NARROW DEFEAT ENDS RUN

Blues succumbed to their first league defeat since January 3rd when they were narrowly defeated by fellow promotion chasers Stowmarket Town. With both sides having the meanest defences in the league this was always going to be a tight game and in the end a Willie Clemons strike was all that separated them. It was never a classic with both sides conscious of the importance of the outcome the game failed to hit the heights . The opening period was bogged down in midfield, Blues shaded possession early on but Stowmarket grew into the game and engineered a couple of golden opportunities to get their noses in front which they failed to take. Blues did have their moments using the long throws of Mitch Hahn as a potent weapon giving the home defence some anxious moments. It was the Clemons goal at the start of the second period that gave the hosts the opportunity to close down the game reducing Blues, who still worked manfully to try and reduce the arrears without carving out a clear cut opportunity. Despite the reverse and teams in and around them winning they still remain in contention at the business end of the table.

With Geof Okonkwo out injured Callum Leahy slotted into the back four alongside the returning Lewis Clark in an otherwise unchanged line up.

Starting brightly Anointed Chukwu had the first opportunity when a Joe Paxman cross saw him nod the ball into the grateful arms of James Bradbrook.

From this early goalmouth action the game generated into a midfield stalemate with neither side willing to commit players forward and take unnecessary risks leading to a cagey and tepid opening fifteen minutes. Gradually though Stowmarket were seeing more of the ball looking to pick out the tricky Reggie Thompson - Lambe who was proving to be the fulcrum of their forward momentum. Luke Brown should have put the hosts in front when he nodded wide from inside the six yard box .

The long throws into the box from Mitch Hahn were causing problems for the hosts defenders failing to deal effectively leading to a chance for Clark who did well to turn and get in a shot deflected for a corner. Stowmarket countered and again squandered an opportunity, this time it was Josh Mayhew who nodded over when well placed.

Another Hahn throw provided an opportunity for Chukwu but his effort deflected resulted in a corner the final goal mouth action of a low key first period.

HT 0-0

Blues would have gone in at the break happy to have restricted Stowmarket to isolated opportunities, creating their own chances and quietening the home crowd but all that was undone within the opening minute of the half when they were caught napping. From the kick off the ball was given away carelessly, a quick ball in behind Rimmel Daniel saw it crossed into the danger area, Thmpson -Lambe's effort struck the crossbar rebounding to Clemons who crashed the ball passed the diving Sambridge.

It was a bitter blow but their well established resilience came to the fore taking the game to Stowmarket , a spell of pressure led to a corner which Bradbrook failed to deal with effectively his fisted clearance fell to Jimmy Smith who returned with a lob that sailed agonisingly wide of the upright.

Blues continued to probe but clear cut chances proved elusive whilst at the other end Stowmarket were thwarted by a combination of Sambridge and the woodwork. Chukwu defending a corner was saved by the post and then Sambridge denied Clemons after a good run touching onto the upright and behind.

Blues made a late rally in a last effort to claim a point, they came close when the ball would not come down for Okonkwo and gratefully claimed by Bradbrook after frenzied scramble.

A defeat yes but not outplayed and only a lapse of concentration was the only difference between the teams, they now have an opportunity next Saturday to get their promotion push back on the rails when Witham Town come to Parkside.

Sambridge, Paxman, Leahy, Clark, Daniel (Moncur 82), Dark, Smith, Brown, Chukwu, Hahn ( McQueen 70), Gordon (Melaugh 74)

Subs Not Used: Griek, Wright.