Nomads came to build bridges but leave with a draw

Felixstowe 1st Team 2 : 2 Cambridge Nomads 1st Team

NE14 East Men’s League - Division 1 - Saturday 8 th October 2011

A second successive home game saw Felixstowe needing to build upon their blockbuster win against Ford last week.
Felixstowe’s pre-match huddle stressed the importance of adding to their point total and push up the league table. However, Cambridge Nomads, who were setting the early season pace, would prove a tough test.

The first few games of the season saw Felixstowe struggle to assert themselves early on in games. This emerging pattern continued here, as the Seasiders were once again sloppy and often wasteful in possession. The hosts were struggling to contain a team that had scored 15 goals in their last two games.

A shaky and nervous opening couple of minutes from Felixstowe resulted in them unable to secure the ball and gain confidence. Nomads looked to target this vulnerability, and showed why they have scored so many goals previously; ruthlessly opening the scoring after some poor defensive play enabled the visitors’ striker to lash home under goalkeeper Fothergill.

Felixstowe tried to get stick on ball to raise confidence, urgently trying to get a foothold in the game. However, Cambridge continued to press and looked dangerous going forward, as Felixstowe floundered to get the ball out of defence and involve the pacey strikers Entwistle and Leney.
Looking to take advantage of the appearing gaps in Felixstowe’s defensive press, Nomads started to control the game, which led to a second goal.

Felixstowe were in disarray, heads were shaking, concerned that if this continued they could be on the end of a drumming.
Yet again, as so often is the case, centre back Andy Kelcher and holding midfielder Matt Walker ensured the score line didn’t worsen, as Walker callously (but maybe fairly) wiped out Nomads 15 year old playmaker with a trademark slide tackle – the commitment was evident for everyone to see.
Learnt over the course of last season, Felixstowe have become accustomed to grinding games out, warring opposition down, gritting teeth, and fighting hard. This trait needed to come to thefore and take Walker’s lead; the seasiders were in desperate need of some inspiration.

This came in the form of substitute Paul Farthing, when he distributed drinks at half time.
Woodhouse looked to rouse his troops, reminding them that the next goal was crucial. If the hosts could find the net first, they would be firmly back in the game with the momentum with them.
The formation was tweaked, James John, the David Luiz of the team, going back into his favoured centre back role, and Dave Healey, to left back.

The captain’s words immediately seemed to have the desired effect.
Felixstowe had to go out and declare their desire to get back in the game. Even at this early stage of the season, Felixstowe were looking at a lowly table position if they couldn’t take points here.
Sam Harris was called upon, who had an instant impact, winning a short corner with some quality stick skill. Although this came to nothing, Felixstowe started to look dangerous, playing some Dutch total hockey that saw Nomads getting deeper and deeper. The Nomads keeper had to be at the top of his game as he denied Woodhouse’s drag flick, follow up, and third attempt, in an epic treble save. If Felixstowe were to score, it would need to be something special to beat this keeper.

Finally, Cambridge’s resistance was broken after inspiring work from Entwistle.
In the congested ‘D’ Entwistle weaved in, past, around, through, and over the flat footed defenders, leaving them trailing in his wake. He sublimely rounded the keeper on the bye line. At a near impossible angle, he sweeped the ball reverse stick towards the goal. A cheeky Tom Offord managed to time his run perfectly and dived in to convert the, already goal bound, ball into the net. After much deliberation, the dubious goals committee awarded the goal to Offord.

The final whistle was blown, to bring a pulsating second half to an end. Felixstowe looked slightly disappointed they couldn’t find the winning goal, but delighted with their encouraging, and often Sky Sports worthy, second half display, that had many watching on their feet.

A vital point won, off a team who will no doubt be near the top of the table come the end of the season. Felixstowe look to build on this promising performance away at Broxbourne next week.

Man of the Match – Jack Entwistle for his crucial assist, and goal.