Match Report 16/02/14 Bungay Town LFC v Gorleston Rangers LFC

  It was certainly nice to wake up and for a change look out the window and think 'great it looks like the game might be on' such has been the problems weather wise at the start of the year. Plan had always been to take in a game in the Norfolk leagues this weekend and see two teams I haven't watched play before Bungay Town LFC and Gorleston Rangers LFC.
   Both teams sit comfortably in the middle of the table in Norfolk Division One on the same number of points... 16 going into this weekends league encounter. Bungay's Maltings Meadow pitch looked to be in fairly good nick after all the weather the sun was out it was for once perfect weather for football. Bungay in their purple kit lined up as their opponents Gorleston kitted out in green and white hooped shirts and socks and green shorts kicked off the match with the sun at their backs.
    It was the home side with the 1st chance a ball played high through the middle into their attacker who couldn't get any power behind the first time shot which Gorleston's keeper easily gathered. Play was end to end early doors as both teams looked to get the ball forwards as quickly as possible. Gorleston were having more joy down the wings, Bungay in turn were looking to get the ball down the middle to their attacking players. Gorleston found the side netting on two occasions as they broke clear of Bungay's defensive line, looked to have the advantage as a 3rd break came with only the keeper to beat the shot was blazed over.
    The 1st goal came then with Gorleston's strike force causing Bungay real problems the visitors no7 Courtney Chartlon making another run on the right surged past her markers and shot from the edge of the box sending the ball wide of the keeper and into the net to take the lead. 1 goal soon became 2 Bungay were giving the ball away far too easily allowing Gorleston to build pressure their strikers staying high up the pitch ready to receive the ball this time it was no12 Merrick Will who was in on goal with the keeper to beat she commited her to going to ground dribbled past her and rolled the ball into the empty net.. 2-0.
   Bungay had a half chance soon after got the ball into their striker once again but Gorleston's keeper was out quickly to claim the ball at her feet was up quickly and the ball was sent forwards Merrick Will was on hand beating the offside trap, evade the keeper and make it 3-0. Bungay were shell shocked, composure was lost for a spell and it proved costly Merrick Will completed her hat-trick bringing the ball down and this time turning and shooting early giving the keeper no chance 4-0.
   Bungay needed to try something else use their flanks and when they did they found some joy their attacker laying it down for their winger to run in on goal the shot however going over the bar. A well
delivered Bungay corner found the head of a team mate but the shot was straight at Gorlestons keeper who some how parried it behind for another corner. The late pressure counted for naught however with Gorleston keeping two attackers back any ball played through would present a problem it was Merrick Will again with the ball left her defenders standing and beat the keeper for her 4th goal to make the score at half time 5-0.
   Bungay's coach was hardly happy with his teams performance and I was surprised myself I had expected a much tighter game, it was a poor 1st half from the home side and Gorleston certainly capitalised. As I've said before and am quoting others football's a game of two halves so would this 2nd half be any different.
   Bungay were at it from the off win the ball and win it early, high up the pitch needed an early goal if they hoped to get anything. With players up in numbers the ball was won and played into striker Imogen Williams who shot inside the box to pull one goal back 5-1. The home side were on top for the 1st time in the match another chance this time the shot stinging the hands of the keeper to go behind for a corner.
    Gorleston beat the offside trap Courtney Charlton was through but further out this time Bungay's keeper rushed out and cleared the danger doing her confidence the power of good. Gorleston were sitting deeper but with a 4 goal cushion didn't need to keep the players forwards this actually suited Bungay who were allowed more time on the ball and now working it out wide got the ball into the box the keeper dropping low to stop a shot a defender beating the advancing Bungay forward to clear the loose ball. Another late effort was fizzed across goal but no one could get on the end of it.
     The 2nd half most definetly belonged to Bungay, but the match was Gorleston's the damage inflicted in a dominant 1st half as they win 5-1 and claim the points to move 3 pts clear of their opponents and perhaps have one eye on the teams at the top of the table.