Loddon Utd 2 v 3 Holt Utd Sat 1st March 2025 2.15pm ko
Scorers: Chrissy, Serg
Assists: Marcus, ??
Loddon: Dan Loades; Josh Knights, Bailey Hill, Jack Tipple, Alex Kounnas;
Matthew Webster, Elliott Hannant (c); JJ Godfrey; Tom Sergeant, Chris Husband, Harvey Johnson.
Subs: Marcus Dunthorne-McInerney, Jimmy Blake, Matt Ayre, .
Manager: Jake Sharpe Asst: El, Max

Four on the bounce…could it be five I wondered? Silly question; we’re playing Holt and they’re always a tough opponent. Still, the pitch was a bit rough after last week, so that might help. They won’t like the smaller pitch I thought. The availability of Marcus and return of the one and only Jimmy Blake was a bonus too…
It was quite an exciting game, but Holt brought desire and energy to the table and gave us no time to play or settle. They had the first effort on target from all of 25 yards but it was easily gathered by Dan after 5 minutes. Harv won a free kick which El launched to the far post where only visiting defenders were stationed to clear. A Holt cross was nicely cleared by Tipps and JJ’s press won us a corner which we couldn’t convert. On 15 mins, Alex conceded a free kick, the ball was in the air, Dan could only just reach to get a touch under the bar, but the ball dropped kindly for Holt who went ahead with a gifted tap in. 0 – 1
The game became rather scrappy and Chrissy struggled to deal with Holt’s big centre half who won most of our high clearances….Holt sniffed blood. Knightsy made a great headed clearance to a Holt cross but from the corner, miskicked low to the near post, two of us missed chances to clear, the ball dropped kindly again and another tap in put the visitors two ahead on 21 mins.. 0 – 2
Dan hit a nice ball out to Serg who controlled and played a cross field pass to Harv who cut inside and tried to curl his shot to the far post but it was wide, but at least we made a reasonable chance. Webbo was penalised for a late challenge on halfway and Dan was comfortable as he watched the free kick sliced wide. Dan was tested again with a high ball but managed to palm it away. El found Serg and Knightsy put in a great tackle. The ball spilled nicely for Chrissy in the box but indecision gave Holt the chance to clear. But again, a little better from us. Bailey played a nice ball into Serg on the edge of Holt’s box. He was fouled and the free kick came to nowt but least we closed the half with a bit of possession and making chances. HT
Sharpey made two changes for the second half; Jimmy came on for El who was suffering with a bad cold, or that’s what he told me to say; and Marcus came on for Harv. It wasn’t long before Jimmy made an impact posing an aerial threat as well as on the ground. Marcus’ running with the ball also posed a threat winning an early corner. 5 mins into the half he fired the corner low to the near post, Chrissy got a touch, and forced the ball into the net. 1 - 2
2 mins later, we were still all talking about that goal so missed the build up. But the keeper came for a loose ball after a Holt defensive lash-up in their box. He didn’t look confident and Serg’s lightning reaction, pace and strength got him there just in time to bundle the ball home with the keeper floundering. 2 – 2
How games can change. From nowhere we had drawn level and everyone’s spirits were lifted. We looked a different side. Bailey cleared, JJ picked up the loose ball and found Marcus but his cross faded behind. Jimmy’s press and heading ability in the middle were having an effect. Serg closed the keeper again, both were brave as they went in and shook hands after the clattering. A Holt throw briefly threatened but Webbo and JJ got important touches to avert danger. Serg’s last tackle had caused an issue and he had to come off so Max went on and Chrissy moved to the right.
Alex approached the opposition box but instead of a shot at goal he fired a pass to Max which was impossible to do anything with. The Ref showed a yellow to Chrissy for kicking the ball away in frustration after a poor pass and foul. Tipps dealt with the free kick. Dan dealt with the second of two messy Holt corners. Alex did well heading away another cross when under pressure. Holt got back at us again and another scramble saw Max then Jimmy pile in to protect our goal. Alex went down for treatment on his ankle and to slow things down a little...maybe. Chrissy made space and found Knightsy; he went back to Bailey who for once messed up his backpass. A Holt forward nipped in and Dan made a superb save when one on one at close range; redemption perhaps. A nice chip over the top found Marcus but the keeper dropped down to his right to get to the shot. Twice Jimmy found Marcus who won corners which both came to nowt. On 88 minutes from a long throw, good movement in our area saw a Holt forward nip in unmarked and volley home. Soul destroying to concede so late after such a good fight back. 2 – 3
5 minutes of added time were ‘game managed’ by Holt with a sub and big clearances; Chrissy saw red after his frustration got the better of him; Max hit a half volley wide; Marcus had a drive tipped over; Dan got away with a misjudgement, and we just could not find that little bit of magic to gain what should have been a fair point.

Great effort second half but it was a big hill to climb from 0 - 2. Tipps defended well throughout but it was Jimmy Blake whose excellent second half performance took the vote for Supporters ‘Musker MoM’…welcome home Jimmy!

Thanks to match sponsor Dave Matthews VP for his kind support. Sorry we blew it on St David’s Day!
…and where were the ‘Angel Snake Pit’ boys when we needed them?

Should’ve kept my big mouth shut about a possible ‘Five in a row’
Short trip to Thetford next then….see you there….JC