Felixstowe & Walton United FC

BRENTWOOD TOWN 0 - 2 FELIXSTOWE & WALTON UTD

 Seasiders grab vital win on the road

Felixstowe & Walton United gained a crucial three points in their battle to avoid the drop after a convincing 2-0 win at Brentwood Town. Goals from Ollie Canfer and Miles Powell securing just the fifth win of the season for the Seasiders.

There was a new face in goal for Felixstowe, Jake Alley having signed from Ipswich Town on a month to month basis. Elsewhere, Stuart Ainsley returned to the side following his suspension, with Henry Barley missing the game due to illness.

Brentwood were looking for their third successive victory, having beaten Witham and Tilbury in the space of three days last week, the latter an impressive 4-3 win against a playoff chasing side that were Ironically hosting today’s game due to continued problems with the Brentwood pitch.

It was the visitors who started the game strongest, Armani Scharr and Ollie Canfer both seeing efforts at goal denied, but on fifteen minutes it was Canfer who opened the scoring, surging into the box from the left after some fine build up play from Stuart Ainsley and Jordan Matthews, to fire the Seasiders into an early lead. Both sides were being hampered by the gale force wind howling around the exposed Chadfields Stadium and it certainly did not help the flow of the game as the play became scrappy at times. Brentwood managed two decent chances during the first half, firing just over the bar when positioned well on both occasions, whilst Jordan Matthews was unlucky not to poke the ball past the goalkeeper when he found space in the six yard box.

Callum Bennett limped off at half time to be replaced by George Clarke, with Armani Schaar dropping back into the right back position. Schaar certainly showed his defensive qualities throughout the half, with three superb tackles to deny crossing opportunities drawing much praise form the visiting supporters. Felixstowe were creating the better chances and should have increased their lead on a number of occasions, Canfer seeing his superb snapshot well saved, Powell’s goal bound shot deflected wide and Clarke turning and firing inches wide. Brentwood were being well marshalled by the Seasiders defence and were creating very little, although one long range effort led to some nerves jangling as it skimmed the top of the bar. As the game entered its final minute Felixstowe won a free kick in a central position, 22 yards from goal, and Miles Powell stepped up to send his superb effort past the ‘keeper to bury the game.

Speaking after the game, Seasiders boss Stuart Boardley said. “I thought it was a thoroughly professional performance, it wasn’t a game where there were lots of good possession and good play but it was real battle, in all honesty I was really pleased with the players today, perhaps we’ve fallen foul in the past as we haven’t had that game management that we showed today, the players took on board what we said before the game and I would class that as a complete performance.” He went on to say. “Callum Bennett going off at half time was not ideal but I know Armani (Schaar) has played in that position against me on occasions whilst he was at Lowestoft, he’s got the physical attributes to play anywhere on the pitch. Jake Alley looked good today in goal and was solid, he did not have an awful lot to do today but what he did, he did confidently and gave our defence a real confidence in what they had behind them.” Boardley also spoke about the sad news of the passing of the Radio Suffolk reporter Simon Warr and our very own “Spanner” who also lost his brave battle this week. “Spanner was a much loved supporter and volunteer at the club and I have been blown away by the tributes I have read over the last two days, he will be sorely missed by everyone at this football club. Simon Warr had become a very good friend of mine and the news of his passing is extremely sad, he was such a character, but also a real gent and I know I speak for the whole non-league football world in Suffolk when I say he will be deeply missed.”

The Seasiders now go into next Saturdays home game versus Witham Town looking to make up further ground on the teams above them. The game is a “Pay what you want” fixture, and with Ipswich being away from home we hope for a great crowd inside the Goldstar Ground.

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