Sheringham 5 Loddon Utd 4

Lack of early defensive concentration and the aid of a strong tail wind saw Sheringham take the lead inside the first minute of Saturday’s nine-goal thriller.

A long ball and shot from inside the box nestled just inside the far post.

Loddon reacted but with a strong wind in their faces had to try to pass their way forward. They did so with a degree of success as Jones’ diagonal ball found Andersen. He fed Rose who squared to Evans but his snap -shot hit the woodwork.

All Loddon’s early possession was wasted when on 11 minutes, Baylis was robbed and a quick pass into the box was converted to make it 2-0.

Loddon’s possession was good but they overplayed at times and when the ball was lost a long ball put them under pressure.

Andersen cut inside and hit a left -foot strike which was well saved. A home breakaway from Loddon’s corner was covered by Jones who sent it forward again for Jermy to striketamely and Rose almost got in and Jermy headed a free kick over.

On 36 minutes a cross from the left caught the wind and Loddon’s defence napping and a smart volley put the hosts three up.

The comeback started however. Five minutes before the break Loddon’s luck changed. Summons and Andersen worked a neat one-two, Andersen chipped to the far post, Jermy headed down and Evans was there to half-volley home.

Loddon survived another long ball when Baylis blocked before Jones received a ball on the left, cut inside, and created the gap he needed and let fly from the edge of the box to claw back the deficit to 3-2.

Loddon started the second half as they ended the first. On 48 minutes Parkin slotted a precise ball through to Rose who coolly beat the keeper to level the scores.

The recovery was undone a minute later when Baylis lost possession, Avery came out but couldn’t get there and Sheringham scored.

Baylis almost made amends when moments later he headed a free kick down but the home keeper pulled out another top save at the foot of his post. Baylis then met a corner and forced yet another top save.

A poor offside decision robbed Rose of a clear run on goal before Hancock cut out a dangerous cross and a nice move through Andersen, Parkin, and Evans saw the latter hesitate when he should have shot. Another great move of seven or eight passes saw Andersen cross for Jones at the far post but Loddon did not anticipate the second ball and another good chance went begging.

Loddon dominated proceedings and most of the good moves went through Parkin, but with necessity to get forward gaps were left at the back. One such break caught out Loddon a man short and a sweet drive from the right beat Avery to make it 5-3.

Loddon reacted again and Summons found Andersen on the right. He pulled back the ball to Evans eight yards out but the strike was skied.

Jermy crept forward and met a wonderful cross by Weston only to see his header crash against the woodwork before Ayre won a corner from which Jermy’s header was deflected wide.

Jones still found the energy to get back and cover before an Andersen left-foot cross curled into the box, surprised the keeper and hit the post. Jones was crudely taken out, Summons fired in the free kick and Ayre rose well to convert. But it was not quite enough and Sheringham hung on.

It was an unfortunate result but a thoroughly entertaining game.

Loddon’s good performance could have earned three points if not for the woodwork and brilliant home goalkeeping. Matt Parkin was again superb, but Shaun Jermy, improving week on week, just edged the Musker McIntyre man of the match award.

Loddon: Avery, Weston, Hancock, Baylis, Jermy, D Andersen, G Summons, M Parkin, A Jones, Rose, Evans.

Subs: M Ayre and Buckingham.