16th December 2023
Lakenheath vs Thetford Town @ The Nest - Lakenheath
Thurlow Nunn Premier Division (Step 5)
15:00 KO
£8 entry
Attendance - 171
Half-time score: Lakenheath 0-3 Thetford Town
Goals:
Thetford Town: Gilchrist - 22'
Thetford Town: Haylett - 31'
Thetford Town: Avis - 42'
Thetford Town: King - 49'
Lakenheath: Young - 65'(P)
Thetford Town: Avis - 81'
Final Score: Lakenheath 1-5 Thetford Town
With the eyes of East Anglia on the first East Anglian Derby game for 5 years, there was another Suffolk vs Norfolk game on in non-league echoing the big game, a local derby pitting Norfolk based Thetford Town against Suffolk based Lakenheath at The Nest. Unlike the big game, these two sides are much closer in the league, and with all the recent games being close and higher scoring affairs, it was sure to be the perfect aperitif for today's main event!
On the way in, I grabbed a matchday programme, classic Barnes Print for £1.
It was a much warmer Saturday afternoon, but the effects of the recent wet weather were there for show on the pitch, the surface looking a bit bobbly and heavy. Before long, the two teams lined up, Lakenheath in the classic dark green, with Thetford Town in claret and blue.
KEY MOMENTS
LH = Lakenheath
TT = Thetford Town
17' - LH - After an even start to the game, the first big chance falls to Lakenheath. Young is played through down the left, he bounds forwards with the ball and cuts into the box, Tom Smith comes out quickly to close the space, Young tries to chip over him, but Smith gets an important touch on the ball to divert it away from goal.
22' - TT - GOAL (0-1) - Gilchrist is sharp to pounce onto a loose pass from the Lakenheath keeper, with the ball at his feets he takes the ball into the area and powers it into the net, a brilliant finish to put Thetford into the lead. There was some uncertainty which quelled the Thetford celebrations as the ball bounced out of the goal, crashing through the net into the barrier behind and out, not seen that one before!
25' - LH - This time it is Thetford's turn to make a defensive error, Grove thought he had more time on the ball than he did, this invited a shoulder barge from the imposing Jamie Smith, who having shook Dylan off the ball immediately snaps a shot towards goal from just inside the box, but Tom Smith is on-hand to make another fine stop!
31' - TT - GOAL (0-2) - Thetford pressure the Lakenheath box, probing from all angles. Eventually, captain King pulls the ball back to Grove who delivers a curling ball into the danger area, Avis is millimeters from contacting with his head, but if flies through to the far-post where it is controlled by Haylett, and with space he composes himself and drills his laces through the ball to cleanly strike the ball into the roof of the net, emphatic finish to stretch Thetford's lead.
35' - LH - A long ball over the top releases Young down the left again, he strides into the box and goes down, there was certainly a Thetford hand on him, but he looked to go down all too easily and the referee waves play-on.
42' - TT - GOAL (0-3) - What. A. Hit!! Money squares the ball to Avis and surprising everyone he has a audacious effort from 30yards, but is struck sweetly and rifles into the net inside of the post, beyond the reach of the flailing Bilham, simply spectacular! Avis certainly knows how to score on this pitch! Reminiscent of the first goal, this one also bounced back off the barrier behind causing a bit of confusion amongst the spectators, but it did certainly go in!
49' - TT - GOAL (0-4) - Thetford start the second half in the perfect way. Lott plays a ball over the top to release captain King who has the offside trap beaten, and with acres of space he calmly slots the ball into the net, giving Thetford what looks to be an unassailable lead.
60' - TT - Money finds Gilchrist in the box, he firmly strikes a daisy-cutter of a strike and it is arrowing into the bottom-left corner, but Bilham get down well to not only stop the ball, but collect it to deny the rebound, almost for Thetford!
65' - LH - PENALTY & GOAL (1-4) - A strong attack down the right culminates in a ball being whipped into the box but coming off a Thetford hand. After consulting with the linesman, the referee awards a penalty to Lakenheath, and in the ensuing arguments substitute Laker is sin-binned for dissent. Luke Young steps up to the spot and strokes the ball into the bottom left.
74' - LH - Having a man advantage, Lakenheath begin to get the upper-hand, the best chance being a snap volley from the edge of the box from ex-Thetford player Ross Bailey, but is scoots just wide of the far-post, it must have been close!!
81' - TT - GOAL (1-5) - A beautiful sweeping move from Thetford to seal the game and halt any slim hopes of a Lakenheath comeback. Substitute Diggens is played through, he carries the ball forwards and squares to Money, he then gets much need support from Jake Mann who gets the ball back to the open Diggens down the right, he steps in round his man, fires a ball across and the fox-in-the-box Shaun Avis, taps in from point-blank range.
88' - LH - Nicholls receives the ball in the box, turns and shoots, but Tom Smith dives and gets his fingertips on it to push it away from the goalline, and Haylett is on hand to clear up.
93' - LH - RED CARD - In the dying moments, Nicholls reacts badly to a coming together with Jake Mann, charging after him. At some point he receives a yellow card, not sure what for, but this is his second yellow of the game and he gets his marching orders.
The thrilling East Anglian Derby was a hard act to follow, but it certainly did for the loyal and well travelled Thetford fans! Following the wonderful mid-week performance, they played in the same vein and ultimately blew away a much changed and hardly recognisable Lakenheath side. Although, it has to be said that Lakenheath had their chances, and had Tom Smith not have been super sharp and on-it today, it could have been a very different game, and in a game full of huge performances, his has to stand out for preventing at least 3 goals. The clinical finishing from Gilchrist, Avis, Haylett and King also has to be applauded, there weren't many wasted chances today! Lakenheath remains a great place to watch football, the clubhouse was buzzing before the game, the ground was packed, the food looked great and it was good seeing the Bailey's on the pitch, but I hope the new look side can gel over the rest of the season. Up next for Thetford Town are a bottom-of-the-league Long Melford, but complancy is the downfall of many, so Thetford will have to maintain the performance levels of today to ensure another 3 valuable points get into the bag, vital if they wish to break back into the play-off places. Looking forward to the final game before Christmas, UP THE TOWN!!!
Line-Ups:
LAKENHEATH: Ross Bilham, George Edwards, Lewis Mair, Ross Bailey (C), Ryan Taylor, Charlie Root, Luke Bailey, Matt Collins, Jamie A Smith, Luke Young, Cam Nicholls. SUBS: Karl Saffrey, Jake Stevenson, Kaine Manels, Jamie R Smith.
THETFORD TOWN: Tom Smith, Dylan Grove, Ryan Haylett, Jaydyn Lott, Hugh Cullum, Jake Mann, Kieran Money, Cameron King (C), Shaun Avis, Dan Gilchrist, Callum Olpin. SUBS: Sam Bond, George Diggens, Adam Laker, Malachi Wright, Macauley Rodgers.
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