Felixstowe & Walton United FC

Tuesday night’s encounter with our neigbours Woodbridge Town FC was an indicator of the step up Felixstowe have made moving in to The Bostik North. This is to take nothing away from Woodbridge, who are a fast improving side, but this Suffolk Premier Cup match at The Goldstar Ground saw The Seasiders allowed some time and space they haven’t been offered recently at Step 4.

We could have been a goal up very early on when a mix up in The Woodpeckers’ defence almost resulted in an own goal. As it turned out we didn’t have to wait too long before taking the lead anyway. A Joe Francis effort on 4 minutes was parried by Woodbridge keeper Alfie Strong only for Sam Ford to net from close range.

For a while, in the first half, the visitors did rally a little with Carlos Edwards impressive in midfield and Ryan Keedle busy out wide left. As half-time approached, however, the Seasiders started to assert themselves with Miles Powell’s through ball allowing Sam Ford to bag his second of the day on 40 minutes and Powell himself getting on the scoresheet two minutes before the break. That 3^rdgoal of the day came from a throw in which found Powell with his back to goal. A quick turn and a stab at the ball saw the ball in the back of the net. A perfect end to affairs in that first half.

Woodbridge had a penalty appeal turned down themselves on the half hour,but a 3-0 lead for Felixstowe was probably a fair reflection as the sides went in for the half-time break.

Ten minutes in to the second period saw the referee award a penalty to Woodbridge as keeper Jack Spurling tried to take control of the ball. There were no strong appeals from Woodbridge but this didn’t concern Edwards who, despite seeing his effort pushed onto the bar, still managed to convert the rebound allowing Woodbridge a window back into the game.

Australia bound Sam Ford settled any nerves however on 63 minutes when he bagged a deserved hat-trick, following some very tidy work on the edge of the box from the tireless Jordy Matthews.

Ten minutes later it could have been five when Rhys Henry was through on goal only for Strong to clear at the last second. Henry himself was, however, involved a minute before the 90 minutes when, together with Ford, Jack Ainsley was provided with just the ball he needed to add to the scoring, putting the game fully to bed with the fifth of the night.

Attention now turns to Saturday’s trip to Basildon. The Bees started the season in fine form, but the departure of manager Marc Harrison recently, and Chairman Lee Connor stepping into the manager’s role, alongside a number of players leaving the club and new ones coming in, has seen a dip in form. Basildon have now slipped from top to third. It will no doubt still be a tough encounter but probably better to be meeting them now that it might have been a month or so ago.

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