First Team Match Reports for Season 2009-2010

Saturday 21st November - Ridgeons League Premier Division
Felixstowe & Walton United   1 - 1  Kirkley & Pakefield   (1-1)
With 6th playing 5th in this East Coast derby a close competitive encounter was anticipated, and so it proved with honours even following an entertaining game. Both goals came in a fast paced first with Nathan Stone heading home for the visitors after 16 minutes and Duane Wright netting the equaliser eight minutes before the interval.
Kirkley enjoyed plenty of possession in the second period but it was the Seasiders that came closest to snatching victory with only a magnificent diving save from Woodcock denying Felixstowe's top scorer Hetherington.

Seasiders: James Waters, Blake Saker, Ben Wake, Lewis Driver (Luke Read 70), Matt Stace, Martin Calver, Bradley Barber, Duane Wright, Keith Hetherington, Ben Cranfield, Adam Hampson.
Unused Subs: Ashley Phillips, Matt Mackenzie.

Kirks: Robert Woodcock, Tarin Grint, Lewis Blois (Liam Harvey Cooper 80), Joe Jefford, Ryan DeCoteau, Ian Dawson, Scott Martin (Scott Manning 70), Justin Fox, Nathan Stone, Russell Stock, Chris Henderson.
Unused Subs: Daniel Tacon, James Cole.

Ref: S Franklin
Att: 82

Manager Glen Driver was able to name an unchanged side for the first time this season and the settled side now playing well as a team did not let him down against fancied Kirkley & Pakefield on a cloudy but dry afternoon

The game was open from the start with Barber and the busy Hampson linking well down the left to force the first corner of the afternoon for the Seasiders after two minutes.  Fox and Henderson combined well to create an opening for Dawson with his shot clearing the Felixstowe cross bar before Hampson produced a good shot on target following a good run but a comfortable claim for Woodcock.

Stock failed to get any power into his shot after Stone had created a good opening for him and on 16 minutes it was to be Darren Stone who opened the scoring. Fox's corner kick was headed into the six yard area by DeCoteau and the unmarked Stone made no mistake from four yards heading powerfully home.
Felixstowe responded well to the set back with Woodcock stretching to save from Calver's header at the expense of a corner and good spell of pressure on the visiting goal saw shots from Hampson and Stace blocked and Woodcock again saving well to prevent an equaliser.

Waters denied Stone twice saving with his legs as the game continued to flow end to end with Kirkley conceding another corner from Cranfield before Felixstowe were finally rewarded for their considerable effort with a goal eight minutes before the interval. Barber's free kick found Cranfield at the far post and his header across goal was met by Duanne Wright who drove the ball home from close range.
Driver cleared Henderson's goal bound shot to keep the sides level at the end of a pulsating 45 minutes.

Kirkley enjoyed a good spell of pressure after the break with the Felixstowe back line of Saker, Stace, Calver and Wake defending well and ensuring the lively Kirkley forwards did not get a clean strike on goal. As the half progressed the Seasiders saw their attacking opportunities increase with Barber influential in opening the visiting defence. Woodcock had to be on his toes to gather Read's shot and produced the save of the game to save from Hetherington.
Fox for Kirkley and Hampson for Felixstowe both went close as the clock ran down but a late winner would have been cruel for either side and an entertaining game ended all square and the sides, following other results, still sitting 6th and 5th in the League table.

Saturday 14th November - Ridgeons League Premier Division
Felixstowe & Walton United   2 - 0   Newmarket Town   (1-0)
The Seasiders responded well, following Tuesday's Cup defeat, to claim all three points at a very windy Dellwood Avenue. The heavy rain thankfully relented prior to the kick off but the strong gusty wind persisted keeping the 'ball boy' busy and ensured both sides concentrated on the keeping the ball on the ground as far as possible.

Seasiders: James Waters, Blake Saker, Ben Wake, Lewis Driver (Matt Mackenzie 78), Matt Stace, Martin Calver, Bradley Barber, Duane Wright (Luke Read 53), Keith Hetherington (Ashley Phillips 86), Ben Cranfield, Adam Hampson.
Unused Sub: Ben Tawell.

Jockeys: Lee Hulyer, Stuart Felgate, Paul Betson, Colin Vowden (John Olive 57), Andy Eady, David Grainger, Ollie Drake, Adam Murray, Stuart Claydon (Sean Avis 72), Steve Bugg (Ed Mcready 82), Steven Bell.

Ref: John Lodge
Att: 60

Felixstowe had the wind to their backs in the first half but it was the Jockeys who enjoyed early pressure with Bugg shooting over the bar and then firing into the side netting when Waters quickly closed him down. With Stace and Calver returning to the heart of the defence attacking opportunities reduced for the visitors with Barber, Driver and Hampson seeing an increasing amount of ball to test the Jockey's defence. Keith Hetherington opened the scoring six minutes before the interval heading home Calver's cross from close range.
Within a minute of the restart for the second half Ben Cranfield headed the Seasider's second goal from Barber's cross following a good run down the left from Hampson. Murray and Bell were the greatest threat to the Seasiders goal with Waters making a fine diving save to his left to push away Drake's low drive at the expense of a corner to record a clean sheet and deserved win for the Seasiders.

Tuesday 10th November - LB Group Suffolk Premier Cup Quarter Final
Felixstowe & Walton United   2 - 7  Needham Market  (0-4)
An empathic win for Needham Market as they progressed with ease to the semi-final draw with a magnificent seven at Dellwood Avenue this evening.

Seasiders: James Waters, Lee Norfolk, Ben Wake (Ben Tawell 70), Blake Saker, Duane Wright, Luke Read (Lewis Driver 45), Bradley Barber, Keith Hetherington, Adam Hampson, Ashley Phillips (Matt Mackenzie 45).
Unused Subs: Luke Hopkins, Jordan Matthews.

Needham Market: Liam Jones, Phil Boyland (Lewis Pemberton 63), Tom Agricole, Kevin Horlock, Richard Butler, Rhys Barber, Matt Buckle, Craig Parker, Danny Phillips (James Evans 67), Danny Smy (Tommy Smith 63), Darren Bethell.
Unused Subs: Jay Denniss, Danny Thrower.

Ref: Darren Stobbart
Att: 105

With the defensive pairing of Stace and Calver absent this was going to be a challenge and so it proved as early as the third minute as Parker ran through the home defence unchallenged to enable Danny Smy to slot home the opening goal.
Waters saved Bethell's header from Parker's cross before a good passage of play from Felixstowe culminated in Jones in the visitors goal palming Norfolk's shot from distance onto the bar and away for a corner.
On 21 minutes Needham increased their lead with Phillips intercepting a poor defensive pass his shot was saved by Waters but Craig Parker following up rattled home the third. Two minutes later and it was game over as Matt Buckle squeezed the ball home inside Water's right hand post.
A late surge to the half from Felixstowe with Hampson forcing a corner and Wright's shot cleared off the line with the visitors comfortably in control at the break.
Driver & Mackenzie came on at the break with Lewis Driver making an immediate impact to reduce the deficit with a well struck goal. Just after the hour Richard Butler drilled home from 12 yards to regain the four goal advantage with Lewis Driver reducing the lead once again four minutes later.
There was to be no late fight back though as goals in the last five minutes from substitutes James Evans and Tommy smith completed the route.

Saturday 7th November - Ridgeons League Premier Division
Felixstowe & Walton United  2 - 1  Walsham le Willows  (2-0)
Two goals from Keith Hetherington in the opening eleven minutes saw the Seasiders record their 6th home win of the season and move into 6th place in the table. Nathan Clarke's goal midway through the second half for the visitors set up an exciting last quarter with the Felixstowe defence coming through a strong test to secure the points.

Seasiders: James Waters, George Blewer, Ben Wake, Luke Read (Lewis Driver 71), Matt Stace, Martin Calver (Lee Norfolk 73), Bradley Barber, Duane Wright, Keith Hetherington (Matt Mackenzie 71), Adam Hampson, Ashley Phillips.

Walsham: Duncan McAnnally, Lee Nocton (Stu Walker 46), Andrew Cusack, Nathan Clarke, Trev Newman, Richard Partridge, Lee Sim, Paul Musgraves, Steve Holder, James Tatham, Alan North (Simon head 60).
Unused Subs: Jack Brame, Carenton Turner.

Ref: Glen Sandell
Att: 95

Blewer and Phillips replaced the absent Saker and Cranfield in the Felixstowe starting line up  for the visit of Walsham le Willows on a sunny afternoon at Dellwood Avenue.

Early pressure from Walsham with Holder's goal-bound shout blocked at the expense of a corner in the second minute. North's corner was quickly cleared by the Felixstowe defence and from the home side's first attack Keith Hetherington (right of picture) converted Hampson's low cross from the right under the diving McAnnally.

Musgraves, Tatham and Holder linked well as Walsham went in search of a reply but they found themselves further behind on eleven minutes as Hetherington scored his sixth goal in four games squeezing the ball home at the far post after McAnnally had blocked the initial shot.

Both sides were producing good passing football in a competitive game and with Partridge pressing forward pressure grew on the home goal as the half progressed and Waters made a good save under pressure from Partridge pictured.  Read, Hampson and Phillips kept busy using their mobility to good effect and Read was unfortunate to see his shot strike a post and his follow up shot well blocked by McAnnally with North going close for the visitors as the half drew to a close.

The next goal was going to be all important as a third for Felixstowe would have secured a win but a reply from the visitors would change the whole complexion of the game.

Barber saw a free kick saved by McAnnally and on 67 minutes another blistering free-kick from Barber cannoned back off the Woodwork with McAnnally blocking Read's follow up shot at the expense of a corner. From the corner Walsham turned defence into attack gaining a free kick in the Felixstowe half. Cusack's deep free kick was converted by Nathan Clarke at the far post and with 22 minutes remaining the visitors certainly believed they could take something from the game.

Waters made saves from Musgraves, Tatham and Cusack as the visitors increased pressure on the home goal and Stace blocked Head's shot for a corner with Felixstowe defending a succession of corners as the clock ran down but the equaliser did not come with the Seasiders seeing out time to claim the points.

Tuesday 3rd November - Ridgeons League Premier Division
Felixstowe & Walton United   0 - 5   Leiston   (0-2)
( on one of my Birthday cards today it said "For a moment we were in with a chance ... then the game started")
The highest attendance of the season at Dellwood Avenue (212) were treated to an excellent all round team performance from Leiston as they maintained top spot in the table going Nap against a hard working but out gunned home side.

Seasiders: James Waters, Blake Saker, Ben Wake, Adam Hampson, Martin Calver (Kristian Haighton 27), Matt Stace, Bradley Barber, Duane Wright, Keith Hetherington, Ben Cranfield (Lewis Driver 46), Luke Read (Ashley Phillips 60).
Unused Subs:  George Blewer, Gary Rose.

Leiston: Ben Vincent, Brett Girling, Shane Wardley, David Head, Mark Goldfinch, Neil Calver (Justyn Chennery 86), Daniel Cunningham (Alcion Blake 79), Stuart Boardley, Paul Hart Michael Brother 79), Lee McGlone, Paul Berry.
Unused Subs: Kelsie Trotter, Carl Chennery.

Ref: Nick Cooper
Att: 212

Cranfield returning with Driver starting on the bench was the only change to the Felixstowe line up from Saturday for the visit of in-form Leiston to Dellwood Avenue.
McGlone opened the visitor's account on seven minutes heading home from Cunningham's free kick with Waters saving from Boardley moments later as Leiston took charge. A spell of pressure from the Seasiders saw Vincent smother Hampson's shot and make a comfortable following Wright's low drive  before the visitors increased their lead ten minutes before the break as Cunningham fired home from the edge of the area. Boardley spurned the chance to increase the lead, following hand-ball decision, placing his penalty kick wide of Water's left hand post moments before the interval.
Leiston continued to dominate after the break with Hart heading home the third from Cunningham's corner kick nine minutes after the restart and Calver added the fourth against his previous club on 65 minutes. Hetherington and Hampson both went close before the Seasiders won their only corner of the game on 71 minutes which Vincent dealt with confidently. With four minutes remaining Blake made it five to complete a comfortable win for Leiston to remain top and take their wining run to eleven games.
 

Saturday 31st October - Ridgeons League Premier Division
King's Lynn Res.   1 - 3   Felixstowe & Walton United   (1-3)
Two Keith Hetherington goals in the opening 12 minutes at the Walks put the Seasiders on course to their third consecutive win with Bradley Barber's 36th Minute free kick completing the scoring after Lee Hyde had headed home for the Linnets on 18 minutes.
The win secured 7th place in the table in advance of the Seasider's defence of their unbeaten home record against top of the table Leiston this coming Tuesday.

Seasiders: James Waters (Gary Rose 45), Blake Saker, Ben Wake, Luke Read, Matt Stace, Martin Calver, Bradley Barber, Duane Wright (George Blewer 58), Keith Hetherington, Adam Hampson (Ashley Phillips 63), Lewis Driver.
Unused Subs:  Glen Driver.
 

Att: 77

Glen Driver named two changes to Tuesday's line up with Calver returning from injury to partner Stace at the centre of defence with Blewer starting on the bench and Driver in for the absent Cranfield.

In sunshine following early rain the Seasiders made the best possible start to the game with Rix making a save to deny Driver in the opening minute and seconds later Keith Hetherington pictured above rose to head home the opening goal.
The Linnets responded with Rose forcing a corner off Wake in the fifth minutes and Waters in the Felixstowe goal cleared well under pressure. Rix in the home goal was down quickly to deny Hampson pictured below and repelled Hampson once again at the expense of a corner from Driver's cross as the pressure mounted and from the corner Keith Hetherington headed home his second pictured right.

Wilson placed a free kick wide before Lee Hyde completed a good spell from the Linnets with a headed goal on 18 minutes as the game continued to be very open with promise of further goals.
Waters in the home goal slipped on the edge of the area on the half hour with Harvey nipping into the area and his shot on goal from a tight angle was blocked by Wake to prevent the equaliser. The slip injured Waters who limped on to the break but was then replaced by Gary Rose.

Bradley Barber came increasingly into the game and ten minutes before the break he completed the scoring directly from a free kick on the left of the area pictured.

The Linnets pressed for an equaliser but Rose only had to produce one save, from Harvey, in the second half while Rix in the home goal was the busier and produced an excellent double save on his line to deny Calver and Hetherington to prevent the lead increasing.

There was a few minutes delay to the game on the hour when a fire alarm caused an evacuation of the main stand. But thankfully their was no fire and the game resumed with mist rolling in to give a very Halloween  atmosphere, but thankfully no late scares for the Seasiders who went on to record their third consecutive league win for the first time since April 2008.

Tuesday 27th October - Ridgeons League Premier Division
Wivenhoe Town  2 - 3  Felixstowe & Walton United   (0-2)
Two goals in two minutes from the Dragons just before the hour mark took the wind out of the Seasiders sails, after they had taken a three goal lead, but despite failing to increase their lead the visitors went on to record their first league win on the road this season.

Seasiders: James Waters, Blake Saker, Ben Wake, Luke Read, George Blewer, Matt Stace, Bradley Barber, Duane Wright (Ashley Phillips 63), Keith Hetherington (Jordan Matthews 80), Ben Cranfield, Adam Hampson.
Unused Subs:  Alex Ellwood, Luke Hopkins, Gary Rose.
 

Att: 119

Two enforced changes to the Seasiders starting line up for the visit to Broad Lane with Keith Hetherington, hot from a hat-trick for the Reserves on Saturday, and Adam Hampson in for the injured Calver and unavailable Mackenzie.

An early opening for the Dragons with Hawkins in on goal before Wake intercepted at the expense of a corner but Felixstowe were soon on the front foot with Jones in the home goal making the first of a number of fine saves to prevent Cranfield from increasing his goal tally for the season.
The opening goal came after ten minutes from Keith Hetherington as he turned home Read's cross from the right and Jones produced a double save to keep out Cranfield and Read as Felixstowe maintained pressure on the home goal.
Barber, Stace and Wright all saw shots clear the home cross bar when composure in the final third may have seen pressure converted into goals and a good interchange from Wivenhoe's Hawkins and Williams forced a save from Waters on 22 minutes as the home side produced their best opening of the half.

Felixstowe doubled their lead on 29 minutes after Jones made another save to block Wright's shot and Hetherington following up fired the ball home for his second.

When Saker's cross from the right was deflected past Jones seven minutes into the second half to give the visitors a three goal lead the first away league win looked secured for the Seasiders, but the Dragons despite their league position did not let their heads drop and were rewarded with two goals in two minutes to keep the game very much alive.
On 58 minutes Williamson's free kick into the area was not cleared and James Webb forced the ball home for what may have been a consolation but two minutes later Luke Rogers ran with the ball from the half way line to fire home the Dragon's second and provide a nervous last half-hour for the travelling faithful.
Felixstowe continued to pressure the home goal winning a succession of corners but without increasing the lead which they held to the final whistle.

Saturday 24th October - Ridgeons League Premier Division
Felixstowe & Walton United   2 - 1  Stanway Rovers   (0-0)
The Seasiders maintained their unbeaten home record against 2nd placed Stanway Rovers thanks to an excellent all round team performance and second half goals from Duane Wright and Ben Wake. The visitors contributed to an entertaining game of football with Liam Bailey equalising after Wright's 77th minute opener but they were unable find their normal scoring form thanks in no small measure to Stace and Calver at the heart of the home defence.

Seasiders: Waters, Saker, Wake, Blewer, Stace, Calver (Phillips 67), Barber (G. Driver 88), Wright, Mackenzie (Hampson 77), Cranfield, Read.

Att: 109

The Seasiders unbeaten home tag remained firmly intact as they denied a Stanway side that arrived in second place in the table having scored 14 times in their last three league games. Following the previous weeks poor performance at Haverhill, manager Glen Driver wielded the axe, boosted by the return of Bradley Barber after a three match absence through injury Driver also included Matt Mackenzie in his starting line up with Adam Hampson relegated to the substitutes bench and Lewis Driver and Keith Hetherington travelling with the reserves to The Hawthorns.

With the pitch returning to normality following heavy rain through the week the home side knew they faced a real test if they were to preserve their unbeaten tag and at the end of ninety minutes both sides had produced a top class game to entertain the supporters as both got the ball down and played with confidence with the result in the balance right up to the final whistle despite their being few clear cut chances for either side.

The opening half produced few openings with Matt Stace at the heart of the Seasider's defence and his counterpart Kevin Hughes in the Stanway back four marshalling their sides well. The home side imposed themselves on the game from the first minute with Bradley Barber and Blake Saker pulling the midfield strings and it was the Seasiders who had the first real opening.

Barbers 17^th minute free kick found Calver in space 8 yards out but he placed his header wide of Mahoney’s goal while the first opening at the other end came from Luke Callender who beat George Blewer with a twisting run down the left before cutting inside in the 25^th minute but he drove his shot across Waters goal from a tight angle.

The home side had a good spell of pressure before the break but failed to find the telling cross to trouble the visitors defence while Callender saw his 25 yard free kick diverted for a corner and at half time there was little to choose between the sides with the home side probably having edged it with the greater share of possession.

Mahoney produced a finger tip save to turn Barbers 25yd free kick over in the 54^th minute as the home side continued to have the better of the possession and the first of three goals in a nine minute spell came on 68^th minute when Ashley Phillips, on for the injured Calver a minute earlier tried his luck from 30 yards with his first touch, the ball took a huge deflection off Duane Wright to wrong foot Mahoney and nestle in the corner of the net with the visitors keeper stranded.

Barber cleared hastily as Stanway searched for an equaliser but they were level in the 77^th minute when Liam Bailey's cross from the right to a huge swerve to catch out Waters and sail over him into the net. Two minutes later the Seasiders regained the lead with Ben Wake's shot from six yards pictured defeating Mahoney at his near post after substitute Phillips again produced the initial ball into the danger area.

Felixstowe had to see out a nervy final ten minutes as Stanway pushed forward in search of a second equaliser and Norfolk looked to have got it 3 minutes into time added on as the ball came to him at the far post but his header was into the side netting with the home supporters hearts in their mouth as it initially looked to have gone into the net.
 

Saturday 17th October - Ridgeons League Premier Division
Haverhill Rovers  3 - 0  Felixstowe & Walton United   (1-0)
A hat-trick from Brad Hickman as the home side recorded a comfortable victory over a lack lustre Felixstowe side with the Seasiders producing only one shot on target during the ninety minutes.

Rovers: Dave Walton, Paul Abbott (Neil Hammond 72), Paul Hunt, Stuart Wardley, Sam Holmes, Stuart Kingham, Jamie Challis, Marcus Hunt, Brad Hickman (Martin Wescott 75), Scott Wilby (Harry Halls 68), Louis Harper.

Seasiders: James Waters, George Blewer, Ben Wake, Luke Read, Matt Stace, Martin Calver, Blake Saker, Duane Wright, Lewis Driver (Lee Norfolk 57), Keith Hetherington (Ashley Phillips 75), Adam Hampson (Glen Driver 65).
Unused Sub: Gary Rose

Referee: Brian O'Sullivan
Att: 71

Two changes to the Felixstowe line up from Tuesday with Lewis Driver and Luke Read replacing injured leading goal scorer Ben Cranfield and Lee Norfolk starting on the bench.
The visitors were three points ahead of the home side at start of play but by quarter to five Haverhill had leap-frogged over the Seasiders into 13th place thanks to a very positive team performance as they closed down the Seasiders from the first whistle to prevent them getting into their stride.

Haverhill were rewarded for a strong opening spell as Wilby, Hunt and Hickman combined for the opening goal on six minutes. A powerful run from Wilby down the right defeated the tackle from Wake pictured and his cross was headed on by Captain Hunt pictured with Brad Hickman placing the ball past the diving Waters making his league debut for the Seasiders.

Felixstowe earned the first corner on ten minutes but failed to test Walton in the home goal and Haverhill continued to pressure the visiting defence with Stace and Calver working hard to keep the home forwards at distance, Water gathering a low shot from Harper and Hickman shooting over from distance.

Hetherington pictured saw his close range header following a corner clear the home bar and Walton was off his line quickly to claim a long ball at the feet of Driver as Felixstowe pressed for a reply and a gear shift may have put the home defence under pressure but the greater effort continued to come from the home side as they closed the half strongly with Calver making a good clearance header as Wilby produced another telling cross from the right.

With Felixstowe chasing the game after the interval they were vulnerable to a quick break with Brad Hickman producing a low shot following a long run four minutes into the second period to double the home sides lead. Norfolk replaced Driver just before the half hour and his first act was to place a free kick just wide of Walton's right hand post and tactical changes that saw Calver pushed forward and Blake seeing more of the ball produced promise but it was still Haverhill that posed the greater threat and on 66 minutes Brad Hickman completed his hat-trick and secured the points with a powerful drive from the edge of the area.

Walton saved comfortably from Read on 70 minutes as Felixstowe produced their only shot on target and Calver headed wide from Wright's cross as they produced a positive spell of play but it was too little too late and the home side coasted to a comfortable three points to go above the Seasiders on goal difference.

Tuesday 13th October - LB Group Suffolk FA Premier Cup
Hadleigh United  2 - 3  Felixstowe & Walton United  (2-1)
The Seasiders progressed from a see-saw game to the quarterfinals where they will entertain Needham Market on Tuesday 10th November.

Hadleigh: Benstead, Buckle, Leys, Jennings, Crawford (Knott 51), Rose, Laws, Garnham (Cowan  68), Payne, Williams, Wright (Harewood 78).
Unused subs: Sadler, Licence

Referee: Carl Fitch
Att: 143

It looked like an old boys reunion at the start with no less than six former Seasiders in the home sides starting line with the latest, James Buckle, having made the move from Humber Doucy Lane at lunchtime. The Seasiders were also parading new signing James Waters who had also signed in the afternoon following his move from Needham Market, getting the call between the posts over an unfortunate Gary Rose.

On an excellent playing surface the Seasiders made the perfect start when Ben Cranfield headed wide of Benstead from Adam Hampson’s cross with just four minutes on the clock and they might well have extended their advantage in an opening twenty minutes that they controlled with the home side on the back foot.

The balance changed in the 25^th minute when a misplaced pass allowed Hadleigh to gain possession just outside the Seasiders area and Craig Payne pounced to fire a low shot across Waters for the equaliser and 4 minutes later Ronaldo Wright scored his first goal since his move from Dellwood Avenue to put the home side in front. Had Hadleigh made better use of their possession before the break they may well have secured a place in the next round, but some dogged defending from the visitors and squandered chances from the home side saw the sides turn round with just a single goal advantage.

As poor as the Seasiders had been in the 25 minutes before the break it was a different story in the second half as they got the ball on the ground and took control with Blake Saker pulling the midfield strings. Cranfied deservedly levelled the scores on 63 minutes with a fine finish and in the 79^th minutes Luke Read, on for Norfolk, ended the best move of the evening placing his low shot wide of Benstead for what proved to be the winner.

There was a late flurry from the home side as the Felixstowe defence conceded needless free kicks outside their own area, but they defended well and Waters produced a brilliant save deep into time added on to turn away Knott’s volley to ensure there was no extra time.

The Seasiders now have a quarter final home tie against Needham Market who knocked out Mildenhall Town with a 4-1 victory at Bloomfields.

Saturday 10th October - Ridgeons League Premier Division
Felixstowe & Walton United  1 - 0  Wisbech Town  (0-0)
In a match that will not live long in the memory the Seasiders collected all three points thanks to Martin Calver's 77th minute goal with the side remaining unbeaten at Dellwood Avenue this season.

Seasiders: Rose, Norfolk, Wake, Driver (Read 74), Stace, Calver, Saker, Wright, Bramble (Hetherington 45), Cranfield, Hampson.
Unused subs: Haighton, Powell.

Referee: Mr George Sprague (Cambridge)
Att. 77

Three days rain had softened and greened the Dellwood playing surface although it was still firm underfoot after the six week drought that the Peninsula had suffered as the sides met equal on points but with the visitors above the Seasiders on goal difference.

There were three changes to the side that made its exit from the FA Vase on Tuesday. Bradley Barber was absent following an accident at work that is likely to keep him out for three weeks with Lewis Driver taking the No 4 shirt. Adam Hampson returned to the side at the expense of Luke Read who took his place on the bench and Tes Bramble returned wearing the No 9 shirt and playing in the strikers role alongside Cranfield.

The game was only five minutes old when Alex Street spent a nervous couple of minutes as Cranfield received attention after being upended by the Wisbech ‘keeper eight yards outside his area and was relieved when referee Mr Sprague finally produced a yellow card that on another day might well have been red.

Little was seen of Wisbech as an attacking force in the first half with the home side in control for long periods and a slick move on 15 minutes saw an interchange between Bramble and Cranfield create an opening but Street turned away Cranfield's rising shot with the help of a post as Hampson was unmarked in the middle of the goal. Saker then had probably the best chance of the game when Driver’s cross found him in a central position but he failed to test Woods.

It took until the 38^th minute before the visitors created their first opening when Jimson found space to test Rose who turned his shot away for a corner.

Hetherington replaced Bramble for the start of the second half with the visitors looking more positive in their approach play, Harper sent a rising shot over the home bar in the 50^th minute and brought a save from Rose on the hour, but the game had become scrappy as both managers made changes.

The points were decided in the 77^th minute when the home side were awarded a free kick just inside the Wisbech half. Blake Saker pumped the ball forward and Martin Calver’s attempt to help the ball on from the edge of the area flicked up and over Street but under the bar to settle in the back of the Wisbech net. There was an element of good fortune to Calver’s first goal for the Seasiders but it was the highlight of an otherwise mediocre second half and ensured that the Seasiders unbeaten home record remained intact.

Tuesday 6th  October - F.A. Vase First Round (Replay)
Long Buckby  5 - 1  Felixstowe & Walton United   (2-1)
A master-class on goal-scoring from Dan Holman netting all five of the home sides goals as the Seasiders exited this season's vase competition at a rain swept Long Buckby this evening. Ben Cranfield gave the visitors hope from the penalty spot on the stroke of half time, before Holman completed his Nap hand with a second half hat-trick.
We wish the Bucks every success when they entertain Stansted  in the 2nd Round on Saturday November 14th.

The Bucks: Olly Urqhart, Matt Green, Craig Kelly, Jerry Moss, Dan Chilton (Sean Calcott 85), Scott Marshall, Ryan Nash, Dan Quigley, Vijay Sidhu (Lewis Pilgrim 78), Dan Holman, Glen Walker (Chris Davis 83).
Unused sub: Nark Hewitt, Matt Murphy.

The Seasiders: Gary Rose, Lee Norfolk, Ben Wake, Luke Read (Adam Hampson 60), Martin Calver, Matt Stace, Bradley Barber, Duane Wright (Glen Driver 65), Blake Saker, Ben Cranfield, Matt Ryland.

Referee: R Hodges
Att: 74

There was one change to the Bucks starting eleven with Ryan Nash in for the absent Greg Ling and for the Seasiders Lee Norfolk and Matt Ryland were in the starting line-up with Adam Hampson on the bench and Tes Bramble unavailable.  Twelve travelling fans had made the long journey through the rain and a three hour journey home thanks to delays and diversions, many thanks from the players for your support.

The playing surface was lovely and green with the day's rain producing a slippery surface on hard ground with the rain returning after a short break before the game kicked off.
Felixstowe applied early pressure on the home goal but Buckley's first attack on three minutes produced the opening goal with Walker's run and cross from the left met by Dan Holman to head home.
Read saw his shot cleared as Felixstowe earned the first corner of the game on six minutes followed by a fierce strike from Barber also blocked at the expense of a corner. Urquart saved from Stace as Felixstowe continued a good spell of pressure without finding a break through and on fourteen minutes they found themselves two goals behind.
After two successive corners Walker held the ball up well on the edge of the Felixstowe area to tee-up Holman for a powerful low strike past the diving Rose. Holman then brought a fine save from Rose after the speed of Walker had once again outstripped the visiting defence.

Felixstowe, with Barber's free kick on the half hour deflected narrowly wide, continued to search for a reply but it was the home side that continued to pose the greater threat in front of goal and Moss should have wrapped the game up but headed wide from Kelly's corner kick.
Felixstowe desperately needed a reply and they gained a life-line on the stroke of half-time when under pressure from a corner a Buckley hand played the ball and Ben Cranshaw made no mistake powering the ball home from the penalty spot.

Back in the hunt, but the Seasiders failed to test Urqhart in the second half with Cranfield's header over the bar from Driver's cross the closest Felixstowe came to scoring in the second period.
The Buck's continued to be highly dangerous on the break with Holman completing his hat-trick eight minutes after the restart with an excellent shot after a forceful run and made it four just before the hour. Felixstowe persisted but the tie was gone and with ten minutes remaining Holman scored his best of the night with a powerful shot from the edge of the area.

No complaints, with the best team going through and we wish them well in the next and future rounds.

Saturday 3rd October - F.A. Vase First Round Proper
Felixstowe & Walton United   1 - 1  Long Buckby   -  after extra time
120 minutes of football at a 'breezy' Dellwood Avenue could not separate the sides so it's map books out and off to Station Road Long Buckby on Tuesday night.
After an evenly contested first half the two goals were scored within five minutes of the restart with Ben Cranfield volleying home to put the Seasiders ahead and Greg Ling quickly restoring parity for the Bucks. As the game progressed the visitors looked the most likely to claim the tie with Rose in the home goal the busier of the two keepers but Buckby's Urqhart produced the save of the game to deny Cranfield and take the game to a replay.

The Seasiders: Gary Rose, Martin Calver, Ben Wake, Blake Saker, Tes Bramble (Keith Hetherington 82), Matt Stace, Bradley Barber, Duane Wright, Adam Hampson (Matt Mackenzie 80), Ben Cranfield, Luke Read (Lee Norfolk 72).
Unused sub: Lewis Driver.

the Bucks: Olly Urqhart, Matt Green, Craig Kelly, Jerry Moss, Dan Chilton, Dan Quigley, Greg Ling (Ryan Nash 65), Scott Marshall (Mark Hewitt 117), Vijay Sidhu (Matt Murphy), Dan Holman, Glen Walker.
Unused sub: Sean Calcott.

Referee: G Rambling
Att: 103

Ben Wake made his home debut for the Seasiders after joining the Club from Norwich United at full back for the visit of Long Buckby on a very windy afternoon at Dellwood Avenue, but still no sign of rain.
A lively start to the game with action at both ends with Felixstowe forcing the first corner of the game on four minutes and Bramble clearing from Holman at the expense of a corner as Buckby responded quickly. Barber, influential in midfield for the Seasiders, saw his free-kick saved by Urqhart before the impressive Walker produced a telling run into the Felixstowe area placing his shot wide. Cranfield's shot was blocked for a corner following an incisive move from defence involving Cranfield, Read and Barber as the game continued to flow despite the strong wind.
On the half hour the dangerous Walker's shot was blocked for a corner with with Chilton heading over the Felixstowe bar from Kelly's corner kick.
Walker cleared Wright's goal bound shot off the line after Barber's shot was saved by Urqhart and the ball ran loose with the Felixstowe forward first to the ball and looking to squeeze the ball home from  a tight angle.
Buckby finished the half winning successive corners but at the break there was nothing between the sides.

With many still making their way back from the prawn sandwiches Felixstowe were ahead as Ben Cranfield scored his 6th goal of the season within 30 seconds of the restart with a low volley from the right of the area, celebrating with a somersault (possibly a little more practice required).

The lead was short lived as less than four minutes later the home defence failed to clear following a free kick and Greg Ling was first to the loose ball to stab home from close range.
Bramble headed over from Saker's free kick just before the hour mark but the visitors enjoyed the better of the second period with Holman and Sidhu both going close without finding the telling strike.

Into extra-time and Wake came to the aid of his keeper clearing off the line to deny Holman one minute into overtime. Urqhart produced a good low save from Cranfield and Quigley headed wide as both sides looked to claim the result at the first time of asking, but the breakthrough did not come and we meet again on Tuesday.

Wednesday 30th  September - Ridgeons League Cup (Preliminary Round)
Walsham le Willows  3 - 0  Felixstowe & Walton United  (1-0)
Walsham progressed to the first round of the competition, where they will travel to Ipswich Wanderers, following a comfortable win against a young Felixstowe side.

Walsham: Duncan McNally, James Attwood, Andrew Cusack, Lee Nocton, Trevor Newman, Stuart Walker (Richard partridge 77), Steve Harley (Charlie Robinson 77), Lee Sim, Will Brown, James Tatham, Steve Holder (Paul Musgrove 83)
Unused subs: Chris Rock, Tom Fenner.

Felixstowe: Gary Rose, Joe Bloomfield, Ben wake, Lee Norfolk, Miles Powell, Alex Ellwood, Kristian Haighton, Tommy Smith (Ashley Phillips 51), Matt Mackenzie, Keith Hetherington, Adam Hampson (Luke Hopkins 62).
Unused subs: Glen Driver.

Referee: Mike George
Att: 53

A good performance from the Seasiders with plenty of creative play in the first half without threatening the home goal. Steve Holder opened the scoring on 38 minutes with a header from Attwood's corner as the home side started to impose themselves on the game with Bloomfield closest to scoring for the Seasiders, following a good run into the area, with McNally making a comfortable save in the home goal.
Goal mouth incidents were rare despite good build up play from both sides but just before the hour Brown's run into the area resulted in an opportunity for Stuart Walker to force the ball home from close range. Rose made a double save to deny Partridge and Musgrove as the game drew to a close and on the stroke of full time Paul Musgrove tapped the ball home to confirm the win.

Tuesday 22nd September - Ridgeons League Premier Division
Felixstowe & Walton United  0 - 0  Needham Market 
The Seasiders defence marshalled by Captain Matt Stace resisted Needham Market's trademark late surge to earn a deserved point against the Championship contenders at Dellwood Avenue this evening.

Felixstowe: Gary Rose, George Blewer, Joe Bloomfield, Matt Stace, Martin Calver (Ashley Phillips 53), Blake Saker, Bradley Barber, Luke Read, Duane Wright, Keith Hetherington (Andy Lewis 69), Adam Hampson.
Unused subs: Matt Mackenzie, Kristian Haighton.

Needham: Liam Jones, Pip Boyland, Kevin Horlock, Anglo Harrop, Richard Butler, Rhys Barber, James Evans (Mike Fitzgibbon) Craig Parker, Danny Phillips, Tommy Smith (Danny Smy 63), Donny Thrower.
Unused subs: Matt Buckle, Jay Denniss, Tom Agricole.

Referee: Darren Stobbart
Att: 185

Saturday 19th September - F.A. Vase 2nd Qualifying Round
Felixstowe & Walton United  2 - 1  Yaxley   (1-1)
A minutes silence was held before the game in Memory of  Graham Beaumont who died suddenly on Wednesday. Graham was a regular visitor to Dellwood Avenue and was at the match on Tuesday night. Graham will be sorely missed by all his friends at the Club.  Our condolences go to all Graham's Family and friends.

The Seasiders progressed in the FA Vase with a 2-1 win over Yaxley in warm sunshine at Dellwood Avenue and will entertain Long Buckby in the 1st Round proper on Saturday October 3rd.
Seasiders: Gary Rose, George Blewer, Joe Bloomfield, Blake Saker, Tes Bramble, Matt Stace, Bradley Barber, Luke Hammond, Duane Wright (Luke Read 80), Ben Cranfield (Ben Connell 90), Martin Calver (Keith Hetherington 64)
Unused sub: Adam Hampson

Cuckoos: Aaron Bellaires. Aaron Ridout, Matt Holland, Tony Thomas, Chris Lenton, Ted Rimmell, Mike Calvin (Ondre Odane 70), Richard Challinor, Ben Stainsby, Rick Hailstone, Jamie Darlow.
Unused subs: Dan Drane, Scott Quinney, Lewis Stone, Marc Day.

Referee: M Kuruder
Att: 81

Felixstowe were gifted the opening goal on seven minutes when the the Yaxley keeper Bellaires, unable to pick up a back pass, fired the ball at the onrushing Duane Wright, Wright pouncing on the loose ball to tap into an open goal pictured. Despite gaining the upper hand and putting the visiting defence on the back foot the Seasiders failed to build on their advantage, with Saker shooting wide and Barber producing a number of good crosses which could not be converted. Bellaires produced a low save to deny Cranfield and cleared well under pressure from Stace as Felixstowe threatened but failed to find the second goal. Yaxley enjoyed a good spell as the half time interval approached with Darlow seeing his low free kick strike Rose's right hand post and on 40 minutes the Cuckoos were level. Rimell's cross from wide on the right met the head of Darlow at the far post with Ben Stainsby converting from close range in the centre of the goal.

The visitors were quickly onto the attack after the break but it was Bellaires in the Yaxley goal who was first to make a save as he stretched to palm Wright's header over the bar at the expense of a corner. On 53 minutes Felixstowe regained the lead with Blake Saker's pictured left deep cross from the right beating everyone and striking the far post before nestling in the visitors goal.
Yaxley pushed forward in search of the goal that would take the game into extra time and Rose was at full stretch to palm Hailstone's free kick over the bar. Hetherington returning to the Seasiders this week from Norwich United came off the bench and had a goal ruled out for off side as Felixstowe saw out time to progress to the next round.

Tuesday 15th September - Ridgeons League Premier Division
Felixstowe & Walton United  2 - 0  Wivenhoe Town  (1-0)
A goal from Duane Wright on 12 minutes and a second from Ben Cranfield 16 minutes from time saw the Seasiders claim all three points on a wet night that saw both sides work hard box to box but with goal mouth incidents at a premium. Rogers and Meadows were lively for the visitors with Meadows going closest for the Dragons but despite their persistence they failed to test home keeper Rose while Reid was pleased to see Barber's dipping free kick strike the bar in injury time.

Seasiders: Gary Rose, George Blewer, Joe Bloomfield, Blake Saker, Tes Bramble, Matt Stace (Ashley Phillips 80), Bradley Barber, Luke Hammond (Ben Connell 69), Duane Wright (Matt Mackenzie 84), Ben Cranfield, Adam Hampson
Unused sub: Kristian Haighton.

Dragons: Aaron Reid, Ben Pudney, James Raby, Jack Sibbons, Josh Gould, Sam Holman, Ricky Griggs, Harry Schofield, Jake Holman, Luke Rogers, Ritchie Meadows.
Subs: Josh Vaughan, Wilf Hall, Ben Lampon, Jon Carr.

Referee: J Turner
Att: 45

Saturday 4th September - Ridgeons League Premier Division
Wroxham  2 - 0   Felixstowe & Walton United   (1-0)
Paynter's spot kick, five minutes before the interval, and Spriggs' twenty yard volley on the hour saw the Yachtsmen comfortably collect the points with numerous saves from Rose in the Felixstowe goal preventing the margin of victory from being even greater.

Yachtsmen: Scott Howie, Gavin Pauling, Josh Carus, Graham Challen, Martin McNial, Gavin Lemmon, Steve Spriggs, Daniel White, Paul Cook, Owen Paynter, Gary Gilmore.
Unused Subs: Gareth Simpson, Matt daniels, John Eldridge, Karl Fox.

Seasiders: Gary Rose, Blake Saker, Bradley Barber (Matt Mackenzie 80), Tes Bramble, Matt Stace, George Blewer, Luke Hammond, Duane Wright, Adam Hampson (Ashley Phillips 58), Ben Cranfield, Martin Calver.
Unused sub: Glen Driver.

Referee: N A Smith
Att: 71

Martin Calver, pictured left recently signed from Harwich & Parkeston, was named in the starting eleven for the trip to Trafford Park and with Tes Bramble fit to play hopes were high for a competitive game.
The Seasiders enjoyed a bright opening fifteen minutes with Hammond striking a free-kick just wide of the home goal, Wright shot wide when well placed in front of goal and Saker's drive was narrowly over following a quick break and neat inter-passing with Barber. Following the first corner of the game taken by Spriggs on 16 minutes Rose saved from Paynter with the aid of a post and from that point Wroxham were on top.
With a higher work rate the home side pressed forward with Rose again denying Spriggs and Paynter before the pressure finally told and five minutes before the break Blewer tripped Gilmore as he raced into the area with Owen Paynter making no mistake placing the spot kick wide of Rose's right hand.
After the break Rose collected a low drive from White before Steven Spriggs extended the lead with a volley from all of 20 yards which even Rose could not keep out.
Phillips replaced Hammond with Bramble joining the attack but with little to work on the home defence was not threatened with Howie a virtual spectator in the home goal. Rose saved from White, Spriggs and Cook to keep Felixstowe in the game but little was seen in attack until the last few minutes when three corners were won in quick succession but it was all too little too late with Wroxham finishing comfortable winners.

Penny for your thoughts !!

Tuesday 1st September - Ridgeons League Premier Division
Harwich & Parkeston  1 - 1   Felixstowe & Walton United  (0-1)
Terry Rymer's 53rd minute headed goal from Warren's free kick saw the Shrimpers deservedly collect their first point of the season and they may well have claimed all three as they worked hard to close down and hurry the visitors in their work.

Shrimpers: Lee Mahoney, Luke Randall, James King, Ben Warren, Jordan Franklin, Sam Eldridge, Nicky Palmer, Aaron Skeggs, Terry Rymer, Zac Manning, Daniel Beeson.
Unused Subs: Joss Neale, Darren Cook, Scott Hiskey.

Seasiders: Gary Rose, Blake Saker, Ashley Phillips, Luke Hammond ( Lewis Driver 45), George Blewer, Matt Stace, Bradley Barber, Duane Wright (Matt Mackenzie 54), Kristian Haighton, Ben Cranfield, Adam Hampson (Glen Driver 76).
Unused sub: Ben Connell.

Referee: Lee Betts
Att: 89

Ben Cranfield headed Felixstowe into the lead on 19 minutes from Barber's corner after Mahoney had produced two finger tip saves in quick succession to deny Hammond and Cranfield as the visitors controlled the first half hour of the game. Harwich gradually  increased their tempo pressuring the visitors into mistakes and finished the half strongly with Rymer threatening and Eldridge heading over the Felixstowe bar from King's cross.
Cranfield struck the home bar within two minutes of the restart but Felixstowe failed to build on their advantage before Rymer struck to bring the sides level with Rose having to be alert to secure a point for the visitors.

Saturday 29th August - Ridgeons League Premier Division
Felixstowe & Walton United  1 - 1  CRC  (0-0)
Honours even following a game played at a good tempo by two youthful sides in the warm sunshine at Dellwood Avenue. With defences on top goalmouth action was at a premium with the Bank Holiday crowd enjoying the passing game deployed by both sides.
Luke Berry's headed goal just after the hour mark for the visitors looked like being the decider until Ben Cranfield slid the ball past Davies with five minutes on the watch for a deserved equaliser.
With other teams in FA Cup action the point was enough to see CRC take top spot in the league for the first time.

Seasiders: Gary Rose, Blake Saker, George Blewer, Luke Hammond, Matt Stace, Tes Bramble, Bradley Barber, Duane Wright, Adam Hampson (Ronaldo Wright 63), Ben Cranfield, Lee Norfolk (Lewis Driver 69).
Unused subs: Matt Mackenzie, Kristian Haighton, Paul Cudworth.

CRC: Martin Davies, Rogan McGeorge, Owen Kessack, Lewis Carr, Alex Bevan, Luke Allan (Joe Bennett 59), Jack Eades (James Brighton 63), Luke Berry, Jack Bailey, Adam Marriott, Liam Hughes.
Unused Subs: Chris Tonks, Grant Wright.
Referee: Mark Patterson
Att: 89

Luke Hammond pictured left, signed in time to be in the starting line up for the visit of CRC along with Tes Bramble returning from injury. With Captain Matt Stace returning following a one match absence the back four had a very solid look about it, and it would need to be against a very skilful and mobile Cambridge side.

Felixstowe made a good start from the kick off with Barber shooting wide in the first minute and the busy Hampson seeing a shot blocked following a good move from defence to attack. A curling shot from Berry went close for the visitors but despite the high tempo and neat passing football from both sides the keepers were not tested until a minute before the break when Eades brought a save from Rose in the home goal after being released by Berry. Bailey headed over the home goal from a corner as the visitors finished the half strongly with Hammond volleying over the visitors bar as the game threatened to open up but at the interval it was goalless.

Felixstowe started the second half brightly with Hampson & Wright seeing shots blocked and Davies saving at the expense of a corner. Bramble met Barber's flag kick with his goal-bound header cleared off the line by Bevan. CRC gradually built momentum and on the hour the deadlock was broken. Blewer made a decisive tackle to block Bailey but from the resultant corner, taken by Kessack, Marriott flick the ball on at the near post for Luke Berry to head home unmarked from the centre of the goal pictured.

Two excellent saves from Gary Rose kept the Seasiders in the game as CRC looked to increase their advantage before Felixstowe regained their composure and pressed for an equaliser. Ronaldo Wright and Lewis Driver were introduced to inject pace into the forward line as the heat began to take it's toll and a through ball from Wright with five minutes to go split the visiting defence with Ben Cranfield one on one with Davies sliding the ball low to the keepers left for a well deserved equaliser.

Saturday 22nd August - Ridgeons League Premier Division
Felixstowe & Walton United  4 - 1 Histon Res.  (1-1)
Two goals from Ben Cranfield on his home debut put the Seasiders ahead early in the second half after Doltan O'Brien had headed the visitors into a second minute lead. Adam Hampson added the third with Matt Mackenzie producing an excellent volley to complete the scoring with five minutes remaining.

Seasiders: Paul Cudworth, Blake Saker, Joe Bloomfield, Kevin Inglis (Kristiane Haighton 78), Miles Powell, George Blewer, Bradley Barber, Duane Wright (Lewis Driver 61), Ben Cranfield, Adam Hampson (Matt Mackenzie 73), Lee Norfolk.
Unused subs: - Glen Driver

Stutes: Sean Greygoose, Jay Dowie, Seb Baxter, John Kennedy, Joe Stroud, Zac Mills, Kieron Leabon, Lee Brennan (Tyler Campbell 54), Lewis Taaffe (Eoin O'Herlehy 64), Doltan O'Brien Sam Mason-Smith 73), Daniel Spark

Referee: Jerry Kelly
Att: 78

A sunny and warm afternoon for the visit of a young Histon side to Dellwood Avenue. Glen Driver named himself on the bench with Miles Powell and Joe Bloomfield replacing the absent Stace and Ryland. Norfolk came back into the starting eleven with Lewis Driver starting on the the bench with Haighton and Mackenzie.

The visitors started brightly with Bloomfield blocking Leabon's shot in the second minute and from Spark's corner Doltan OBrien (no10) headed Histon into an early lead pictured. Felixstowe picked up the pace with Barber, Norfolk and Saker carrying the ball forward to create openings for Wright, Cranfield and Hampson. Greygoose saved well to keep out Hampson with Dowie clearing off the line as pressure mounted on the Histon goal. Hampson turned Sakers cross home but was ruled out for off side, Barber saw his dipping shot skim the cross bar before the equaliser finally came on 26 minutes with Ben Cranfield collecting Hampson's pass to run on and score pictured.

Kennedy fizzed a ball across the home goal and Cranfield saw his effort on the Histon goal scrambled away as both side continued to look more comfortable going forward than defending but at the break it was still one goal a-piece but with the promise of more to follow.

Within two minutes of the restart the Seasiders were ahead with Barber's long ball headed over the advanced Greygoose by Ben Cranfield. Six minutes later Adam Hampson pictured who had threatened all afternoon steered the ball home from the edge of the box for the home sides third. Histon continued to press forward in search of a reply playing neat passing football with Cudworth pictured right quickly off his line to block O'Brien on the hour and then saved well to deny Spark.

With five minutes remaining Matt Mackenzie confirmed the win with a well struck volley from the edge of the area as the Seasiders finished strongly.

Wednesday 19th August - Ridgeons League Premier Division
Stanway Rovers  5 - 0  Felixstowe & Walton United  (2-0)
Following a goalless first 43 minutes with defences in charge the home side took control to win comfortably with a hat-trick from Callander and a brace for Newson.
Stanway Rovers: Michael Church, Martin Curtis, Liam Bailey (James Eales 45), Alex Brennan, Kevin Hughes, Joe Davis, Ben Newson, Arron Clark, Sam Newson, Luke Calander (Marley Spindler 81), Reece Harris (Michael Cheek 79).
Unused Subs: Chris Jones.

Seasiders: Paul Cudworth, Blake Saker, Matt Ryland, Kevin Inglis, Matt Stace, George Blewer, Bradley Barber (Lee Norfolk 62), Duane Wright, Lewis Driver, Ben Cranfield, Adam Hampson (Ben Connell 62).
Unused subs: - Kristiane Haighton, Joe Bloomfield, Gary Rose.

Referee: Adam Crysell
Att: 85
Three minutes before the half-time interval there was little to indicate the avalanche of goals that was to follow Callander's opener as his cross-come-shot deceived Cudworth to nestle in the back of the Felixstowe net. Up to that point the keepers had seen little of the ball with both defences firmly in control but within a minute the lead had been doubled as Sam Newson raced onto Brennan's long ball forward and through the static Felixstowe defence to give the hosts a comfortable half time lead.
Any hopes the visiting support had of a second half fight back was short lived as Stanway continued as they had finished the first half with Cudworth saving from Ben Newson and Barber clearing off the line before Luke Callander rifled home his second after 54 minutes.
Felixstowe pushed forward in search of a reply but failed to test Church in the home goal and looked vulnerable every time Stanway attacked. On 65 minutes Sam Newson scored his second turning home Davis' cross from the right after he had run through unchallenged and with 12 minutes remaining Luke Callander completed his hat-trick and Stanway's Nap hand after breaking from the half way line.

Saturday 15th August - F.A. Cup Extra Preliminary Round - sponsored by E.ON
Needham Market   1 - 0  Felixstowe & Walton United  (0-0)
A single 79th minute goal from Needham's Danny Thrower was all that separated the two Ridgeons League sides at Bloomfields as this season's long road to Wembley began. An entertaining and open game with both sides creating numerous chances with Barber's strike against the underside of Jones' cross bar nine minutes into the second half the closest the Seasiders came to scoring.

Needham Market: Liam Jones, Lewis Pemberton, Tom Agricole, Kevin Horlock, Richard Butler, Rhys Barber, Oliver Canfer (Angelo Harrop 60), Matt Buckle (Jay Denniss 60), Danny Phillips (James Evans 76), Tommy Smith, Danny Thrower.
Unused Subs: Phil Boyland, Danny Smy, Jimmy Waters.

Seasiders: Paul Cudworth, Blake Saker, Matt Ryland, Lee Norfolk (Joe Bloomfield 80), George Blewer, Matt Stace, Bradley Barber, Kristiane Haighton (Miles Powell 50), Duane Wright, Lewis Driver, Adam Hampson (Ben Connell 75)
Unused subs: -

Referee: Nick Cooper
Att: 130

Manager Glen Driver named one change to the Felixstowe starting line up from Tuesday with George Blewer replacing the injured Tes Bramble to partner Matt Stace in the middle of the back four. After a nervous start which saw former Seasider Danny Phillips closing in on the visitors goal twice in the opening two minutes the defence led by the impressive Stace hurried the Needham forward line into shots from distance. Felixstowe held their collective breath on two minutes as keeper Cudworth spread himself to block Phillips shot outside the area and were relieved to see the Yellow card raised.
After resisting early pressure Felixstowe began to develop their play through Norfolk and Barber with the first attempt on the home goal coming from the head of Wright as he met Norfolk's precision cross from the right with Jones collecting comfortably.

The strong Canfer created a number of openings down the right but failed to test Cudworth with shots going wide and when on target Blewer and Stace blocked the shots and cleared the danger. Phillips showed constant danger but was hurried into his work with efforts going wide.
The opportunities at both ends of the park continued with Hampson heading over from Ryland's cross from the left and Driver placing the best effort of the half for the Seasiders wide with just the keeper to beat. In reply Smith's fierce left foot shot was narrowly wide of Cudworth's goal with Canfer firing wide once again as half time approached.

Ten minutes into the second half Bradley Barber saw his free kick defeat the home keeper but strike the underside of the bar and scrambled away to safety. Felixstowe continued to defend well as the pressure from the home side gradually built with Phillips close and Cudworth saving well from Rhys Barber.  The breakthrough and deciding goal came on 79 minutes when a loose ball came to Danny Thrower who arrowed a well struck left foot shot wide of Cudworths right hand.
Saker cleared off the line after Cudworth blocked a Phillips shot as the home side looked to close out the game but the Felixstowe defence once again stood firm and with Felixstowe still looking dangerous on the break the home side settled for the single goal and saw out time to move into the next round.

We wish Needham success in the next round when they entertain Wisbech Town.

Tuesday 11th August - Ridgeons League Premier Division
Felixstowe & Walton United  1 - 0 Harwich & Parkeston  (0-0)
In contrast to Saturday, an injury time goal saw the Seasiders collect all three points with the Shrimpers dealt a cruel blow having fought gallantly for an hour a player short.
The home side enjoyed the lions share of possession throughout, even more so after Harwich's Darren Bethell was dismissed for a second yellow on 35 minutes. But despite creating a host of chances the home side failed to unduly trouble Mahoney in the visitors goal with the exception of Brambles header that found the Harwich cross bar on the half hour.  Indeed Cudworth's save to deny Calver's excellent shot at his near post with three minutes to go was the best save of the game and denied Harwich a late and unexpected win.
With the Seasiders heading for their first goalless draw for over two seasons the tireless Adam Hampson slotted home the winner in the third minute of time added on.

Seasiders: Paul Cudworth, Blake Saker, Matt Ryland, Adam Hampson, Tes Bramble (Miles Powell 60), Matt Stace, Bradley Barber, Lee Norfolk (Ben Connell 60), Duane Wright, Lewis Driver, Kristiane Haighton.
Unused subs: Ashley Phillips, Jordan Matthews

Shrimpers: Lee Mahoney, Jordan Franklin, Zak Manning, Wayne Lamb (Nicky Palmer 50), Ben Warren, Aaron Skeggs, Martin Calver, Jamie Baker, Terry Rymer, Darren Bethel, Bobby Bethell.
Unused Subs: Sam Eldridge, Daryl Johnson, Daryl Heard.

Referee: Darren Stobbart
Att: 106

Saturday 8th August - Ridgeons League Premier Division
Norwich United   3 - 2  Felixstowe & Walton United  (1-1)
An injury time penalty denied the Seasiders a point at Plantation Park this afternoon after Adam Hampson had brought the sides level with ten minutes remaining. Captain Matt Stace had fired Felixstowe ahead on eight minutes with Tony Youngs equalising for the Planters two minutes before the break and Ricci Butler putting the home side ahead three minutes after the restart. The young Felixstowe side fought back well in the warn sun with Hampson looking have to earned them a point before, you guessed it, Porky Claydon fired home from the penalty spot with seconds remaining.

Planters: Ben Nower, Steve Shipley, Tom Jeal, Gavin Frost (c), James Wilson, Darren Cow, Lee Hunter (Matthew Robinson 45), John Bell, Andy Claydon, Tom Youngs, Ricci Butler (Ben Wak 70).
Unused subs: Keith Hetherington, Jordan Blyth, Nathan Pauling.

Seasiders: Paul Cudworth, Miles Powell, Matt Ryland, Lee Norfolk, Matt Stace, Tes Bramble, Duane Wright, Kristiane Haighton, Ronaldo Wright (Jordan Matthews 88), Matt Mackenzie, Adam Hampson.
Unused subs: Ashley Phillips, Garry Rose.

Referee: J Turner
Att: 92

Despite a number of players being unavailable for selection, for various reasons, for the opening game of the season Glen and Tony will have been happy with the performance and commitment from the players that took to the field. Three under 18 players went straight into the side, Matt Mackenzie pictured right, Kris Haighton and Miles Powell, all performing  well at the senior level. The experience of new Captain Matt Stace, Lee Norfolk, Matt Ryland and Tes Bramble provided the defence with a solid foundation that held firm for most of the first half.  Duane Wright and Adam Hampson were the only two players that had appeared in the last game of last season for the Seasiders with Paul Cudworth returning in goal and Ronaldo Wright in attack to complete the line up.

In sunny and warm conditions the game started brightly with Haighton forcing the first corner in favour of the visitors after four minutes. A low shot from Wright was comfortably held by Nower in the home game and the former Felixstowe keeper sprung defence into attack with Stace first to the ball to clear under pressure for Norwich's first corner of the game, as the game flowed from end to end.

Matt Stace opened the scoring for the Seasiders on eight minutes following a foul on Mackenzie. The free kick was not cleared by the home defence and the Seasiders Captain was on hand to fire the ball passed Nower and into the net pictured.

With Bramble and Stace keeping things tight in defence and clearing their lines quickly the midfield was able to build with neat passing moves and Mackenzie and Haighton linked well with Haighton firing over the home goal from distance. Both teams were moving the ball well without threatening until half time approached and pressure built on the Felixstowe goal. Cudworth did well to get a palm to Butler's corner pictured with Wilson placing the ball wide at the far post.
With Bell prompting from midfield Claydon and Youngs made ground into the Felixstowe area with two shouts for penalties turned down before Tom Youngs met a cross from the right to score with two minutes remaining to half time.

Three minutes after the break the ball was lost in mid-field and Claydon drew the defence before passing to Ricci Butler who calmly slotted the ball home. the Planters enjoyed a good spell with Robinson, Youngs and Claydon all going close to increasing the lead. the Seasiders persevered and made  positional changes which created a few openings in the home defence. Nower did well to deny Ronaldo Wright pictured before Adam Hampson produced the equaliser firing low under Nower and into the net pictured.

With time running down both sides went looking for the winner and it came to the Planters after pressure on the visitors goal forced a challenge from Bramble resulting a penalty kick.
Andy Claydon made no mistake firing the ball past Cudworth's right hand.

Having had the better of the second half the Planters may have deserved the points but it was cruel on Felixstowe who had worked so hard to gain a point only to be denied in injury time.
Many positives to take from the game and we look forward to Tuesday night when Harwich & Parkeston are the visitors to Dellwood Avenue.

Scorers of the first and last goals
Matt Stace & Andy Claydon.