Lowestoft Town 4 Kirkley & Pakefield 1

Thanks to Will Randle for doing the following match report at yesterdays match, while I was serving at the Lowestoft Town Beer Festival.

Viner, Okay, Crane, Gaughran, A.Smith, J. Ainsley, Gleeson, Fisk, Eagle, Henderson, Frew. Subs: Ashlee Jones, S.Ainsley, Mitchell, Cunningham.

Lowestoft romped to a 4-1 win against local rivals Kirkley and Pakefield this afternoon.

A good start from the blues and in particular excellent hold up play from Michael Frew set the tone right from the beginning.
Lowestoft had an early penalty shout turned down after an apparent foul by the Kirkley number 2 on Adam Smith, however the referee waved play on. Frew had his first chance of the game moments later, placing his shot over the bar. Kirkley then had their first sniff at goal, blazing over from a corner.
Some questionable goalkeeping from the opposition number 1 nearly led to Chris Henderson robbing the keeper, who later managed to hold on to a shot from distance at the second attempt with Henderson, again ready to pounce. Frew shortly had another attempt saved, Lowestoft really beginning to assert some class. The hardworking Frew then hit the post before Gleeson saw his shot flash wide.
After a good spell of dominance, Henderson opened the scoring 5 mins before the end of the first half, placing the ball past the 'keeper's near post.

Trialist Ashlee Jones came on for Will Viner at half time, good early pressure from the blues saw a deflected shot from Frew saved. Jones did well to parry a shot after a Kirkley counter attack, the former Canvey Island man really impressing during his trial period.
Frew finally grabbed a much deserved goal running on to a through ball in the 64th minute, tucking the ball into the corner. Henderson really should have added a third moments later, great play with Eagle drew the 'keeper out but Henderson somehow hit the post when it looked easier to score. Jones then produced a save from a well struck Kirkley free kick, gratefully clutching the ball to his chest.
A fantastic curling effort from Scott Mitchell eventually did make it 3-0, before Kirkley pulled one back seconds later with a shot from inside the area which proved too strong for Jones to keep out.
There was still time for another goal though, Eagle claiming the pick of the bunch with a curling drive from just inside the box, making the final score 4-1 to Lowestoft.