Report

Downham’s final game of the season was played at Rouses due to the unsuitability of the West Winch home ground. The result of the match would probably prove to be irrelevant as the clubs await a decision from the league about whether the match should go ahead after a late call off earlier in the season by West Winch. It was likely therefore that whatever happened, Downham would take 2^nd place. This was not communicated to the players beforehand though as they sought to end the season on a high and not rely on the league to gift them the point needed. 

In what turned out to be a rather bad tempered affair, not helped by the fact West Winch were unable to provide a neutral referee, Downham battled against the odds to deservedly earn the point they needed to secure a richly deserved 2^nd spot on the Mid Norfolk Division 1.

With the influential Tai Fleming on holiday, Torin and Ben also sat this one out but it was great to see them on the touchlines cheering the lads on. Dom started his first game for a while on the right hand side of midfield. Ryan B started in goal, Harvey, Ryan P and Conor across the back, Jamie, Jo and Oli were also in midfield with Toby the lone striker. Spencer, Jack and Tegs were on the bench. 

The game kicked off with Downham causing early problems. A great through ball from Toby was latched onto by Jo who moved into the area and as he eased around the goalkeeper, was hauled to the ground. Unbelievably for the large gathering of spectators, the ref saw nothing amiss and waved play-on. The lads were clearly affected by this and by one or two other decisions that went against them in the opening minutes. However, there was no excuse for some slack defensive play on the right hand side as a ball over the top was picked up by a West Winch forward who moved into the area and coolly rolled the ball into the far corner. The goal ended Downham’s proud clean sheet record spanning 6 games. Jo then missed a clear 1-on-1 to equalise as this time he was set free by a superb through ball from Jamie.

It appeared as if it was going to be one of those days as the reliable Ryan B inexplicably fumbled a tame, looping shot and laid it into the path of a West Winch forward to finish from 5 yards out. 

Substitutions were called for after 20 minutes as Oli, Dom and Toby were replaced by Tegs, Jack and Spencer. 

Downham continued to pose the most threat but just couldn’t score. A succession of corners and scrambles saw West Winch survive. Jack went through after being released by Jamie and brought a fine save out of the West Winch keeper. Finally however, Jo got on the scoresheet as for the forth time, he went 1-on-1 with the keeper following a Ryan Potter pass, and slotted it into the corner.

A further chance came as Spencer’s effort from a back post corner was blocked. A West Winch forward almost put into his own net from 6 yards but a fine save prevented it going over the line. For a fifth time in the half, Jo went clean through after another exquisite through ball and he somehow managed to scoop the ball onto the bar when it seemed far easier to score. 

The half-time whistle came with Downham unbelievably behind when in reality, they should have been out of sight. Jo having a fantastic game but was coming in for some harsh treatment on the pitch from his opponents and unfortunately received little protection from the official. 

With Downham unchanged in the second half, it turned out to be a repeat of the first, with Downham doing all the good work in terms of good football and creating chances, but were letting themselves down with unusually poor finishing and slack defending. 

We were beginning to lose count of the numbers of opportunities that Downham were missing when what can only be described as a very harsh decision against them was given for a handball which very few if anyone bar the referee saw. A corner was put into the near post which jumped up off the surface and seemed to catch Jack around the shoulder area. The referee was all too quick to point to the spot on this occasion adding to Downham’s frustration about what was happening.

Ryan B made up for his earlier mistake and flung himself to his left to produce a magnificent save however, his defenders let him down badly by not rushing to his aid to prevent the West Winch forward from following up his miss and putting his side 3-1 up. 

Downham rolled up their sleeves and came again. They scored the goal of the match when a ball was moved out wide to Jo who moved it down the wing before spotting a great run into the box from Spencer. His inch perfect cross was expertly turned in on the volley by the forward and Downham were back in it.

Some very disappointing behaviour from a West Winch supporter led to him being asked to leave the coaches area and it was all getting a little out of hand. 

More pressure from Downham then forced another corner and Tegs delivered it low and near post this time. It seemed to surprise the West Winch defender on the post as he attempted to clear it but miskicked and the ball ran through his legs, caught the keeper off guard who could then only turn it into his own net. 

With Downham still on top but now with the scores level, they went on the attack to seal the match. Spencer would have been clean through but made his run a fraction to early and was caught offside. He did get through from a Ryan Potter pass but saw his shot fly by the far post when in a great position. 

Jo then cleverly made it 4-3 to the cheers of the Downham supporters as a cross to the back post was expertly converted as he turned a ball from a narrow angle at over waist height back across goal and past the keeper. 

Surely Downham wouldn’t let this go? With Dom now on for Spencer, Downham pressed again but they couldn’t find the target.

One of their attacks broke down in midfield andHarveyfound himself well out of position. A through ball down the right exposed Conor and he was outpaced as the West Winch forward’s shot disappointly went through Ryan Brown and into the net for 4-4! 

There was still time for Jo to go through on goal yet again and this time he skewed his shot wide from 12 yards when everyone expected it to be the winning goal. 

The full time whistle went on a very entertaining, yet controversial game. Downham will kick themselves that they failed to convert the countless opportunities they had and be disappointed about the sloppy goals they conceded. Three of which were certainly avoidable, one of which were highly debateable.  

The lads were clearly nervous because of what was at stake, and with football being the game it is, you sensed this was never going to be a straightforward encounter. However, Downham overcame the odds with pure effort, grit and determination whilst never going close to scaling the heights achieved in the previous few games. They did it the hard way, which proved to be a more satisfactory end to the season than settling on the league was awarding the points. Well done to all. 

Man of the match – Ryan Potter (an all action performance and some classy touches in midfield)