Reports 2003 / 2004
18th April
2004. Kelsale and FerryBoat served
up an entertaining finale to the season. Although little rested on the result,
both sides played the game with passion and their technical ability was a credit
to both clubs. With strong wind and rain blowing down the slope, it was always
going to be a game of two halves, and FerryBoat started with the slight
advantage. The game was played at a fast tempo and the first opening of the game
resulted in Paul Johnson's low drive going close for the visitors. Ferry took
the lead when good play along the left flank led to a good cross into the area.
The flame haired Jim Lee trapped the ball and steadied himself before hooking a
fierce left shot into the corner of the net. Kelsale were undaunted by this
however, and both sides continued to be a match for each other.
The rain was unrepentant
in the second half, and Ferry made three changes at the break. Terry Atwell was
introduced up front, and soon came close when he shot across the keeper.
Kelsale's sub arrived soon afterwards, having been given a free bed overnight by
the local constabulary, and he showed no ill effects with good running off the
ball. Kelsale got their equaliser when Ferry lost possession in midfield.
Kelsale broke away, and bundled the ball over the line to even the scores up.
Ferry had several good chances later on, but a draw was a fair result and both
sides enjoyed a beer together after the game.
28th March
2004. Ipswich Hospitals edged the
points against FerryBoat in an entertaining affair which saw plenty of chances
for both sides. Hospitals took the lead bizarrely after only five minutes when
Geoff Calver rose with two Ferry defenders and the slightest of touches saw the
ball creep into the far corner of the net . Hospitals were worthy of their lead
however, and for the opening half hour it seemed that too many Ferry players
were suffering from the hour's lost sleep. The latter stages of the second half
saw Ferry mount a comeback, but the visiting keeper was in fine form, saving
from Mark Howard (twice) and Chris Moy.
The chances kept coming in
the second half and once more the keepers stole the show. Matt Ray thwarted two
clear cut Ferry chances and once more his opposite number reacted brilliantly to
tip over a shot from Mark Sayer. Hospitals increased their lead when good
movement down the right led to a teasing cross which was met by Calver to head
in. Ferry pulled one back when Chris Moy rifled home from close range and they
had two more chances to equalise but Hospitals held on for the points.
21st March
2004 FerryBoat travelled the short
distance to Eastward Ho to face a Murray Rangers side which had been responsible
for Ferry's worst defeat this season, going down 3-0 at Langley Ave. Murray won
the toss and elected to go with the strong wind, but they were pressurised from
the start by the visitors and soon found themselves behind from a fine
individual goal from Jim Lee whose speed was too much to cope with. Ferry
continued to attack, opting for short play in order to reduce the effect of the
wind, and a good passing move led to Steve Ray being brought down in the box as
he lined up his shot. Ray was on his feet quickly to claim the penalty, and
stepped up confidently to place the ball out of reach of the keeper. This goal
seemed to spur on Murray, and the last period of the second half saw them
challenge for the ball more, but they were still restricted to a couple of long
shots.
The second half saw a more
even competition, but when Murray packed seven defenders behind the ball to
repel a Ferry attack they still didn't allow for Steve Ray who picked his spot
to fire home from the edge of the box. Ferry were 3-0 up and with a tail wind ,
but the game took a twist when their centre half John Barrell saw red for a
second bookable offence. Murray pushed an extra man up for the last half hour,
but strong defending and safe hands from Matt Ray saw them hold out to reverse
their earlier defeat in the season.
7th March
2004. Ferryboat met California
Gainsborough, with the visitors from Ipswich looking to get three points to aid
their title hopes. Gainsborough started superbly, and their good passing and
movement put Ferry on their back foot for most of the first twenty minutes. Cali
eventually took the lead when they sprung the Ferry defence to race through and
plant the ball past young Matt Ray. The home side had to contain the visitors,
and they did more than this when a cheeky lob from Brian Armstrong landed in no
mans land in front of the keeper, and the pacey Mark Howard got there first to
poke the ball home. Half time saw the scores level at 1-1, but a constructive
half time team talk discussed the few weaknesses that Gainsborough had, and
Ferry came out for the second half with a new battleplan.
Gainsborough were only a
shadow of their previous selves in the second half, and Ferry got behind their
back four right from the start. On the hour referee Glen Yellop, who had a good
game, awarded a free kick 20 yards out. Steve Ray stepped up and drove a superb
low shot past the wall and into the net, before the keeper had time to move.
Ferry threw on three subs at this point, and the subsequent period saw Dan
Clarke hit the woodwork for a second time in the game with a long range effort.
Five minutes from the end, Clarke unleashed his best shot of the game which came
off the woodwork for an incredible third time, but on this occasion it was
met by Jon Gooch who drove an equally fierce shot past the despairing keeper.
Final Score FerryBoat 3 California Gainsborough 1.
22nd
February 2003. Ferryboat hosted
rivals Witnesham, with the home side needing three points to avoid becoming
detached down at the bottom of Div2. Ferry set off with a spring in their tail
and looked certain to take the lead when Mark Howard rounded the keeper to be
faced with an open net, but before he could steady himself, two defenders came
across to block his shot. The match was being refereed by Louis Dawson, and both
sides enjoyed his involvement in the game. Apart from a couple of half chances,
neither side really came close to scoring in the first half, and they went in
goalless.
Ferry had the wind against
them in the second half, but early on Brian Armstrong worked well down the left
to deliver a cross which was bravely met by young Dan Clarke to notch his first
goal for FerryBoat.. The wind picked up, followed by hail, and Ferry were
struggling to clear their lines. A Witnesham corner was floated over perfectly
by Woods and met in the air with power to record the equaliser. Ferry were
struggling against the rejuvenated visitors and the strong wind, but in a matter
of minutes, the wind eased and the home side began to venture forward again.
Ferry's lead was restored when Steve Ray ran on to slide the ball past the
outrushing keeper who injured himself in the process and had to be taken off.
Needing to keep 10 outfield players, manager Keith Daily donned the gloves as
his team tried to claw the game back. Ten minutes from the end Brian Armstrong
drove the ball past Daily for Ferry's third and the valiant keeper dived well in
the closing minutes , but failed to keep out Mark Sayer's right footed shot. The
game finished amicably, with both sides congratulating the ref on his fine
handling of such a competitive game.
15th
February 2004. Felixstowe Harpers
entertained local rivals FerryBoat for their first ever competitive derby which
had the added edge of being a vital relegation clash for both sides. Harpers
started brightly, but Ferry soon got into the game and were foiled from taking
the lead when the Harpers keeper stood up well to prevent Mark Howard from
scoring. FerryBoat had further efforts from Steve Ray and Terry Atwell go close
before Harpers bizarrely take the lead when Ferry captain Andy Bickers firmly
headed a corner past his own keeper.
The second half saw Ferry
apply more pressure on the home goal, and soon after the introduction of Chris
Moy, the talented midfielder rose well to head in the equalizer. It looked as if
Ferry would get the winner as efforts from Moy and Terry Atwell went agonizingly
close but at the final whistle both sides took a share of the points.
8th
February 2004. AFC Chequers won the
toss against Ferryboat and elected to play with the wind in order to secure a
win which could take them top. Ferry started brightly however and their hard
work and good movement paid off when Mark Howard broke through to slot the ball
past the keeper. Chequers were rocked further when Ferry were awarded a free
kick on the edge of the box and Steve Ray sent the keeper the wrong way fror the
second goal. The wind was making attacks difficult for FerryBoat, and Chequers
pulled a goal back to give them confidence . Deep into injury time of the first
period the visitors equalised to set up an interesting second half.
The second half was even
once again. Ferry went close with shots from Jim Lee and Mark Howard, while at
the other end Matt Ray pulled off a couple of great saves to deny Chequers.
Minutes from the end Howard grabbed his second which looked like it might be the
winner, but Chequers replied once more to even the score. FerryBoat had a strong
penalty appeal turned down in the tenth minute of stoppage time, but were
quietly pleased with securing a point against a good Chequers side.
14th
December 2003 FerryBoat and
Locomotive met for the third time this season, and with the home side having a
win and a draw in the earlier exchanges, Locomotive were up for revenge. Loco
were slow out of the blocks however, and within five minutes Ferry had come
close to scoring twice. Ferry paraded new signing Danny Clarke, and from the
start he looked intelligent on and off the ball. Loco's chances took a step back
after ten minutes when Sayer picked the ball up wide on the left, and looked up
before launching a high lob over the keeper and in to the net. To Loco's credit,
they saw this as a sign to up their performance, and it wasn't long before they
were back in the match with an equaliser which came as a result of a goalmouth
scramble. Ferry's midfield was working well, with Johnson particularly
impressive, but their defence showed signs of jitters, and Locomotive took the
lead after half an hour to go in at half time 2-1 up.
Ferry looked more tighter
in the second half and produced chances when Sayer hit the bar and Lee went
close after a fine run. The power of the Locomotive frontline proved too much
however, and two more defensive lapses led to a 4-1 victory to the visitors and
evened the spoils for the season. Locomotive were deserved winners and thanks to
referee Daryl Butcher who was recognised by both sides on his fine performance.
30th
November 2003. FerryBoat's home
match against league leaders Kelsale was delayed after local girl Jo Knight was
struck by a ball during the warm up. After a worrying half hour or so, she was
stretchered off to hospital, but we are pleased to report that she was given a
thorough check up at Ipswich Hospital and allowed to return home. Best wishes go
to Jo, and the lads at Ferry and referee Graham Fenn had a whip round after the
game to buy her a present for her birthday this Thursday.
Ferry started the match
determined to get something out of the game, and they took the lead after 15
minutes when Chris Moy chased a through ball and courageously went up for the
ball with the keeper to nod home the opener. The home side continued to
dominate, and after close efforts from Moy and Atwell they extended the lead
when Steve Ray pushed home a pinpoint corner from Lee Copsey.
The second half saw Ferry
continue to dominate, but they could not turn the possession into goals. Gooch
made a samba style run into the box , only to hit the ball at the keeper and
efforts from Atwell, Brian Armstrong and Mark Howard came close. The visitors
rallied at the end a grabbed a consolation to set up a nail biting finish, but
Ferry held on for a deserved victory.
16th
November 2003 Witnesham
hosted FerryBoat in a thrilling match which saw the visitors take the points off
their friendly rivals for the first time in three seasons. After a frantic
opening, FerryBoat took the lead when the ball drifted across the box where
Chris Moy showed superb balance and technique to steer the ball over the keeper.
Witnesham responded with pressure and equalised through Dustyn Woods from close
range. Once more Ferry responded with quality when Terry Atwell danced across a
line of defenders before hitting an unstoppable shot high into the net.
Witnesham were looking a little frail at the back and just before half time
Steve Ray split them wide open when he ran with the ball from his own half
before angling himself perfectly to steer the ball into the net.
The second half started
with greater Witnesham pressure , but once again they were caught out when Chris
Moy slipped his marker to ram the ball in from close range. With a 4-1 lead
however , Ferry came under strong late pressure from the home side and Bartley
Kirby forced the ball home from close range. Woods set up a nailbiting finish
when he latched on to a low through ball, but Ferry held on to record a
fine win.
2nd
November 2003. AFC Chequers came
out on top at home to FerryBoat in a game which was dominated by the miserable
conditions. FerryBoat started well, but for all their pressure in the opening
ten minutes, they failed to find the net. Chequers came back into the game, but
there was little goalmouth action up to half time.
The home side took the
lead early in the second period when Ferry gave away one of many free kicks,
this time just outside their left hand corner of the penalty area. The ball was
whipped in with pace and it was met by a Chequers head from 8 yards which gave
keeper Matt Ray no chance. Ferry pushed hard up the pitch, but the home defence
was outstanding and thwarted FerryBoat whichever way they tried. The win was
sealed for Chequers five minutes from time when they crossed the ball into the
box from a breakaway, and a hashed attempt of a clearance left their forward
with a tap in whilst lying on the ground .Final Score:- AFC Chequers 2 FerryBoat
0
26th
October 2003. After a three week
break, FerryBoat looked a little rusty in the opening exchanges at home to
Ipswich Port Authority. The home defence looked firm, but going forward there
was a lack of any flowing football. Ferry did however take the lead when a
corner from Mark Sayer was only cleared as far as Lee Copsey, and the journeyman
striker made space to plant the ball past the keeper. IPA's forwards looked
lively, but strayed offside on numerous occasions resulting in a halftime
scoreline of FerryBoat 1 IPA 0
Ferry started the second
half with a much better tempo and they started to create a few more chances.
Steve Ray came off the bench for his first appearance this season after breaking
his wrist and with virtually his first touch he hit the ball on the half volley
from 30yards and over the keeper into the net. Ferry pushed on and Terry Atwell
hit a tremendous long shot against the bar. On the hour Jim Lee went on a wicked
run down the left before hitting the ball against the post. The ball cannoned
out and in the breakaway IPA hit two passes before their centre forward finished
well to give the visitors a lifeline. Their hope did not last long however, as a
ball across the goal line from Mark Howard eluded everyone except supersub Ray
who tapped in for his second. Final score FerryBoat 3 IPA 1
5th
October 2003. Ferryboat manager
Barry Glover was still ringing round after midnight on Saturday to put out a
starting 11 against visitors Melton YCOB. Ferry took to the pitch with Ross Amey
and Chris Moy making their first appearances of the season. Amey went close
early on and Moy also made a good start with two long shots going close. Amey
had his best chance on twenty minutes when he sprang the offside trap, but the
keeper saved well. Against the run of play the visitors took the lead when they
hit us on the counter attack, and minutes later we were hit with a further blow
when Barrell limped off to be replaced by Gooch who looked in better shape than
recent weeks. Unbelievably, Melton went a further goal ahead when once again
they hit us on the break and soon later Amey retired with cramp to be replaced
by Brian Armstrong who had nipped over in his work break.
The second half saw us
start brightly, but the referee was starting to give some questionable free
kicks against us, which also had the Melton camp amused. Gooch was now playing
out of his skin, and although he picked up a booking he was running the show at
the back. Ferry looked to be back in the game when they were awarded a penalty,
and luckily they had Lee Copsey who recently bragged that he had not missed a
penalty in 30 years. Seconds later his record was broken as the keeper saved,
but Ferry were once again frustrated by the referee who chose to ignore Melton's
linesman who flagged for the keeper being off his line. Apparently he was
"only just off his line"! Bad went to worse as Armstrong sustained an
ankle injury but with no more subs he carried on, only to be joined by Chris Moy
who took a painful knock on the foot. Melton grabbed two more goals but Ferry
kept plugging away and got there reward when Moy flashed the ball across the
goal to be met by Terry Atwell at the far post. Full Time Ferry Boat 1 Melton 4
21st
September 2003. FerryBoat and
Locomotive met in the Senior Cup only two weeks after sharing the points on the
opening day of the season. Ferry started brightly and after only five minutes
they were awarded a penalty by referee Clinton Brown after a handball in the
box. Jon Gooch stepped up to take the kick sporting a decidedly cheap looking
pair of trainers, but he may have wished he had spent a bit more as his shot was
well saved by the Loco keeper. Gooch made amends after half an hour however when
he stormed down the left and whipped in a cross under pressure from two
defenders. The ball fell to new signing Lee Copsey who picked out the right hand
corner of the net for the opener. Loco hit back in typical fashion and came
close twice, first a long shot grazed the bar and then just before half time
Ferry Keeper Matt Ray made a brave save at his near post. Half Time FerryBoat 1
Locomotive 0
Locomotive came out in the
second half looking for the equaliser, and on the hour it came when a long shot
was parried by Ray only for the Loco forward to rise unchallenged to head the
ball home. The game looked like it could go either way but with twenty minutes
left FerryBoat once again became more dominant. The home side claimed their
place in the next round when Copsey hit a low drive from the edge of the box
which was deflected past the keeper. Final Score FerryBoat 2 Locomotive 1.
14th
September 2003. FerryBoat and
Worlingworth's game lived up to the cliche of a game of two halves, Ferry were
2-0 up at half time but Worlingworth fought back to nick the game 3-2. The
visitors started brightly, and a good move down the right looked to set up an
early opener but Ferry keeper Matt Ray smothered the ball well to prevent the
goal. Ferry quickly got their game together and split the opposition apart when
good work from PJ Johnson and Mark Howard left Brian Armstrong with a simple
tap-in. Armstrong increased the lead when he pressurised the keeper and poked
home the loose ball from close range. Worlingworth were all at sea, and Lee
Copsey saw his shot fly inches past the post for a goal which would have sunk
the visitors. Half time 2-0
Ferry started the second
half with confidence, but that was soon knocked out of them when the ball was
lost in midfield and Worlingworth stormed forward to pull back a vital goal. Now
it was the turn of Ferrys defence to start arguing amongst themselves, and this
affected their team mates concentration and gave their opponents a lift. The
visitors deservedly equalised with half an hour left and we were in for a
nailbiting finish. With twenty minutes to go a shot cannoned off two defenders
and into the net to give Worlingworth the lead. Ferry rallied in the closing
stages with Wayne Davies and Nicky Soni going close and had a goal from Terry
Atwell ruled out by referee Mark Potkins who had a good game, but the visitors
held on for the three points. Full
time FerryBoat 2 Worlingworth 3
7th
September 2003. FerryBoat started
the season with a tough game at Locomotive's new headquarters in Holbrook. The
fixture list had thrown together the two teams which had been promoted together
in the past two seasons, with Loco finishing as champions on each occasion. The
game started at a high tempo, and for the first five minutes Loco pushed hard
into the Ferry half, but they were kept out of shooting range by the Ferry
defence. As the game went on Ferry hit back, and looked as if they would take
the lead when Jon Gooch rounded the keeper but saw his shot hit the side
netting. Locomotive also came close when they broke clear, but 16 year old
keeper Matt Ray pulled off a fine double save to deny the opener. Half Time 0-0.
As the second half went
underway , the game got more tense as it was looking likely that one goal would
be the decider. Referee Carl Fitch was having a good match and he kept the game
under control on the odd occasion when the players' enthusiasm went too far.
Ferry looked as if they were never going to score, Gooch missed again from the
edge of the box, Wayne Davies fired just over the crossbar and Nicky Soni
blasted over when clean through. Ten minutes from the end Loco dealt a killer
blow, when an innocuous challenge led to a free kick which was hit low to the
side of the wall and into the net. The game looked over, but a minute later
debutant Mark Howard chased a through ball, and before the keeper had the ball
completely under control he nudged it out of reach and coolly slotted home the
equaliser. A draw was a fair result on the day, and both teams enjoyed a well
earned drink in the clubhouse afterwards. Result 1-1
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