2006/07 Match Reports
League, Sat 14th April 2007
versus Mousehold Athletic
Won 2-1
Martin (2)
Albion played host to local rivals Mousehold Athletic for the third meeting of these two sides in all competitions and Albion’s final game of the season. Mousehold took charge of the game from the very first minute, passing the ball far more effectively than the home side. Dogged defending from Albion saw Mousehold reduced to a few long range efforts which rarely troubled keeper Tim Hales. Albion failed to create any chances in the first period but started the second half more brightly, Andy Rochford winning more of the ball in the air in the centre of the park.
The first goal of the game came on 70 minutes, a well delivered Mark Leeper corner found the head of Micky Martin who squeezed the ball through a crowd to put Albion in the lead. The lead wasn’t to last that long as some poor defending saw a Mousehold midfielder head home a goalmouth scramble from no more than two yards. With the game looking to be heading for a draw Leeper picked up the ball on the right and again produced a good cross where the waiting Martin pounced to knock the ball in at the second time of asking. There was still time left for Stefane Dunbar to clear the ball off the Albion goal line with his shoulder as Mousehold pushed for the equaliser but Albion deservedly held on for the three points.
Albion were left to reflect on what has been a good season after promotion from Division 3 and if remaining results fall in Albion’s favour then there is a possibility of a consecutive promotion to the top division.
League, Sat 31st March 2007
versus Jarrolds
Won 2-1
Gorbould, Martin
After last weeks disappointing result against Thorpe Village, Wensum desperately wanted to make amends and put in a good performance. Unfortunately injuries and absenteeism meant that Albion were down to the bare bones, with new signing, Dan Barnston making his debut for the club. The game started at a fairly frantic pace, with both teams having chances in the opening 10 minutes. It was Jarrold that looked the most likely to score the opening goal, with a succession of corners troubling the Albion defence. However, it was the team in white who gained the advantage, when a quick break saw Pete Gorbould dink the ball over the on-coming goalkeeper, who then simply headed the ball into the empty net.
Wensum looked a lot more confident with the score at 0-1, and they started to play some good football and were rewarded with a succession of their own corners. Although, like Jarrold, they were not able to capitalise on them, Ian Egerton coming the closest with a trademark volley going wide. With 15 minutes to go before half time, Jarrold managed an equaliser when a long ball from midfield managed to bounce over the Albion defence and fall to their left midfielder, who calmly slotted the ball home passed the Wensum keeper. Jarrold were unlucky not to go into the interval 2-1 up, when the Jarrold forward striked the ball onto the underside of the bar, with the follow up being put wide.
The second half saw a change forced onto Wensum when debutant Barnston had to withdraw due to injury. A quick shuffle of the pack, meant that Albion were more than capable of taking the game to Jarrold and push for the winner. The second half did see Wensum play the better football and they dominated the majority of possession. Albion were compensated with this dominance when Pete Gorbould played a ball across the edge of the 18 yard box, where Micky Martin was waiting to slot home to make the score 1-2 with about 15 minutes of the game remaining. Jarrold fought back with an abundance of corners, but were unable to convert any of them, with Micky Martin also carrying out his defensive duties with a herioc block at the last minute. The final whistle couldn’t come quick enough for Albion who were elated at the final score, and putting the previous weeks result firmly behind them.
League, Sat 24th March 2007
versus Thorpe Village A
Lost 1-3
Gorbould
Albion approached this game against lowly Thorpe Village in a confident mood after a good win at Costessey Crown last week. Some solid passing moves saw Albion get off to a good start as they dominated the opening twenty minutes without carving any real chances, Andy Rochford winning a majority of the headers in the middle of the park.
Against the run of play Thorpe found themselves in the lead with a deflected shot beating keeper Tim Hales from close range. Despite forcing a number of corners Wensum couldn’t find the net until Pete Garbould levelled the scores before half time when his cross caught the wind and flew over the Thorpe keeper.
As the wind picked up second half Albion knew they were in for a tough half. The passing that was evident in the first period seemed to go missing as Thorpe were allowed to play football. Thorpe took the lead when their midfielder shot from the edge of the box after some weak challenges. Albion really couldn’t get into the game and found themselves 1-3 down when again their player was not closed down before finishing well. A disappointing result in the end that looks to have ended any chances of promotion this season.
League, Sat 17th March 2007
versus Costessey Crown
Won 4-2
Leeper (3), Jarrett
This was the third meeting between Costessey Crown and Wensum Albion in all competitions with the previous two encounters finishing in draws. In windy conditions Albion chose to kick with the wind first half but inexplicably found themselves behind when a 30 yard shot flew over keeper Tim Hales to give Costessey the lead. Not to be outdone only minutes later Albion striker Mark Leeper took a pot shot again from 30 yards which found the top corner of the goal.
Albion started dominating the match and took the lead when Garbould saw his lob rebound off the bar finding Leeper only yards out who calmly slotted home. The score became 1-3 when Rochford pulled the ball back across the six yard box for midfielder Jarrett to tap in his first of the season. Failure to close down their midfielder in the closing minutes of the half allowed Costessy to pull a goal back with a quality shot low into the corner of the net.
After the break Albion knew it would be tough with the wind against them but battled well, restricting Costessey to half chances. At the other end AJ Jarrett went close before the game was put out of reach when Leeper completed his hat-trick, rounding the keeper and scoring from an acute angle. Overall, a solid performance from Albion against a good footballing side. With third place still within reach it is hoped the final three games with bring nine pints.
League, Sat 10th March 2007
versus Costessey Crown
Drew 0-0
With both sides in mid-table positions this was a must win game if either are to push for promotion this season. As in the previous clash between the sides in the Division Two Cup there were some strong challenges flying in during the opening ten minutes. There was an early twist to this match when Albion striker Pete Garbould and the Costessey left back were sent off for fighting. Garbould retaliated when kicked in the back by the Costessey player and both were given their marching orders.
In what was an end to end start to the match chances were surprisingly few and far between, Martin seeing an early shot fly over the bar and Costessey being denied by two fantastic saves by safe hands Tim Hales in the Albion goal. With one goal looking to be enough to win this tie both sides carried on with their attacking football. Good defending meant Costessey were restricted to half chances whilst at the other end Den Slowther hit the bar with Leeper, Jarrett and Martin squandering goal scoring opportunities. Overall it was a decent result against a quality side.
League, Sat 3rd March 2007
versus Blofield Utd A
Lost 0-3
The day got off to the worst possible start when a majority of the Albion team failed to find the Blofield pitch and ended up at various points around Norfolk. Many players wished they had remained lost for the kick off as Albion made a slow start in the opening minutes.
Albion striker Gorbould saw an early one on one chance end up with a shot over the bar. Blofield stamped their authority on the game and went ahead when poor team defending allowed their striker an easy 8 yard finish. They doubled their advantage towards the end of the half, a corner headed home. In between goals Gorbould couldn’t quite connect with a header in front of the Blofield goal mouth whilst appeals for what looked like a certain penalty were waved away.
The second half saw Albion play slightly better football Martin and Dunbar going close with scoring opportunities. As Albion committed more players forward in the search for a goal Blofield broke on the counter attack on a number of occasions, Keeper Tim Hales making some superb saves to keep the score down. Blofield finished the match off with a third goal to wrap up a disappointing result for Albion. A thoroughly awful display from Albion, not helped by a poor pitch and a pedantic referee who dished out four dubious yellow cards in total.
League, Sat 17th February 2007
versus Loddon A
Drew 1-1
Gorbould
With both sides mid-table and on the same number of points the match was a must win for both sides if they were to challenge for promotion this season.
As in the previous encounter between the teams Albion showed the initiative early on, dominating the play and making the most of the space on the pitch. On thirty minutes a mazy run into the area and a square ball across the box by Leeper allowed Albion striker Pete Gorbould an easy tap in from a yard out. Some resolute defending by Albion restricted Loddon to only half chances despite the obvious height advantage and aerial dominance by the Loddon players.
After the break it was end-to-end stuff with Albion forcing a number of corners that couldn’t be converted. A dubious free-kick was awarded to Loddon on the edge of the box on the hour mark. A lucky deflection off defender Philo saw keeper Hales wrong footed allowing Loddon to equalise. Leeper, Jarrett and Martin all saw chances go begging as Albion pushed for a deserved winner. Loddon certainly made the most of their strength in the air but didn’t test Hales for the remainder of the game.
Division 2 Cup, Sat 10th February 2007
versus Thorpe Village A
Won 3-1
Philo, Slowther, Martin
At long last, the trombone is unleashed...
For their final Group B Cup game, the Albion players agreed to pick positions out of a hat and have a bit of laugh watching players struggle in unfamiliar roles. Albion kicked off and managed to take control of the game early on, with the defence having very little to do in the opening 20 minutes. Then Stu Jarrett left a hopeful long ball to run out of play but somehow a Thorpe Village forward managed to squeeze the ball home from an acute angle.
Wensum started to press forward more and played some good one-touch football. Leeper hit the woodwork with a powerful drive and then a succession of corners finally ended with Jut Philo powering a header home from close range. On the stroke of half-time, another Albion player scored his first for the club - Den Slowther hitting the ball home from 30 yards, with a bit of help from the Thorpe keeper.
In the second half Albion battled well to hold off Thorpe from scoring an equaliser. Pete “The Fist” Gorbould, now between the sticks, made a number of saves and a goalmouth scramble from a corner ended with Carter making an outstanding block from 3 yards out. Albion finally made the game safe on 80 minutes when Micky Martin finished calmly after a low cross from Leeper.
A match played in good spirit and finished with a nice cup of tea back in the dressing room.
Division 2 Cup, Sat 3rd February 2007
versus UEA Reserves
Lost 2-3
Leeper (2)
The Albion players knew this was a must win game if they were to have any chance of making progress in the Division 2 Cup. As always the UEA players showed some good touches in the opening minutes passing the ball effectively without really threatening the Albion goalmouth. The first goal of the match went the way of Albion when a long ball into the box found winger Mark Leeper a couple of yards out who calmly slotted home.
Albion matched the UEA for effort and commitment but some missed tackles in the middle of the park led to the equaliser, their midfielder finding space in the box to score. In a see-saw game Albion once again found themselves in the lead, Leeper bagging a brace with a shot come cross sailing over the UEA keeper from 25 yards out. Albion looked to hold on to the advantage till half time but found themselves pegged back to 2-2 right on the half time whistle, another through ball wasn’t cleared and their striker grabbed UEA’s second of the match.
The fitness of the UEA players showed in the second half as they started to put pressure on Albion at the back and some good defending kept the team in the game. The winner came midway through the half from a corner with their midfielder rising first to head home. Albion did create a number of chances in the half, Rochford and Philo going close and a number of well delivered corners eluding the Albion players.
Division 2 Cup, Sat 27th January 2007
versus Costessey Crown
Drew 1-1
Beard
The first ever meeting between these two teams produced a close game in the Division 2 Cup, the match being switched to Costessey’s home ground at the last minute due to a waterlogged pitch at Heartsease High School.
Costessey started the game the brighter of the two sides putting together some good passing moves without really threatening the Albion goalmouth. Albion had one or two chances of their own, Graeme Beard missing some opportunities when in on goal. Midway through the half a mix up in defence allowed a Costessey striker to lash the ball home from 12 yards, Tim Hales having little chance to stop the shot. Albion showed lots of commitment for the remainder of the half and were rewarded before half time when Beard turned on the edge of the box and placed the ball in the top corner.
Costessey took charge of the game in the second half, their forwards guilty of missing some great chances. Albion were not to be beaten and battled well, Den Slowther going close with a well saved shot from distance and Pete Gorbould shaving the post. A point was very much deserved if not ideal. If Albion are to qualify for the semi finals they must now beat UEA in the next match to stand any chance of making the last four.
Division 2 Cup, Sat 13th January 2007
versus Mousehold Athletic
Drew 1-1
Beard
Albion opened their Division 2 Cup campaign with a group stage game against Mousehold at Heartsease School.
Both sides competed well in the opening twenty minutes with some strong challenges, a little bit of pushing and one or two shoves. Mousehold had the better chances and were denied by a superb Tim Hales double save as the half came to a close. However, just before the break a Mousehold striker found himself in space in the box enabling him to head home from close range.
Albion knew they had a battle on their hands but despite their efforts there were very few notable chances, Andy Rochford narrowly missing out on a header in front of goal. Tim Hales made another good save to keep Albion in the match before Graeme Beard latched onto a through ball and lobbed the Mousehold ‘keeper to even the scores. Some late Mousehold pressure was weathered and the draw seemed a fair result.
League, Sat 16th December 2006
versus Mousehold Athletic
Won 8-3
Beard (6), Leeper, Twite
This was the first time these two ground sharing clubs had met since a pre-season friendly when Mousehold came out on top. Albion started the game the brighter of the two sides, Dan Twite opening the scoring with a left foot volley after just five minutes. Mousehold quickly hit back when a short corner found a midfielder on the edge of the box who shot home disappointingly unchallenged. Albion regained the lead when striker Graeme Beard placed the ball past the keeper from 12 yards.
Early in the second half Albion looked to have wrapped up the game when Beard scored another two goals to celebrate a hat-trick. With the score at 1-4 Albion took their foot off the accelerator and in a few crazy minutes found themselves in trouble as Mousehold pulled the score back to 3-4. Beard bagged his fourth of the game as Albion started playing good football again. Albion finished Mousehold off with Leeper getting on the scoresheet and Beard netting two more to complete his double hat-trick.
Overall, an average performance from Albion who displayed some poor team defending but clinical forward play. A good end to the year for Albion who will start the New Year in 3rd place, a significant achievement for a team promoted last season from the third division.
League, Sat 9th December 2006
versus Marlborough Old Boys
Lost 1-2
Leeper
Marlborough Old Boys were the visitors to Heartsease High School as Albion were looking to inflict the first defeat of the season on the away side. The home side showed much of the initiative in the opening minutes and caused Marlborough a few problems at the back. Midway through the half Albion striker Beard found himself in on the ‘keeper only to see his shot rebound off the crossbar. The ball fell kindly to Martin who played the ball out to the edge of the box where Leeper powered the ball home from 18 yards for his eleventh goal of the season. The goal seemed to shock the league leaders as Albion dominated the remainder of the half.
Marlborough came out fighting in the second half and pulled the scores level when their midfielder headed home from a corner kick. The match looked to be heading for a draw when a counter attack in the closing minutes saw a jinking run and shot end up beyond the grasp of Hales in the Albion goal.
A good performance from Wensum that deserved at least a point.
League, Sat 2nd December 2006
versus UEA Reserves
Lost 0-3
Despite losing to UEA in the away fixture played earlier in the season Albion’s players were confident of taking something from this game played at Heartsease High School. Albion battled well in the first half and put in some strong challenges although were a little disappointed with the UEA play acting that ended up with Andy Rochford being booked.
Rochford came closest to opening the scoring, heading a Leeper corner against the woodwork. Midfielder Martin should have done better from another quality Leeper delivery but saw a header fly over the bar. With 40 minutes on the clock UEA undeservedly took the lead when a loose ball fell nicely to their midfielder who side footed home.
In the second half Albion still dominated the opening period without really playing the flowing football of recent weeks. The superior fitness of the UEA players then started to show as they created a number of chances many of which were superbly kept out by man of the match Tim Hales in the Albion goal. Two more goals for the students made the score line slightly flattering in their favour as Albion look forward to another tough game against league leaders Marlborough OB next week.
League, Sat 25th November 2006
versus Drayton Reserves
Won 6-0
Beard (2), Leeper (2), Rochford, Twite
Albion were hoping to record their first double of the season and rack up another hatful of goals against bottom of the table Drayton Reserves. In weather more suited to ducks and a pitch more suited to Subbuteo, Wensum got off to the perfect start when Graeme Beard latched onto a through ball from Martin and drilled the ball home from the edge of the area. Rochford, always deadly from two yards out, shortly made it 2-0 after good work from Dan Twite. A mazy run from Ben Carter, a couple of shots from Martin and a bullet header from Philo nearly ended up with a third for Albion before Beard grabbed his second with another neat finish.
Wensum didn’t show up for the second half and slowly let Drayton back into the game but the home side were unable to penetrate the rock solid Albion defence. The fourth Albion goal finally came after Twite calmly finished after Chris Dann put through Beard on goal. Leeper took his tally for the season to ten with two superb volleys near the end of the match to complete a comfortable victory.
So another three points for Albion but more impressively their fifth clean sheet out of eight league matches, the best of all three Divisions in the Business Houses Leagues.
League, Sat 18th November 2006
versus Thorpe Village A
Won 3-0
Bowes-Shorten, Beard, Leeper
Albion’s season has started to pick up momentum in the past few weeks and we were looking to secure all three points at home to Thorpe Village. The first half was mainly played in the Thorpe half as Albion took control of the game and passed the ball effectively. Striker Graeme Beard saw a couple of shots narrowly miss the target whilst Den Slowther hit the woodwork. The first goal came at the end of the half when a Mark Leeper corner was dropped by the Thorpe goalkeeper straight onto the head of Aaron-Bowes Shorten who scored for the second week running.
The second half went much the same way in terms of possession with Albion keeper Tim Hales having little to do between the sticks. Beard eventually got his goal turning sharply in the box and firing home from six yards after good work on the right. Mark Leeper then scored a third for Albion to put the game beyond doubt.
An improved performance on the previous week and a return to winning ways for Wensum.
League, Sat 11th November 2006
versus Loddon A
Drew 2-2
Bowes-Shorten, Martin
Hoping to make amends for a defeat against the students in the previous week Wensum Albion played host to Loddon “A” at Heartsease High School in a mid-table clash. Albion got off to the worst possible start when after five minutes a Loddon midfielder headed home unmarked from a well delivered corner. Albion battled hard for the rest of the half without creating any decent chances although Loddon had played some impressive football in the opening 45.
Albion were by no means at their best in the opening minutes of the second half but still managed to level the scores when Aaron Bowes-Shorten saw his cross-shot loop over the Loddon keeper and into the net. The shock on the lads face said it all. Albion enjoy making things as difficult as possible for themselves and Loddon regained the lead only minutes later as Albion defender Ben Carter was unlucky to see a Tim Hales save rebound off his leg and into the net for an own goal.
Albion striker Graeme Beard went close with a couple of efforts as the half progressed and a Loddon striker skied a shot from inside the box when a goal looked likely. The equaliser came on 70 minutes when midfielder Micky Martin smashed a sweet volley from 25 yards over the keeper and into the goal. The team certainly need to improve on this performance in order to push for promotion, starting with three points from next Saturdays match against Thorpe Village.
League, Sat 4th November 2006
versus UEA Reserves
Lost 0-3
Wensum Albion went into the game full of confidence after a scoreless draw against league leaders Jarrolds in the previous match. That confidence was soon dented when some sloppy passing allowed a UEA striker to knock the ball in from close range after just two minutes. Albion to their credit didn’t collapse under this early pressure and started to dominate the game as the first half progressed, playing most of the football in the UEA half. Den Slowther saw a shot from the edge of the box go wide of the UEA post although this was very much expected whilst Beard went close after a good cross from Bowes Shorten.
The second half saw much of the same with Albion pressing hard for the equaliser, Slowther again going close but the break through just wouldn’t come. UEA added another two goals to their tally as Albion pushed more players forward, the second of which a quality left foot drive that was very much unstoppable. In a game that Albion dominated, the final ball and finishing were simply not good enough to beat the league favourites.
League, Sat 21st October 2006
versus Jarrolds
Drew 0-0
Wensum Albion were keen to avenge a cup defeat by Jarrolds the previous week and started the game brightly with some crisp passing and probing attacking play. Despite having four regular players unavailable Albion continued to battle well, with both Coulby and Bowes-Shorten very threatening on the flanks and forcing Jarrolds into conceding a few corners early on. Midway through the first half Slowther jinked his way into finding some space on the edge of the box and rifled a shot just over the crossbar – the ceremonial trombone will have to stay in its case for yet another week.
Albion started the second half with a flowing move involving Bowes-Shorten and Martin, that ended with Beard nearly putting the home side ahead. The midfield battle continued throughout the following 45 minutes, with Rochford for Albion making his presence felt. Hales, showcasing his strong wrist action, dealt superbly with Jarrolds only real chance of the match. Once again the Albion back four were solid and have to be pleased with a clean sheet against top-of-the-table opposition.
A hard earned point for Albion in a game that could have gone either way. Not the most exciting of matches but at least the crowd were treated in the final few minutes to a Tom Coulby free-kick special.
Shoe Trades Cup - 1st round, Sat 14th October 2006
versus Jarrolds
Lost 1-2 aet
Leeper
Albion got off to the best possible start when a fluid passing move involving 5 players saw Mark Leeper put through on goal where he placed the ball into the net from 12 yards. Inevitably Jarrolds came out fighting and dominated the rest of the half without really creating any meaningful chances.
After the break both sides seemed to balance each other as the opening ten minutes of the half were played in the middle of the park. The first chance fell to Jarrolds when a loose ball wasn’t closed down by Albion and their midfielder scored with a powerful right foot shot. Albion striker Graeme Beard had a good opportunity to score late on in the game but saw the keeper smother his shot when one on one.
And so the game went to extra-time. Jarrolds made the score 2-1 in the first half of extra-time with a soft header eluding the Albion players on the line. Albion midfielder Den Slowther nearly evened the scores but his shot from the edge of the box crashed against the woodwork and rebounded to safety. Stephane Dunbar and Aaron Bowes-Shorten both squandered chances to take the game to penalties but by that stage Albion’s luck had simply ran out.
League, Sat 7th October 2006
versus Blofield A
Won 3-0
(Beard 3)
The game started at a frantic pace and Blofields accurate passing caused a few problems for Albion in the opening 10 minutes. Albion then started to find their form and were rewarded on 25 minutes when striker Graeme Beard saw a shot rebound straight back to his right foot before placing the ball into the net at the second attempt.
Before halftime Beard put Albion 2-0 up, shooting home from 12 yards. Albion were again slow to get started in the second half, allowing Blofield to play some early football. The first genuine attack of the second half for Albion saw Dan Twite beat his man on the left wing before pulling the ball back to Graeme Beard who slotted the ball into an empty net for his hat-trick. Both sides had late penalty claims turned down but Albion fought all game and deserved this victory.
Norfolk Primary Cup - 2nd round, Sat 30th September 2006
versus Castle Acre Swifts
Lost 0-2
After dispensing of West End in the previous round Albion were confident of progressing further in the competition as they hosted Castle Acre Swifts at Heartsease School. Both teams struggled to stamp their authority on the game in the opening minutes but Albion did create the more meaningful chances. A Mark Leeper cross from the right was met by the head of Micky Martin only to see the Castle Acre keeper make a brilliant reflex save to push the ball over the bar. Moment’s later midfielder Andy Rochford hit the bar with a strong header from an Albion corner.
Castle Acre’s only serious attack of the half led to their first goal of the game when their striker forced the ball home through a crowd of players from ten yards. Albion were unlucky to go into the break 1-0 down and had hopes of a second half comeback.
Castle Acre started playing decent football in the second half yet Graeme Beard and Dan Twite went close for Albion. The match was effectively over on 70 minutes when a player wasn’t closed down on the edge of the Albion box, allowing the midfielder to strike the ball low into the net.
League, Sat 23rd September 2006
versus Drayton Reserves
Won 14-0
(Leeper 5, Martin 3, Edgerton 2, Rochford 2, Twite 2)
After losing to Marlborough OB in the first game of the season Albion were looking for all three points as they hosted Drayton Reserves at Heartsease School. Mark Leeper scored the first goal after five minutes, tucking the ball away from inside the area. Swiftly afterwards Andy Rochford headed home from a corner to make it 2-0 before striker Ian Edgerton got off the mark for the season with another header, this time from a Dan Twite cross. Edgerton bagged a second soon after with a sweet volley after some excellent passing from the Albion midfield. Another goal for Rochford made it 5-0 and the score stayed that way until half-time, although Albion should have been into double figures well before the break
Drayton came out fighting in the opening ten minutes of the second half but couldn’t match Albion’s flowing football. Captain Micky Martin headed home to make it 6-0 before the floodgates opened with Leeper scoring another four, Martin another two and Twite also grabbing a brace. The final whistle couldn’t come quick enough for the visitors and the final score ended up 14-0 in a match that Albion dominated from start to finish, keeper Tim Hales and the Albion back four having very little to do during the game.
Both sides played a fair game and should be commended for the spirit in which the match was played.
League, Sat 16th September 2006
versus Marlborough Old Boys
Lost 1-4
(Leeper>
The start of this encounter saw both sides create some half chances without really testing either keeper. The first goal of the game came on 20 minutes when the ball fell to a Marlborough midfielder who shot home through a crowd of players from an acute angle. Albion began to play some good passing football after the break and were rewarded ten minutes into the second half when a Micky Martin cross from the right fell to Mark Leeper who placed the ball into the back of the net to level the scores.
Marlborough went ahead again after 60 minutes with a strike from inside the box eluding Tim Hales in the Albion goal. The score was 3-1 not long after when an accurate shot from the right side of the box nestled in the net. The match was put out of reach with 15 minutes to go when a header rebounded off the bar and over the Albion goal line. The final few minutes saw Tim Hales produce an outstanding save to deny the home side going further ahead.
Overall, Albion found it difficult to stamp their authority on the game in hot conditions but it was a certainly a game where Albion perhaps deserved a little more.
Norfolk Primary Cup - 1st Round, Sat 9th September 2006
versus West End FC
Won 4-2
(Martin 2, Bowes-Shorten, Beard)
Wensum Albion started the 2006/07 season with an away Norfolk Primary Cup fixture against West End. West End dominated the opening exchanges with accurate passing moves causing Albion a few problems. The first goal of the game came after twenty-five minutes and unsurprisingly went the way of West End. Under pressure from a West End striker, Albion defender Jut Philo slid the ball past his own keeper and into the Albion net. West End dominated the rest of the half and then doubled their lead five minutes into the second half when a far post cross was headed home to make the score 2-0 to the home side.
Albion then started to play the positive football that saw them promoted in the league last season and a fightback was on the cards. On 70 minutes, Aaron Bowes-Shorten shot from the edge of the box and pulled a goal back for Albion. A Mark Leeper cross was then headed home by captain Micky Martin to level the scores. Minutes later Martin got his second of the game - a tap in after a Tom Coulby free kick thunderbolt rebounded off the bar. The game was put beyond doubt when Graeme Beard finished well from six yards to make the final score 4-2 to Albion. After a rusty first half performance, Albion’s battling comeback after the break proved enough to see them through to the next round.
Pre-Season Friendly, Sat 19th August 2006
versus Mousehould Athletic First XI
Lost 1-3
(Rochford)
Without keeper Hales for this match, Albion had to rely on Carter, Gorbould and Bowes-Shorten to guard the goal. Mousehold were awarded a penalty midway through the first half after a scything "tackle" from Chris Dann. Although Carter got a hand to the ball it was not enough to prevent a goal. Albion equalised when Rochford capitalised on a defensive error. Wensum used the second half to give the full squad a run out, with plenty of rolling subs. Another two second half goals from Mousehold sealed the game but Albion were always a threat to the oppositions goal.
back to topPre-Season Friendly, Sat 12th August 2006
versus Mousehould Athletic Reserves
Won 2-0
(O.G., Jarrett)
Our first 90 minutes of 2006/07 ended with a comfortable win. A deft dink into the box from Edgerton resulted in a Mousehold defender heading into his own net and Wensum took a 1-0 lead midway through the first half. Further Albion chances for Slowther, Leeper and Edgerton could not be put away. A solid Albion defence never looked like conceding throughout the entire 90 minutes. Even a very dubious penalty awarded to Mousehold in the final ten minutes was spurned, probably due to the presence of "safe-hands" Hales between the Albion sticks. The 2-0 victory was sealed when Jarrett latched on to a cross from Gorbould.
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