Lowestoft Town made a dream start to their first campaign in the Ryman League Division One North with a two goal away victory at Thamesmead Town. The Blues included six of their new signings in their squad with 4 of them making the starting line up.

Thamesmead Town kicked off this opening fixture on a blazing hot afternoon and although the pitch looked immaculate condition it was rock hard creating an awkward bounce for the ball.

Thamesmead started the brighter looking quicker to the ball and it was the Mead who were first to threaten with a cross from Steve Cant met by the head of Andy Constable but Andy Reynolds comfortably collected the ball under the crossbar. Lowestoft’s answer was a deep cross from the right by Neil Plaskett but as Andrew Fisk and Reece Hunn both went for the same ball Lewis Tozer made a saving tackle for the home side.

The first real action for either keeper came in the 16th minute with Reynolds diving full length to save a 20 yard effort from Gabriel Momodu and the Blues keeper was in action again shortly afterwards smothering a 25 yard drive from Constable at the foot of the post.

With 25 minutes gone Lowestoft finally started to get their game together and forced their first corner which came to nothing. Their improving confidence paid dividends in the 28th minute when they opened the scoring. From Jamie Godbold’s corner the ball was headed clear but only as far as Adam Smith who played the ball back into the penalty area. Ross King headed the ball back across goal for Gary McGee to rise high and loop a header over keeper Steve Northwood into the net.

Boosted by the goal Lowestoft added a second just 4 minutes later. Godbold’s run down the inside right channel was halted when he was pulled back by James Campbell who received a yellow card for his offence. Thamesmead paid a heavy price for his misdemeanour as Adam Smith stepped up to send a glorious free kick around the wall into the bottom corner of the net. There was almost a third minutes later as Reece Hunn’s snap shot was pushed up into the air by Northwood to drop onto the roof of the net.

Lowestoft continued to press at the start of the second half with Richard Woodrow breaking down the left and his low cross was flicked goalwards by King but palmed away by Northwood. Fisk and King both raced into the area after the same ball but Danny Moore’s brave tackle saved the day for the home side.

On the hour mark Lowestoft made their first change with Craig Bussens replacing Hunn and he almost made an immediate impact when he received the ball from King but his lob beat Northwood but hit the bar.

With the heat taking its toll on both teams Lowestoft made their second substitution 15 minutes from time with Damian Hilton replacing Gary McGee.

Man of the Match: Greg Crane

Match Information

Score: Thamesmead Town - 0      Lowestoft Town - 2

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