11th March 2023
Thetford Town vs Soham Town Rangers @ Mundford Road - Thetford
Thurlow Nunn Premier Division (Step 5)
15:00 KO
£7 entry
Attendance - 163
Half-time score: Thetford Town 0-0 Soham Town Rangers
Goal:
Thetford Town: E. Smith - 75'
Final Score: Thetford Town 1-0 Soham Town Rangers
This was a game that looked to be on the edge of cancellation, in the morning the day before, there was a fairly substantial snow storm, as well as a frost overnight, but thankfully the weather warmed up to allow the game to go ahead. This is the 4th game between Thetford Town and Soham Town Rangers this season, having faced each twice in the FA Cup courtesy of a replay triggered by a very late and spectacular Soham equaliser. In the previous three fixtures, the results are 1W, 1D, 1L, so what this afternoon would be was anyone's guess. However, Thetford were going into the game favourites, being top of the table, whilst Soham were somehow struggling down in 17th, I've seen them twice this season and they looked a decent outfit. I was also sure that the Thetford team would want to make up for the defeat against Sheringham in the last home game, their first home defeat of the season.
It was a sunny, calm yet chilly day, Thetford Town came out in claret and blue, and Soham Town Rangers in green and white hoops.
KEY MOMENTS
TT = Thetford Town
STR = Soham Town Rangers
36' - TT - From a Thetford Town free-kick, the ball falls to Laker on the edge of the area, he side-steps the onrushing defender to send him the wrong way, and then powers in a well hit strike from the edge of the area which flies narrowly wide.
45' - TT - King eventually finds some room to have a dig from the edge of the area, the effort looks good but is deflected wide for a corner.
67' - TT - A ball is crossed into the box, and a defensive header from Chaffey is mishit, and seemingly skims the post, so close to an own goal! From the corner, Clarke gets to the ball first, but his header is directed straight down the throat of keeper Iron.
75' - TT - GOAL (1-0) - King goes on a mazy run into the box and fires in a strike, it seemingly hits the hand of the defender and there are big shouts for a penalty, but Thetford play on, Diggens takes the ball down the right wing and hits a low fast ball across the box, it seems to take a touch of someone, and travels through to Elliot Smith open at the far-post and he makes no mistake to bundle in from close range, sheer relief from the Thetford players and fans!
83' - STR - The goal forces Soham further forwards, and they come close, a good ball is whipped in by captain Gent, and the ball is millimeters from being taped in at the far-post, so close!
86' - TT - Diggens goes on another penetrating run down the right wing, he squares the ball to Gilchrist whose left footed strike forces a decent save from Iron.
91' - TT - Thetford break through substitute Fuller, Lake threads the ball through and Fuller beats the offside trap to go through 1-on-1, he takes the ball into the box, but Iron is out quickly, he forces him out to the left, and the eventual effort is well saved, so close to a game sealing goal.
Whilst not a the greatest performance, it was a good afternoon for Thetford Town, 3-points, a clean sheet and eventually finding a way through the compact Soham Town Rangers, not a bad haul! It was clear that Soham came in with a game plan to try and get some points, playing highly defensive football from the off. The game was all Thetford Town, but despite having all the possession, chances were rare and infrequent, a testament to how well Soham executed their plan. However, Thetford eventually broke through, and in a physical niggly game on a bit of a bobbly pitch, it was that man again, Elliot Smith, who came up with the goods to hit the ball in from close range. With Ipswich Wanderers blowing away Mildenhall Town, this ground-out win maintains the 4 point gap, and I am sure it will they will be vital come the end of the season. Next up is Woodbridge Town away on Tuesday night, a little bit too far for me after getting back from work. This will be another tough game, with Woodbridge running consistently in the top-4 places all season. Here's to a big Thetford Town performance, I will be watching Twitter closely for sure, UP THE TOWN!!!
Line-Ups:
THETFORD TOWN: Macauley Rodgers, Nathan Clarke, Matt Morton, Adam Laker, Sam Bond (C), Elliot Smith, Jordan Lake, Cameron King, Emmanuel Machaya, Dan Gilchrist, George Diggens. SUBS: Ryan Fuller, Callum Olpin, Santi Davies, Tom Smith, Connor Balment.
SOHAM TOWN RANGERS: Finley Iron, Jordan Chipps, Jack Dickerson, Dempsey Thomas, Jordan Gent (C), Lloyd Groves, Aaron Hudson, Steven Cahill, Jamie Judge, Ryan Sharman, Lee Chaffey. SUBS: Jordan Atkin, Kai Nicholls, Jakob Buckle, Charlie Sutcliffe, Ryan Auger.
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