Littlington 3 : 3 Thaxted Rangers

Following the best pre-season I can recall, Thaxted went into their first game of the season on September 5th with a great deal of confidence. However, with 4 withdrawals from the squad, the 1st team were forced into a change of keeper and a different central defensive partnership to that played in the friendlies.

This was always going to be a tough test as Littlington had been promoted with a very good end of season run and had beaten two 2a opponents on their way to a Cup Final win.

Right from the off though, it was the visitors who went for the jugular, Charlie Daniels, Jamie Hansen, Tom Clark and Al Potter were causing all kinds of problems for the Littlington defence, who were struggling to cope.

It was the combination of Charlie Daniels and Jamie Hansen which finished with Jamie sweeping the ball home to put Thaxted into an early lead.

However, that lead was short lived, as Thaxted sat off and allowed Littlington to play their way through and the back four was caught square, so 1-1.

This did not change the pattern of play, as wave after wave of attacks rained down on Littlington, however Thaxted just could not find the finishing touch and then got caught by a sucker punch, an almost carbon copy goal for Littlington as Thaxted were once again caught too square at the back and a carbon copy goal to the first was conceded.

However, just prior to the break, Tom Clark was just about to have a shot from just inside the area, when he was pulled back, penalty! Charlie Daniels stepped and made no mistake, so all square at the break.

The second half and it was a pretty similar story - Charlie Daniels had another penalty shout turned down and a header cleared off the line, Al Potter went close with a great volley, Chris Grout had a good shot saved and it was very much a combination of excellent goalkeeping and last ditch defending that were keeping the score level.

However, Littlington did have one effort in the second half which did cause some controversy, a close range effort following a corner hit the bar and bounced down, what is it over the line, only Chris Grout will know as he hooked it off the line, opinion was divided!

Littlington though did go back in front, when a poor pass out from the back, let in the Littlington forward who was able to chip the keeper, suddenly the prospect of defeat was very real. However Thaxted kept going and with just a few minutes left on the clock justice was served, a great one two between Charlie Daniels and Chris Grout ended with Charlie coolly slotting home, so 3-3 it finished.

In many ways, both teams will be happy with a point.

Team: S Vince, M Holmes, A King, A Macdowell, S Mead, C Pink (capt), C Grout, J Hansen, A Potter, T Clark, C Daniels. Subs: N Brooks, M Tucker, A Domin. Goals: C Daniels (2 1 pen) & J Hansen