LOWESTOFT TOWN 2 MALDON & TIPREE 0

A violent thunderstorm threatened to ruin Lowestoft’s opening home game of the season as a flooded pitch caused the referee to take the sides off the field after 37 minutes with the Trawlerboys leading 2-0, writes Terry Lynes.

However as the rain ceased a team of ground staff, volunteers and players armed with forks took to the field meaning the game could resume after a 20 minute break.

After an early scare when a free kick from Terrell Egbri found George Smith unmarked in the six yard box to blaze high over the bar, Lowestoft began to take a grip on things.

Harvey Sayer was looking lively on his home debut as he cut inside to unleash a drive that whistled just wide of the post.

As the rain poured down Andre Hasanally tried a low daisy cutter on the saturated pitch which Luke Holt grasped gratefully in his arms.

Lowestoft eventually took the lead after 30 minutes as Sayer cut in from the right only to be brought down just outside the area.

Sayer himself took the free kick which was driven through a crowded goal area into the far corner of the net.

Just five minutes later Adam Hipperson was brought down in the area by Billy Willis for an obvious penalty.

With penalty king Hipperson off the pitch getting treatment Sayer’s spot kick was illuminated by lightning as he sent Thomas Middlehurst the wrong way for Lowestoft’s second goal.

Two minutes later, with the pitch becoming more difficult, the referee consulted both captains and managers and halted the game.

After a break of 20 minutes the conditions had improved sufficiently to restart the game.

There was still time before the break for Tom Fitzgerald to be denied a goal by an offside decision.

The second half was a rather tame affair with little goalmouth action.

Kyle Haylock saw a goalbound effort deflected wide by Alex Moss.

Holt was forced into a diving save to punch away a driven cross from Callum Stringer and in the dying seconds a looping cross from the right rebounded out off the Lowestoft upright.

TEAMS
LOWESTOFT TOWN: Holt, Norman, Murphy, McIntosh, Cole, Ruffles, Haylock, Fitzgerald (sub White 89), Reed, Sayer, Hipperson (sub Logan 65). Subs (not used): Nunn, Eagle, Burwood.

MALDON & TIPTREE: Middlehurst, Willis, Norton, Jaggs, Finneran (sub Topley 9), Moss, Hasanally, Stringer (sub Clark 56), Remi, Egbri, Smith (sub Ayoola 82). Subs (not used): Gregan, Collins.

REFEREE: Mr A Shipp

ATTENDANCE: 363

Report by Terry Lynes