We began to look the more dangerous side and Daren Stevens hit the bar with a header before Ashley Ranking found the net from some range only to be given offside. Ironically, Martlesham produced a quick breakaway to grab the lead.

The Tavs remained confident, Duncan Southgate hitting a post, and continued to dominate after the break. Our best efforts came from dead-ball situations with last-ditch clearances and the woodwork more than once keeping us out. Martlesham defended well and, in another breakaway, gained a penalty only to see Clive Halls make a tremendous save.

We continued to press but, although our attempts on goal were much better than last week, the vital goal eluded us.

We faced the high wind in the first half and made light of this disadvantage with some neat attacking moves; however, too often these had little end-product. We defended well but conceded two goals midway through the half with the defence claiming offside on both occasions but when the flag stayed down we were slow to react.

At the break, we still felt confident of getting back into the game and, now with the conditions in our favour, we virtually camped in the Kelsale half. Ryan Horsfall had been influential in the first half and he was even more dominant afterwards. Unfortunately, when we had chances - and there were quite a few - we were hurried and generally wayward in our shooting.

Kelsale, to their credit, defended well and they held out to win.

Ryan Horsfall returned for Taverners and he made a big impact throughout the game on the right hand side with some fine runs combined with a willingness to fight back for the ball when it was lost. A typical run from Ryan led to our first goal, his low cross being fired in by Daren Stevens.

Unfortunately, chances went astray and suddenly Thistle were back in the game - first with an equaliser and then with a powerful run and shot to give them a 2-1 lead. They weren't, however, given long to consolidate as Luke Farris latched onto a back-heel from Tom Brooks to drive his shot past the keeper.

The early stages of the second half favoured Thistle but we weathered the pressure and a superb move led to Daren Stevens restoring our lead. Luke Farris made the final break and unselfishly played Daren in.

Daren had suffered a bad cut just before half-time and his goal was his final piece of action as Gary Cunningham took over.

We made the score 4-2 when Gary gave Ryan Horsfall the opportunity to sidestep the keeper and score but Thistle were far from finished and a good shot reduced our lead to a slender one goal.

Our win was settled at 5-3 when Brooksy headed across goal and Eamon Mongan hooked the ball in although there was still time for Andy Lambert to produce a superb last-ditch tackle which saved what looked a certain goal.

As the first half wore on, Goddards came back into the game and Clive Halls had to make a save with his legs. However, they equalised when a trip just inside the box brought a penalty and this was fired home.

We regained the lead in controversial circumstances through Daren Stevens but Goddards' feelings of being hard-done-by were instantly set aside when the Tavs deliberately conceded a diplomatic own goal; not a decision which suited everyone!

No doubt the mixed feelings within the Taverners camp would have been re-kindled if we had not gone on to win the game - and what a goal it was to settle the proceedings!

Matty Wray gained possession midway through the Goddards half and swept past two defenders before driving the ball high past the keeper into the far corner to give the Tavs a 3-2 win.

This was a victory which was won through hard work and determination with Eamon Mongan standing out for his work-rate in midfield.

The referee's decision to delay the kick off was vindicated and, although the pitch didn't improve as we experienced rain and then a snow storm, the players coped well. It was clear from the start that the Tavs had more appetite for the task than our opponents and, when going forward, we produced some neat one-touch football.

Tem Atabaky was lively up front while Graeme Warden showed a no-nonsense approach as part of a hard-tackling defence.

Early in the second half we grabbed the lead when a handling offence was punished and Tom Brooks smashed his spot-kick in off the bar. Shortly afterwards Sam Burrows saw his cross deceive the keeper for 2-0 and then Trevor Hollinsworth had a shot saved after beating the offside trap.

Playford pressed forward as blizzard conditions swept over Greshams and they had one effort disallowed for offside before pulling a goal back.

Matt Davis made a point-blank save and some desperate clearances were needed but the Tavs held out through determination, hard work, great team spirit and skill on the counter-attack to embark on the Christmas festivities in good heart.

Team: Davis, Leeks, Lambert, Warden, Burrows, Brooks, Mongan, Strutt, Burgess, Atabaky, Gledhill (Sub: Hollinsworth).

Daren Stevens was using the width of the pitch well and, when crossed from the left, Eamon Mongan got in front of a defender to forcefully head home at the near post. Better followed: Duncan Southgate crashed a free-kick against the bar and Daren was pushed as he went for the rebound. James Bullamore netted the penalty.

With Brookhayes rocking, we made it 3-0 through more good work by Daren. A good cross - this time from the right - saw Eamon Mongan tackled but Eamon was first to react and smashed the losse ball home.

The Tavs seemed to be comfortable in the early stages of the second half but, all of a sudden, Brookhayes scored two goals in a minute and we faced having to defend a slender lead for the last half hour.

And didn't Brookhayes attack in force! We faced a number of crosses - high and low - corners and long throw-ins but everyone in a Taverners shirt fought bravely throughout, whether it came to hassling, tackling or heading clear from deep positions.

Behind the defence, Clive Halls was his usual cool and dominant self.

A great result which was a credit to the whole team.

Gradually, we got into the game as an attacking force and we surprised Brookhayes by taking the lead when Liam Powell sent in a superb angled ball and Jordan Ayles got in behind the defence to tuck the ball home.

Brookhayes came back strongly and Liam and Andy Lambert in particular showed up well in clearing several dangerous attacks. Eventually, Brookhayes drew level from the penalty spot.

We faced the stiff breeze after the break and also had to withstand some heavy pressure before Brookhayes scored what proved to be the winner with a well-taken drive which gave Clive no chance at all. Our attacks were limited but we continued to fight for everything with Eamon Mongan tireless in midfield.

Good harrying, chasing and tackling kept Brookhayes to their two goals but, although there was only the one goal between the teams, we couldn't deny their right to the points.

Trevor was able to field his strongest side for some time and we seemed confident and 'up for the game' as we lined up, even if we had to face the wind in the first half. With no first team match, we were well-supported.

In fact, we had a good amount of the play early on and played some neat football. However, approaching the D&M box, we rarely seemed to have clearcut ideas of how to break through.

Even so, as the half progressed, the thought persisted that - once we had the wind advantage after the break - all would be well. Unfortunately, we were twice caught out by quick counter-attacks and conceded two goals, the second being somewhat unlucky for the covering defenders. The bar saved us on another occasion; a third goal would have been a mountain to climb.

We pressed forward early in the second half and neat control followed by a sharp finish from Steve Morrissey brought the Tavs right back into the game.

However, our attacks continued to lack direction or a good final ball and - despite D&M having a player dismissed - our opponents retained possession well and looked very dangerous on the break. Our hopes were finally shattered when a pass was intercepted and D&M broke speedily to fire in a third.

Team: Davis, Bullamore (Sub: Strutt), Leeks, Lambert, Burgess, Rankin, Bestley, Mongan, Morrissey (Sub: Atabaky), Hollinsworth, Burrows.

We were already a goal down and an early turning point was CFC's missing a penalty - the ball being smashed against the crossbar, down and away!

The Tavs came back strongly and Matt Davis' great run was finished with a low ball which Tom Brooks crashed in for our equaliser. Then a long throw from Ashley Rankin was nodded on by Eamon Mongan and Daren Stevens headed home. Poor defending allowed CFC to find space in our box for a goal to level the scores at 2-2.

We looked dangerous whenever the ball was in the air and we regained the lead when Jamie Brittain's corner was strongly headed in by Tom Brooks. The Tavs finished the half well on top, making the interval score 4-2 with another header - this time by Jamie from Tom's deep cross.

The next goal was going to be vitally inportant and everyone worked hard to restrict our opponents to long-range efforts. When they got closer, Andy Lambert produced several well-timed tackles and clearances while Clive Halls was top-class in goal.

CFC's cause wasn't helped by a dismissal and Taverners made the score 5-2 with an individual effort from Ashley Rankin. Tom Brooks then rounded off a powerful performance with a headed goal from Trevor Hollinsworth's corner to register a superb hat-trick.

Once again, a fine team effort in which everyone played their part to the full, much enjoyed by good club support on the touchline.

Team: Halls, Beaney, Morrissey (Sub: Davis), Lambert, Cunningham, Farris (Sub: Atabaky), Brooks, Mongan, Brittain (Sub: Hollinsworth), Stevens, Rankin.

Gradually we found our pattern with Paul Bestley making a solid first team debut alongside the lively Tom Brooks. We took the lead just before half time when good work by Daren Stevens led to Jamie Brittain sliding the ball past ex-Tav keeper Marty Smith.

With Andy Lambert and Liam Powell superb at the heart of the Taverners defense, we took control as the second half progressed and made the score 2-0 with a magnificent shot into the top corner from Luke Farris.

Other chances went astray and then all of a sudden Bramford came back with a goal from just outside the box.

However, we kept cool and made the score 3-1 when Daren Stevens side-stepped Marty Smith and when his shot hit the post, Luke Farris netted the rebound.

A fine move led to our fourth goal. Jamie Brittain instantly controlled the ball and wrong footed a defender before sweeping the ball home.

An excellent team performance.

We scored first through a coolly taken goal from Daren Stevens but our celebrations were hardly complete when a failure to concentrate allowed United in to equalise.

Several good chances went astray before Andy Lambert fired home - another calmly struck shot - and we held the lead at the break.

We've all heard the half-time call to 'keep things tight' early in the second half over the years and - as so often happens - the Tavs failed to live up to their intentions, conceding an equaliser via the penalty spot. Our protests seemed justified but the score was 2-2 and worse followed as a third goal was conceded. A fourth and fifth for our opponents perhaps flattered them but once again our defensive work was, at times, poor.

A 'plus' was the appearance of 'Panda' Jacobs and he and Andy Lambert formed a tremendous barrier, helped by everyone's never-say-die spirit. It was good to see Luke Farris and Gary Cunningham return after injury while Jamie Brittain did a solid job in the middle of midfield.

We played some neat football in the first half - without creating much in the way of chances - and were a little unfortunate to be a goal down at the break; a tremendous header.

Harpers grabbed a second goal early in the second half and were generally on top to finish four goal winners.

We were grateful to Clive Halls for some fine saves.

The opening game of the season had seen the Tavs definitely second-best and on the wrong end of a 6-1 scoreline but this time we showed full commitment to fight for everything and not to permit Harpers to build up their attacking moves. We defended bravely and resolutely when necessary and this attitude enabled us to survive a string of dangerous corners and crosses during the first half.

When we went forward, however, we were rarely able to find a through ball or direction to worry an experienced Harpers defence.

The second half was fought out in similar fashion and extra time looked likely until Harpers grabbed the tie with an effort from just outside the box which flew into the top corner.

Andy Lambert and Liam Powell formed a tremendous barrier while Tom Brooks was tireless - everyone else battled so hard throughout in a match which was played in good spirit and a credit to Sunday football.

Team: Davis, Beaney, Powell, Lambert, Betts, Southgate, Brooks, Geater, Wray (Sub: Brittain), Stevens, Rankin (Sub: Hollinsworth).

This problem has re-occurred several times already this season but we are determined that it will be overcome.

To the match itself: Although rarely finding much rhthym, the Tavs looked the more dangerous side early on but we fell behind when a scramble in the Martlesham goalmouth - two shots being blocked - led to the home side breaking quickly and opening their account.

Martlesham made it 2-0 before the break with a header and a third goal early in the second half added to our problems. One or two chances were missed before Andy Lambert latched onto a half-clearance to drive the ball home. Daren Stevens saw one header tipped over the bar and more chances went astray but it was Martlesham who added two further goals to win 5-1.

Tom Brooks and Duncan Southgate worked hard throughout.

In doing so, Ash collided with Jamie Brittain who battled on for most of the half before giving way to Tem Atabaky as substitute.

Both teams had their share of possession and chances. Andy Lambert - rock-like in the Tavs defence - felt he should have scored with a header while Daren Stevens slipped when well-placed. Clive Halls had to be at his best to keep one shot out while Andy cleared off the line.

Eventually a moment's lapse in concentration enabled a Kelsale forward to net a far post header for a 1-1 half-time scoreline.

We continued our spirited approach in the second half and played some good football going forward. Once again, the play ebbed and flowed but we were delighted to grab the winning goal ten minutes from time.

Daren Stevens supplied the low cross, the influential Tom Brooks saw his first shot blocked but was quickest to the ball to drive it home for 2-1.

Every one of the thirteen Tavs on duty played their part to the full, none more than Jake Betts, who had a fine debut, both on the left side of midfield and then at full back.

Team: Halls, Fisk, Lambert, Gledhill, Cunningham (Sub: Hollinsworth), Brittain (Sub: Atabaky), Ayles, Brooks, Betts, Stevens, Rankin.

Despite having to make two last-minute changes, the Tavs put together a solid, battling performance against Ipswich Thistle reserves and fully deserved the four goal margin of victory.

From the start we looked lively, with the energy and power of Tom Brooks and Ryan Horsfall - in the middle of midfield - rubbing off on everyone else. Ben Norfolk's persistence paid off when he dispossessed the Thistle keeper to open the scoring and Ryan himself burst through to double our advantage before half-time.

Several other chances went astray and we were relieved to see Thistle miss a penalty just after the break; conceding then might have made life difficult.

Our defensive work was good with Rob Fisk showing up well on his introduction at right back. We continued to create chances without converting them and then Thistle were presented with a lifeline when a penalty was awarded against Clive Halls; even the Thistle camp were amazed but all was well as Clive blocked the spot-kick.

Daren Stevens had led the line well and deserved his part in our third and fourth goals. A pass to Ryan Horsfall who powered through to score in style and a deep cross for Jamie Brittain to head home at the far post.

Luke Farris might well be out for a few weeks with a damaged shoulder while Ben Norfolk did well to last the 90 despite a thigh injury.

Describing a win or draw can be enjoyable and even a defeat, where bad luck has played its part or the team has contributed to a good game, is not too bad; unfortunately, our performance against Goddard & Co - apart from a couple of all-too-brief periods - was dire and, if it had not been for the heroics shown by Matt Davis, the outcome could have been far worse.

Goddard scored in the first and the last minute and in between caught the Tavs time and again in quick counter-attacks after we had given the ball away cheaply or in dangerous positions. We even missed a second half penalty.

On this occasion, in-form Harpers came out well on top, leading by three clears goals at the break and adding three more afterwards.

We began promisingly and, at times put together some neat passing moves, but the pattern of the Tavs having possession and then being completely at sea in the face of a quick counter-attack was established early on. Clive Halls made some excellent saves and had no chance with any of the goals while Andy Lambert battled hard.

Duncan Southgate had a good game and scored our goal when he pounced onto a loose back pass and steered the ball past the keeper midway through the second half.

The match was played in a good spirit and was an excellent advert for Sunday football.

Fixtures 2011/2012------------- 1st September 2011