After what seemed like a long time since the last game of the previous season Felixstowe were confidient ahead of the opening friendly against long time rivals K&K, now under there new name of Felixstowe Wanderers. The squad was boosted by new summer signings of Dean Trigg & Chris Leeder, although third summer signing Michael Bird was unfortunately absent, apparently there was a more appealing game on at the Emirates!!! Also missing Jay Barker, the team had a some what unusual look to it:
Starting Line Up
Trigg
Southgate Atkins Lucking Watson
Ryan Matthews D.Self Leeder
Giles James
Bench: Maffey, Conroy, Jonny, A.Self
Felixstowe started brightly with Leeder receiving some early touches and producing a couple of mazy dribbles towards the box. One of these runs lead to any early chance, a trademark Seffers pass found Leeder who went past 2 men to fire just wide, a confidient start for the new man. As the first half went on Matthews & Seffers battled tirelessly in the middle of the park, winning everything and keep Felixstowe Wanderers normal dangerous midfield at bay. Halfway through the first half Felixstowe were forced into their first change, battling with Lee Gooding for the ball, Seffers got injured to be replaced by Maffey, with Daz dropping into the midfield. As the half drew to an end, Felixstowe created more and more chances, with Sean Ryan having chances, Seffers running through to shoot wide and Chris forcing a fine save from the keeper. Near half time Leeder was substituted for Conroy
Second Half began much like the first with Felixstowe having the majority of the ball and creating further chances. Leeder once again went on what was now becoming a trademark run to unfortunately loop his right footed effort high and wide. As Wanderers rung the changes so they came gradually back into the game, a 5 minute spell of attacking play led to a high ball into the box which decieved Athletic's defense and the striker cooly slotted the ball home.
0-1, some what undeserved considering the way the match had been heading. Felixstowe were buoyed by the arrival of Adam Self, coming on for Rossy at right back and soon got involved in the attacking play. Felixstowe didn't let the goal effect the way they'd been playing and soon they were peppering the Wanderers goalkeeper. Halfway through the half Alfie won the ball wide on the right and went on a run infield, which released Chris to fire in from the edge of the area, debut goal and throughly deserved.
1-1, and Felixstowe felt they could go on and win this match. Daz had a freekick which crashed against the crossbar, while Alfie almost capped a fine performance with a sweetly struck left footer just wide. Late on Adam crossed beautifully to only see his effort not met due to some tired legs.
The game came to a close and Felixstowe were throughly happy with the performance even if the scoreline didn't show what was deserved. Many good performance from the first game from everyone and hopes high for the upcoming season
FINAL SCORE 1-1 (LEEDER) - MAN OF THE MATCH: LEEDER
After last weeks impressive performance, Felixstowe were back in action against a highly rated Harpers A team. Rumours before the game were that the Felixstowe defence would be up against former non league player Sam Banya, but come kick off there was no sign of the Kettering Legend.
Felixstowe were at full strength with 17 players to choose from, including new recruits, Michael & Will Bird, and Ali Sheemings. This is how the side lined up:
Trigg
Southgate A.Self Lucking Watson
Atkins D.Self Matthews Leeder
James Giles
Bench: Maffey, Barker, M.Bird, W.Bird, A.Sheemings, Conroy
The game started, and within minutes Tommy had to come off with a knee injury (probably from moving too quickly when caught with his pants down... literally!!). Enter new signing Will Bird. Felixstowe started very slowly and for the opening 10 to 15 minutes had to fend off a few attacks from Harpers, wiht Deano saving well twice and Rossy clearing off the line from another. After these early shocks Felixstowe began to find their feet with the middle beginning to win the ball. Felixstowe's first real chance came when Leeder ran down the left into the box to cut back brilliantly to Seffers who hit a weak left footed effort right down the keepers throat. The chances were still few and far between for Felixstowe, although Matthews had 2 long range efforts, and Daz finished poorly when inside the area. Then when the game looked to be heading more towards Athletic, Harpers caught them napping, a good through ball cut the defense open and the striker hit the post only for the rebound to fall to his feet and slotted home. 0-1. Towards the end of the half both Maffey, Barker & Conroy were brought on for Leeder, Adam & Daz.
Halftime 0-1
After some stirring words at halftime Felixstowe came out a different team and immediately started to create chances. Sheemings & Mikey Bird were brought on for Watson & Gilesy, and Adam returned to the fold for Rossy. The chances started to flow, Maffey forced a good save from the keeper, Seffers, Daz and Gilesy also went close but still Felixstowe couldn't find a way past the Harpers keeper. With 20 minutes to go Maffey picked the ball up on the right and ran in field towards the area, firing a fierce shot which the keeper could only parry and Gilesy headed in the rebound, 1-1 and an excellent finish
Felixstowe suddenly looked dangerous whenever they had the ball and when the Harpers right back made a huge mistake, Gilesy was quick to react and slotted a ball across the 6 yard box for Daz to slot home.... although he took his time!!. 2-1 and suddenly the game had changed completely.
With the defense of Adam, Lucking, Barker and Mikey looking solid it was surprising when the ball was flotted in from a freekick and the striker was left totalling unmarked in the box and headed home, 2-2 and some how it didn't seem deserved.
Felixstowe didn't let their heads dropped and immediately started to attack, looking for the winner. Daz picked up the ball and took it past 2 men and knocked to Seffers on the edge of the box who shot was deflected into the centre of the box and Maffey reacted quickest to poke the ball home, 3-2, this was surely the winner.
With 5 minutes to go and the game seemingly over Harpers won the ball in the Felixstowe half and the player fired a 30 yard shot which Deano had no chance of saving, and it went in to the bottom right corner, 3-3, brilliant goal to save the game for Harpers
The final whistle went and brought to an end a brilliant game of football and a deserved draw for both sides. Felixstowe can once again take a lot of positive out of the game, especially with the way they came back from behind for the second week running
FINAL SCORE 3-3 (Giles, James, Maffey) MAN OF THE MATCH:- MAFFEY
After Having this match re-sceduled twice due to the weather it was finally on with felixstowe Lining up like this.
Trigg
Southgate Atkins Lucking (C) Watson
Riches
D. Self A.Self James Leeder
Bushnell
Subs: M.Bird, Shemmings, Maffey.
Finally this fixture got under way with Felixstowe starting brightly by putting the Rickinghall back four under alot of pressure and were rewarded with David Self winning a penalty which gave the referee Mr P. Cunningham no choice but to point to the spot. Daryll James steped up and slotted the ball down low to the right of the Rickinghall goal which put Felixstowe into a 1-0 lead. Rickenghall then started to try and penetrate the Felixstowe defence especially down the right hand side which kept left back Graig Watson very busy but he kept it tight with the help of Chris Leeder who was struggerling.
But on the odd occasion the Rickenghall front line would break through forcing athletic goalkeeper Dean Trigg to pull of a string of good saves to keep athletic in the game. Felixstowe then started pushing forward again and were rewarded by winning a corner with which watson took and curled the ball in to the back of the net to give athletic a 2-0 lead. With leeder struggerling he was subbed off shortly before half time for James Maffey to come on to play left wing. With Felixstowe leading they remained stable going in to the half time break.
With the half time talk underway there was another casuality from the first half with Daryll James having to come of with a calf problem.Michael Bird came on at left back with watson going to left midfield and with Bushnell dropping from up front into midfield leaving James Maffey as alone striker. With Felixstowe coming out for the second half pleased from there first half performance Rickeninghall took the game to the Felixstowe back line by putting alot of pressure on centre backs Tommy Atkins and Captain Si Lucking and with keeper Dean Trigg in top form it remained 2-0 half way into the half until athletic gave away a free kick on the edge of the penalty area and with Dean Trigg lining up the four man wall Rickenghall took a quick free kick which was curled into the back of the net without the permission of the referee according to the Felixstowe players this lead to athletic goalkeeper Dean Trigg to getting his name put in the referees book.
Then from then on in Rickenghall were camped in the athletic half and then drew level from an identical free kick with the exactly same outcome but there was controversie again as the athletic players complaining that the referee did'nt indicate that the free kick could be taken. Felixstowe then started to pick themselves up greating a few chances with one seeing Michael Bird hit a free kick against the Rickinghall wall from about 20 yards out. Then a few minutes later Rickenghall one a throw in and from that a ball was crossed in to the athletic penalty area and was headed in to put Rickenghall in the lead which left athletic number 5 David Self fuming cause he complained that the throw in was'nt taken in the right position for this it put him in the refs book for kicking the ball away. With about five minutes to go and with athletic 's cup dream finely slipping away Rossy Southgate was taken off with an injury for Ali Shemmings to come on and play right midfield leaving adam self to fill in at right back. But it was to late for athletic, as they went out of the Suffolk cup at the quarter final stage.
Final Score 2-3 (James,Watson.) Joint Man Of The Match: Atkins, Bushnell.
On a cold windy morning athletic turned up to grove on the back of a 3-2 defeat last week which was unjustified and lined up like this.
Trigg
Southgate D.Self Lucking (C) Watson
W.Bird Atkins Riches M.Bird
James Bushnell
Subs: Giles, Maffey, A.Self, Shemmings.
Felixstowe started brightly by kicking with the wind and pushed into the Bucklesham half and from alot of persistence they won a corner, with which Joe Bushnell scored from to give athletic a well deserved lead. As Felixstowe kicked with the wind it proved to be a good advantage has the athletic players rained shots on the bucklesham goal but with no joy. As the first half progressed with even more pressure Tommy Atkins was taken down the penatly area with which the referee pointed to the spot and as the same as last week Daryll James stepped up to take it and slotted it away but for the ref to blow up and ask for it to be retaken because some of the Felixstowe and Bucklesham players were in the penalty area when James took the kick. Therefore James Re-took the kick and succesfully put the ball to the right the goal to give athletic a 2-0 lead. With first half drawing to an end Will Bird on his return from oz launched a throw into the penalty area from which Craig Watson tapped a left foot shot into the back of the net to give Felixstowe a 3-0 advantage going into the break.
After the half time break Felixstowe lined up an unchanged side and with the wind against them this half Goalkeeper Dean Trigg was kept very busy especially with him having to take alot of goal kicks because Bucklesham were squandering alot chances wide and over the bar. But with Bucklesham having the wind at there advantage, athletic were defending for the rest of the half and with Michael Bird being replaced for James Maffey who offered athletic a bit of width on the left hand side for Felixstowe. But the athletic defence were working overtime with Buckelsham coming close with a couple of efforts but were having no luck. And so with the clock ticking down some athletic players were starting to tyre so manager Jay Middleton made a couple of changes with Adam Self coming on for Daryll James and William Bird coming off for Ali Shemmings. With the game coming to a close Sub Adam Self remained solid with Felixstowe's other substitute Ali Shemmings working hard down the right hand wing for the cause. But Athletic held on for a Brilliant 3-0 win.
Final Score 3-0 ( Bushnell, James, Watson) MAN OF THE MATCH : Atkins
With athletic having to re-shuffle because of the absence of striker Joe Bushnell and midfielder Adam Self Felixstowe lined up like this.
Trigg
Southgate Lucking (C) D.Self M.Bird
Riches
W.Bird Atkins James Watson
Maffey
Sub: Shemmings.
Felixstowe started the game by kicking with the wind but with Sizewell equaly up for the game they put the Athletic defence under alot of pressure and with Lucking and David Self on top form clearing up every ball that came there way, athletic started to attack all the pressure came down the left and side with Michael Bird taken alot of throwins which put alot of pressure on the Sizewell midfield as Athletic pushed for a goal. Felixstowe started to settle into the game by winning a few corners with Michael Bird coming close twice but with no joy. The Felixstowe team steped up gear and with Atkins combining with W.Bird Athletic came close to scoring with Bird narrowly missing the goal and with that it remained 0-0 going into the break.
After a very positive team talk at halftime athletic came out shooting into the wind which gave sizewell the advantage as they kicked with the wind. Alot of pressure from Sizewell in the second half keeped goalkeeper Dean Trigg very busy in the athlectic goal he pulled of some brilliant saves to keep sizewell at bay but for one bit of drama when Trigg pulled of a great save from a shot which was taken at close range and with left M.Bird and left winger watson puling of two goal line clearances that kept the scoreat 0-0 .As the second half progressed athlectic began to put some increased pressure on the sizewell defence which lead to Will Bird capitalising on some very dodgey defending from sizewell to give athlectic the lead. Athlectic minutes later made a Substitution which saw Shemmings come on to replace Gary Riches who at to retire through having gramp. But having battled through the game Felixstowe held on for the win to the delight of Athletic manager Jay Middleton.
Final Score 0-1 (W.Bird) Man Of The Match - Trigg
This week saw athletic face Northam Celtic at gainsborough sports Centre. The game was in jeopady right from the start because the official referee called the game off due to a frozen pitch. But after a while waiting for the pitch to thaugh out both teams came to an agreement with one of the Northam lads taking charge of the game and with that Felixstowe lined up like this.
Trigg
Southgate Lucking (C) D.Self M.Bird
W.Bird Riches Atkins Watson
James Bushnell
Subs: A.Self, Giles, Shemings, Maffey, Leeder.
Finally Captain Si Lucking won the toss for the first time this season and decided to shoot away from the Sun in the first half. With both teams up for the game it was Northam Celtic who started the brighter causing alot of problems for the felixstowe back line but as the same as last week it was the centre halfs of lucking and seffers who kept northam out in the opening minutes. Rossi Southgate also kept the right hand side solid by making a couple vital interceptions. But with athletic starting to get into there strid, Came the break through with Daryll James lobbing the keeper from 18 yards to put athletic into a 0-1 Lead and miutes later came a corner from the right hand side taken by left winger Craig Watson which was glided into the roof of the net by left back Mike Bird to score his first goal of the season. But with the half time whistle fast approaching northam pulled a goal back to there side hope going into the break.
With Felixstowe going into the second half they took the game to northam with Watson and Will Bird putting lovely balls in to the box for James and Bushnell but with no joy and with both team battleing hard mainly in the midfield with seffers now in the heart of centre mid he took control of the match and battled hard throughout. Mike Bird and Gary Riches were then sacrificed for Substitutes Chris Leeder and Adam Self to come on and with the impact of Chris Leeder he soon took advantage of the tyrering legs of the Northam players by capitalising on a mistake in there defence and slotted the ball home from the six yard box to put in to the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-3 to athletic and with the time ticken away, Daryll James scored with a good assist from Will Bird which was good for him coz he missed a hat full of chances throughout the game. Then with minutes remaining leeder one a penalty and with Daryll James took to complete his hatrick and with ten minutes left James Maffey came on for Joe Bushnell who put in a good shift. But with that the ref blew the final whistle to cap of a great day for athletic.
Final Score 1-5 James 3, M.Bird, Leeder, . Man Of The Match - Seffers
As the same as last week then with Athletic facing Northam Celtic for the second time in a week and so Felixstowe lined up like this.
Trigg
Southgate Lucking (C) D.Self Watson
W.Bird A.Self Riches Leeder
James Maffey
Subs: Atkins, M.Bird, Shemmings.
With the game under way Northam started the brighter and with alot persistance they went into an early lead after a lapse in the Felixstowe defence and with that Felixstowe stepped up there game and went in the search for an equaliser, with wingers Chris leeder and Will Bird providing alot cross field balls for strikers Daryll James and James Maffey, but with no luck until Leeder broke free down the left hand side and curled a surblime ball into the celtic penalty area for maffey to head into the back of the net to draw Felixstowe level in the game. Then with athletic starting to progress into the Northam half maffey broke through and had an effort saved by the keeper but from the re -bowned leeder slotted the ball into the net to put athletic into a 2-1 lead. Then with the star man of the half James Maffey in top form he got another goal by breaking through the Northam defence and chipped the ball over the keeper and into the back of the net to put Athletic 3-1 up going into the second half.
After a quite rifiting half time team talk athletic went out to put the game to bed and with that they went 4-1 up when Craig Watson popped up in the celtic penalty area to slam a right foot shot into the roof of the net. Then with Atlhetic looking comfortable they sent on Ali Shemmings for Chris Leeder and with Shemmings on the field he soon got to grips with the game by shrugging of a defender and slotting a lovely ball into the back of the net with his first touch to give felixstowe a 5-1 lead. Then with the game dead and buried Athletic sent Tommy Atkins on for James maffey then a few minutes later Ross Southgate gave way for Michael Bird to come on at right back. But with that the ref blew the full time whistle to give Athletic a brilliant win.
Final Score: 5-1 (Maffey 2, Leeder, Watson, Shemmings.) Man Of the Match- Watson
Away day at Chantry park then, Felixstowe lined up like this,
Trigg
Southgate Lucking(C) D.Self M.Bird
Riches
Atkins James Watson W.Bird
Maffey
Subs, Leeder, Shemmings.
Felixstowe Started the game very poorly and were put under alot of pressure right from the start with Bawdsey causing alot of problems for the Felixstowe back four and with a through ball Bawdsey came close by hitting the post and with that moments later Bawdsey took the lead with there striker putting the ball into the back of net due to a mistake in the Athletic defence. It stayed like that right the way through to the break and with Athletic having to make a change by bringing of injured Tommy Atkins and sending on left winger Chris Leeder.
With Felixstowe trailing by one goal they just did'nt have the extra edge they needed to force there way back into the game. But with athletic pushing forward they got caught on the break with them considing a second goal and with the game finally starting to slip away from athletic they sent on striker Ali Shemmings for Chris Leeder. But with Felixstowe starting to try and get something from the game with shots from David Self and Si lucking and with the game coming to a close Bawdsey went and got another two goals for good measure which completed a very bad day at the office for the Athletic team.
Final Score: 4-0 Man of The Match - Riches
After a week of Felixstowe returned and lined up like this.
Trigg
Southgate Riches D.Self M.Bird
W.Bird Atkins A.Self Watson
James (C) Leeder
On the back of a defeat in the last game Athletic were out to bounce back and with Felixstowe starting a bit slow to begin with they soon got into there stride with Craig Watson capiltilising on a mistake in the Riverside defence to put Athletic into the lead, The athletic team then started to feel comfortable they then went on scoring spree with Leeder and Adam Self with a sirblime 30 yard shot and James all getting on the score sheet. Then with the half time break soon approaching Will Bird went close with a shot hitting the cross bar and before Craig Watson got his second goal of the game he came very close to getting a first half hatrick with Adam Self putting an awesome ball into the box Watson headed the ball to the near post which came agonisingly close with the keeper safing it on the line. And with that the referee blew for half time with athleti leading 5-0.
With Athletic buzzin from there first half perfomance they wanted more of the same and with Watson in top form he quikly got his third with a brilliant right foot strike to put athletic 6-0 up. Then with Felixstowe looking very comfortable they got another goal with Will Bird firering the ball the ball into the back of the net to make it seven nil. Then came a special moment for the club vetern Rossi Southgate as Athletic were awarded penalty which was won by Cary Riches, Southgate stepped up to the plate to score his first ever goal for the club which capt of a great day for Felixstowe Athletic.
Final Score 8-0 (Watson 3, Leeder, James, A.Self, W.Bird, Southgate. Man Of The Match-Watson
On a Sunny Day in Bucklesham Felixstowe lined up like this,
Trigg
Southgate Atkins Lucking (C) Watson
W.Bird D.Self Riches Leeder
James A.self
Subs- M.Bird, Giles, Maffey.
With Felixstowe feeling a little confident from last weeks great comeback they started the game slow with Bucklesham causing alot of problems for the Athletic back four but they just about kept them out. Then with a free kick taken by Tommy Atkins, David Self laged onto the ball to put Athletic into a 0-1 lead. But it would'nt stay that way going into the break when Bucklesham drew level but the Felixstowe players thought that the goal should'nt of counted because they thought there should of been a free kick for a challenge on left back Craig Watson. But thats how it stayed going into half time.
With the Half time break over Felixstowe started very scrappy but came close with a couple of way wood efforts. Then 10 minutes into the half Manager Jay Middleton brought on Steven Giles for Chris Leeder. But a few miutes after that things went down hill from there with Bucklesham went close by hitting the bar but only cause of brilliant defending from Rossi Southgate and then the unthinkable happened when Bucklesham took the lead which totally deflatted athletic so they took of Will Bird and put on James Maffey but with the game coming to a close and the fixture slipping away Daryll James came close three times the first with an overhead kick which was tipped away by the keeper and then he hit the bar then he went close with a free kick which should of been a penalty. But minutes later the ref blew the final whistle to end the game.
Final Score : 2-1 D.Self.
With the sun shining in Felixstowe, Athletic lined up like this,
Trigg
Southgate Lucking D.Self Watson
Riches
W.Bird James (C) Atkins Giles
Maffey
Subs- M.Bird, A.Self, Shemmings.
Felixstowe got straight into the game and with bareley a minute on the clock athletic went into an early lead with Steven Giles slotting the ball into the back of the net after a cross field ball from William Bird. It stayed like that for whole of the half with game getting a bit scrappy in the centre of the park. But Felixstowe did get through a couple of times with some shots from James Maffey and Tommy Atkins and with that felixstowe went into the break 1-0 up.
Athletic started the second half the same way they finished the first with manager Jay Middleton making no changes. And so the second half started with athletic defending straight from the off and with that Bramford drew level with slack defending from Felixstowe. Then with the game level it was time for a change so manager Jay Middleton brought on Adam Self for James Maffey and with that came a well worked move with an unlikley source of Gary Riches scoring a wounder goal from just outside the penalty area to put Felixstowe 2-1 ahead. Then with six minutes to go Jay brought another substitute Michael Bird for one of the goal scorers Steven Giles. Then in the dying minutes Bramford pushed forward for there final attack and won a corner and they hit the bar then they fouled goal keepeer Dean Trigg but all the Bramford players thought they equalised, But the ref gave athletic the free kick.But in the end Felixstowe hung on for the win.
Final Score: 2-1 (Giles, Riches) Man Of The Match- Southgate
Felixstowe turned up and lined up like this.
Trigg
Southgate D.Self A.Self Lucking (C)
M.Bird Atkins Riches Watson
Maffey Giles
Sub: Shemmings
Athletic started the game very brightly and with great persistance from James Maffey, he crossed the ball but for the keeper to save it and then popped up Craig Watson to slot the ball into the back of the net to put athletic in front. But the lead did'nt last long with copdock equalising with a shot that looped over goalkeeper Dean Trigg which to be fair he could'nt do alot to keep out. Then with Felixstowe defending they went 1-2 down with Tommy Atkins scoring an own goal and so things went from bad to worse for athletic with Rossi Southgate fouling in the penalty area which gave the ref no choice but to give a spot kick and with that copdock went 1-3 up going into the halftime break.
With the halftime break over Felixstowe went out onto the pitch to try and restore the game back into there favour but no sooner than that they went down 4-1 with copdock playing good football to the dismay of the athletic players. Then with Felixstowe chasing the game they then went on the attack and with a lay of from striker James Maffey, David Self hit a craking strike which went in the bar to bring life back into the athletic side but the copdock team were just to good for Felixstowe and with that they got a fifth which buried athletic so they brought on substitute Ali shemmings who done well when came on for Michael Bird but it stayed like that right to the end of the the game with the final result 2-5.
Final Score: 2-5 (Watson D.Self)
For the final game of the season Felixstowe lined up like this.
Trigg
Southgate D.Self Lucking M.Bird
W.Bird Atkins Riches Giles
James (C) Maffey
Sub: Shemmings.
Felixstowe went into the game after a two week break and were after a win. Athletic started the game brightly but glasswells were so strong in the air and took the lead with a good set piece which was headed in at the far post early in the game which put athletic on the back foot. Then for the best part of ten minutes the ball was kept in the middle of the park with both sets of midfielders working very hard and with that the two front men went close with James Maffey forcing a save from the glasswells goalkeeper as athletic went in search for an equaliser but it stayed the same going into the half time break with the score at 0-1.
After the break athletic went out in search for an equalising goal but had little joy with only a hand full of chances. But with Felixstowe losing the battle they were hammered at the back with right back ross southgate taking most of the flack. With twenty minutes to go Felixstowe manager Jay Middleton brought on substitute Ali Shemmings for left midfielder Steven Giles. But with athletic trying to end the season on a high but they just could'nt finish the final product and with that athletic lost the game 0-1.
Final score:0-1 Man of the Match: D.Self