Felixstowe & Walton United FC

FELIXSTOWE & WALTON UNITED  1 - 0  GRAYS ATHETIC 

Seasiders bounce back with vital home victory

Felixstowe & Walton United leapfrogged visitors Grays Athletic into fourth place in the table after a game that may not live long in the memory from an action and quality point of view, but may well prove to be a pivotal moment in the Seasiders season. A Callum Harrison winner on 58 minutes was enough to secure the three points ahead of next weeks trip to runaway leaders Hashtag United.

The Seasiders were without Milo Grimes due to a foot injury, whilst Noel Aitkens was the first to miss out through suspension after the recent flurry of red cards. Stuart Ainsley returned to the starting eleven after injury.

The first half was a bit of a non-event in truth with neither side able to get much of a foothold in the game, both sides cancelled each other out with the defences looking strong and no sustained periods of possession as the match turned into a stop-start affair. Lewis Clark for Grays found himself in a good position in the fifth minute and should have done better from 8 yards when he shot wide and Callum Watts long range effort was parried by the chest of Callum Robinson on 16 minutes. Felixstowe’s best chance of a quiet first period came on 28 minutes, Henry Barley sending in a free kick from in front of the home dugout that Billy Holland rose to connect and steer a header destined for the top corner until Danny Sambridge brilliantly turned the ball over the bar. Watts fired just over on 35 minutes for the Blues and Sambridge mopped up Barley’s strike from the edge of the box. The visitors saw Robinson deny them the opening goal as the clock ticked into added time, Callum saving superbly from the dangerous Watts from close distance before the ball was cleared away in front of the impressive Grays supporters behind the Colneis end.

Felixstowe managed to control the second half and stop Grays from creating clearcut opportunities for the majority of the 45 minutes, the defensive foursome of Ainsley, Ottley-Gooch, Whight and Bennett showing their experience and game management skills to enable the Seasiders to take their one golden chance and the three points. Holland headed at the keeper on 53 minutes before the introduction of Charlie Warren led to the winning goal on 58 minutes, his break down the left and subsequent peach of a ball into the area could only be parried by Sambridge, Callum Harrison took the ball down, steadied himself, took out two defenders with a side-step and fired the ball into the roof the net from six yards, away from the grasping hands of the keeper. The majority of the 400+ crowd sensed a vital victory and were nearly treated to a second goal shortly after, Ainsley’s long-range drive just inches away from providing the cushion the supporters craved. Watts sliced a shot well wide from 15 yards as Grays finally showed up before Charlie Warren shot over the bar from a Ollie Canfer cross. Robinson then turned match-winner on 86 minutes, Campbell for Grays heading down towards the bottom corner, but Callum got down superbly to claw the ball around the post and denied the visitors a point in their final chance of the game. Felixstowe saw out the game comfortably from there to bounce back from consecutive defeats and stay firmly in playoff contention.

 Report by Stuart Daynes

Photos by Stefan Peck

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