NEFC - 30.10.2010
North Elmham 6 - 2 Gressenhall Reserves
On a fine afternoon North Elmham came away with a well deserved 6-2 victory to go top of the league. Elmham got off to a slow start and conceded within the first couple of minutes after a Gressenhall striker finished well from the edge of the area.
Despite the slow start Elmham were soon level after some great build up play was finished well by Richard Mallet. Only a minute later Elmham took the lead. A needless handball from a Gressenhall defender resulted in a penalty that was coolly dispatched by Richard Mallet for his second goal of the game. A remarkable 3 minutes was then concluded when captain Aaron Fletcher volleyed home from the edge of the area for Elmham's 3rd goal in as many minutes.
Elmham then began to play some of their best football of the season and created numerous chances. Chris Scase then pounced to smash a loose clearance into the bottom corner to make it 4-1. The Elmham dominance continued and it wasn't long before the 5th goal came. Chris Scase again finishing well from the edge of the area, leaving the keeper no chance.
10 minutes before half time Chris Scase completed his hat trick with a cross come shot that sailed over the 'keepers head to make it 6-1. This was Scase's second hat trick in successive weeks.
Half time came and Gressenhall regrouped, emerging much stronger in the second half. Elmham created fewer chances and the game began to fizzle out. Gressenhall did achieve a consolation goal midway through the second half when a penalty was awarded and slotted past stand in 'keeper Daniel Fuller to make the final score 6-2.
Tacolneston Reserves 1 - 6 North Elmham Reserves
North Elmham Reserves secured victory in emphatic fashion after coming from behind to beat Talconeston Reserves on a beautiful afternoon in South Norfolk.
The first half began slowly, with the two sides evenly matched, but the home side edged in front when the ball fell kindly for a Talconeston striker in the Elmham box who lashed home from close range, leaving the stand in 'keeper with no chance. With both sides playing attractive passing football but lacking a clinical edge up-front, the scoreline remained the same up to the half time whistle.The second half, however, was a different game. The visitors were aided by the unfortunate injury to the influential Tacolneston number 10, and equalised 10 minutes after the break through a close range header from one of the shortest players on the pitch, Jamie Grimson. Elmham took the game by the scruff of the neck, and went ahead when Graham Mudd's cross was deflected past his own keeper by a Tacolneston defender.
It was made 3-1 to the visitors when Dave Mudd powerfully headed home from Jonnny Coe's corner, and from that point on their was little doubt over who the victors were going to be. Chris Fuller fired home after some great footwork from Graham Mudd, Dave Mudd added his second with another thunderous header, and there was another own goal from a Tacolneston defender as the home side wilted under Elmham's onslaught to make the final score 6-1 to the visitors.
North Elmham Reserves will be looking to build on this great result at home to Shropham United Reserves next Saturday - K.O. at 2.00pm.
Mostly Cloudy -1 oC