East Coast (A)

Our long awaited return to Lowestoft had a look of deja vu all-over again....low availability and several players making their 2s debut. The team set up with width at the back, youth and guile in midfield and seasoned pros uptop, and the game pattern soon took shape. East Coast resorting to a fast, physical direct game, and Justin, Daz, Lucas and Duncan doing their best to protect Stan and get the ball up to Callum, Ben and Harry to transition into attack where Tom, Tim and Tom could do some damage. Sadly half time arrived with North 2 goals down from short corners, including Dunc's now customary own goal, and the only damage our forwards inflicted was to Tim's back. Second half, and the hot weather and lack of subs soon told, and the brave resistance from the men if the North was flagging, despite Tom G's best efforts to help their players talk themselves into cards. Stan repelled all he could but was unable to keep them all out, and soon it was 6. Tom Dye's selfless sacrifice of posting up top without a working groin paid dividends, And the tactical switch of Justin to left wing led to the goal of the game, from North hit out, 10 seconds later and Ben slammed it into the EC goal, meaning we at least won the last quarter. Excellent effort from all players, fantastic debuts from young Harry and Lucas, and a well earned DoD for Callum - lesson for all, don't send your young fit guy up to do the toss, as when they ask if he wants quarters or 35s, he won't necessarily think of the old slow guys…