Anglian Combination Div 2

15 November 2008

Reepham Town 4     Downham Town Reserves 0

Three early goals proved too much for Town Reserves to come back from. Reepham took control of the game straight from kick off as Town struggled to get any momentum going in their play. The second half was much better as Town battled for every ball and even had chances to pull at least a few back but it just wouldn't happen and Reepham added a fourth late on to kill any slight hope of a comeback.

Norfolk Junior Cup Round 3

08 November 2008

UEA 0     Downham Town Reserves 3

Town Reserves made their way up the A47 to face a UEA side that despite being two leagues below Town they were having a good run of results and must of fancied their chances to progress. The game was played in strong windy conditions and credit to both sides played the ball on the floor rather than in the air. UEA started the better as they looked to score a early goal. Town soon found their stride though and started to cause problems for the home defence. It was Town who broke the deadlock when Paul Morton whipped in a corner which Jerry Lowery header was pushed onto the bar but Craig Dickson was in the right place to poke home. The goal stunned the home side and looked out of place and was nearly punished when another corner from Paul Morton found Jerry Lowery unmarked who headed home but the goal was disallowed for a push which only the referee amazingly only seen. UEA afterwards realised they were in for a game and tried to push Town back but solid defending from Richard Fussell, Adam Burton, Lee Gunns and Jamie Gollands restricted UEA to limited efforts. Just before half time UEA did manage to get through when a deep cross was met at the back post but Nathan Nicholls blocked well. The second half started much the same with both teams battling for the next important goal. This goal however would fall for Town as a quick break allowed Todd Coughlan to run at the defending before shooting into the top corner leaving the keeper little chance. UEA pushed forward and had few chances to pull a goal back but Town made the game safe when Paul Morton delivered a free kick in from the right and the (veteran) Jerry Lowery coolly slotted home. UEA looked to get something out of the game but Town held firm to book their place into round 4.

01 November 2008

Norwich CEYMS 2     Downham Town Reserves 1

Town Reserves travelled to Norwich looking to get a good result before next weeks Junior Cup game. The game started with the home side the brighter and soon took the lead when a near post corner wasn't dealt with by Nathan Nicholls and found the net. Town battled away and soon started to create chances but couldn't muster a goal. Town though found themselves two down when Adam Burton back pass was intercepted and the forward slotted home. The home side then nearly added a third when a low cross went in front of the goal and Kieran slide in to block before the forward who would had an easy tap in, unfortunately though his block only put the ball towards the goal but Nathan somehow managed to keep it out. Town started the second half more brighter causing the home defence problems and found a way back into the game when Adam Burton headed home at the back post from Corey Barker's corner. CEYMS then started to back off letting Town to push forward and came close to levelling when Paul Morton kept the ball alive in the box and the keeper dropped the ball leaving Jerry Lowery to tap home but somehow it kept out via keeper and post. Norwich CEYMS held on for the win to progress while Town will feel pleased for their second half performance before next weeks game.

Anglian Combination Div 2

25 October 2008

Downham Town Reserves 0     Acle United Reserves 1

Town Reserves came into this game only one point behind today's visitors with three games in hand. The game it self started brightly as Downham kicked off they gave possession away easily and luckily the Acle forward could only shoot wide. It took Downham a while to get going and when they did they cause problems for Acle defence. David Liddel went close for Town but couldn't keep his effort down while Acle had a good chance on the break which brought out a smart reflex save from Nathan Nicholls. Todd Coughlan and Corey Barker had chances but couldn't force the ball home. The second half Acle started brighter with the wind behind them but found it hard breaking down Towns reshuffled defence of Richard Forsell, Jamie Gollands, Adam Burton and Kieran. Eventually a goal came but for the visitors as Downham struggled to clear the ball with the wind and it fell nicely for the forward to stab home. Downham pushed forward for a equaliser but Corey Barker couldn't keep his effort down when through while Adam Burton had a great chance from a corner but couldn't keep his header down. Acle held on for the win which easily could of been different if Downham had took their chances.

Norfolk Junior Cup Round 2

18 October 2008

Wensum Albion 1     Downham Town Reserves 2

Downham Town Reserves travelled to Wensum looking to reach round 3 for first time in many season. The game started brightly with Town moving the ball around well but Wensum defended deep and well, looking to restrict and frustrate Downham. Todd Coughlan had the first chance for the game but couldn't keep his shot down. However Town wouldn't have to wait long when Wensum half cleared a corner to the edge of the box and Jamie Gollands smashed the ball home. Jamie Gollands then shot over again from around same distance for his goal while Corey Barker also went close. Wensum soon after levelled though when the right winger was released down the flank and saw Nathan Nicholls off his line and hit a unstoppable shot that flew into the net giving Nathan no chance. The second half started more openly as Town started to give the ball away allowing Wensum to push forward. Wensum then had a chance to take the lead but the forward couldn't keep his shot down when through onto goal. This was possible turning point for Downham who started to take a grip of the game afterwards. Dawid Nabrdalik, Todd Coughlan and David Liddel all went close before Town did eventually re-take the lead. David Liddel closed down the home full back, winning the ball and whipped in a cross which found Andy Ess to knock home. Wensum pushed more forward looking for ways to level but couldn't break down Town's defence and Town booked their place in the next round.

Anglian Combination Div 2

11 October 2008

Downham Town Reserves 2     Great Yarmouth Town Reserves 3

Town reserves went into this game with a good win mid-week under their belts. Town once again had to ring changes to their side due to 1st team call offs and understandably struggled to start with. Yarmouth themselves started slow and took 10 minutes in for both teams to settle and open the game up. With chances being wasted either end the deadlock was finally was broken when a long ball from Nathan Nicholls was poorly headed by the Yarmouth defender which allowed Peter Melerski to advance and slot home. The lead wouldn't last long however as when Downham thought they had defended the corner Yarmouth put the ball back in and the forward broke the offside trap to score. Todd Coughlan then went close but the visitor keeper managed to push his shot onto the post and Peter Melerski couldn't knock in the rebound. Afterwards it was Yarmouth's turn to hit the woodwork when a long shot looked goal bound was flicked onto the bar by Nathan Nicholls to keep the score 1-1 at half time. The second half started quite as both teams looked to find ways to break each other down. Downham went 2-1 up when Cory Barker whipped in a corner kick and somehow found its way into the net possibly by a deflection or not. The lead once again though wouldn't last long as Yarmouth levelled when Nathan Nicholls failed to hold the ball and the forward knocked in the loose ball. Todd Coughlan and Mark Smith then had chances to give Town the lead for a third time but in the final few minutes Yarmouth countered and scored to nick the points.

Anglian Combination Div 2

07 October 2008

Downham Town Reserves 3     Fakenham Town Reserves 2

Downham Town Reserves entertained Fakenham Town Reserves in this re-arranged game. Downham shuffled their side that lost the other week and started the brightest moving the ball around well. Fakenham struggled to get into the game relying on counter attacks as Downham started to shift up a gear. Downham soon took the lead when good play down the right found Peter Melerski in the box and he fired home. The goal seemed to awake Fakenham who then started to look more dangerous but couldn't break a hard working Downham team. Todd Coughlan then made it two after a good run down the left beating his man and squeezed his shot in the near post to beat the keeper. The game became end to end stuff but it was Downham who added to the score line. Kyle Williamson was released from a quick break and found Todd Coughlan who slotted his second of the game and Downham's third. The second half carried on the same but Fakenham pushed more bodies forward in search of a way back into the game. This allowed Downham to break more frequently and should of added one or two more as Peter Melerski, Todd Coughlan and Corey Barker all went close. With 10 minutes to go Fakenham found a way back into the game when Downham were caught napping and the forward raced through and slot home. This gave Fakenham belief they could get something and 5 minutes to go scored a second when once again caught Downham cold. Downham battled and held strong as Fakenham pushed forward. In the last minute Downham survived a penalty scare when Nathan Nicholls was beaten to the ball and the Fakenham player went down, the referee turned the pleas down straight away but on another day could of been given but on this occasions was the right call.

Anglian Combination Div 2

27 September 2008

Downham Town Reserves 0     Norwich United Reserves 4

After last weeks win at Costessey Town Reserves should of been full of confidence going into this game against Norwich United Reserves. Unfortunately this wasn't the case as Downham struggled to make any impact on the game and only poor finishing from the away side kept the score goalless at half time. The second half continued much the same and eventually Norwich United broke the deadlock with a quick corner and the away player had time to steady himself and shoot an unstoppable shot into the corner. The goal seemed to knock Town while it gave Norwich United more confidence and soon added a second and third. With only minutes left Norwich United made it four to complete a bad day at the office for Downham.

Norfolk Junior Cup Round 1

20 September 2008

Costessey Crown 1     Downham Town Reserves 3

Town reserves made the trip to Long dale for their Norfolk Junior Cup match against Costessey Crown looking to get their first win of the season and progress into the next round for the first time in many seasons. Downham started the brighter moving the ball around well on a small uneven pitch but found it hard to break the home defence. As the game went on Costessey came more into it but it was Downham who struck first when Todd Coughlan broke free down the left and crossed in for Dawid Nabrdalik to tap home. Both teams had chances to add to the score line but with 8 minutes left to half time Costessey pulled level when a home forward was giving time to cut in and squared the ball for a team-mate to score. The second half Downham upped their game but couldn't find that goal to retake the lead. Costessey broke and Nathan Nicholls pulled off a one on one save then moments later they hit the post on another counter play. Stuart Frohawk then should of scored his first of the season when the ball found him at the back post but the home keeper somehow pulled off a save and the ball hit the bar before falling into the keepers hands. With 16 minutes left Downham retook the lead when Craig Dickson flicked the ball on and Adam Burton turned and shot to score. Costessey pushed forward looking to take the game into extra time but Downham finished the game off when Jamie Gollands shot was blocked and fell nicely for Craig Dickson to slot home.

Anglian Combination Div 2

13 September 2008

Anglian Windows 7     Downham Town Reserves 1

Town reserves travelled to Anglian Windows to restart their season after a lengthy spell without playing. Town thought they had taken the lead when Jamie Gollands was sent through and lifted his shot over the keeper but was suspiciously giving offside. Both teams enjoyed spells with the ball and created many chances. It was the home side who took the lead though when a free kick was given on the edge the box and was curled home. Todd Coughlin, Mark Smith and Andy Ess all went close for Town but Anglian Windows scored two further goals. With half time edging closer the home side added a dubious fourth when a pass was called by the home forward to 'leave it' and the forward went on to score which was questioned by the Town players but referee was having none of it. The second half Town carried on playing but Anglian Windows added a further two before a sort Corner by Craig Dickson picked out Jamie Gollands on the edge of the box. He made space by shifting the ball past the home defender before leasing a unstoppable shot into the net. Anglian Windows responded however with another goal and added a seventh late on. A good display from a completed Town side who battled on throughout the game despite the score. 

Pre Season Friendly

28 August 2008

Downham Town Reserves 3     Reffley Royals 0

Town reserves finished off their last pre season friendly with a 3-0 win over West Norfolk side Reffley Royals. The game started with both teams playing attacking football. Todd Coughlin had the best chances for Town while Reffley had the ball in the back of the net but only to be disallowed for offside. The second half started to open up and the chances started to come one after another. Reffley had the first chance to open the scoring from the spot when a Reffley forward was bought down but Robbie Back saw his effort saved by Matthew Harrison. Matthew Harrison then did well to block a one on one situation. Town eventually took the lead from the spot with Todd Coughlin slotting home. With Reffley pushing more forward Town broke the offside trap and Danny Foulsham tapped home after a cut back cross down the right. With full time arriving Town added a third when Danny Foulsham did well down the left and crossed in for the unmarked Todd Coughlin to head home.

Anglian Combination Div 2

19 August 2008

West Lynn SSC 2     Downham Town Reserves 1

Town Reserves kicked off their new season at local rivals West Lynn SSC and although lost 2-1 will take many positives out of the game. Town started well keeping the ball but couldn't find a way past a tough West Lynn side. It was the home side who created the first chance when a through ball found a home forward but Nathan Nicholls matched the shot pushing over for a corner. Town defended well limiting the home side to few chances at goal. West Lynn did manage to take the lead though when the ball was lost in midfield and a shot somehow managed to find its way into the corner. The second half Town started brightly pushing forward more and were starting to create a few opportunities for goal. It was West Lynn who scored the next goal when for a short period Town let themselves get stretched and a nice curling shot left Nathan no chance. With Town needing a way back into the game they pushed more forward and eventually managed to pull a goal back when Peter Melerski crossed the ball in for Adam Burton to poke home. A few minutes later Town nearly levelled when Peter Melerski crossed a dangerous ball in which looked bound for Craig Dickson knock home but a home defender managed to head the ball away but nearly putting into his own net. Craig Dickson then had a glorious chance to level the game when he met a corner but couldn't manage to get his header down. West Lynn took the points but overall Town should feel encouraged from their display.

Pre Season Friendly

30 July 2008

Watton Town Reserves 2     Downham Town Reserves 2

Town Reserves travelled to Watton with a young team and everyone battled well and put a good performance during a 2-2 draw. Town were 1-0 up within minutes as a shot was parried away only to a Downham player to tap home. Watton pushed looking for a way back into the game and found it with a free kick which swung in off the post. Watton looked the more dangerous and had chances to take the lead but stayed 1-1 at half time. George made changes giving all a run out and Town eventually retook the lead when a cross eluded the keeper and the loose ball was turned back into the box for a simple tap in needed. Downham had chances to extend the lead while Watton had few chances. Watton did level though when a shot deflected off a Watton forward and fell nicely for him to smash home. Overall a good run out for the reserves in which every player should be praised for their performance.