Athletic Moreton Hall began the BDSFL new season with lots of promise. Boasting 10 new signings, the ‘Royal Blues’ outfit fielded 7 of their new stars. Still maintaining a very youthful side, the average age put out by Manager Rob Francksen equaled 19.5 years of age.
Beginning this division 2 clash verses the newly promoted Mildenhall Tigers, the visitors immediately looked to impress. A host of early chances re-iterated Athletic Moreton Hall’s hunger, however after total domination, and against the run of play Mildenhall Tigers broke quickly and scored a goal from nowhere on the 15th minute mark. A lesson to be learnt, the visitors quickly picked up the tempo again and drove forward creating chance after chance. With half time approaching, and still with nothing to show for it, it took a moment of individual brilliance from new signing Matt Miles to craft his way past the right back and fire home from an un-expected angle. Half-time 1-1.
2 substitutions were made at half time for Athletic, and with an encouraging team-talk, they looked to further press the game. A goal mouth scramble at 55 minute’s resulted in an OG from Mildenhall, and soon after, new signing Jack Brame drove forward from midfield and unleashed a shot, which sliced into the top corner.
At 3-1 up the visitors looked to gain strength, however the Mildenhall front men still looked dangerous when running at goal. A one-on-one opportunity soon provided itself for the home side, and when asked a question new Goalkeeper Tommy Tayler answered it with a courageous ‘Schmeical esque’ save.
As the minute’s passed Athletic continued to press, and the home side appeared to fade rapidly. On 75 minutes, substitute Charles Scott made a dangerous run into the penalty area, and too quick to catch the GK had no choice but to commit. In doing so he fouled Scott and a penalty was awarded. Old favorite Richard Maudlin stepped up and converted calmly. 5 minutes later and Matt Howard chipped in with a deserved goal slotting home for Athletic, by completing some lovely football. 5 – 1 at this stage, Mildenhall looked to save face by sticking 5 in defense. However, continuous terrorizing from winger Ben Stanford paid off and he got his first on 85 minutes. 1 minute later, he converted again with another probing run behind the back line. A 3-minute hat trick was so nearly achieved, however the GK spoiled.
The game ended 1 -7 to the visitors capping off a brilliant start to their campaign. A solid performance by Captain Jamie Bennett, Tom Fenner, Jon Vale and Luke Reilly also assured that very chances materialised at the Athletic end. Tireless work, complete ball control and aggressive drive earned 16-year-old new boy Jack Brame, the well-earned MOM
