Both teams played good football without any quarter being
given. However, Thrapston were slightly the stronger team
and had the majority of possession in the first half. Only
some good goalkeeping and defending prevented Thrapston from
taking an early lead. “Man of the Match”, Luke
Stevens was thwarted by the post early on after chipping the
ball over a stranded keeper. Ise Lodge worked hard and created
a number of near chances although the Thrapston keeper was
rarely troubled. In the dying seconds of the first half Thrapston
were awarded a free-kick just outside the penalty box which
Luke Stevens put out of the keepers reach into the top right
hand corner of the net for his 22nd goal of the season.
A number of substitutions were made during the game but the
team remained strong. However early into the second half some
sloppy defending at a corner allowed Ise Lodge to score the
equaliser. Thrapston though continued to battle with Ryan
Watkin and Luke Stevens linking up well and both having good
chances to score. In the end this partnership earned its just
reward when Luke Stevens beat a number of defenders before
passing to Ryan who calmly slotted the ball past the Ise Lodge
keeper (with his LEFT foot! !).
Thrapston then dug in and remained in control until the final
whistle, for a deserved and hard fought victory.
