Lowestoft Town included new signing Joe Francis amongst the substitutes as the top of the table clash with second placed Thamesmead Town went ahead on a cold but dry afternoon, Lowestoft having escaped most of the wintry weather that gripped the region.
Lowestoft Town included new signing Joe Francis amongst the substitutes as the top of the table clash with second placed Thamesmead Town went ahead on a cold but dry afternoon, Lowestoft having escaped most of the wintry weather that gripped the region.
Lowestoft made the better start with Adam Smith's free kick finding Neil Plaskett who glanced a header just wide. Scott Mitchell was next to go close as he curled an effort just round the post.
Mitchell was again in the action as he crossed for Matt Nolan to send a header just over the top. Jamie Godbold's speculative 30 yard effort dipped just over the bar. Thamesmead keeper Steve Northwood went full length to turn a Gary Holt drive round the post as Lowestoft searched for the breakthrough.
Thamesmead were looking dangerous on the break and Rikki Cable took the ball round Lowestoft keeper Andy Reynolds but Neil Plaskett recovered well to clear from in front of goal. Another dangerous break by the Thamesmead man saw him crowded out at the last minute. The first half ended with Jamie Godbold going past Marcus Perona but Steve Northwood turned his shot round the post.
Lowestoft had an early second half chance as Matt Nolan sent Scott Mitchell through one on one with Steve Northwood but the keeper spread himself well to block.
Thamesmead took the lead in the 52nd minute with Greg Crane slipping to allow Rikki Cable to run through, rounding Andy Reynolds to slot the ball into the net. Stung into action, Lowestoft started passing the ball more crisply and levelled the score in the 58th minute. New signing Joe Francis had replaced Jamie Godbold just a minute earlier when he raced on to Dale Cockrill's pass to shoot past Steve Northwood.
Lowestoft were now pressing the visitors back and an Adam Smith cross-cum-shot hit the Thamesmead bar. Lowestoft took the lead in the 67th minute. Matt Nolan was brought down in the area by Junior Baker as he moved onto Gary McGee's flick and the Blues leading scorer confidently smashed home the resultant penalty.
Nolan thought he had scored a second with a delightful chip which saw Steve Northwood stretching to tip over the bar. Joe Francis too was close to a second goal but Steve Northwood saved well.
A sporadic Thamesmead attack saw Andy Reynolds stretch to tip onto the woodwork a high dropping ball before Lowestoft sealed their win with a third goal five minutes from time. A left wing corner saw Gary McGee's header blocked but Greg Crane stooped to head home the loose ball from close range.
t Lowestoft Town: Reynolds, Plaskett, Smith, Holt, Crane, Halliday, Godbold (Francis, 57). Dale Cockrill, Nolan, McGee (Bussens, 86), Mitchell. Subs (not used): Darren Cockrill, Potter, Poppy
t Thamesmead Town: Northwood, Perona, Moore, Baker, Campbell, Tozer, Mulholland, Brown, Constable (Greaves, 66), Cable, Dawson. Subs (not used): R Momodu, McGeehan, G Momodu, Deadman
t Man of the Match: Gary Holt
t Attendance: 645
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