Felixstowe & Walton United FC

Despite there not being a long history between the two clubs, there does, nevertheless, exist a certain rivalry between Felixstowe & Walton and our Essex neighbours Coggeshall Town. Just one year ago 1,541 Seasiders fans came out in strength at The Goldstar Ground to watch The Seedgrowers come away with a 4-2 win and go on to pip us at the post in The Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League. Having been top practically the whole season, finishing as runners up was a little tough to take. Both sides did, however, gain promotion and this campaign has seen Coggeshall make the play offs and finds us likely to finish around 7^th. A good season for both sides.

And so to the game at West Street on Saturday, which was played in glorious Easter Sunshine with T-shirts and sun cream in evidence. But anyone who thought this wasn’t going to be a competitive game between rivals was very much mistaken.

Coggeshall were quick out of the traps forcing a couple of early corners and pressing high, making it difficult for us to make much impression. Michael Gyasi looked good wide right for the home side as did Ross Wall and Tevan Allen.

Our first attempt came after 13 minutes with an effort from Liam Hillyard but it was the home side who opened the scoring with an overhead kick from Tevan Allen following a cross from the right. Young Henry Barley put in a good cross from the left just a couple of minutes later, which Miles Powell was unable to convert. Although The Seedgrowers did have more possession, they weren’t managing to threaten and slowly we seemed to be settling into the game.

With six minutes remaining until half time, a Hillyard cross found Barley in front of goal allowing him to power home past keeper Danny Sambridge, bringing the sides level. To have gone in level at half time would have been a decent return for Felixstowe but, alas, it wasn’t to be.

With just three minutes left until the break, Coggeshall managed to go back in front following something of a scramble and a mix up in the penalty area, which allowed Nnandi Nwachuku to tap home his 24^thleague goal of the season.

There were a number of changes to the Felixstowe line-up from last week against Bowers & Pitsea. Barley came in for Ethan Clarke, Jack Ainsley dropped back into midfield and Liam Hillyard returned up front replacing Rhys Henry. Jordy Matthews was back in midfield with Jamal Wiggins dropping to the bench alongside Joe Francis, Josh Lee and Clarke.

There were no further goals in the second half but there was still plenty of action, much of it coming from the referee who issued six yellows (three apiece) before showing a second yellow to Callum Bennett on the stroke of full time for a sliding tackle.

Joe Bloomfield left the field of play on the hour mark together with Miles Powell, with Joe Francis and Josh Lee coming on. Francis worked hard as soon as he came on and Lee, gaining valuable match experience, also looked impressive.

There were chances at either end with a free kick from the left finding Bennett, who managed to shoot wide. At the other end, Jack Spurling saved well from George Allen and stood his ground in a one on one from another Coggeshall attack. It’s fair to say that the home side didn’t dominate at all in the second half and Felixstowe did threaten on a number of occasions. Sambridge in goal for Coggeshall scrambled away a joint Francis/Lee effort and an excellent move from Hillyard saw him beat three players and find Lee who shot just wide.

Danny Bloomfield spoke after the game about the performance against a good play-off side, “I’m pleased and I’m satisfied with the performance. We competed well away to a side 21 points ahead of us and they were pleased to hold on to a 2-1 win. We were much better in the second half.”

After the game Joe Francis announced his retirement from non-league football while Ethan Clarke also made it clear that he will be leaving Felixstowe at the end of the season, unsure at this stage whether he will be playing elsewhere or not. Fans will undoubtedly want to thank both players for what they have contributed to the club and wish them well in their future endeavours.

A tribute to Joe will be available via the website later in the week.

Click here for line ups, substitutions, cards etc.

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