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Won 1-0 v Lloyds AFC (A) SAL Intermedaite Div 2

25/3/2014

In what was one of the most difficult weeks for the Norsemen 1st XI and Res XI squads selection wise (18 players unavailable across the two squads), the Reserves came away with a morale boosting away win.
With 11 players on the team sheet things were further strained when two players failed to arrive in time for KO, forcing 9 men to line up in battle for 15 minutes. With the wind and sun at the Norsemen backs the 9 men worked exceptionally well to shutdown any attacks, filtering off players and forcing any attacks to come from width. Chances were even created at the attacking end with good play down the wings earning many throw-in's where Luc Coiffait was able to unleash his long throw, Michael Herbert and Andy Grant going close to opening the scoring.
Upon evening the playing numbers at 11, it wasn't long before Norsemen hit the front and it was no great surprise it came from a set piece. Once more a throw was earned on the right where Coiffait found Grant who flicked on to the back post where a waiting Dan Cairrao volleyed the ball into the roof of the net. A one nil lead that was very much deserved. Shout out goes to Cairrao who dedicated his rare goal to his watching mother.
The second half became more of a battle for Norsemen, who despite having the odd opportunity, failed to land the killer blow and settle the match. It became a battle of wills as well as footballing ability as Thenesh Naathen managed to get under the skin of just about every striker Lloyds put on the pitch. Tensions flared further as Cass Weaver cleared a ball all the way to New Zealand when only 5 metres from the sideline.
It was however to be Norsemen's day and they held out for a long overdue win and clean sheet to boot. With next weekends opponents Old Esthameians also getting the points this weekend, the win was not enough to move Norsemen off the foot of the ladder but certainly tightened things up and kept relegation at arms length. 3 points at Esthameians would certainly be a good tonic and go a long way towards boosting Norsemen to safety.

Walk tall you Blue Giants.

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Lost 0-7 v Old Garchonians (H) SAL Intermediate Div 2

25/3/2014

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Norsemen got a towelling this weekend by a very good, table topping, Old Garchonians team that capitalised on any mistake presented to them. Seven goals was in truth a bit flattering for Garchonians as Norsemen, despite struggling to play any fluid football, were still in the contest at the hour mark.
Two first half set piece goals conceded to corners hurt the Norsemen cause, the game plan being keep it tight heading uphill into the wind until halftime. However it wasn't until a perfectly delivered corner from Tom Collier was directed over the bar by Andy Grant that the tide fully turned and goals began to leak. Once the third was conceded soon after the miss it became open season on the Norsemen goal.
Unfortunately heads went down at this stage and the morale soon followed. In the end the much better team won though reports from those who watch suggest it was closer than the score suggested - scant solace for those on the pitch. With an away game to Lloyds next week it will take a great show of character from the team to respond from this setback.

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Won 1-0 v Lloyds AFC (A) SAL Intermedaite Div 2

Lost 0-7 v Old Garchonians (H) SAL Intermediate Div 2

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