September Match Reports

The pitch laid like a carpet - new

Both players and fans set,

Then - after just seven mins

Dan Crosby burst the net!

Struck most sweet from thirty yards

His missile clipped the post,

A beauty - and deserved lead

That was doubled - almost!

Cary battled, then 'the pen'

Which sadly never came:

Kerry was tripped in the box

But refereeing: tame!

The Shannocks owned the first half,

Some great football was played;

When the half-time whistle blew

Out on the pitch we stayed!

Our new signings looked superb

The squad - improved - no doubt:

Bobby, Haylett and Money,

Plus others, soon, will sprout!

Wilson flying down the right

Looked dangerous all match,

But the visitors would see

Their equaliser - hatch.

From the right the ball swung in

And took a massive bounce,

It looped into the corner as...

The lucky Greens did pounce!

Jacko made some solid saves

As both teams fought on hard,

And the ref was busy dishing

Out his yellow card!

Galley had a cracking game

Smith - class off the bench,

The game beefy (and fast paced)

As each side manned its trench.

At the death, heartbreak arrived

To envelop The Rec,

Our ship - captained well, but then

Bad luck flooded the deck.

A cross from the left launched high

And sailed through the air,

Finding the net - Heath winged it;

A draw would have been fair!

But that's football, on we'll march

Our young team shall progress,

Let's make up for it Tuesday 

At home to CBS!

Beneath the lights excitement grew

But soon - into a hole

We had fallen: after 5

CBS scored a goal!

A free header from close range

Knocked us right out - stone cold;

And on 30, 35 -

In, two others, rolled!

Two strikes smashed the Shannocks net,

Half time - barely a sound

Trickled throughout Weybourne Road,

But suddenly - we found...

A brand new gear - and on 50

Smith (off the bench once more),

Crossed low for Cary to fire

And cause the stand to roar!

The reds now in complete charge,

Another goal was due;

Ryan Haylett's run and drive

Soon added number two!

And time was on Shezza's side;

A great buzz filled the air,

After tasty build-up play

Cary yelled, 'Get in there!'

A stunning strike outside the box,

The keeper's chances: nil;

But, sadly, the Reds would swallow

One more bitter pill!

Clumsy mix-ups in the box

Allowed Norwich to go

Back in front - but our young team

Have passion that would show.

Wilson - whizzing down the right

Had owned their number three;

From a corner at the death -

Another goal we'd see!

Haylett's looping header found

The net with pace, but wait,

There was still time for action -

And lots of teeth to grate!

Crosby's free-kick beat the wall,

The keeper it did roast;

How unlucky he was for

His shot to clip the post!

Four all! What a cracking game,

Three nil down at the break;

And we almost won the match

But a point we will take.

Bring on Cornard, Saturday

A long trip we shall face;

But, our fans, like last season

Could take over the place!

A strange match: goalless, frustrating

Scrappy, without flow;

The best action - on half-time:

Clean through, Wilson did go

Tumbling inside Cornard's box,

A blatant penalty

That home fans would own up to,

The ref, though, could not see!

Shannocks bossed the second half

New forward, Shaun Dunthorne

Blasted over from close range,

A miss that we would mourn.

Haylett's header - disallowed

Apparently, a pull

Took place, but t'was very harsh

And over it we'll mull.

We kept going - no goal came

But, as the clock ticked fast,

Ards broke free and almost nicked

The win; we watched aghast!

With our goal gaping - their strike

Flew wayward, in delight!

And with only seconds left 

We'd get another fright!

A through ball - which Cox would 'sort'

Handed the hosts a chance

Inches outside of our box...

The Red wall took a stance!

Boycie, with his bushy beard

Played well - his first game back,

Rogers - coming off the bench

Went close with his long crack!

A point away, on we'll move

To create history,

Our F.A. Vase journey starts:

The Road to Wembley!

Sunshine beamed on Weybourne Road

Excitement grew and grew,

And - our FA Vase debut

Was just about to brew!

A balanced first half took place

The best chance blasted high,

By the visitors who loved 

To let each clearance fly!

We nearly ran out of balls

And as the tension rose,

Yellow cards, reluctantly

The ref would soon expose!

Shannocks fought for every ball

The passion shown - immense;

And great vibes were stirring, that

In the air we could sense!

From restart "Spike" Milligan

Would make a top-drawer save;

He tipped over as we rode

The last Newmarket wave!

The Shannocks took control, and 

On fifty: what a ball

Played in by Dan Crosby who

Would cause home fans to drool!

Connor Kerry glanced it home

A cracking and cool finish;

And the Reds did not switch off

To see their work diminish!

Just over five minutes passed

Before - again he charged,

Slotting home a Crosby pass

Our lead: being enlarged!

Shannocks kept the tempo up

And, coming off the bench -

A skikful, young future star

With one big thirst to quench...

Kieran Devlin almost scored

His pace causing huge trouble;

And, for a brill save, Kerry

Would add to his sweet double!

The Jockeys puffed on, but there

Was NEEEEEIGH way o'er the fence;

To the sin-bin a slow trot

Would also soon commence

For dissent - and with ten men

The outcome now was clear;

In the next round we welcome

Walsham-le-Willows here!

Wilson, Galley, Boyce and Cox

Haylett, Bobby and Sands,

Each put in a massive shift -

Along with all the fans!

An historic, special day

The whole club - one big team;

And, although it's early days 

On lives our Wembley dream!