Heacham Vs Easton

As a supporter of Heacham FC I write the last match notes for 2020. This year for so many is beyond description. Football at this time for some of us is an escape and a huge thanks goes out to all the players, manager and staff for keeping us entertained with some wonderful football during 2020 and in particular during the pandemic.

We have recently lost a very dear friend to the football club and to me personally in Nigel Askew. Today’s match is in memory of Nigel and our thoughts from all the Heacham FC family that Nigel played such a big part in are with Sarah and family at this time.

On a blustery day Heacham kicked off into the wind, Easton started the game cautiously but looked like they could be dangerous on the break. After three minutes Matt Goss won the ball in midfield and floated a cross for John Flanagan whose header just cleared the cross bar. Then with continued pressure from Heacham a cross into the box from a free kick found Edward Tann who bundled the ball into the net. The Goal being disallowed for an infringement which seemed harsh.

Heacham dominated the midfield again getting to tackle in quick and not letting the Easton players settle, Easton did have a half chance when a free kick was floated into the Heacham area and Cleared by Sam Pishorn only for the Easton player to scoop the ball high over the crossbar.

The play began to ebb and flow with both sides looking to break John Flanagan beginning to get into the game with a couple of runs at defender s but with a shot just going wide. Easton then had a good chance on 20 minutes from a corner again with the shot flying high and wide over the Heacham Crossbar.

Then after a clearance from Easton up field the ball fell to the Easton striker who from a full 30 yards lobbed the ball over the advancing Sam Pishorn to score for Easton against the run of play.

Heacham then began to push for an equaliser, putting continued pressure on Easton’s defence with chances falling to the impressive Brad key who was covering every blade of grass and Jack Defty who was winning every ball in the air. Nathan Davies put in a super cross after a great run down the right which flashed across the goal with no Heacham player able to turn the ball into the net. Then after 26 minutes Heacham worked the ball well down the left and a driven cross by Jahy Chima found Nathan Davies head, with the ball coming back off the post and Jack Defty heading over the line easily to draw the sides level. The remainder of the half saw Heacham pushing for a second and unlucky not to score a couple more goals dominating the play with the Easton players not really playing with any pace and perhaps looking for a draw at this early stage of the game.

Heacham started the second half in the same vein pushing for the second goal with opportunities falling early on to Jack Defty and Nathan Davies. Heacham continued to push forward with the midfield winning early tackles and the defence playing solid with man of the match Royce Rawlings winning everything in the air and getting in some great tackles. Then after 25 minutes of the second half Heacham got the second goal they deserved after some great play up the left wing a resulting corner driven in by Brad key was met by Jack Defty for his second goal of the game to give Heacham a well-deserved lead.

This seemed to bring Easton to life, and they had a brief passage of play with a couple of half chances that did not worry the Heacham goalkeeper. Heacham continued to create chances and Easton began to get frustrated with some free kicks being given away in dangerous areas. Heacham using this pushed further with chances falling to Royce Rawlings whose header just went over the cross bar from a corner and a good shot from Alex Clunan whose shot was tipped over the cross bar for a corner.

Heacham saw out the last five minutes of the game comfortably and worthy winners at the end.

MOM Royce Rawlings great display at the back dominating his space with strong headers and tackles and almost topped it off with a goal.