First defeat for Angels

NORTH Walsham hosted Loddon on Tuesday night and lost 2-1, their first defeat of the season.

Sprowston Athletic 2, North Walsham 2

FOLLOWING the previous week's impressive victory over Cromer, North Walsham travelled to bogey side Sprowston Athletic and drew.

There were three changes to the squad due to the unavailability of Alexander, Davies and Adam Bunton. Their places were taken by Davidson, Gainsford and Nicky Bunton with Hanby and Palmer moving into the starting XI.

Town started brightly and should have been ahead within three minutes. Fitzgerald broke clear down the right and his low cross found the onrushing Hanby, but he miscued with the goal at his mercy.

Sprowston then began to impose themselves and Town were struggling to contain their tenacity and fluid attacking play. Fisk, in the Town goal, made a couple of instinctive blocks to preserve his clean sheet. Hanby again had a chance to open the scoring but fired high and wide when well placed.

Soon after, the Angels found themselves a goal down. Grand's clearance struck Lown and the ricochet fell nicely into the home winger's path and he fired home past a stranded Fisk.

The deficit increased minutes later when Doggett was dispossessed in his own half and a swift attack ended Armes sliding home a fine cross.

Walsham were well and truly on the ropes at this stage and looked grateful for the half-time whistle.

After a stern talking to at the break, Walsham set about gaining a foothold in the game, but it seemed as though it wasn't be their day. Fitzgerald, who was proving to be a real thorn for the home side, twice went close whilst the Athletic attacks were comfortably handled. Midway through the half, Town introduced all three subs and with an attacking formation threw everything at their hosts in an effort to salvage something.

With five minutes remaining, Gainsford broke down the right and crossed to Alex Fitzgerald who held off his marker and fired into the bottom corner.

The Angels then had two penalty appeals turned away before they grabbed the opportunity to nab an equaliser.

Following a corner, which was half cleared, Hinton moved into the box and was adjudged to have been impeded as he skipped past his marker, the referee pointing to the spot.

Amongst all the furore over the decision, Lee Clarke displayed ice-cool nerves to fire home the spot kick to claim a point for the Angels with the last kick of the game.

Despite the lacklustre performance for three quarters of the game, Town have to be happy with the point gained, but must hope for better performances in the coming weeks.

They should be boosted soon with the returns of Hudson, Muir and Wilton to the squad.