Felixstowe & Walton United FC

HULLBRIDGE SPORTS  1 - 2  FELIXSTOWE & WALTON UNITED  

Seasiders gain valuable win on the road

A vocal away following saw a dominant second half performance from Felixstowe secure a richly deserved win at Hullbridge Sports.

Prior to the game injuries and absences left manager Stuart Boardley without several  experienced players - captain Billy Holland, Callum Bennett, Noel Aitkens, Henry Barley and Callum Harrison were all missing. However Andre Hasanally, who re-signed for The Seasiders Friday afternoon, went straight into the starting line up, and there was a welcome return for Zak Brown who led the line with Sam Ford. Following his man of the match performance in the last game, Harry Blackburn retained his place at right back.

1st Half:
The torrential rain that fell in the hours leading up to the game stopped just before kick off, but both sides seemed to struggle in the muddy conditions in what can only be described as a scrappy first half.

 

Chances were few and far between, though Alex Moss came close for the home side from the game’s first corner in the 5th minute when his goal bound header was blocked on the line by another Hullbridge player!  In the 13th minute a long range effort from the impressive Charlie Warren was tipped around the post by home ‘keeper Lewis Greene, and the Hullbridge goal custodian was also on hand to tip a Sam Ford goal bound effort around the post in the 24th minute after Zak Brown had stolen the ball from a home defender.

2nd Half:
By contrast the second half was all about total Felixstowe dominance: In the 49th minute a Hasanally free kick was pushed around the post by Greene, but just a minute later he was left helpless by a cool finish from Zak Brown after an excellent cross by Harry Blackburn who had pushed forward from his right back position.   Hullbridge 0 Felixstowe 1.

From there followed a series of opportunities for Felixstowe to put the game out of sight.  In the 52nd minute the goalkeeper could only watch as the hugely impressive Hasanally saw a long range effort whistle past the post, and soon after a bullet header from Joe Whight following a corner was hooked off the line by a Hullbridge defender.  A few minutes later Whight turned provider when his left wing cross was headed powerfully downward by Josh Hitter, but Greene got down well to scoop the ball away.  On the 70th minute great work from Sam Ford on the left edge of the area resulted in his pinpoint cross being met by Zak Brown, his goal bound header being tipped over the crossbar.

 

Felixstowe’s dominance finally paid off in the 77th minute when Sam Ford - continuing with his recent and very useful knack for being in the right place at the right time - controlled a free kick dropped into the penalty area from midfield, and beat a defender before coolly slotting a left foot finish inside the post. Hullbridge 0 Felixstowe 2.  Sam was immediately substituted by Tom Maycock - seemingly harsh, but manager Stuart Boardley confirmed after the game that this was a planned move, and at least Sam got his own and well-deserved personal ovation from the thankful Felixstowe supporters!

 

In the 84th minute man of the match Hasanally was substituted to more rapturous applause by the away contingent, replaced by club legend Stuart Ainsley in a central midfield role; an effort to shore up and protect the result.  So it seemed somewhat ironic that, as the game entered injury time a defensive error - I hasten to add, not by Stuart Ainsley! - resulted in Hullbridge substitute Sonny Dutton being left through on goal to score off the inside of the post.

 

With only a minute or so left on the clock Felixstowe suffered no late dramas, in fact Tom Maycock almost managed to add further gloss to the result but his effort from 8 yards slid agonisingly past the post with Greene well beaten.

 

After the game there really was only one question to ask Felixstowe manager Stuart Boardley: With no substitutions and no discernible change in formation, what exactly did he say to the team at half time that brought about such a huge transformation after a lacklustre first half?  Stuart explained "I asked the players to be more positive and up the tempo.  I also encouraged the full backs to be more confident in pushing forward" - evidently this proved sound advice given the fabric of the all-important opening goal!

 

The win lifts Felixstowe to 4th place in the Isthmian League North Division.

Attendance 148

Report by Martin Brooks

Photos by Tom Bradford

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