Suffolk & Ipswich League

Division 1

Thursday 27th April 2023

Kick Off 18.15 Actual 18.19

Somersham 0 Stowupland Falcons 3, attendance 87

1’ 0-1

29’ 0-2

74’ 0-3

@ Somersham Playing Field

Main Road

Somersham

IP8 4PF

No Admission or Programme.

This was a huge game, not only in the title race, but also the promotion places in this division, as only two teams go up and there are still 5 teams in the running. Coming into this Cockfield United were top on 46 points (+46 GD), level with Somersham (+30 GD), followed by Tattingstone United (+31 GD) on 45 points, all having three games left. Bacton United ‘89 were fourth with 43 points (+32 GD), but only have one to play, whilst Stowupland were fifth with 42 points (+32 GD) but crucially have 4 games left.

Stowupland got off to a perfect start, going ahead within a minute, hooking in from close range following a diagonal free kick into the box. It was 0-2 just before the half hour mark and again the goal came from a free kick played into the box, this time touched in from close range right in front of the ‘keeper as he came to gather the ball. Both teams were creating chances throughout, in an intriguing match. Stowupland made it 0-3 through an own goal with sixteen minutes left, when a free kick inside the centre circle was punted into the box and as the full back tried to clear, the ball span into the air and looped back over his own ‘keeper and dropped into the net.

Luckily, the forecast heavy rain was little more than drizzle, which stopped around halftime. The drive home through the roadworks on the A12 (not due for completion until next year) was much quieter than it had been en route.