Losing start for Bloaters

THE Bloaters’ opening match of the Ridgeons League Premier Division season ended in agonising defeat after a late winner by the home side.

New defender Dan Baldock started at the heart of the defence alongside new captain Gareth Palmer while the biggest changes were to be found in the forward line with new signing Mitch Forbes from Gorleston partnering Lowestoft Town loanee Joe Clark. Other than that the starting line up and subs were all made up of players who were at the club last season, including Fernando Vide who returned after a break from football towards the end of the season. Yarmouth had two early penalty appeals rejected.

Tricky winger Vide found himself in a strong position and his cross was charged down and the ball was deemed to have hit the defender’s arm rather than an intentional handball. Just one minute later Clark juggled the ball in the box and the ball appeared to hit another defender on the arm but the referee ignored appeals.

On the half hour mark Jessup produced a strong save from point blank range after Canfer managed to find space for a header inside the Yarmouth box.

Five minutes before half time the hardworking visitors were the architects of their own downfall, Eddie Short misjudging a cushioned header back to his keeper that was intercepted and scored by the danger man Canfer.

Short almost made amends before half time but his run and cross was just missed by Forbes as the home side went in ahead at half time.

In the 63rd minute, with Clark running clear of the defence he was brought down by Rose but despite the striker appearing to be through on goal only a yellow card was issued. On 66 minutes Hadleigh looked likely to double their advantage but Baldock put Confer under strong pressure when the forward was put through on goal.

With five minutes of normal time still to play, Woodcock stretched his legs on a good run which caused panic in the Hadleigh defence but his final effort was off target, much to the frustration of the pacey winger.

With three minutes left on the clock Yarmouth scored their first goal of the season, and seemingly snatched a well-earned point.

Woodcock crossed and substitute Glen Spooner’s effort hit the inside of the post, but it was Spooner who reacted quickest.

The sting in the tail came in the third minute of injury time, as quick-footed substitute Douglas beat his man and crossed, the ball fell to another substitute and Allen was there to score from close range. Yarmouth: Jessup, Page, Short, Baldock, Palmer, Catchpole (Ager 90+3), Vide (Duffy 89), Miller, Clark, Forbes (Spooner 72), Woodcock. Att: 81

Wroxham 6 Yarmouth T 1

THE Bloaters were outclassed at Trafford Park on Tuesday night against an impressive Wroxham side.

Yarmouth made one change from the side that was unlucky to lose against Hadleigh at the season opener, Adey Ager replacing Dan Baldock at the heart of defence.

Baldock’s place in the squad was replaced by young Stathie Steer on the bench.

On 26 minutes the deadlock was broken, a free kick was saved by Jessup but Hilton squeezed the ball in from the rebound.

Five minutes later Short was dispossessed in defence leaving Daniels to leave Jessup helpless from keeping the ball out as the ball hit the crossbar and bounced into the goal.

Before half time Yarmouth gave themselves a chance with Joe Clark getting to the byline and crossing the ball in for Forbes to head across goal into the net to make it 2-1.

The final act of note from the first half was an unnecessary reaction from Danny Self which could have seen the full back red-carded but his kick out and “slap” was only deemed a yellow card offence by referee Burnham.

Manager Paul Tong produced some fresh faces for the second half, Duffy replacing Short at left back and Spooner replacing winger Vide.

Tong was forced to make his third change on the hour mark, with Stathie Steer being forced to replace the injured Forbes.

A minute later Yarmouth created another good chance, Woodcock gambled and received the ball after the defender missed it and then Woodcock deflected the ball off the defender for a corner.

Jessup kept the team in the game with a superb save from a great shot from the edge of the box which went out for a corner, but from that corner a shot from Eastaugh squirmed through a crowd of players to put the home side back in control with 65 minutes played at 3-1.

This was harsh on Yarmouth after their strong start to the half.

Daniels then produced another daisy cutter which was deflected wide before the Wroxham were out of sight with a fourth goal, yet again, defending from a corner Yarmouth’s downfall to the benefit of Hilton.

Wroxham were shooting from all ranges, but Jessup pulled off some decent saves.

In the final ten minutes Wroxham added a further two goals.

The first a cracking shot which gave Jessup no chance from distance from Durrant and with two minutes of injury time remaining the final goal was scored by Cook.

Yarmouth: Jessup, Page, Short (Duffy 45), Palmer, Ager, Catchpole, Vide (Spooner 45), Miller, Forbes (Steer 61), Clark, Woodcock. Scorer: Forbes Booking: Short. Att: 121.