Sprowston Athletic 0, Loddon United 0THE gaining of a valuable point was marred by the serious, career-threatening injury to striker Dave Matthews.It took seven minutes for the first attempt on goal which Sprowston delivered and Collins held.

Sprowston Athletic 0, Loddon United 0

THE gaining of a valuable point was marred by the serious, career-threatening injury to striker Dave Matthews.

It took seven minutes for the first attempt on goal which Sprowston delivered and Collins held.

This was followed by a neat

four-man move by Loddon with Matthews twice just failing to get on the end of Sadler crosses.

Marjoribanks had a volley comfortably saved, another go over the bar, and hit a 20-yard free-kick straight to the keeper.

Although both teams put together one or two decent moves, they were both guilty of giving the ball away and a hard, dry pitch.

Just before the break, Ricky Summons was fouled and Matthews headed Robin Andersen's free-kick inches over. Baylis, who had been struggling with injury, was replaced by Phil Squires.

Andersen again took a free-kick and Matthews went clear only to be foiled by a hand-ball which was controversially not given.

The second half was again end-to-end. Sayer defended an early corner and was ably assisted by Squires when having to deal with numerous long kicks by the home keeper.

Gary Summons, working tirelessly in midfield, started a move involving the front two and ending when Dan Andersen just failed to reach the through-ball. Matthews was also thwarted by the keeper.

A telling Dan Andersen cross was headed narrowly over by a defender. Ricky Summons sliced a shot well wide, and Sayer made a painful block at the other end.

Gary Summons won two great challenges in the middle, and Squires held the back line well as Sprowston went “route one.”

Sadler came back to help with a tidy tackle on the edge of his own box. The Sprowston player threw his arms up questioningly.

With 63 minutes gone, Matthews played a neat one-two with Marjoribanks, attacked the loose ball in a 50-50 - and the damage to his knee was, sadly, serious.

Dan Ayre came on, the corner was delivered perfectly to the far post, but Hancock could not guide his header goalwards.

Gary Summons was trying to make things happen for Loddon but his enthusiasm earned him a booking.

Young Ayre did the simple things well, earning praise from his manager. Squires was for once turned and beaten for pace, but got back, made up ground, timed his tackle perfectly and found Hancock with a simple pass to show what an asset he will be this season.

Athletic were still dangerous, and a break led to a shot just wide. Following good blocks by Sayer and Hancock a Sprowston cross was met with a spectacular off-target attempt at an overhead kick. But, as at the other end, there was little in the way of a threat to the keeper.

Great second-half display from Squires, usual consistency from Hancock, but Musker McIntyre man-of-the-match honours go to Gary Summons for 90 minutes of graft and never-say-die attitude.

Loddon United: Collins; Hancock, Baylis, Sayer, Andersen R; Andersen D, Summons G, Summons R, Sadler; Matthews, Marjoribanks. Subs: Squires, Ayre D, Creegan.