Thaxted Rangers Yellows 5 : 2 Letchworth Eagles Black

A sensational result for the Yellows, inflicting the season’s first defeat on the team who were, until today, league-leaders. This result puts the Yellows in second place behind new leaders Standon & Puckerige Hares.

It was clear from the kickoff that this was to be a finely balanced game, with both teams clearly keen to assert their dominance as soon as possible. Jacob had the first shot on target, and was unlucky to see Letchworth’s excellent keeper deflect it onto the post. Moments later another good chance saw his shot skim the outside of the opposite post.

The visitors were first onto the score-sheet, however, after 17 minutes. A punt upfield by the keeper was picked up by their striker and slotted home. A soft goal and a timely reminder that the Yellows would have be considerably sharper to take the points today. And sharper they were. Jacob scored the equaliser on the stroke of 30 minutes and scored his second just before half time, Anton providing the pinpoint cross for the first of his three assists.

Immediately after the break Letchworth pulled one back. A straightforward free kick just outside the box looped over the Yellows’ wall and into the net. The Yellows’ third, six minutes later, was a great team goal in response to the visitors’ equaliser. Chris’s header from the half way line finding Anton, Anton finding Matty, Matty finding the net. Chris was unlucky not to score, too, moments later as his rasping shot from the edge of the penalty area was deflected round the post by the keeper’s outstretched fingertips.

The Yellows’ fourth, on the hour, was a classic set-piece defenders’ goal. Corner, header, bang. Nicely taken by Cole. Despite the two-goal advantage there was still serious work to be done with Letchworth ramping up their assaults on Ben’s net. Only when Jacob converted his penalty for 5-2 and a hat-trick could we breathe a little more easily for the last few minutes of the match, and enjoy an outstanding comedy moment as Anton took out the visitors’ linesman to cheers and laughter from home and away supporters alike.