalty area to convert with a close range header. The game as a contest finished with our second goal and from that point on we kept good control and played out the final minutes.

Saturday 15th September ESBL
Earls Colne 2,  Felixstowe & Walton United Reserves 2  (2-2)
Points were shared in a scrappy game that suffered from constant interruptions by the Referee preventing much in the way of flowing football. 
The home side took the lead after two minutes form a corner with the centre forward finishing well. Felixstowe efforts to get back into the game were rewarded with a penalty on five minutes after Paul Berry was fouled and James Ricketts stepped up to score from the spot.
The Seasiders enjoyed a good spell of football from this point and went ahead through Danny Robinson who bravely headed home Gareth Bolt's pinpoint cross. On 35 minutes it was all square when a penalty for a foul was conceded and dispatched.

Half time 2-2

The Referees whistle dominated the second half with Earls Colne down to to 10 players with 30 minutes to play following a second yellow card and were further depleted with 5 minutes remaining, but as is often the case advantage could not be made and the game ended in a draw.

The wearer of the purple pouch this week is James Ricketts!!

Wednesday 12th September - The Chell Trophy
Felixstowe & Walton United Reserves 1,  Whitton United Reserves 0  (1-0)
The Reserves progressed to the next round of the Trophy with Paul Berry scoring the all important goal on 33 minutes following neat interplay between Moss and Robinson. The Seasiders created many scoring opportunities, with Ricketts, McCarthy and Williams all going close, but were unable to convert them into goals and with Whitton always a threat on the break the victory remained in doubt until the final whistle.

8th September - Weeley Athetic (home)  2-2
With players away and three reserve players called into the 1st team squad a draw before the game would have been considered a good result.
An early goal from a hopeful Weeley free kick into the Felixstowe box never affected the way that the reserves played this match as it was one way traffic from that point on. Felixstowe had several good chances before drawing level on the half hour from a James Ricketts Penalty, after the same player had been brought down.
Felixstowe continued to press and were rewarded with a fine solo effort from the impressive Gavin Moss, who now appears to have found his true form.

Half time  F & W 2   Weeley 1

The Second half began as the first had ended with all the pressure from Felixstowe. Several chances were missed and the unlucky Ricketts on another day could have scored a hatrick It seemed inevitable that eventually Felixstowe would pay for those missed chances and Weeley with 5 minutes to go scored from a brave diving header on the far post.
A huge thank you has to be made to Kevin Steggles & Steve Bloomfield not only
did they decide to help out with our squad so depleted but both had fine
games Steve nearly capping his performance with a first half goal.

25th August - Sudbury Athletic (home)  4-3
Referee Eric Bowers players his full part in an entertaining game that was a credit to the division.
Lee Reeve was the most unfortunate player on the field, scoring a hat-trick but finishing on the losing side. Scott McCarthy scored two goals for the Seasiders, his second immediately after the restart to bring the sides level after Sudbury had held a 2-1 interval lead. Rob Giles denied McCarthy with his feet before Dabnny Robinson put the home side ahead. Reeve equalised but James Ricketts scored with a 25 yard shot to claim the points.

22nd August - Mistley United (home) 4-1
Scott McCarthy was again on target after 26 minutes with Mistley equalising 3 minutes later. After the break the home side took control and a strike from the edge of the box from Dominic Cooper was followed by a brace from Danny Robinson to confirm the win.

18th August - Stowmarket Res. (away) 2-2
Two goals down after only five minutes the side dug deep to draw the match 2-2 with two goals from Scott McCarthy.