At The Rec we welcomed Stowmarket Town who themselves have had mixed fortunes over the past few years. It was only recently they were applying their trade in the higher end of the Isthmian North League but a few changes have come about the Suffolk outfit and they are now getting themselves slowly back to where they need to be. Possessing a lot of younger players it would be interesting to know what the average age of their team is.

None the less for Town it was a must win as we find ourselves flirting around the bottom three so it was vital that Matt Halliday and his coaching staff got it right along with the players to get the 3 points.

With George Barber, Robbie Turner, Panashe Mundawara and Harry Hawthorne all absent it was a need's must for the team selection. Brandon Pickess stepped in at an unfamiliar role of right back and adapted superbly to give a great performance whilst Ady Musasa swapped sides and found himself at left back.

Connor Delaney was recalled to the starting line up in his favoured position of left wing whilst through the game he was swapping throughout, Spencer Cawcutt was adopted in the same position and Nathan Stone lead the line.

The game kicked off and Town looked to get on the front foot straight away with a mid to high press which was forcing the visitors into some early errors and Town had started well.

But no sooner had I posted on X that we had started well the visitors took the lead. The worst way to concede at times is from your own corner and that's exactly what Town did.

Josh Durham had whipped in a very good cross but it was well defended and that's when Stowmarket broke and used that sharp pace to full effect. The ball was played over the top and there were calls for offside but looking back at the Veo footage it looked marginally onside by the shape of Musasa's body with himself and Pickess just playing the striker on. Elliot Pride came out and mis hit his clearance and from there it kindly fell to the visitors and despite Prides and Musasa's efforts the midfielder tapped into an empty net.

Town did respond well to going behind but Stowmarket were very dangerous and very lively going forward. Harrison Hide had to use his pace to full effect at time and defended superbly to stop Stowmarket getting in for a 2nd. Town then did have a couple of efforts on goal through Durham and Page but they did not trouble the Stowmarket goalkeeper. Stowmarket were then a lick of paint away from doubling their lead when they struck the inside of the post.

But the eqauliser came for Town!!! Good work from Brandon Pickess to retrieve the ball and he played it out wide to Connor Delaney who whipped in a beautiful ball to find Nathan Stone and despite the keepers effort he couldn't keep the header out and that's now 131 goals for the striker.

Then Town within a flash turned the game around. Any Musasa won the ball well in the fullback area and played a great ball through to Nathan Stone who was baring down on goal but unselfishly squared the ball to Connor Delaney who finished into an empty net. That was Connors first goal for the club since his goal in a 7-0 victory against Great Yarmouth back in 2022 and it was great to see him get on the scoresheet.

Just before half time Town added a 3rd. Town worked themselves out of a tight spot and Josh Durham played over a beautiful pass to find Spencer Cawcutt. His finish with his weaker foot was superb and gave Town a 2 goal cushion on half-time. That is Spencers 6th goal in 9 games so since returning to Town he has been on a great run of form.

Half Time came and it was quite a strange game. Town were 3-1 there wasn't really any other clear cut chances in the half for either side. It was either each teams goals or half chances.

The 2nd half came and you felt with a 2 goal lead this would be a perfect opportunity to put the game to bed and get the goal difference up. Town were forced into a change at Half Time as Brad Hunt came on for the injured Nathan Stone pushing Cawcutt into the middle and Hunt out to the left interchanging with Delaney at times.

Josh Durham had a chance to make it 4 straight away as Town broke but his shot was well over the bar. Then the visitors had some sustained pressure and nearly reduced the deficit as Pride was forced into a very good double save.

The visitors continued to apply pressure but Pride stood strong to the aerial onslaught and stood very strong.

Town then had another opening, sub Brad Hunt played a great ball over to Spencer Cawcutt who then cut it back to Josh Durham but again his effort went over the bar.

Cawcutt then nearly doubled is tally on around 66 minutes but his shot was saved brilliantly across his goal by the Stowmarket keeper.

The visitors then had a period of sustained pressure and their pressure was rewarded. They played a long ball over the top and the very quick and tricky winger got by Ady Musasa and was foul by Cook in the box for a penalty. No complaints on this one it was a clear penalty and it was a chance for Stowmarket to get back into the game.

Despite Prides best efforts to keep the penalty out it trickled into the bottom right hand corner and now it was game on.

Town stood strong and again the visitors had a claim for a penalty which was waved away despite strong protests from the Stowmarket bench. In all truth there was a handball in the lead up which the referee missed so this one kind of levelled itself out so you could argue 2 wrongs do make a right.

Town then eased any anxiety when Josh Durham hunted down the Stowmarket centre back who gifted Durham the chance to make it 4-2 and he did with a great finish. We all thought we could breathe a sigh of relief and let that be the last of the worries.

However we were wrong, the young resilient team never gave in and were rewarded again for a small spell of pressure and reduced the scoreline to 4-3 but thankfully for Town it was too little too late and we took all 3 points.

Looking at it its only 1 defeat in 6 league games now so going into the new year we can have great optimism that we can climb up the league. But a tough trip to Brantham and a Holiday clash with near neighbours Mulbarton will prove tricky so if Town can extend this good record in the league we will find ourselves in a good position.

Cornerstone Man Of The Match - Josh Durham