Ridgeons League Division One Debenham LC 2 Godmanchester Rovers 1 AN INJURY to Stephen Hurst gave Debenham the edge as Godmanchester slumped to defeat in Suffolk. Manager Karly Hurst said that the loss of Hurst had left his side in disarray and it had ta

Ridgeons League Division One

Debenham LC 2

Godmanchester Rovers 1

AN INJURY to Stephen Hurst gave Debenham the edge as Godmanchester slumped to defeat in Suffolk.

Manager Karly Hurst said that the loss of Hurst had left his side in disarray and it had taken them some time to recover composure.

Hurst injured his eye in a collision midway through the first half and the home side soon took advantage with goals from Stuart Jopling in the 29th and 36th minutes.

Godmanchester goalkeeper Gavin Armitage was fortunate not to concede early on in the match when he misjudged a cross and saw it cannon back off the crossbar.

However, the stopper made amends when he saved a stinging John Farrell free kick at the third attempt and tipped a Kevin Barker shot onto the bar.

Armitage stood little chance when Robert Canfer and Barker opened up the visitors' defence for Stuart Jopling to slot the ball home.

Debenham moved the ball around sweetly in the first period their second goal was superbly created.

Paddy Turley won a tackle on the edge of his own box and brought the ball out of defence before finding Canfer who instantly switched play to the left releasing Ben Bibby.

Bibby advanced down the flank before whipping in a cross that Jopling dispatched into the top left hand corner of the net with a sweetly struck volley on the turn.

Godmanchester put on a more spirited and disciplined display in the second half - after Armitage had prevented Jopling from completing his hat-trick.

Nicky Hurst put a free header wide for Rovers, but the visitors were eventually rewarded with a goal in the closing stages of the match.

Debenham substitute Donovan Steward needlessly handled the ball in the area and Hayden Beasley converted from the spot to claim his second goal in successive matches, but it wasn't quite enough for Rovers.

Manager Karly Hurst said: "We didn't play well in the first half but we can take a lot from our second half performance."

Next up for Godmanchester is a trip to Downham on Saturday for a league fixture.