STILL IN THE HUNT

Blues continued their promotion chase with this vital win over Hashtag United keeping them in the play off places with just four games remaining to the conclusion of the season. It was a tight affair all the goals coming in the second period after an entertaining first half, goals from Lewis Clark put Blues in front, Ben Brooks replied for Tags with Anointed Chukwu's goal deciding the outcome in what was an entertaining afternoon for the large crowd.

Blues were on top in the early exchanges exhibiting neat controlled football asking questions of theTags defenders, using the flanks to good advantage Ryan Melaugh and Aron Gordon saw plenty of the ball, in one move Gordon did all the hard work getting to the byeline but then overhitting his cross .

Tags did well to keep their goal intact and responded when Luke Hirst tested Danny Sambridge who was in action again fisting away a dangerous cross.

Blues were again probing moving the ball across the park fluently, Lewis Dark and Callum Leahy figured in midfield, the latter using his physical presence to win vital challenges and maintain forward momentum. But Tags still looked lively up front, prolific marksman Sam Bantick had to be policed which Lewis Clark and Geof Okonkwo were equal to.

Leahy did well to muscle his way forward firing in a powerful effort saved well by Carlos Simeon, then at the other end Brooks was left in space on Blues right flank and would have been disappointed when his effort was wayward failing to hit the target sailing over the woodwork.

Melaugh was to come closest to breaking the stalemate when he forced Simeon to turn a lethal drive aside and away from danger at the end of an enterprising 45 minutes.

HT 0-0

Tags came out in the second half with more intent pressing high, which ensured Blues had less time on the ball, but they nearly paid for the high press when a chance was created for Chukwu, he should have taken a shot at goal but hesitation allowed a block to divert the ball for a corner from which Blues got their noses in front on 50 minutes, the ball was delivered a scramble in the six yard box ensued and it was Clark who managed to stab the ball home through a tangle of legs.

The goal saw Tags search for a way back, they were helped by some less than secure defending from Blues and just seven minutes later the visitors were back on level terms. Whether intentional or not Brookes hit a speculative ball from distance catching Sambridge on the edge of the eighteen yard box the ball arced up the keeper back pedalled and although getting his hand to the ball it was already over the line .

All square it was a case of who could impose themselves on the game and for a time Tags were asking the questions, Blues were forced to hit long balls out of defence which were easily picked up putting more pressure on their goal.

In seasons past they would have been liable to concede and forfeit the points but this season they have a resolute and miserly defence made of sterner stuff and after riding out the pressure they struck in the 76th minute. Joe Paxman was the instigator of Blues second and winning goal, embarking on a driving run he released sub Kai Brown out wide, outstripping his marker he raced to the byeline cutting the ball back to Chukwu who turned and slotted past Simeon.

Tags did everything to rescue a point, Sambridge atoned for his earlier lapse making two crucial stops to frustrate them allowing Blues to play down the clock in the closing minutes.

Its another six pointer next Saturday on the road to Dereham Town, one things for sure its going to be an exciting and hopefully rewarding April.

Sambridge, Paxman, Joynes, Okonkwo, Clark, Melaugh (Brown 65), Leahey, Chukwu ( McQueen 85), Knight (Hahn 77) Gordon