Clarky pearler secures another win

On Saturday we welcomed Whitton United to North Road in the First Division KO Cup 1st round. It was the third meeting between the sides and with one win each another close game was expected. Webster was without Scott Page who has a slight tear in his hamstring which could see him ruled out for up to 3 weeks. Calum Holyman was added to the squad with Ryan Salter back from suspension. We started the game well and put early pressure on the away side but our final pass was letting us down slightly. We were moving the ball well but a little to pedestrian and the away side came in to the game. Tevez had our first opportunity after some good play from Liam Whittaker and Philbo but his shot was comfortably saved by their keeper. The same player went close again when Liam saw his shot deflected, it fell in to the path of Tevez but he rushed his left foot shot and hit it wide. The away side were improving and nearly caught us out after a ball from wide was met at the back post but the player shot wide. We were then loose with our play and Whitton hit us on the break but Jake Holman made a clever foul for the team to thwart the away side. Kev Hughes then made a run from the back dropping a few shoulders in a 50 yard saunter but his shot was a little wayward and scuffed. Good play through midfield found Ricky whose pass to Philbo saw his left foot shot heading for the top corner but the keeper pulled out a great save to deny him. HT 0-0
We needed more tempo to our play and right from the start our play was better and Ricky earned a corner after a jinking run but once again Whitton defended well. The away keeper then produced another good save when Liam Whittaker hit a left footed shot. Our pressure finally told when a really good move from back to front was finally played by Sam Holman before being set back for Clarky, who bent a perfectly placed shot from 25 yards in to the top corner. The keeper got a hand but this time couldn’t stop Clarky making it 1-0. The away side made positive substitutions and had their best spell in the game but the boys are working so hard and look very organised, Beeson whilst playing well was comfortable and didn’t have a notable save to make all game. With the away side pushing forward a positive run from Charlie Thompson should have maybe seen us wrap it in the final minute but Charlie’s cross back saw Ricky hit his shot over the bar. FT 1-0
Another good victory that puts us in to the quarter-finals and a trip to Swaffham to look forward to in February. After the game and a 5th consecutive win and clean sheet the boys were buzzing but Tevez maybe a little too much, scratching, cupping and sniffing his nether regions. Warren again was the butt of jokes when he revealed he had a tanning session before his holiday to Dubai. It was fully justified though as Warren doesn’t want to look like a foreigner and clearly 1 tanning session will avoid this happening. Jake Gould was wondering who we might get in the draw but the whole process of how they do the draw was too much for him to take in. #merrrrrrrrrrrrr