Thaxted Rangers 1 : 2 Little Downham Swifts (aet)

The opening stages of October 17's game were dominated by the visitors, who showed why they are currently up the top of 2b. It took a while for Thaxted to get into the game but once they did, they never looked back.

Then the chances started to flow, Charlie Daniels came close following good link up play with Chris Grout. The same combination were then responsible for the opening goal of the game on the half hour, Charlie finishing well.

Shane Vince then hit the bar with a header, before Andy Macdowell had a header tipped over the bar and this was a sign of things to come, as whatever Thaxted appeared to be able to throw at the Swifts keeper, he was more than a match, so 1-0 at the break.

The second half continued in a similar vein with Thaxted the more dominant in a very competitive game. Then probably one of the best saves the Rec has possibly ever witnessed, Chris Grout broke through and from fairly close range unleashed a ferocious volley, which the keeper somehow managed to parry to safety.

Then the sucker punch, a routine save for Dan Latham was unfortunately spilled to the Downham striker who gratefully accepted the gift and it was all square.

Thaxted responded well and continued to play with pace and passion, but once again the Swifts keeper pulled off some miraculous saves, one from a superb volley from Jamie Hansen, another from a deflected effort by Al Potter which appeared bound for the bottom corner was somehow tipped round the post. So it went to extra time.

Thaxted continued to look the more likely, but it was the visitors who went in front half way through the first period of extra time, Dan Latham initially did well to support Jack Ormsby and take the ball from the oncoming Swifts striker, however the ball somehow squirmed from his grasp and the loose ball was prodded home by the Downham striker as Jack Ormsby attempted valiantly to clear the ball as it trickled over the line, agony for Thaxted.

The remainder of the game, Thaxted continued to play some great stuff, George Withers, Tom Clark and Charlie Daniels all went close, but the Downham keeper was not going to be beaten again.

A truly memorable match and quite possibly the best Thaxted performance this season - the back four were immense and the midfield barring the first 10 minutes controlled the game!

Team: D Latham, S Mead, A King, M Williams (capt), S Vince, A Macdowell, M Rendell, C Grout, M Holmes, T Clark, C Daniels. Subs: A Potter, G Withers, J Hansen, J Ormsby. Goal: C Daniels