At home to Blofield on Saturday, Spixworth shared the spoils from an entertaining 1-1 draw. With many on and off field connections between the clubs, and Blofield still smarting from final day defeat last season, a result which handed the Sterry Cup to Sheringham, this fixture had been eagerly awaited.

At home to Blofield on Saturday, Spixworth shared the spoils from an entertaining 1-1 draw. With many on and off field connections between the clubs, and Blofield still smarting from final day defeat last season, a result which handed the Sterry Cup to Sheringham, this fixture had been eagerly awaited.

Once again Spixworth's line up was determined by two late call offs. One can only sympathise with 'Midi' whose pre match preparation is thrown into chaos by these enforced changes. On Saturday playing conditions were far from perfect, a rock hard surface with a very strong wind blowing down the pitch ensured it would be a difficult afternoon for football, both teams however, coped well.

With the wind advantage Spixworth were quickly into attack, forcing Blofields keeper into early action. Early determination was rewarded after just seven minutes when James Richardson put Spixworth ahead with a low shot from inside a crowded Blofield penalty area. Spixworth were enjoying the better of these opening exchanges, Damian Didwell wasted a glorious chance of making it two, lifting a shot over the bar with the keeper stranded following a wind assisted attack. Blofield served notice of their attacking threat shortly after forcing Ross Bilham to make two excellent saves, one of which he deflected onto the bar. Play continued to ebb and flow, both teams displaying great enthusiasm. Spixworth were carving out several goalscoring opportunities as the half progressed, Peter Williams and Damian Didwell having the best of these and should really have done better. Although a goal to the good at half time, home supporters were in agreement ,from chances created Spixworth ought to have been further ahead.

Expecting to be on 'the back foot' playing into the wind, Spixworth supporters must have been impressed with their teams second half performance. The anticipated onslaught from Blofield failed to materialise, no doubt in some small part to a well organised midfield and defence. Goalscoring chances for Spixworth were few and far between but despite having the lions share of play, Blofield created few clear cut chances themselves. Having played well as a lone striker the tiring Damian Didwell was replaced by Lee Cosgrove for the final twenty minutes. With time running out the visitors attacks became more frequent and appeared stronger. Eight minutes from time they equalised from a corner capitalising on slack marking. Into the last minutes a Blofield forward spurned a chance to snatch all three points steering his shot the wrong side of an upright from close range with the goal at his mercy.

Most will agree, a draw was a fair result. Both teams had contributed to an enjoyable encounter well controlled by referee High. Norfolk Senior Cup action next week when Ridgeons League Thetford Town are the visitors. Hopefully 'Midi' will have a full squad to choose from and will not be disrupted with late call offs.

John Keymer