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Vets - John Bishop

28 Sep 08 Taverham v Loddon (Cup)
Taverham had not played Loddon before so it would be an interesting cup tie. Fortunately for us Loddon arrived with only ten men, an event that has happened to Taverham on many previous occasions.

Taverham started very strongly and were 1-0 up within 2 minutes, a great start. This gave us a real boost and for the next 20 minutes Taverham dominated 10 man Loddon and were 3-0 up within the half hour mark. At this point Loddon looked totally frustrated and demoralized. However the Taverham players also thought this was game over and decided to take it easy for a while! Loddon decided to give it a go and played their best football for the next 15 minutes. It was a wake up call for Taverham and we went in at half time only 3-2 up in a game that really should have been dead and buried.

A few changes at half time and Taverham were again dominating the game, an early goal put the visitors on the back foot and they really never recovered like they did in the first half. A good performance from the home team with 2 more goals coming during the game. Loddon managed to get a consolation 3rd goal just before full time but a convincing win from the home side. Fair play to Loddon they were very sporting and played well considering they were a man down, if they had the full squad it may have been a tighter game who knows.

This was the first win for the new mix of Taverham players, great performances again from Dion Ruiters, Mark Swaby, also a solid performance and welcome return from Gary Cooper.
 
Sunday 12 Oct 08 Taverham v Archant
Taverham were in a confident mood pre match with the news that Dion was now available to play, a real boost for the team as he was initially unavailable for selection.

Archant having won their first game were above us in the league so it would should be a tight game. Taverham started the game very strongly and dominated the first 30 minutes. A great near post header from John Kennedy from a corner for the opener followed by Dion's first of the game. As in previous games, Taverham seemed to take their foot off the pedal and let Archant start to play.

Half time 2-0 to Taverham.

Archant made several changes for the second half and were keen to try and get back into the game. Taverham were having none of this and totally took control of the game. John Kennedy was having a great game and put in a fantastic shot for the 3rd goal. From this point onwards, Taverham looked very good and were confident that the game was wrapped up at this stage. Archant battled on but really never looked like getting back on level terms. Taverham continued to push forward and could have had several more goals if it were not for some poor finishing and some great saves from the Archant keeper. After these failed attempts Dion Ruiters put in his second assisted by great play from Barry Cannell and John Kennedy. Archant Voted MOM player was Kevin Bass; and he popped up to put in Taverham's fifth goal approx 10 minutes from time.

Taverham continue their good form with a convincing win and a superb all round team performance, however in my humble opinion Dion, JK, Gary Cooper, Barry Cannell, Kevin Bassham were all outstanding.


Sunday 9 Nov 08 Taverham v Cringleford
Taverham were looking forward to continuing their good league form this week after an unlucky loss in the cup last week to a very good and strong Kings Arms Crusaders side.

This fixture was second v third and looked like it would be a close game. The visitors won the toss and decided to take advantage of the gale force wind. They made the most of the conditions and were very strong in the first 15 mins, Taverham were slow to settle and were giving the ball away to easily although it is always very difficult to play the ball on the floor at Hinks!!

Deon was unlucky not to score early on and this was evident when Cringleford were awarded a penalty after about 20mins. Mark Swaby (Taverham GK) has had a great season so far and the lads were confident that he could make the save. Unfortunately the player slotted home a great penalty to take the lead.
Taverham now had to pick up their game in order to continue their unbeaten League record. Fortunately Deon was playing superb and it was not long before Taverham were back on level terms, and by the end of the half were 2.1 up and looking much more settled.

Taverham were looking to take advantage of the wind in the second half but things did not go according to plan. Cringleford pushed forward and put a lot of pressure on Taverham for a good 15 mins but failed to capitalise on their good work. John Kennedy (Taverham) also playing well got the home side's third with some great play on the edge of the box and superb finish slotting a fine shot past the diving keeper.
Cringleford never gave up and pressured for a lot of the rest of the game, however Taverham defended well with makeshift centre-half, Bob Grapes was in the thick of the action. Another good win with some solid performances from the defence well done to Ian Stubbs, John Bishop, Bob grapes and Aaron Donnelly.


18 Jan 09 - Taverham v Cromer

This was a convincing win for Taverham who were almost 2 goals up within a couple of minutes of the game starting, a save from the Cromer GK and a goal line clearance saved the visitors from what could have been an embarrassing start. The first half was a very one sided affair with the visitors barely getting out of their half. Some quality goals from Mark Oliver, Dion Riuters and Gary Cooper looked to have sealed the victory.

Taverham started the second half 6.0 up and the manager was confident of the win and took a gamble and decided to play only 3 defenders. Cromer played much better in the second half and were pushing to get some goals on the sheet. After about 15 mins Taverham reverted back to four at the back due to the midfield being unable to click with the extra man.

Taverham netted the 7th midway through the half and had already missed several sitters at this stage. The Cromer keeper pulled of some great saves and stopped Dion and Mark getting 5 plus goals each on the day. In the last 15 mins Taverham gave away 2 silly goals, the lads knew the game was already won at this stage and they took their foot of the pedal allowing Cromer to grab a couple of consolation goals.

Overall a strong performance from Taverham,  the game was played in good spirit by both teams with barely a free kick all game.

A good team performance with Gary Cooper, Paul Cutter and Mark Oliver, the 3 players who made a difference, and Dion who had his usual solid performance.

I must not forget to mention Bob (Calzaghe) Grapes who managed to claim his first assist of the season. Bob was unsighted in his own goal area but with great perfection he managed to pick out the Cromer centre forward with a perfectly weighted back heel. This was gratefully received by the visiting striker and he skilfully placed the ball passed a diving Mark Swaby in the Taverham goal. One to remember that one Bob;  quality if ever I saw it!

Final score Taverham 7 Cromer 2. 


Sun 15 Feb 09 Rockland v Taverham
Finally the two teams got to meet after several call offs due to poor weather conditions. Taverham could only field 11 players this week with two keys midfield players unavailable for selection. The pitch was in poor condition with a lot of water and snow in the last week it was easy to see why.

Taverham started well with some nice passing being played despite the boggy outfield. Early into the game the Rockland GK was already proving to be tough to beat with some great saves in the opening 15 minutes.
Mark Oliver and Dion Ruiters were on top form and were unlucky not to score several times in the first 20 minutes. This partnership up front for Taverham is working very well, it is noticeable that they are getting to know each others positions with some lovely runs and one two's, and they are proving to be a real handful for opposition defences. Kevin Bass not wanting to be left out has also joined in and worked well with these two, with his good supporting play and some strong defensive work too.

Rockland battled away but with little or no opportunities coming their way apart from one shot on goal which they were unlucky with as it rattled the post. Taverham continued to push on and the constant pressure paid off with the first goal from Kevin Bass. It was not long after this that Taverham netted the second from Dion.

Taverham were ready to finish the game off at the start off the second half but Rockland were showing some real character to defend as well as they did. It was a similar half as the previous one with the home team battling away just to keep in the game. Paul Cutter was in the thick of the action for most of the game but his second half performance was outstanding. Bob grapes and Andy Layden also in midfield were superb with some real battling challenges and a work rate between them that was more like a youth game than a veterans match.

Again constant pressure finally paid dividends with Mark Oliver brought down in the box after another surging run. Roger Carpenter a long standing member of the squad without a goal to his name in five seasons was allowed to step up and finally get his chance to get on the score sheet. He had been practising before the game so was ready to make history and a name for himself. He calmly stepped up to the spot and put it wide of the diving keeper.... unfortunately it was also very wide of the outside of the goalpost as well!!! I think he may have to wait a while for his next opportunity eh lads...?

After this Rockland seemed to have a good ten minute spell a put a lot of pressure on the Taverham defence, however solid performances from the back four and Capt Mark Swaby (GK) ensured that Rockland did not gain anything from their good spell and soon after this Taverham regained control of the game. It was the last ten minutes of the second half that saw Taverham take another two goals, a cracking strike from Andy Layden and Paul Cutter with a battling challenge before netting the fourth for Taverham.
Final Score Rockland 0 Taverham 4.


Sun 15 Mar 09 - Cringleford v Taverham
After a disappointing result against Archant, Taverham were fielding arguably their strongest team of the season. With both teams needing the win it was going to be a tough game.

Taverham started well and for the first ten minutes looked relatively comfortable and Cringleford looked as if they were a bit unsure. However this was short lived as the home team took the game on and really pressured Taverham, although they had a lot of possession they never really troubled Mark in the Taverham goal. Around the 25 min mark against the run of play Andy Layden struck one from outside the box and it rocketed onto the top corner.

1-0 to Taverham. Just before half time Cringleford were awarded a penalty for a hand ball in the box. It was converted but only just as it was scuffed by the striker and bobbled over the line. 1-1 half time.

Taverham were looking to get back into the game and were not happy to settle for the draw so took the decision to play 3 up front, this was because in the first half the Cringleford back line was very solid and were getting many of the team back in large numbers. Again Taverham started strongly but Cringleford to be fair were more up for it, or so it seemed and they were a big strong side. About 20 minutes in a simple nod on to the front Cringleford player saw him going away from the goal, his run took him into the box and almost to the byline but somehow he managed to knock the ball across the Taverham defender (who had done a great job shielding him into this position) and the box at such an acute angle it fooled everyone a nestled in the back of the net.

This game was a role reversal for Taverham as this week Cringleford had many more chances to win the game with Taverham being the team to only have break away attacks and Cringleford always had 6 or seven players back and were virtually impossible to break down. They had done their homework too with Dion and Mark being constantly marked and physically roughed up by at least 2 players all of the game.
Cringleford's third goal was a great strike from the edge of the box and from that point on Taverham were well beaten. A good home win which was a fair result and we can't really complain, however, again a poor referee spoilt the spirit of the game with poor decisions and lack of them, not keeping up with play and the way he seemed to give one decision then, when confronted by the Cringleford players or supporters he would then change his mind!!

A disappointing result and game for Taverham who for the last two games have not really played as we know they can, Taverham must now win their last two games to still be in with a chance of winning the League.

Final score Cringleford 3 Taverham 1


Sun 5 Apr - Taverham v Rockland
 Taverham were under a lot of pressure to return to their early season form after some poor recent performances. Rockland were up for a game though after a good draw at Archant, who we thought were a strong side.

Taverham started well and seemed to be in control early in the game, however Rockland battled well and the first half was pretty even overall. Just before half time Rockland took the lead with a shot that was going well wide but caught a Taverham defender and deflected into the net.

Taverham kept their cool and put on a superb second half performance, the Rockland Gk was on top form again making several great saves. Taverham pressed on but it seemed like it was not going to be our day.

After about 20 minutes, Bob Grapes struck one from outside the box and it was like a rocket! It hit the top corner netting at lightening speed, at last the goal we needed was in the back of the net. From this point on Taverham really dominated the game and Rockland were defending with 7 and 8 players.

Chance after chance went by until in the dying minutes of the game a bit of Deon magic helped us get the 3 points. In the corner of the area he battled past 2 defenders who practically dragged him to the floor but somehow he still managed to put in a perfectly weighted cross which Aaron Donnelly headed into the top corner. The Taverham team were ecstatic and rightly so, they deserved the win although Rockland deserve some credit for their efforts.

A win away in the last game at Cromer will see Taverham top the table, however we will not get too confident as Rockand proved today that no game is an easy game.

Bob Grapes did a fine job as Capt leading by example, with a confident performance himself whilst still encouraging others. Outstanding performances also came from who else but Deon Ruiters, closely followed by Clayton Jones and that stalwart defender and unsung hero week in week out, Ian Stubbs.

Final Score Taverham 2 Rockland 1.